Structure of Push-Button Device

This invention relates to push-button devices and, more particularly, to a push-button device specifically suited for use in a watchcase.

A conventional push-button device used in a watchcase generally employs a metallic coil spring through which a shaft portion of a button body extends. The coil spring serves to restore the button body to its original position. This coil spring does tend to be contaminated with water and dust and may therefore corrode and become clogged. This causes the push-button to act improperly. Another problem is that contaminants such as dust which attach themselves to a sealing ring may deteriorate the waterproofing action of the sealing ring.

One example of a conventional push-button device is typified by the structure shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated, a pipe 12 having a stepped portion 12a is secured to a watchcase 10, the shaft portion 14a of a button body 14 is inserted into the pipe 12, and a waterproofing sealing ring or O-ring 16 is disposed between the shaft portion 14a of the button body and the inner wall of the pipe 12. A snap ring 18 is fastened to the end 14b of the button body 14 to prevent the button body from falling out of the case 10. A metallic coil spring 20 is disposed in the clearance formed between the stepped portion 12a of the pipe 2 and the head portion 14c of the button body 14. The coil spring serves to restore the button body 14 to its original position.

While the O-ring 16 succeeds in protecting the interior of the case 10 from the invasion of water, the coil spring 20 does tend to be contaminated with water and dust and may therefore corrode and become clogged. A frequent result is improper push-button action that may not allow normal operation of the push-button. Another problem is that contaminants such as dust which attach themselves to the O-ring 16 may deteriorate the waterproofing action of the O-ring.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a push-button device which can eliminate the shortcomings encountered in the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a push-button device for use in a watchcase, which device is highly effective to prevent penetration of contaminants into the watchcase.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectioal view of an example of a conventional push-button device;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of a preferred embodiment of a push-button device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 showing the push-button prior to depression, and FIG. 3 showing the push-button when depressed;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of a push-button restoring member forming part of the push-button device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of a push-button restoring member forming part of the push-button device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of another preferred embodiment of a push-button device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 showing the push-button prior to depression, and FIG. 3 showing the push-button when depressed.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 showing the state prior to depression of the push-button, and FIG. 3 the state as the push-button is depressed. In FIGS. 2 and 3, like reference numerals designate parts indentical to those shown in FIG. 1. In particular, the structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is exactly the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except for the fact that the inner wall of the pipe 12 is formed to include two shoulders or steppped portions 12a and 12b, with a non-metallic, resilient pipe or sleeve 22 being disposed in the clearance formed between the stepped portion 12a and the head portion 14c of the button body 14, and the stepped portion 12b receiving the head portion 14c when the push-button body 14 is fully depressed. The pipe 12 also has a sleeve accommodating bore 12c, in which the sleeve 22 is disposed. The sleeve 22 has its outer diameter smaller than the bore of the pipe 12, to provide a clearance 30 therebetween to effect buckling of the sleeve 22 at a central portion thereof as will be described later. The resilient pipe 22 comprises a resilient member consisting of rubber or resin or the like. The ends of the resilient pipe 22 are in abutting contact with the stepped portion 12a of the pipe 12 and with the head portion 14c of the button body 14, respectively, prior to depression of the push-button. Contaminants are prevented from directly invading the area of the shaft portion 14a of the button body 14 in this state. When the push-button is depressed the resilient pipe 22 buckles about the central portion thereof, as shown in FIG. 3, the result being an increase in the axially directed restoring force that acts to restore the button body to its original position. The stepped portion 12b of the pipe 12 receives the head portion 14c of the button body 14 as the push-button is depressed, thereby protecting the resilient pipe 22 from the destruction that would result if the push-button were depressed to an excessive degree. This provides a readily operable and practical push-button. Buckling of the resilient pipe 22 when the push-button is depressed may be facilitated by providing an annular recess or concavity (as shown in FIG. 5) on the inner wall of the resilient pipe, or by so forming the resilient pipe 22 as to provide the central portion thereof with a bulging configuration (as shown in FIG. 4). The push-button is restored to the state shown in FIG. 2 by the resilient restoring force of the resilient pipe 22 when pressure is released from the button body.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show another preferred embodiment of a push-button device according to the present invention, with the same or corresponding parts bearing the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIGS. 6 and 7, a washer or ring 28 is disposed between the end of resilient pipe 22 and shoulder 12a of pipe 12.

Providing the resilient pipe 22 as described above prevents contaminants such as dust from directly invading the area of the shaft portion 14a of the button body 14, and lessens the deterioration in waterproofing effect caused by contaminants attaching themselves to the O-ring 16. Moreover, incidents of improper push-button action due to corrosion are reduced by employing the non-metallic resilient pipe 22 instead of a metallic button restoring member.