Abstract:
It is an object to provide an electronic equipment with comparative ease of freely choosing the push-button location and with satisfactory operability of the push-button device.  
     In an electronic equipment provided with a button for operating the electronic equipment and equipped with a link mechanism comprising one member configured to operate an electric switch disposed in a printed wiring circuit board for a main circuit of the electronic equipment with the force exerted on the button, the electronic equipment comprises a first lever member whose one end is bendably connected to the electronic equipment via a first elastic portion and which is bent by the force applied to the button, a second lever member whose one end is bendably connected to the electronic equipment via a second elastic portion and which protrudes in the direction opposite to the button and is equipped with an arm for operating the electric switch, and a third elastic portion for connecting the first lever member to the second lever member and transmitting the displacement caused by the bend of the first lever member to the second lever member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an electronic equipment such as a VCR (video cassette recorder), etc., and in particular, to a link mechanism of a push-button device mounted to an operation panel of the front surface thereof.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    On the front panel of the electronic equipment, operating push-buttons are positioned, and in order to link the push-buttons to switches located on printed wiring circuit board, a link mechanism is provided. Conventionally, link mechanisms of various types and constructions have been developed and put into use.  
           [0005]    Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first example of link mechanism of the push-button device of conventional electronic equipment will be described. This link mechanism has a plurality of L-letter-shape lever members  180 , and each lever member has a vertical pressing member  183  and a horizontal arm  184 . Each lever member  180  is connected to a mount  185  via hinges  186 .  
           [0006]    On the outer surface of the pressing member  183 , a protruding button  189  is mounted. The top end of the arm  184  is arranged on a push-button type switch  210  mounted on a printed wiring circuit board  200 . As shown in FIG. 2, pressing the button  189  with a finger causes the L-letter-form lever member  180  to pivotally move around a pivot axis perpendicular to the paper surface passing through the hinges  186 , and the top end of the arm  184  of the lever member moves downwards. This will activate the push-button type switch  210 .  
           [0007]    Referring now FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second example of link mechanism of the push-button device of conventional electronic equipment will be described. This link mechanism has a plurality of L-letter-shape lever members  190  (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 shows only one of them), and each lever member has a vertical pressing member  193  and a horizontal arm  194 . On the top end of the vertical pressing member  193 , a hinge  192  is mounted and above the hinge  192 , a mount  191  is fitted. The mount  191  is mounted to a cabinet of the electronic equipment.  
           [0008]    On the outer surface of the pressing member  193 , a protruding button  199  is mounted. The top end of the arm  194  is arranged on a push-button type switch  220  located on a printed wiring circuit board  200 . As shown in FIG. 4, pressing the button  199  causes the L-letter-shape lever member  190  to pivotally move around the pivot axis perpendicular to the paper surface passing through the hinge  192 , and the top end of the arm  194  of the lever member moves in the horizontal direction. This actuates the push-button type switch  220 .  
           [0009]    With the link mechanism of the push-button device of conventional electronic equipment, it was difficult to change the position of push-buttons resulting from design changes. For example, varying the push-button position along the vertical direction on pressing members  183 ,  193  causes the length of arm of moment of force to be changed, and the magnitude of force exerted on the push-button type switch varies. Varying the push-button position along the horizontal direction causes the line of action of force exerted on the switch to be changed, and the lever member is twisted. Consequently, the force applied to the push-button switch is varied and the operating feeling is degraded.  
           [0010]    In the example of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the top end of the arm  194  moves in the horizontal direction. Consequently, in this example, it is necessary to use a longitudinal-type switch that is actuated by applying force in the lateral direction. The longitudinal-type switch has a disadvantage of high price as compared to a flat-type switches as used in the example of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.  
           [0011]    In these examples, the lever member is of a construction cantilevered by a hinge, and when this is fabricated by molding, the lever member is easy to be bent at the thinner portion of the hinge, and there is some possibility to generate defective products.  
