WO2009062360A1

WO2009062360A1 - Structures for multi-directional operation buttons

Info

Publication number: WO2009062360A1
Application number: PCT/CN2007/071070
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wenbing Li
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-11-16
Filing date: 2007-11-16
Publication date: 2009-05-22

Abstract

A structure (105) for multi-directional operation button includes a cover (205) that has a cut-out section (220); a button (210) that is configured to be placed through the cut-out section (220); and a contact bracket (215) that includes support members (240A-D) and contact members (245A-D), each support member (240A-D) being an elongated bar, the support members (240A-D) being attached to each other, each contact member (245A-D) including at least one arm (275) that is attached to a head (270), each arm (275) being further attached to at least one support member (240A-D), the button (210) being disposed between the heads (270) of their respective contact members (245A-D).

Description

STRUCTURES FOR MULTI-DIRECTIONAL OPERATION BUTTONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to switches, and more particularly, the disclosure relates to structures for multi-directional operation buttons.

BACKGROUND

Many electronic devices include electrical switches that are configured to be triggered by a button. Such button is typically a simple switch mechanism for controlling some aspect of a machine or a process. The button is typically made out of hard material, usually plastic or metal. The surface is usually flat or shaped to accommodate the human finger or hand, so as to be easily depressed or pushed. The buttons are designed for easy usage to engage the electrical switches.

SUMMARY

Structures for multi-directional operation buttons are provided. In this regard, a representative structure, among others, includes a cover that has a cut-out section; a button that is configured to be placed through the cut-out section; and a contact bracket that includes support members and contact members, each support member being an elongated bar, the support members being attached to each other, each contact member including at least one arm that is attached to a head, each arm being further attached to at least one support member, the button being disposed between the heads of their respective contact members. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device having a structure for a multi-directional operation button.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a structure for a multi-directional operation button, such as that shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembled structure for the multi-directional operation button, such as that shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structure for the multi-directional operation button taking along line A-A in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the structure for the multi-directional operation button taking along line 1 1 -1 1 in FIG. 3, showing the button moving in a linear direction.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a structure for a multidirectional operation button. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the structure for the multi-directional operation button taking along line B-B in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the structure for the multi-directional operation button, such as that shown in FIG. 6, which shows the button 610 moving in a linear direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary systems are first discussed with reference to the figures. Although these systems are described in detail, they are provided for purposes of illustration only and various modifications are feasible. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device having a structure for a multi-directional operation button. The electronic device 100 can include, but is not limited to, hand phones, laptops, personal computers, cameras and camcorders, among others. The electronic device 100 generally includes a multi-directional operation button that, for example, zooms and scrolls for pictures, device software tools, and functionalities, among others. The structure 105 for the multi-directional operation button is further described in relation to FIGs. 2-5.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the structure 105 for a multi-directional operation button, such as that shown in FIG. 1. The structure 105 of the multi-directional operation button includes a cover 205, a button 210, and a contact bracket 215. The cover includes a cut-out section 220 that resembles a cruciform. It should be noted that the cut-out section 220 can resemble any configuration, such as, a pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, and octagon, among others. The cover 205 further includes posts 225A-D that extend away from the cover 205. The posts 225A-D are substantially normal to the cover 205 and the cut-out section 220 is disposed between the posts 225A-D. In this example, the posts 225A-D are elongated plastic rods that are integrally attached to the cover 205. Alternatively or additionally, the posts can include screws that are screwed onto the cover 205.

The button 210 includes a bar 230 and a base 235. The bar 230 is disposed substantially at the center of the base 235. The shape of the base 235 includes, but is not limited to a circle, square, rectangle, hexagon, heptagon and octagon, among others. The bar 230 of the button 210 is configured to be placed through the cut-out section 220.

The contact bracket 215 includes support members 240A-D and contact members 245A-D. Each support member 240A-D can be an elongated bar that has a distal end 250 and a proximal end 255. The support members 240A-D are attached to each other at the distal ends 250 of the support members 240A-D. The support members 240A-D are further attached to cylinders 265 at the proximal ends 255 of the support members 240. The cylinders 265 are configured to have bores there through. The posts 225 of the cover 205 are configured to pass through the bores of the cylinders 265. The contact members 245A-D are attached to and between the support members 240 at the distal ends 250 of the support members 240A-D.

