Abstract:
A double-shot molded button includes a main portion including an operation surface and at least one inserted portion embedded in the main portion. The inserted portion includes an exposed surface exposed from the operation surface to configure a symbol for denoting an operation function and being pressed. An orthographic projection image of the inserted portion on the exposed surface is enclosed within the exposed surface. A method for making the double-shot molded button is also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates, generally, to buttons, and particularly, to a double-shot molded button, and a method for making the double-shot molded button. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In order to control electronic devices such as media players and mobile phones, control buttons bearing graphic symbols such as letters, numbers and other symbols are widely used. The specific graphic symbols define corresponding functions of the control buttons. The buttons are typically made by a double-shot molding technology. A melted opaque material is first injected into a mold to form a base part containing a symbol. A melted translucent material is then injected to surround the symbol. 
         [0005]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8  together, a typical double-shot molded button  10  is illustrated. The button  10  includes a main portion  101 , an inserted portion  102 , and a base portion  103  supporting the inserted portion  102 . The main portion  101  includes an operation surface  104  and a bottom surface  105  opposite to the operation surface  104 . The inserted portion  102  and the base portion  103  are integrally formed and embedded in the main portion  101 . The inserted portion  102  protrudes from the base portion  103  to the operation surface  104  of the main portion  101 . The inserted portion  102  has several distal ends  102   a  opposite to the base portion  103  exposed to align with the operation surface  104  such that specific symbols are constructed to define a specific function. A user can thus operate a certain button  10  selected according to the specific symbol to carry out a desired operation. 
         [0006]    However, to accommodate thinner electronic devices, the button  10  is designed thinner, a projection image of the base portion  103  is visible on the operation surface  104  of the main portion  101 . In addition, if the main portion  101  is made of translucent materials, the projection image can be also seen on the operation surface  104  of the main portion  101 . Therefore, boundaries that the operation surface  104  surrounds the distal ends  102   a  of the inserted portion  102  would be blurred by the projection image of the base portion  103 . 
         [0007]    What is needed, therefore, is a double-shot molded button that overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages. A method for making the double-shot molded button is also desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In one aspect, a double-shot molded button according to a preferred embodiment includes a main portion including an operation surface and at least one inserted portion embedded in the main portion. The inserted portion includes an exposed surface exposed from the operation surface to configure a symbol for denoting an operation function. An orthographic projection image of the inserted portion on the exposed surface is enclosed within the exposed surface. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a method for making a double-shot molded button includes: injecting a first material into a first mold to form at least one inserted portion; placing the inserted portion into a second mold; and injecting a second material into the second mold to form a main portion, the main portion surrounding the inserted portion. 
         [0010]    Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present double-shot molded button and method for making the double-shot molded button. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and all the views are schematic. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic, top view of a double-shot molded button in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic, bottom view of the double-shot molded button of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the double-shot molded button of  FIG. 1 , taken along line III-III thereof. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the double-shot molded button in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-section view of the double-shot molded button in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-section view of the double-shot molded button in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a general double-shot molded button. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the double-shot molded button of  FIG. 7 , taken along line VIII-VIII thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe preferred embodiments of the present double-shot molded button and a method for making the double-shot molded button, in detail. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a double-shot molded button  20  in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The double-shot molded button  20  can be employed in an electronic device (not shown). 