           [0012]    Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic equipment in which it is comparatively easy to freely choose the push-button position and a link equipment of such push-button device.  
           [0013]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic equipment equipped with a push-button device with excellent operability.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    According to the present invention, in an electronic equipment comprising a link mechanism formed with one member equipped with a button for operating the electronic equipment and applied to operate an electric switch disposed in a printed wiring circuit board for a main circuit of the electronic equipment by the force applied to the button, the electronic equipment comprises  
           [0015]    a first lever member whose one end is bendably connected to the electronic equipment via the first elastic portion and which is applied to be bent by the force applied to the button,  
           [0016]    a second lever member whose one end is bendably connected to the electronic equipment via the second elastic portion and which protrudes in the direction opposite to the button and is equipped with an arm for operating the electric switch, and  
           [0017]    a third elastic portion for connecting the first lever member to the second lever member and transmitting the displacement caused by the bend of the first lever member to the second lever member.  
           [0018]    According to the present invention, in a link equipment comprising a link mechanism for transmitting the force applied to a button mounted to an electronic equipment to an electric switch mounted at a specified location of the electronic equipment and a frame-form portion equipped with a fitting portion for fixing to the electronic equipment, and the link mechanism and the frame-form portion are formed from one member, the link equipment comprises  
           [0019]    a first lever member whose one end is bendably connected to the electronic equipment via a first elastic portion and which is bent by the force applied by the button,  
           [0020]    a second lever member whose one end is bendably connected to the electronic equipment via the second elastic portion and which protrudes in the direction opposite to the button and is equipped with an arm for operating an electric switch, and  
           [0021]    a third elastic portion for linking the first and the second lever members and for transmitting displacement caused by the bend of the first lever member to the second lever member. By the way, the elastic portion may be called a bent portion or hinge in embodiments of the present invention.  
           [0022]    The printed circuit board for the main circuit is positioned so that the end of the board is close to or abuts the rear surface of the front panel. The link mechanism of the present invention connects between the button means on the front panel and the switch means on the printed circuit board. Accordingly, the printed circuit board for the main circuit can include the switch circuit and therefore it is not necessary to provide a printed a circuit board for the switch circuit separately.  
           [0023]    As described above, because the link mechanism is fixed on both sides and the first lever member and the second lever member rotate around a pivot axis different from each other, satisfactory operating feeling is obtained even when the push-button position is varied from top to bottom. To look at this from a different viewpoint, since the link mechanism has a construction to link two lever members with one linking member, varying the length of two lever members subtly varies the force for pressing the button and the stroke of moving the button, and a button device with satisfactory operation feeling is able to be obtained.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing part of the first example of conventional link equipment;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first example of FIG. 1;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing part of the second example of conventional link equipment;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the second example of FIG. 3;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 is a perspective view drawing showing the appearance of an electronic equipment according to the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 is a drawing showing push-buttons on the front panel of the electronic equipment in FIG. 5;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the front construction of the link equipment according to the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the back construction of the link equipment according to the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 9 is a front view showing the relationship between the link equipment and push-button according to the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the link member of the link equipment according to the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the link equipment according to the present invention taken on line A-A of FIG. 7 and FIG. 9;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the link equipment according to the present invention taken on line A-A of FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 with the push-button pressed;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the link equipment according to the present invention taken on line B-B of FIG. 3 and FIG. 9;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the link equipment according to the present invention taken on line C-C of FIG. 7 and FIG. 9;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the link equipment according to the present invention taken on line D-D of FIG. 7 and FIG. 9;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing part of the second example of the link equipment according to the present invention;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the second example of FIG. 16;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing part of the third example of the link equipment according to the present invention;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing part of the third example of FIG. 18 with the push-button pressed;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 20 is a drawing showing the construction of the button of the link equipment according to the present invention; and  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the construction of the button of FIG. 20.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0045]    Referring now to FIG. 5, description will be made on VCR (video cassette recorder) as an example of the electronic equipment equipped with the link mechanism of the push-button device according to the present invention. VCR 1  has a main body  2  and front panel, that is, operation panel  3 , on which a tape cassette slot  4 , display panel  5 , push-buttons, etc. are equipped. On the bottom at the front end of VCR 1 , a pair of legs  7 - 1 ,  7 - 2  are equipped.  