Each contact member 245 includes arms 275 that are attached to a head 270. The arms 275 are further attached to respective distal ends 250 of the support members 240. The head 270 includes a contact extension 280 that can be referred to as a tab or a bulge. The base 235 of the button 210 is configured to be disposed between the heads 270 of their respective contact members 245A-D. The contact members 245A-D are arranged substantially opposite of each other. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembled structure 105 for the multi-directional operation button, such as that shown in FIG. 2. The cover 205 and the contact bracket 215 are placed on the top and the bottom of the button 210, respectively. The button 210 is placed between the heads 270A-D of the respective contact members 245A-D. It is shown that the posts 225A-D pass through the bores of the cylinders 265A-D of the support members 240A-D, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structure 105 for the multi-directional operation button taking along line A-A in FIG. 3. The button 210 is disposed between the heads 270B, 270D of the contact members 245B, 245D of the contact brackets 215. The base 235 of the button 210 is disposed on the contact arms 275. Each head 270 includes a wedge. For example, the head 270D includes the wedge 405 opposite from the contact extension 280. The bottom of the wedge 405 is attached to the arm 275 and the top of the wedge 405 is attached to the top 425 of the head 270. The contact extension 280 is attached to the bottom 430 of the head 270. The contact extension 280 is configured to engage an electronic switch 420. The thickness 410 of the arms 275 of the contact members 245 is less thick than the thickness 415 of the support members 240.

Generally, the arms 275 of the contact members 245A-D are elastic and the support members 240A-D are stiff. Accordingly, the arms 275 of the contact members 245A-D are configured to bend downwardly as the button 210 moves linearly in at least two directions and recover to a horizontal position after an applied force is released from the button 210. Operations of the multi-directional operation button are described in relation to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the structure 105 for the multi-directional operation button taking along line 1 1 -1 1 in FIG. 3, which shows the button 210 moving in a linear direction. The button 210 is configured to move linearly in at least two directions along the arms 275 of the contact members 245 by way of applied force. In this example, the contact extension 280 of the contact member 245D is configured to engage the electronic switch 420 as the button 210 moves linearly in the direction along the arm 275 of the contact member 245D up the wedge 405 towards the top 425 of the head 270D.

After the applied force is released from the button 210, the arm 275 of the contact member 245D moves back to a horizontal position (as shown in FIG. 4), which facilitates moving the button 210 back to the middle of the contact bracket 215. It should be noted that the support members 240A-D are configured to maintain a substantially horizontal position as the button 210 moves linearly in the directions along the arms 275. The support members 240A-D facilitate guiding the button 210 linearly along the arm 275 of the contact member 245D.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a structure 605 for a multi-directional operation button. The structure 605 of the multi-directional operation button includes a button 610 and a contact bracket 615. In this example, the button 610 is an elongated bar. The button 610 is configured to be placed on the contact bracket 615.

The contact bracket 615 includes support members 640A-C and contact members 645A-B. Each support member 640A-C can be an elongated bar that has a distal end 650A-C and a proximal end 655A-C. The distal end 650A and the proximal end 655A of the support member 640A are attached to the contact member 645A and the distal end 650C of the support member 640C, respectively. The proximal end 655C of the support member 640C is attached to the distal end 655B of the support member 640B. The support members 640A-C form a U-shape configuration with the support members 640A-B being substantially parallel to each other and the support member 640C being substantially normal to the support members 640A-B. The contact member 645B is attached to and between the distal end 650B and proximal end 655B of the support member 640B.

Each contact member 645 includes an arm 675 that is attached to a head 670. The arms 675 are further attached to the respective support members 640A-B. The heads 670 of the contact members 645A-B extend away from the support members 640A-B in the direction towards the support member 640B-A, respectively. The head 670 includes a contact extension 680 that can be referred to as a tab or a bulge. The button 610 is configured to be disposed between the heads 670 of their respective contact members 645A-B. The contact members 645A-B are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the structure 605 for the multi-directional operation button taking along line B-B in FIG. 6. The button 610 is disposed through a cut-out section 720 of a cover 705 and placed between the heads 670A-B of the respective contact members 645A-B of the contact brackets 215. The contact extensions 680 of the contact members 645A-B are configured to engage electronic switches 720. The thickness 710 of the arms 675 of the contact members 645 is less thick than the thickness 715 of the support members 640.

Generally, the arms 675 of the contact members 645A-B are elastic and the support members 640A-C are stiff. Accordingly, the arms 675 of the contact members 645A-B are configured to bend downwardly as the button 610 moves linearly in two directions and recover to a horizontal position after an applied force is released from the button 610. Operations of the multi-directional operation button 605 are described in relation to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a front view of the structure for the multi-directional operation button, such as that shown in FIG. 6, which shows the button 610 moving in a linear direction. Each head 670 of the contact members 645A-B includes a wedge 805. For example, the head 670A includes the wedge 805 on top 825 of the head 670A. The bottom of the wedge 805 is attached to the arm 675 and the top of the wedge 805 is attached to the top 825 of the head 670A. The contact extension 680 is attached to the bottom 830 of the head 670A.

