Patent ID: 6359243
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: G05G,H01H

Abstract:
A multi-directional operating switch comprising:a box-shaped case having an opening in an upper surface thereof, and an outer support provided under an outer periphery of said opening; a substrate disposed under said box-shaped case, said substrate provided with an inner support in a position concentrical with said opening; a tilting body provided with a bowl-shaped section supported tiltably between said inner support and said outer support, and having a manipulation shaft projecting upwardly from said bowl-shaped section to an outside through said opening; and a plurality of switch units disposed in a circular configuration, each of said plurality of switch units being turned on and off by a depressing boss provided on a bottom fringe of said bowl-shaped section, wherein an inner peripheral wall of said opening is provided with: a plurality of recessed grooves elongated in an axial direction of said opening in positions corresponding with respective directions where said plurality of switch units are disposed; and heaped-up portions projecting inwardly and elongated along said axial direction, between adjoining pairs of said plurality of recessed grooves, and further wherein an outer periphery of said manipulation shaft is provided with: a plurality of protuberances for engaging with a corresponding one of said plurality of recessed grooves in response to a tilting movement of said manipulation shaft; and a clearance slot provided on each side of each of said plurality of protuberances for allowing clearance of said heaped-up portions during the tilting movement.