         [0046]    Referring now to FIG. 6, push-buttons provided on the front panel  3  are described. Push-buttons include a round play/stop button  100 , fast-forward/cue button  102  and rewind/review button  105  located on opposite sides of the button  100 , recording button  101  below, pause button  106 , etc. On the surface of the play/stop button  100 , a triangle is displayed on the upper side and a rectangle on the lower side. Pressing the triangle portion brings the play mode, while pressing the rectangle portion brings the stop mode.  
         [0047]    Pressing the fast-forward/cue button  102  in the stop mode brings the fast-feed mode, and quickly feeds the tape without displaying images. Pressing the fast-forward/cue button  102  brings the cue mode, in which the tape is quickly fed while images are being displayed. Pressing the rewind/review button  105  in the stop mode brings the rewind mode, and the tape is rewound without displaying images. Pressing the rewind/review button  105  in the play mode brings the review mode and the tape is rewound while images are being displayed. There are other push-buttons on the front panel  3 , but the description thereof will be omitted.  
         [0048]    Referring now to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9, an example of link device of the push-button of electronic equipment according to the present invention will be described. The link device of this example includes a nearly rectangular frame  8  and six link members  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60  arranged in this frame. The first link member  10  is mounted in correspondence with the recording button  101 , the second link member  20  is mounted in correspondence with the fast-forward/cue button  102 , the third and the fourth link members  30 ,  40  are mounted in correspondence with the play/stop button  100 , the fifth link member  50  is mounted in correspondence with the rewind/review button  105 , and the sixth link member  60  is mounted in correspondence with the pause button  106 .  
         [0049]    The recording button  101 , fast-forward/cue button  102 , rewind/review button  105  and pause button  106  may be formed integral with the first, second, fifth and sixth link members  10 ,  20 ,  50 ,  60 , respectively. The play/stop button  100  may be configured separately as different members from the third and the fourth link members  30 ,  40 . On the rear surface of the play/stop button  100 , two protrusions  125 ,  127  are provided, and these protrusions are configured in such a manner as to come in contact with the third and the fourth link members  30 ,  40 , respectively.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 8 shows the construction of the rear surface of the link device. As illustrated, the second, third, fourth, and fifth link members  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50  extend from the upper member  8 - 1  of the frame  8  to the lower frame member  8 - 2 , and the first and the sixth link members  10 ,  60  extend to the lower frame  8 - 2  from protrusions  8 - 3 A and  8 - 4 A of lateral frame portions  8 - 3 ,  8 - 4 . Between these adjoining link members, clearances are formed.  
         [0051]    A mount may be mounted to the frame  8  for fitting the link device to the cabinet  3  of electronic parts. In the present example, the first mount  8 - 11  is mounted to the lower side of the upper frame member  8 - 1 , and the second mount (not illustrated) is also mounted in the same manner on the upper side of the lower frame member  8 - 2 . To the lateral frame members  8 - 2 ,  8 - 3 , the third mounts  8 - 31 ,  8 - 32 ,  8 - 41 ,  8 - 42  are mounted, respectively. These mounts may be formed integral with the frame  8 .  
         [0052]    As shown in FIG. 9, the first through the sixth link members  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60  may not be straight but bent, or may have the width varied halfway. The frame  8  and link members  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60  may be formed by molding and preferably formed with a single member. If the frame  8  and link members  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60  are formed with a single member by integral molding in this way, both ends of each link member are connected to the frame. Consequently, even if the link member contains thin-wall hinges, there is little possibility to generate defective products due to deformation, etc in the molding process. In such event, the frame  8  may be a closed rectangle as illustrated, but may be a rectangle with one side opened, and a desired shape is chosen as required.  
