Patent ID: 6335496
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A multi-directional manual switch comprising:a substrate having a central fixed contact and a plurality of peripheral fixed contacts and a central movable contact and a plurality of peripheral movable contacts, each of the movable contacts being provided above each of the fixed contacts so that opposite contacts form a unit switch; a holding plate having a first holding corner formed on an underside thereof and mounted on the substrate; an operating plunger having a plurality of radially extending arms, and slidably mounted in a hole formed in the holding plate, and rotatably held in the first holding corner so as to be tilted about the first holding corner; a plurality of first projections formed on the underside of the plunger, comprising a central projection and a plurality of peripheral first projections, each of the projections being provided corresponding to each of the movable contacts, wherein the operating plunger is axially slidably held in the holding corner, the central movable contact has an arcuated shape in section, having a central top portion and opposite ends, and a plurality of second holding corners formed on an underside of the holding plate, a peripheral plunger is provided between each of the peripheral projections and each of the second holding corners so as to be pivoted about the second holding corners; and a second projection is formed on an underside of the peripheral plunger, each of the peripheral fixed contacts is offset from each peripheral projection and disposed so that the peripheral movable contacts is depressed by the second projection.