         [0022]    The button  20  includes a main portion  202 , and a plurality of inserted portions  204  embedded in the main portion  202 . The main portion  202  and the inserted portions  204  are made of different materials. In the first embodiment, the main portion  202  is made of a translucent material, and the inserted portions  204  are made of opaque materials. The main portion  202  includes an operation surface  206 . A rim portion  208  extends around the edges of the main portion  202 . Four brackets  210  extend from the four edges of the rim portion  208  correspondingly. The rim portion  208  and the brackets  210  are configured to securely attach the main portion  202  onto the electronic device. Each of the inserted portions  204  extends through the main portion  202 , and includes an exposed surface  212  exposed at the operation surface  206  of the main portion  202 . The exposed surface  212  forms a symbol to indicate a corresponding operation function (e.g. play, pause, stop, return etc.). A cross-sectional figure of the inserted portion  204  is a quadrate shape, as shown in  FIG. 3 . An orthographic projection image of the inserted portion  204  towards the exposed surface  212  is located within the exposed surface  212 . In other words, a projection image of the inserted portion  204  that is cast along an orthographic projection direction D 1  onto the exposed surface  212  is covered by the exposed surface  212 . Therefore, boundaries that the operation surface  206  surrounds the exposed surface  212  of the inserted portion  204  would not be blurred by the projection image of the base portion inserted portion  204 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a double-shot molded button  30  in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The button  30  includes a main portion  302 , a plurality of inserted portions  304  embedded in the main portion  302 . The main portion  302  includes an operation surface  306 . The inserted portion  304  includes an exposed surface  308  surrounded by the operation surface  306 . A cross-section of the inserted portion  304  is a trapezoid shape and the exposed surface  308  of the inserted portion  304  is a larger size top surface of the trapezoid. Thus, an orthographic projection image of the inserted portion  304  on the exposed surface  308  is located within the exposed surface  308 . A projection image of the inserted portion  304  is covered by the exposed surface  308 . Therefore, boundaries that the operation surface  306  surrounds the exposed surface  308  of the inserted portion  304  would not be blurred by the projection image of the base portion inserted portion  304 . In addition, the inserted portion  304  can thus be firmly retained in the main portion  302  when the exposed surface  308  is pressed along a direction D 2  that is opposite to an orthographic projection direction D 1 , because the inserted portion  304  has a trapezoid shaped cross-section. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a double-shot molded button  40  in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The button  40  includes a main portion  402 , a plurality of inserted portions  404  embedded in the main portion  402 . The main portion  402  includes an operation surface  406 . The inserted portion  404  includes an exposed surface  408  surrounded by the operation surface  406 . A longitudinal cross-section of the inserted portion  404  is T-shaped and the exposed surface  408  is a top surface of the inserted portion  404 . An orthographic projection image of the inserted portion  404  on the exposed surface  408  is located within the exposed surface  408 , therefore, a projection image of the inserted portion  404  is covered by the exposed surface  408 . Boundaries that the operation surface  406  surrounds the exposed surface  408  of the inserted portion  404  would not be blurred by the projection image of the inserted portion  404 . In addition, the inserted portion  404  can thus be firmly retained in the main portion  402  when the exposed surface  408  is pressed along a direction D 2  that is opposite to an orthographic projection direction D 1 , because the inserted portion  404  has a stepped-shaped cross-section. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a double-shot molded button  50  in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The button  50  includes a main portion  502 , a plurality of inserted portions  504  embedded in the main portion  502 . The main portion  502  includes an operation surface  506 . The inserted portion  504  includes an exposed surface  508  surrounded by the operation surface  506 . The exposed surface  508  is configured for being pressed. An orthographic projection image of the inserted portion  504  on the exposed surface  508  is located within the exposed surface  508 , therefore, a projection image of the inserted portion  504  is covered by the exposed surface  508 . Boundaries that the operation surface  506  marches with the exposed surface  508  of the inserted portion  504  would not be blurred by the projection image of the inserted portion  504 . In addition, the inserted portion  504  is a cylinder, and a groove  510  is defined around the cylinder. The main portion  502  forms a protrusion  512  engaged in the groove  510 . The inserted portion  504  can thus be firmly retained in the main portion  502 . When the exposed surface  508  is pressed along the direction D 2  that is opposite to the orthographic projection direction D 1 , detachment of the inserted portion  504  from the main portion  502  is prevented. 
         [0026]    It should be pointed out that, cross-sectional figures of the inserted portions  204 ,  304 ,  404  and  504  can be other shapes. 
         [0027]    The methods of making the buttons  30 ,  40 , and  50  are similar to the method of making the button  20 . An exemplary method for making the button  20  of  FIG. 3  is described below. The button  20  is made by a double-shot molding technology. A melted opaque material is firstly injected into a mold (not shown) to form the inserted portion  204  containing a symbol. The inserted portion  204  is then placed into a second mold (not shown). A melted translucent material is secondly injected to surround the inserted portion  204  to form the main portion  202 . The projection image of the inserted portion  204  can not be seen from the direction D 2  even if the button  20  is made slim or the main portion  202  is made of translucent material. A good outlook of the button  20  without projection image effects can be achieved. 
         [0028]    Finally, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Therefore, various modifications can be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.