         [0053]    What is important is that both ends of each link member are connected to the frame at positions different from each other, and the frame and the link member connected to the frame are formed integral. Since both ends of the link member are supported to the frame in this way, each link member is prevented from being deformed during the molding process.  
         [0054]    Referring now to FIG. 10 through FIG. 15, the construction of each link member will be described. First of all, referring to FIGS. 10, 11, and  12 , the second link member  20  will be described. The second link member  20  has the first hinges  22 , first lever member  23 , second hinges  24 , coupling member  25 , third hinge  26 , the second lever member  27  of T-letter-shape, and the fourth hinges  28 . The first through the fourth hinges  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  may be formed as thin-wall portion of the link member  20  as illustrated.  
         [0055]    The first lever member  23  may be arranged vertically, and to the outer surface, a fast-feed/cue button  102  is equipped. As described above, the fast-feed/cue button  102  may be formed integral with the first lever member  23 . The fast-feed/cue button  102  is mounted in such a manner as to protrude from the opening portion  3 A of the front panel  3 . The first hinge  22  and the fourth hinge  28  are mounted to the upper frame member  8 - 1  and the lower frame member  8 - 2  of the frame, respectively. The upper member  8 - 1  and the lower member  8 - 2  of the frame are mounted to the front panel  3 .  
         [0056]    The second lever member of T-letter-form  27  has a vertical portion  27 A and a horizontal arm  27 B, and the top end of the arm  27 B is arranged on the switch  212  which is mounted to the printed wiring circuit board  200 .  
         [0057]    As shown in FIG. 12, pressing the fast-feed/cue button  102  pivotally moves the first lever member  23  around the pivot axis perpendicular to the paper surface passing through the first hinges  22 . This causes the lower end of the first lever member  23  to move inwards in the horizontal direction as shown by an arrow mark. The movement of the bottom end of the first lever member  23  is transmitted to the second lever member  27  of T-letter-form via the coupling member  25 . This causes the second lever member  27  to pivotally move around the pivot axis perpendicular to the paper surface passing through the fourth hinge  28 . The top end of the arm  27 B of the second lever member  27  moves downwards and the switch  212  is actuated.  
         [0058]    The first lever member  23  pivotally moves counterclockwise, while the second lever member  27  pivotally moves clockwise. Consequently, the motion locus of the bottom end of the first lever member  23  does not become identical to the motion locus of the top end of the second lever member  27 . On both ends of the coupling member  25 , the second and the third hinges  24 ,  26  are mounted, and by the deformation of these two hinges  24 ,  26 , the coupling member  25  is able to freely move. By the movement of the coupling member  25 , deviation between the two motion loci is able to be absorbed.  
         [0059]    Referring now to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the third and the fourth link members  30 ,  40  are described. The third and the fourth link members  30 ,  40  have the first hinges  32 ,  42 , first lever members  33 ,  43 , second hinges  34 ,  44 , coupling members  35 ,  45 , third hinges  36 ,  46 , T-letter-form second lever members  37 ,  47 , and the fourth hinges  38 ,  48  respectively. The first through the fourth hinges  32 ,  42 ,  34 ,  44 ,  36 ,  46 ,  38 ,  48  may be configured as a thin-wall portion of link members  30 ,  40  as illustrated.  
         [0060]    The first lever members  33 ,  43  may be arranged vertically, and on the front side, the play/stop button  100  is arranged. The play/stop button  100  is arranged in the opening portion  3 B of the front panel  3 . The first hinges  32 ,  42  and the fourth hinges  38 ,  48  are mounted to the upper frame member  8 - 1  and the lower frame member  8 - 2  of the frame, respectively. The mount  8 - 21  provided on the frame is mounted to the front panel  3  as illustrated.  
         [0061]    The second lever members  37 ,  47  of T-letter-form have vertical portions  37 A,  47 A and horizontal arms  37 B,  47 B, and the top ends of the arms  37 B,  47 B are arranged on the switches  213 ,  214  which are mounted to the printed wiring circuit board  200 .  
