Abstract:
An input device includes actuating pieces and keys. The actuating pieces are disposed inside a case and have portions disposed along a first direction at predetermined intervals. The portions are movable toward and away from each other and are urged closer to each other by a predetermined urging force. The keys are insertable in the first direction into a key hole in the case. The actuating pieces respectively include pressure receivers which are disposed without overlap in the first direction. Each key includes a pusher which selectively pushes the pressure receiver of at least one of the actuating pieces as a result of insertion of the key into the key hole and moves the actuating piece corresponding to the pushed pressure receiver in a direction against the predetermined urging force.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an input device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Operable toys have been known that include a switching mechanism as an input device. Such operable toys can be operated, for example, by inserting keys into the toys so as to operate switches in the toys (for example, refer to Japanese Patent No. 4872019). 
     Such a toy has the following switching mechanism: a key inserted into the toy is turned to activate several switches disposed in the turning range of the key. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The switching mechanism according to Japanese Patent No. 4872019 requires two key operation steps for activation of a switch: a first step of inserting a key into the toy and a second step of turning the inserted key. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that carries out a predetermined operation in response to mere insertion of a predetermined key into a case. 
     In order to realize the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input device including: 
     actuating pieces which are disposed inside a case and have portions disposed along a first direction at predetermined intervals, the portions being movable toward and away from each other and being urged closer to each other by a predetermined urging force; and 
     at least one key which is insertable in the first direction into a key hole in the case, 
     wherein the actuating pieces respectively include pressure receivers which are disposed without overlap in the first direction, and 
     wherein each key includes a pusher which selectively pushes the pressure receiver of at least one of the actuating pieces as a result of insertion of the key into the key hole and moves the actuating piece corresponding to the pushed pressure receiver in a direction against the predetermined urging force. 
     According to this configuration, mere insertion of the key into the case in the input device starts the operation of a corresponding actuating piece. Thus, an apparatus including the input device can carry out a predetermined operation. 
     Preferably, the at least one key comprises different types of keys which operate different actuating pieces or a combination of actuating pieces. 
     According to this configuration, use of several different keys can start operations in various modes of an apparatus including the input device. 
     Preferably, each of the actuating pieces comprises a hole, and the pressure receiver is a circumferential area of the hole. 
     More preferably, the holes in the actuating pieces have similar shapes. 
     According to this configuration, the pressure receiver is composed of the circumferential area of the hole. Thus, the pressure receiver can be readily provided on the actuating piece. The large circumferential area around the hole can be pushed to certainly move the actuating piece. 
     Preferably, the circumferences of the holes of the actuating pieces are visible in the first direction from the key hole, and the at least one key has cross-sectional diameters which decrease stepwise toward the tip. 
     According to this configuration, the key has stepwise cross-sections. Thus, the formation of the key is facilitated. 
     Preferably, the actuating pieces are turnable about a support shaft. 
     According to this configuration, the actuating pieces are provided on the single support shaft. Thus, the dimensions of the input device can be decreased. 
     Preferably, each of the actuating pieces comprises an oblong hole having a major axis orthogonal to the support shaft, and the pressure receiver is a circumferential area of the hole. 
     According to this configuration, oblong holes are formed. Thus, the actuating pieces can certainly turn. 
     Preferably, the input device further includes a switch which is turned on and off in response to movement of one of the actuating pieces. 
     According to this configuration, mere insertion of the key into the case starts the operation of the corresponding actuating piece, thereby activating a predetermined switch. 
     Preferably, the case is an outer shell of a figurative toy, and the switch controls the operation of the figurative toy. 
     According to this configuration, mere insertion of the key into the case can cause the figurative toy to carry out a predetermined operation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings which are given byway of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a toy robot including an input device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the input device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view illustrating essential components of the input device illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a key; 
         FIGS. 5A to 5D  are schematic views illustrating different operating modes of the input device; and 
         FIGS. 6A to 6C  are schematic views illustrating different operating modes of the input device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments of an input device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Overall Configuration 
     A toy robot  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is transformed by expansion of a toy vehicle. The toy robot  1  includes wheels  2  on arms  1   a  and legs  1   b.  The wheels  2  function as decoration in a toy robot mode and function as traveling wheels in a vehicle mode. 
     An input device  3  which is illustrated in  FIG. 2  is installed inside the chest  1   c  of the toy robot  1 . The input device  3  includes three switches  11 ,  12 ,  13 . The switches  11 ,  12 ,  13  are selectively activated in response to insertion of a predetermined key  30  (see  FIG. 2 ) into a key hole  14  in the front case of the chest  1   c  of the toy robot  1  so as to generate a predetermined sound. 
