Patent ID: 6586689
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A multi-direction switch which is provided with a central switch and a plurality of peripheral switches arranged about said central switch and in which a desired one of said switches is actuated by pressing a keytop, said multi-direction switch comprising:a printed wiring board having formed thereon a central stationary contact and a plurality of peripheral stationary contacts arranged circumferentially about said central stationary contact; a dome-shaped central movable contact disposed above said central stationary contact and constituting said central switch together with said central stationary contact; peripheral movable contacts each disposed above one of said peripheral stationary contacts and constituting one of said plurality of peripheral switches together with the corresponding one of said plurality of peripheral stationary contacts; a frame having a central plate portion disposed above said central movable contact, a plurality of legs bent from a periphery of said central plate portion toward said printed wiring board, and a fulcrum portion provided on an underside of said central plate portion, said frame being fixed to said printed wiring board; a keytop disposed above said frame; a housing having an opening for receiving said keytop and fixed to said printed wiring board; and a pusher having a base opposed to an underside of said keytop with said central plate portion of said frame sandwiched therebetween, a plurality of arms extended radially from said base and fixed to the underside of said keytop, an engagement portion formed in a top surface of said base centrally thereof for pivotable engagement with said fulcrum portion of said frame, and a central press protrusion provided on an underside of said base centrally thereof opposite said central movable contact; wherein the top surface of said base of said pusher and the bottom surface of said keytop define therebetween a gap for receiving said central plate portion of said frame in a manner to permit pivotal movement of said keytop.