         [0062]    As shown in FIG. 6, at the top side on the front surface of the play/stop button  100 , a triangle indicating “play” is attached, and at the bottom side, a rectangle indicating “stop” is attached. On the other hand, on the rear surface of the play/stop button  100 , protrusions  125  (FIG. 13, FIG. 7) and  127  (FIG. 14, FIG. 7) corresponding thereto are provided. The X mark in FIG. 9 indicates the locations of the protrusions  125 ,  127 . As illustrated, the top protrusion  125  mounted correspondingly to the “play” indication (triangle) is arranged above the first lever member  33  of the third link member  30 , and the bottom protrusion  127  mounted correspondingly to the “stop” indication (rectangle) is arranged above the first lever member  43  of the fourth link member  40 .  
         [0063]    As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the play/stop button  100  is pivotally mounted around the pivot axis  121 . This pivot axis  121  traverses the center of the play/stop button  100  at the back of the play/stop button  100 , and is arranged horizontally, that is, perpendicular to the paper surface. By the way, a spring  129  is mounted adjacent to the pivot axis  121 , and the play/stop button  100  is energized to return to the original position by this spring  129 .  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 13 is now referred. Pressing the “play” indication (triangle) at the top side on the play/stop button  100  rotates the play/stop button  100  around the pivot axis  121  clockwise and the top-side protrusion  125  moves inwards. By this motion, the first lever member  33  of the third link member  30  pivotally moves around the first hinge  32 . The bottom end of the first lever member  33  moves inwards in the horizontal direction as shown by an arrow mark. The movement of the bottom end of the first lever member  33  is transmitted to the second lever member  37  of T-letter-form via the coupling member  35 . By this motion, the second lever member  37  pivotally moves around the pivot axis perpendicular to the paper surface passing through the fourth hinges  38 . The top end of the arm  37 B of the second lever member  37  moves downwards and the switch  213  is actuated.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 14 is referred. Pressing the “stop” indication (rectangle) at the bottom side on the play/stop button  100  rotates the play/stop button  100  around the pivot axis  121  counterclockwise and the bottom-side protrusion  127  moves inwards. By this motion, the first lever member  43  of the fourth link member  40  pivotally moves around the first hinge  42 . The bottom end of the first lever member  43  moves inwards in the horizontal direction as shown by an arrow mark. The movement of the bottom end of the first lever member  43  is transmitted to the second lever member  47  of T-letter-form via the coupling member  45 . By this motion, the second lever member  47  pivotally moves around the pivot axis line perpendicular to the paper surface passing the fourth hinges  48 . The top end of the arm  47 B of the second lever member  47  moves downwards and the switch  214  is actuated.  
         [0066]    Referring now to FIG. 15, the first link member  10  will be described. The first link member  10  has a first hinge  12 , first lever member  13 , second hinge  14 , link member  15 , third hinge  16 , second lever member  17  of T-letter-form, and fourth hinge  18 . The first through the fourth hinges  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  may be configured as a thin-wall portion of the link member  10  as illustrated.  
         [0067]    The first lever member  13  may be arranged vertically, and to the outer surface, a recording button  101  is mounted. As described above, the recording button  101  may be formed integral with the first lever member  13 . The recording button  101  is provided in such a manner as to protrude from the opening portion  3 C of the front panel  3 . As described referring to FIG. 4, the first hinges  12  is mounted to protrusion  8 - 3 A of the lateral frame member  8 - 3  of the frame. The fourth hinge  18  is mounted to the lower frame member  8 - 2  of the relevant frames.  
         [0068]    The construction of the first link member  10  is shorter in the longitudinal length as compared to the second link member  20  described referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12, and differs in the point that the first hinges  12  are mounted on the protrusion  8 - 3 A of the lateral frame member  8 - 3  in place of the upper frame member  8 - 1  of the frame. It also differs in the point that the recording button  101  is mounted on the first lever member  13  in place of the fast-feed/cue button  102 . However, the operation is basically the same as the second link member  20 .  
