Patent ID: 6525279
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A switching device comprising:a decision switch for deciding an operational instruction; a selection switch, disposed adjacent to said decision switch, for selecting an operational instruction; a key top having a central portion disposed over said decision switch; a guide disposed around said key top, wherein said key top and said guide are separate from one another and define an interstice therebetween such that when a force is applied to said key top in a direction toward a center of said decision switch this force is not transmitted to said guide, such that when a force is applied to a central portion of said key top this force is transmitted to said decision switch, and when a tilting force is applied to said key top this tilting force is transmitted to said selection switch through said guide; and a key base disposed between said key top and said decision switch and said selection switch, with said key top and said guide being independently fixed to said key base; wherein a part of said key base that is between a portion of said key base that corresponds to an upper portion of said decision switch and a portion of said key base that corresponds to an upper portion of said selection switch is weaker than other parts of said key base, and wherein when the force is applied to the central portion of said key top this force is transmitted to said decision switch through said key base, and when the tilting force is applied to said key top this tilting force is transmitted to said selection switch through said key base.