     Detailed Configuration 
     1. Switch Unit  10   
     As described above, the input device  3  includes a switch unit  10 . The switch unit  10  includes the switches  11 ,  12 ,  13 , which are disposed along the horizontal direction of the toy robot  1 . The switches  11 ,  12 ,  13  respectively include pairs of terminals  11   b,    12   b,    13   b,  which are electrically connected in response to operation of respective actuators  11   a,    12   a,    13   a  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     2. Actuating Pieces  15 ,  16 ,  17   
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , actuating pieces  15 ,  16 ,  17  are provided at the front of the switch unit  10 . The bases  15   a,    16   a,    17   a  of the respective actuating pieces  15 ,  16 ,  17  are disposed along the horizontal direction of the toy robot  1 . The bases  15   a,    16   a,    17   a  are supported by a single shaft  18 . The actuating pieces  15 ,  16 ,  17  turn about the shaft  18  and are urged forward by a torsion spring (not shown) disposed around the shaft  18 . The upper areas of the actuating pieces  15 ,  16 ,  17  respectively constitute contact portions  15   b,    16   b,    17   b.  The contact portions  15   b,    16   b,    17   b  respectively correspond to the switches  11 ,  12 ,  13  and are disposed in front of the actuators  11   a,    12   a,    13   a  of the switches  11 ,  12 ,  13 . The contact portions  15   b,    16   b,    17   b  respectively rotate around the shaft  18  toward the switches  11 ,  12 ,  13  and come into contact with the actuators  11   a,    12   a,    13   a,  thereby operating the actuators  11   a,    12   a,    13   a.    
     A middle portion  15   c  of the actuating piece  15  is disposed in front of the actuating piece  17  and extends toward the actuating piece  16 . A middle portion  16   c  of the actuating piece  16  is disposed behind the middle portion  15   c  of the actuating piece  15  and in front of the actuating piece  17  and extends toward the actuating piece  15 . The middle portion  15   c  of the actuating piece  15 , the middle portion  16   c  of the actuating piece  16 , and the actuating piece  17  overlap with each other in the anteroposterior direction with predetermined gaps therebetween. 
     The middle portion  15   c  of the actuating piece  15  has a hole  19 , and the middle portion  16   c  of the actuating piece  16  has a hole  20 . The oblong holes  19 ,  20  have major axes orthogonal to the shaft  18 . The holes  19 ,  20  are concentric with a key hole  14  when the actuating pieces  15 ,  16  are at initial positions. The hole  19  has a shape similar to that of the hole  20  but is larger than the hole  20 . Thus, the circumferences of both holes are visible from the key hole  14 . The circumferential area of the hole  19  in the actuating piece  15  and the circumferential area of the hole  20  in the actuating piece  16  constitute pressure receivers. The actuating piece  17  also has a pressure receiver. The pressure receivers of the actuating pieces  15 ,  16 ,  17  do not overlap with each other in the insertion direction of the key  30 . 
     3. Key Hole  14   
     The chest  1   c  of the toy robot  1  has a key hole  14 . The key hole  14  has a circular shape and a diameter larger than the minor axis of the hole  19 . 
     4. Key  30   
     With reference to  FIGS. 5A to 5D  and  FIGS. 6A to 6C , the input device  3  is provided with seven types of keys  30   a  to  30   g  (which are collectively referred to as key  30 , unless they should be differentiated).  FIG. 4  illustrates an example key  30 . The rear end of the key  30  has a decorative knob that decorates the chest  1   c  of the toy robot  1  when the key  30  is disposed in the key hole  14 . The decorative knob may have different designs depending on the type of the key  30 . The key  30  may be provided on any other toy robot that can be combined with the toy robot  1 . 
     The keys  30   a  to  30   g  may each consist of a guiding shaft  31   a  alone, or any combination of a guiding shaft  31   a  with a shaft  31   b  and/or a shaft  31   c.  If the guiding shaft  31   a  is combined with the shaft  31   b  and/or the shaft  31   c,  the cross-sectional diameters of the shafts decrease stepwise toward the tip. The guiding shaft  31   a  is a long or short shaft having a large diameter. The shaft  31   b  is a long or short shaft having a medium diameter. The shaft  31   c  is a long, medium-length, or short shaft having a small diameter. 