         [0069]    That is, when the recording button  101  is pressed, the first lever member  13  pivotally moves around the pivot axis perpendicular to the paper surface passing through the first hinge  12 . By this motion, the bottom end of the first lever member  13  moves inwards in the horizontal direction as shown by an arrow mark. The movement of the bottom end of the first lever member  13  is transmitted to the second lever member  17  via the coupling member  15 . By this motion, the second lever member  17  pivotally moves around the pivot axis perpendicular to the paper surface passing through the fourth hinge  18 . The top end of the arm  17 B of the second lever member  17  moves downwards and the switch  211  is actuated.  
         [0070]    By the way, the fifth link member  50  mounted in correspondence with the rewind/review button  105  may have the construction and functions similar to those of the second link member  20 . In addition, the sixth link member  60  mounted in correspondence with the pause button  106  may have the constructions and functions similar to those of the first link member  10 . Consequently, the description on construction and functions of the fifth link member  50  and sixth link member  60  will be omitted.  
         [0071]    In the first example of the link device of the present invention as described above, link members  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60  rotate around the pivot axis passing through the first and the fourth hinges which differ from each other, and the first and the fourth hinges are fixed, respectively. Consequently, the example has features of good operation feeling of push-buttons mounted to the first lever member of the link member.  
         [0072]    Referring now to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the second example of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 12, only one link member  70  contained in the link mechanism of the present example is shown. This link member  70  has a first hinge  72 , first lever member  73 , second hinge  74 , coupling member  75 , third hinge  76 , second lever member  77  of T-letter-form, and fourth hinge  78 . Under the lower surface of the arm  77 B of the second lever member  77 , a switch  217  is mounted to the printed wiring circuit board  200 .  
         [0073]    Comparing the link member  70  according to the present example with the above-mentioned link members  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60  there are the differences in the structure of hinges and the construction of the lever member  73 . The first through the fourth hinges  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  of the present example are configured with hinges containing axles  72 A,  74 A,  76 A,  78 A as illustrated. The axles  72 A,  78 A of the first hinge  72  and the fourth hinge  78  may be mounted to frames  8 - 1 ,  8 - 2 , but they may also be mounted directly to the cabinet  3 . The use of hinge axles in place of thin-wall portions for hinges results in advantages of higher hinge rigidity. In particular, the rigidity against twisting of hinges increases.  
         [0074]    The first lever member  73  may be formed in an L-letter form comprising the vertical portion  73 - 1  and the horizontal portion  73 - 2 . On the outer surface, a suitable push-button  107  is mounted. In this example, a restoring force is applied to the push-button  107  by a spring  108  which is arranged in a recessed portion of the front surface of the cabinet  3 .  
         [0075]    The push-button  107  is mounted on the vertical portion  73 - 1  of the first lever member  73 . Consequently, the line of force on the push-button deviates from the one on the switch  217 . That is, the two force lines are not located on the same plane. By the force exerted on the push-button  107 , the twisting force is exerted on the second lever member  77 . However, since hinges are composed with hinge butts, sufficient rigidity is provided and even if a twisting force is exerted on the second lever member  77 , the hinges will not be deformed. It is possible to vary the horizontal position of the push-button  107  by varying the length of the horizontal portion  73 - 2  of the first lever member  73 .  
         [0076]    Referring now to FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the third example of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, only one link member  80  containing the link mechanism of the present example will be shown. This link member  80  has the first hinges  82 , first lever member  83 , an elastic member  85 , an L-letter-form second lever member  87 , and the second hinges  88 .  
