Patent ID: 7309841
Filing Date: 2007-12-18
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A cover assembly for a device operated at least in part by a button switch comprising: a) a cover housing having a device side and an exterior side, said device side further comprising means for attaching to said device, said housing adapted to cover said button switch; b) said housing having an exterior bore extending from said exterior side partially through said housing towards said device side, and having an interior bore coaxially aligned with said exterior bore extending from said device side towards said exterior side until abutting said exterior bore, said interior bore having a larger diameter than said exterior bore whereby the junction of said bore forms a shoulder; c) a rod having an exterior end and an interior end said interior end larger in diameter than said exterior end, said exterior end adapted to slidably mount in said exterior bore and said interior end adapted to slidably mount in said interior bore when said rod is inserted exterior end first into said bores from said device side whereby said shoulder prevents said rod from sliding all the way through said bores to said exterior side; d) an exterior cap mounted on the exterior end of said rod, said exterior cap having a peripheral edge extending radially outward beyond said rod, the combination of said exterior cap and said rod having a limited degree of longitudinal travel; e) biasing means disposed between the peripheral edge of said exterior cap and said exterior side of said housing for resisting longitudinal movement of said exterior cap towards said housing; and f) a bumper mounted on the interior end of said rod extending towards said button switch, said bumper made of a resilient and flexible material whereby upon force being applied to said exterior cap sufficient to overcome the resistance of said biasing means and push said rod towards said button switch, said bumper activates said button switch, said bumper adapted to impart sufficient force or said button switch to activate said button switch while deforming upon contact with said button switch thereby preventing excessive force from being applied to and damaging said button switch, said bumper retracting from said button switch and substantially returning to its undeformed shape upon said force being removed from said exterior cap.