     The terms “large diameter,” “medium diameter,” and “small diameter” refer to the relative diameters of the guiding shaft  31   a  and the shafts  31   b,    31   c.    
     The guiding shaft  31   a  has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the key hole  14  in the chest  1   c  of the toy robot  1  and larger than the minor axis of the hole  19 . 
     The shaft  31   b  has a diameter slightly smaller than the minor axis of the hole  19  and larger than the minor axis of the hole  20 . 
     The shaft  31   c  has a diameter slightly smaller than the minor axis of the hole  20 . 
     (1) Key  30   a  ( FIG. 5A ) 
     The key  30   a  is composed of a long guiding shaft  31   a.  In detail, the guiding shaft  31   a  has dimensions that allow a pusher at the end of guiding shaft  31   a  to push only the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  15  when the key  30   a  is disposed in the key hole  14 . 
     (2) Key  30   b  ( FIG. 5B ) 
     The key  30   b  is composed of a short guiding shaft  31   a  and a long shaft  31   b  disposed on the end surface of the guiding shaft  31   a.  In detail, the guiding shaft  31   a  has dimensions that prevent a pusher at the end of the guiding shaft  31   a  from pushing the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  15  when the key  30   b  is disposed in the key hole  14 . Furthermore, the shaft  31   b  has dimensions that allow a pusher at the end of the shaft  31   b  to push only the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  16  when the key  30   b  is disposed in the key hole  14 . 
     (3) Key  30   c  ( FIG. 5C ) 
     The key  30   c  is composed of a short guiding shaft  31   a  and a long shaft  31   c  disposed on the end surface of the guiding shaft  31   a.  In detail, the guiding shaft  31   a  has dimensions that prevent a pusher at the end of the guiding shaft  31   a  from pushing the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  15  when the key  30   c  is disposed in the key hole  14 . Furthermore, the shaft  31   c  has dimensions that allow a pusher at the end of the shaft  31   c  to push only the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  17  when the key  30   a  is disposed in the key hole  14 . 
     (4) Key  30   d  ( FIG. 5D ) 
     The key  30   d  is composed of a long guiding shaft  31   a  and a short shaft  31   b  disposed on the end surface of the guiding shaft  31   a.  In detail, the guiding shaft  31   a  has dimensions that allow a pusher at the end of the guiding shaft  31   a  to push only the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  15  when the key  30   d  is disposed in the key hole  14 . Furthermore, the shaft  31   b  has dimensions that allow a pusher at the end of the shaft  31   b  to push only the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  16  when the key  30   d  is disposed in the key hole  14 . 
     (5) Key  30   e  ( FIG. 6A ) 
     The key  30   e  is composed of a long guiding shaft  31   a  and a medium-length shaft  31   c  disposed on the end surface of the guiding shaft  31   a.  In detail, the guiding shaft  31   a  has dimensions that allow a pusher at the end of the guiding shaft  31   a  to push only the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  15  when the key  30   e  is disposed in the key hole  14 . Furthermore, the shaft  31   c  has dimensions that allow a pusher at the end of the shaft  31   c  to push only the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  17  when the key  30   e  is disposed in the key hole  14 . 
     (6) Key  30   f  ( FIG. 6B ) 
     The key  30   f  is composed of a short guiding shaft  31   a,  a long shaft  31   b  disposed on the end surface of the guiding shaft  31   a,  and a short shaft  31   c  disposed on the end surface of the shaft  31   b.  In detail, the guiding shaft  31   a  has dimensions that prevent a pusher at the end of the guiding shaft  31   a  from pushing the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  15  when the key  30   f  is disposed in the key hole  14 . The shaft  31   b  has dimensions that allow a pusher at the end of the shaft  31   b  to push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  16  when the key  30   f  is disposed in the key hole  14 . The shaft  31   c  also has dimensions that allow a pusher at the end of the shaft  31   c  to push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  17  when the key  30   f  is disposed in the key hole  14 . 
     (7) Key  30   g  ( FIG. 6C ) 
     The key  30   g  is composed of a long guiding shaft  31   a,  a short shaft  31   b  disposed on the end surface of the guiding shaft  31   a,  and a short shaft  31   c  disposed on the end surface of the shaft  31   b.  In detail, the guiding shaft  31   a  has dimensions that allows a pusher at the end of the guiding shaft  31   a  to push only the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  15  when the key  30   g  is disposed in the key hole  14 . The shaft  31   b  has dimensions that allow a pusher at the end of the shaft  31   b  to push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  16  when the key  30   g  is disposed in the key hole  14 . The shaft  31   c  has dimensions that allow a pusher at the end of the shaft  31   c  to push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  17  when the key  30   g  is disposed in the key hole  14 . 