         [0077]    Comparing the link member  80  of the present example with the above-mentioned link members  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60  indicates there are differences in the construction of hinges  82 ,  88 , and in that the elastic member  85  is used in place of the coupling member and the hinges on both sides thereof. The first and the second hinges  82 ,  88  of the present example comprise thin plate springs  82 A,  88 A and grooves  82 B,  88 B for holding the plate springs. The plate springs  82 A,  88 A of the first and the second hinges, first and second lever members  83 ,  87 , and the elastic member  85  may be formed integral. The grooves  82 B,  88 B of the first and the second hinges  82 ,  88  may be provided in the frames  8 - 1 ,  8 - 2 , or may be directly provided in the cabinet  3 . By the way, in this drawing, the whole coupling member is made from the elastic member  85 , but part of the coupling member, for example, the center portion only, may be formed with the elastic member.  
         [0078]    As shown in FIG. 19, pressing the push-button  109  mounted on the first lever member  83  causes the first lever member  83  to pivotally move around the pivot axis passing through the first hinges  82 , and the displacement is transmitted to the second lever member  87  via the elastic member  85 . The second lever member  87  pivotally moves around the pivot axis passing through the second hinge  88 , and the top end of the arm  87 B moves downwards. By this, the switch  218  arranged under the bottom side of the top end of the arm  87 B is actuated.  
         [0079]    The first lever member  83  pivotally moves counterclockwise, while the second lever member  87  pivotally moves clockwise. Consequently, the motion locus of the lower end of the first lever member  83  does not coincide with the motion locus of the upper end of the second lever member  87 . In the present example, deviation between the two motion loci isThe first lever member  83  pivotally moves counterclockwise, while the second lever member  87  pivotally moves clockwise. Consequently, the motion locus of the lower end of the first lever member  83  does not coincide with the motion locus of the upper end of the second lever member  87 . In the present example, deviation between the two motion loci is absorbed by the deformation of the elastic member  85 .  
         [0080]    In the second and the third examples shown in FIG. 12 through FIG. 19, the link members  70 ,  80  may be of those for operating the fast-feed/cue button  102  or rewind/review button  105 , or may be of those for operating the recording button  101  or temporary stop button  106 . Needless to say, they may be of those for operating the play/stop button  100 .  
         [0081]    Referring now to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the second example of the play/stop button  100  will be described. The play/stop button  100  of the present example has a nearly disk-form cover member  150  as shown in FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B and a frame member  160  as shown in FIG. 20C and FIG. 20D. On the surface of the cover member  150 , a triangle meaning “play” is indicated on the upper side and a rectangle meaning “stop” is indicated on the lower side. In addition, above the triangle, a small protrusion  150 A is provided so that the play/stop button  100  is able to be detected by touching. On the rear surface of the cover member  150 , two pairs of protrusions arranged along the diameters crossing each other at right angle are formed.  
         [0082]    The first pair of protrusions  151 ,  153  arranged along the horizontal diameter contain the pivot axles  151 A,  153 A and the support members  151 B,  153 B for supporting the pivot axles, respectively. The second pair of protrusions  155 ,  157  arranged along the vertical diameter contain the contact portions  155 A,  157 A and shoulder portions  155 B,  157 B on the side. On the rear surface of the cover member  150 , the third pair of protrusions  159 A,  159 B are further provided along the horizontal diameter.  
         [0083]    The frame member  160  has a recessed portion  160 A for receiving the cover member  150 , and on the bottom surface of the recessed portion, two pairs of openings  161 ,  163 ,  165 ,  167  corresponding to first and second pairs of protrusions  151 ,  153 ,  155 ,  157  of the cover member  150  are provided. On the edge of the first pair of openings  161 ,  163 , bearing portions  162 ,  164  for receiving the pivot axles  151 A,  153 A are provided. To the second pair of openings  165 ,  167 , spring members  166 ,  168  extending in the direction to cross the openings are mounted. The spring members  166 ,  168  may be formed integral with the frame member  160  as part of the thin-wall portion of the frame member  160  as illustrated.  
         [0084]    On the bottom surface of the recessed portion  160 A of the frame member  160 , a protrusion  169  is further provided between the first pair of openings  161 ,  163 . This protrusion is provided in correspondence with the third pair of protrusions  159 A,  159 B of the cover member for preventing the cover member  150  from being mounted in a wrong direction with respect to the frame member  160  in the assembly process.  