In this example, the contact extension 680 of the contact member 645A is configured to engage the electronic switch 720 as the button 610 moves linearly in the direction along the arm 675 of the contact member 645A up the wedge 805 towards the top 825 of the head 670A. After the applied force is released from the button 610, the arm 675 of the contact member 645A moves back to a horizontal position (as shown in FIG. 7), which facilitates moving the button 610 back to the middle of the contact bracket 615. It should be noted that the support members 640A-C are configured to maintain a substantially horizontal position as the button 610 moves linearly in the directions along the arms 675.

This description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed, however, were chosen to illustrate the principles of the disclosure, and its practical application. The disclosure is thus intended to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to use the disclosure, in various embodiments and with various modifications, as is suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variation are within the scope of this disclosure, as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed:

1. A structure for a multi-directional operation button comprising: a cover that includes a cut-out section; a button that is configured to be placed through the cut-out section; and a contact bracket that includes support members and contact members, each support member being an elongated bar, the support members being attached to each other, each contact member including at least one arm that is attached to a head, each arm being further attached to at least one support member of the support members, the button being disposed between the heads of their respective contact members.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the button includes a bar and a base, the bar of the button being configured to be placed through the cut-out section, and each support member has a distal end and a proximal end, the support members being attached to each other at the distal end of the support members, the base of the button being disposed between the heads of their respective contact members.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the bar of the button is disposed substantially at the center of the base of the button.

4. The structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the base of the button is disposed on the contact arms.

5. The structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the support members are attached to cylinders at the proximal ends of the support members, the cylinders being configured to have bores there through.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5, wherein the cover further includes posts that extend away from the cover, the posts being substantially normal to the cover, the cut-out section being disposed between the posts, the posts of the cover being configured to pass through the bores of the cylinders, the posts including a screw or an elongated plastic rod.

7. The structure as defined in claim 2, wherein each contact member is attached to and between the support members at the distal ends of the support members.

8. The structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the at least one arm is attached to the respective distal ends of the support member.

9. The structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the contact members are arranged substantially opposite of each other.

10. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein each head of the contact members has a contact extension, which includes a tab or a bulge.

11. The structure as defined in claim 10, wherein each head of the contact members has a wedge, the bottom of the wedge being attached to the arm and the top of the wedge being attached to the top of the head.

12. The structure as defined in claim 11 , wherein the contact extension is attached to the bottom of the head, the contact extension being configured to engage an electronic switch.

13. The structure as defined in claim 12, wherein the button is configured to move linearly in at least two directions along the arms of the contact members by way of applied force.

14. The structure as defined in claim 13, wherein the button is further configured to force the contact extension of the contact members to engage the electronic switch as the button moves linearly in the at least two directions along the arms of the contact members.

15. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the support members form a U-shape configuration with a first and second support members being substantially parallel to each other and a third support member being substantially normal to the first and second support members, a first contact member being attached to the first support member on the opposite end from the third support member, a second contact member being attached to and between the ends of the second support member.

16. The structure as defined in claim 15, wherein each contact member includes an arm that is attached to a head, the arms of the first and second contact members being further attached to the first and second support members, respectively, the heads of the first and second contact members extend away from the first and second support members in the direction towards the second and first support member, respectively.

17. The structure as defined in claim 1 , wherein the arms of the contact members are elastic and the support members are stiff.

18. The structure as defined in claim 17, wherein the arms of the contact members are configured to bend downwardly as the button moves linearly in the at least two directions by the applied force and recover to a horizontal position after the applied force is released from the button, wherein the arms being in the horizontal position facilitate moving the button back to the middle of the contact bracket.

19. The structure as defined in claim 17, wherein the support members are configured to facilitate guiding the button linearly along the arms of the contact members.

20. An electronic device comprising: electronic switches; and a structure for a multi-directional operation button that triggers the electronic switches, the structure comprising: a cover that includes a cut-out section, a button that is configured to be placed through the cut-out section, and a contact bracket that includes support members and contact members, each support member being an elongated bar, the support members being attached to each other, each contact member including at least one arm that is attached to a head, each arm being further attached to at least one support member of the support members, the button being disposed between the heads of their respective contact members, the contact members being configured to engage the electronic switches.