Self-Centering Switch

The present invention relates to a switch, more particularly, to a self-centering switch switch used, for example, to adjust time indicated by a digital timepiece.

On some conventional switches used for adjusting time indicated by digital timepiece, a forward button and a backward button are mounted independently. Other known switches used for the same purpose have a seesaw switch to which a crown is connected. When indicated time is adjusted, the crown is pivoted in one direction or the other.

The conventional switch having independent forward and backward buttons operates poorly. Further, the two buttons must be juxtaposed, thus occupying considerable space so that the switch is not suitable for miniaturization. In the switch having the crown, if the crown is reduced in size to make the timepiece thinner, then it becomes more difficult to operate the crown.

It is an object of the utility model to provide an inexpensive switch which can be miniaturized, can be made thin, and is easy to operate.

The present invention is characterized in that for example a watch casing is provided with an opening at a lateral wall there of and a support pole is formed adjacent to said opening inside said casing. A substantially T-shaped operable member is pivotally held on the support pole and comprises a rocker bar portion located in said opening and a leg portion extending inward from substantially the center of said bar portion, said leg portion being rotatably held on said support pole. A circuit board is mounted in said casing and positioned in parallel to said casing. A contact element is provided which has a base portion connected to one side of said circuit board and a switch element bent substantially normal to said base portion and extending along an inside surface of said rocker bar portion. Contacts are provided on an end surface with said circuit board and with which the switch element makes and breaks contact when depressed by movement of the rocker bar portion.

FIG. 1 is a plan view partially in cross section of a switch according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line II--II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view in cross section of the switch shown in FIG. 1 and showing one operating condition of the switch; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view in cross section of the switch shown in FIG. 1 and showing another operating condition of the switch.

One embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a casing 1 has an opening 1a at a lateral wall thereof. A cylindrical support pole 2 is formed integrally with the casing 1 adjacent to the opening 1a. A protrusion 3 is provided on the pole 2. An operable member 4 is pivotally mounted on the pole 2, as described below. The operable member 4 comprises a bar portion 5 and a leg portion 6 extending inwardly of the casing 1 from substantially the center of the bar portion 5, and is shaped like the letter "T". The bar portion 5 is situated inside the opening 1a so as to be depressed. Protrusions 5a which come into contact with a contact member 7 are formed on the surface of the bar portion 5 which faces the leg portion 6. The leg portion 6 is bifurcated so as to be resiliently deformable, and it is formed resiliently and is rotatable around the outer surface of the support pole 2. During assembly, the operable member 4 is inserted from the opening 1a, and the leg portion 6 is resiliently deformed around and grips the circumference of the support pole. Then, the leg portion 6 is rotatably and resiliently mounted on the outer surface of the support pole 2. The contact member 7 comprises a base portion 8 and a switch element 9 bent normal to the base portion 8. The base portion 8 is provided with holes 8a and 8b. The protrusion 3 and a similar protrusion 10 is fitted in the holes 8a and 8b respectively so as to place the contact member 7 in position. The base portion 8 is partially cut away, and has a bent portion 8c. The base portion 8 is in contact with a circuit (not shown) formed on a circuit board 11. The switch element 9 has a pair of resiliently flexible arms that extend along an inside surface of the bar portion 5. The switch element 9 bears against the protrusion 5a and the resilient arms can resiliently deform or flux about the point at which it is coupled to the base portion 8. Both ends 9a and 9b of the arms of the switch element 9 define movable contacts which can make and break contact with the fixed contacts 11 a and 11b respectively which are connected with a wiring pattern 11c shown in FIG. 1. Wiring patterns 11c are connected to the circuit (not shown) on the circuit board 11. Reference numerals 12 and 13 (FIG. 2) depict decorative plates, and reference numeral 14 depicts a steel plate which reinforces the casing 1.

The operation is next described, particularly in connection with FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. Usually, the operable member 4 is placed in its neutral position by the switch element 9 as shown in FIG. 1. In this state, the switch element 9 is spaced from the contacts 11a and 11b. When the operable member 4 is depressed so as to pivot clockwise as shown in FIG. 3, it pivots or rotates about the pole 2. Then, one of the arms of the switch element 9 is pushed by the protrusion 5a and resiliently deformed. This brings the movable contact 9b into engagement with the fixed contact 11b, closing the switch. When the depressing force is removed, the switch element 9 is resiliently restored to the condition shown in FIG. 1, thus opening the switch. If the operable member 4 is depressed so as to pivot counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 4, then the other arm of the switch element 9 similarly deforms resiliently, causing the movable contact 9a to bear against the fixed contact 11a. As a result, the switch is closed.

As described above in detail, the present utility model provides an inexpensive switch which is simple in structure, shows excellent operability, and takes up only small space to install. Further, it is easy to assemble, because the operable member can be mounted finally. In this way, the novel switch yields quite excellent practical advantages.