         [0085]    Around the frame member  160 , four claws  171 ,  172 ,  173 ,  174  are mounted, and to the top end of the claw, a protrusion is provided. These four claws are configured in such a manner as to be inserted into the corresponding opening portions of the cabinet. As illustrated, the upper two of the four claws are comparatively long, while the two on the lower side may be comparatively short. The cover member and the frame member may be formed integral, respectively, by molding.  
         [0086]    The play/stop button  100  of the present example is assembled by inserting the cover member  150  into the recessed portion  160 A of the frame member  160 . The first and the second pairs of protrusions  151 ,  153 ,  155 ,  157  of the cover member  150  are inserted in the corresponding first and second pairs of openings  161 ,  163 ,  165 ,  167  of the frame member  160 , respectively. The pivot axles  151 A,  153 A are engaged with corresponding bearing portions  162 ,  164  of the frame member  160 , respectively. The shoulder portions  155 B,  157 B of the cover member  150  come in contact with spring members  166 ,  168  of the frame member  160 .  
         [0087]    The protrusion  169  of frame member  160  is disposed in between the third pair of protrusions  159 A,  159 B of the cover member  150 . The protrusion  169  of the frame member  160  may function as a stopper for preventing relative displacement in the horizontal direction between the cover member  150  and the frame member  160 . The third pair of protrusions  159 A,  159 B of the cover member  150  come in contact with the bottom surface of the recessed portion  160 A of the frame member  160 . The third pair of protrusions  159 A,  159 B of the cover member  150  function as a stopper for preventing the cover member  150  and the frame member  160  from coming closer to each other. The engagement of the pivot axles  151 A,  153 A with the bearing portions  162 ,  164  prevents the cover member  150  and the frame member  160  from moving in the direction of separating them from each other.  
         [0088]    As shown in FIG. 21, the assembled play/stop button  100  of the present example is inserted in the opening  3 B of the cabinet  3 . As illustrated, the contact portions  155 A,  157 A of the second pair of protrusions  155 ,  157  of the cover member  150  come in contact with the third and the fourth link members  30 ,  40 , respectively.  
         [0089]    Pressing the triangle portion meaning “play” on the surface of the cover member  150  causes the cover member  150  to pivotally move clockwise around the pivot axles  151 A,  153 A, and the contact portion  155 A and the shoulder portion  155 B of the protrusion  155  above the second pair of protrusions of the cover member  150  move inwards. The movement of the contact portion  155 A causes the third link member  30  to move. The movement of the shoulder portion  155 B deforms the spring member  166 , and the cover member  150  is subject to the restoring force, that is, counterclockwise pivotally moving force by the spring member  166 .  
         [0090]    Pressing the rectangle portion meaning “stop” on the surface of the cover member  150  causes the cover member  150  to pivotally move counterclockwise around the pivot axles  151 A,  153 A, causing the contact portion  157 A and shoulder portion  157 B of the protrusion  157  below the second pair of protrusions of the cover member  150  to move inwards. The movement of the contact portion  157 A causes the fourth link member  40  to move. The movement of the shoulder portion  157 B causes the spring member  168  to deform, and the cover member  150  is subject to the restoring force, that is, clockwise pivotally moving force by the spring member  168 .  
         [0091]    Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is easily understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.  
         [0092]    According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic equipment in which the push-button position is comparatively easy to be freely chosen and the operability of the push-button device is satisfactory, as well as to provide a link equipment of such push-button device.  
         [0093]    According to the present invention, it is possible to use a comparatively inexpensive flat-type switch without using a comparatively expensive longitudinal switch.  
         [0094]    According to the present invention, since a construction in which the lever member is cantilevered by a hinge is not included, when the lever member is fabricated by molding, it is possible to avoid cases in which bends occur at the thin-wall portion of the hinges and defective products are generated.  
         [0095]    Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications could be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.