Illuminated rocker buttons with light dams
US5560475A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H23/025
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Rocker buttons for devices such as automotive audio systems are mounted in escutcheons of the audio systems by using rocker frame members. Light dams, unitary with the rocker frame members shield lamps used to illuminate indicia in the rocker buttons so that the light is not transmitted through gaps between the rocker buttons and the edges of openings through the escutcheons which receive the rocker buttons. Trunions extend laterally from the rocker buttons and are received within bearings formed by grooves in the escutcheons. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rocker frames retain trunions in the bearings and in accordance with another embodiment of the invention peripheral display lenses overlie the trunions to hold the trunions in the bearings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.