     5. Operation of Input Device  3   
     (1) Use of Key  30   a    
     Insertion of the key  30   a  into the key hole  14  in the toy robot  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 5A  causes the pusher at the end of the guiding shaft  31   a  to push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  15 , thereby turning the actuating piece  15  against the urging force of the torsion spring. This operates the actuator  11   a  of the switch  11 . In this case, the other actuating pieces  16 ,  17  are not pushed and thus the switches  12 ,  13  are not activated. 
     (2) Use of Key  30   b    
     Insertion of the key  30   b  into the key hole  14  in the toy robot  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 5B  causes the pusher at the end of the shaft  31   b  to pass through the hole  19  in the actuating piece  15  and push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  16 , thereby turning the actuating piece  16  against the urging force of the torsion spring. This operates the actuator  12   a  of the switch  12 . In this case, the other actuating pieces  15 ,  17  are not pushed and thus the switches  11 ,  13  are not activated. 
     (3) Use of Key  30   c    
     Insertion of the key  30   c  into the key hole  14  in the toy robot  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 5C  causes the pusher at the end of the shaft  31   c  to pass through the holes  19 ,  20  in the actuating pieces  15 ,  16  and push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  17 , thereby turning the actuating piece  17  against the urging force of the torsion spring. This operates the actuator  13   a  of the switch  13 . In this case, the other actuating pieces  15 ,  16  are not pushed and thus the switches  11 ,  12  are not activated. 
     (4) Use of Key  30   d    
     Insertion of the key  30   d  into the key hole  14  in the toy robot  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 5D  causes the pusher at the end of the guiding shaft  31   a  to push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  15 , and the pusher at the end of the shaft  31   b  to pass through the hole  19  and push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  16 , thereby turning the actuating pieces  15 ,  16  against the urging force of the torsion spring. This operates the actuators  11   a,    12   a  of the switches  11 ,  12 , respectively. In this case, the other actuating piece  17  is not pushed and thus the switch  13  is not activated. 
     (5) Use of Key  30   e    
     Insertion of the key  30   e  into the key hole  14  in the toy robot  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 6A  causes the pusher at the end of the guiding shaft  31   a  to push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  15 , and the pusher at the end of the shaft  31   c  to pass through the holes  19 ,  20  and push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  17 , thereby turning the actuating pieces  15 ,  17  against the urging force of the torsion spring. This operates the actuators  11   a,    13   a  of the switches  11 ,  13 , respectively. In this case, the other actuating piece  16  is not pushed and thus the switch  12  is not activated. 
     (6) Use of Key  30   f    
     Insertion of the key  30   f  into the key hole  14  in the toy robot  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 6B  causes the pusher at the end of the shaft  31   b  to pass through the hole  19  in the actuating piece  15  and push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  16 , and the pusher at the end of the shaft  31   c  to pass through the holes  19 ,  20  and push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  17 , thereby turning the actuating pieces  16 ,  17  against the urging force of the torsion spring. This operates the actuators  12   a,    13   a  of the switches  12 ,  13 , respectively. In this case, the other actuating piece  15  is not pushed and thus the switch  11  is not activated. 
     (7) Use of Key  30   g    
     Insertion of the key  30   g  into the key hole  14  in the toy robot  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 6C  causes the pusher at the end of the guiding shaft  31   a  to push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  15 , the pusher at the end of the shaft  31   b  to pass through the hole  19  in the actuating piece  15  and push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  16 , and the pusher at the end of the shaft  31   c  to pass through the holes  19 ,  20  and push the pressure receiver of the actuating piece  17 , thereby turning the actuating pieces  15 ,  16 ,  17  against the urging force of the torsion spring. This operates the actuators  11   a,    12   a,    13   a  of the switches  11 ,  12 ,  13 , respectively. 
     In the toy robot  1  including such an input device  3 , for example, ON signals are sent from the switches  11 ,  12 ,  13  to a controller circuit so as to output audio signals corresponding to the modes indicated by the ON signals. 
     The embodiments described above should not be construed to limit the present invention and may have any modification within the scope of the invention. 
     In the embodiment described above, the three switches  11 ,  12 ,  13  are turned on. Alternatively, for example, normally closed switches may be turned off. Alternatively, two switches or four or more switches may be provided. 
     In the embodiment described above, the three switches  11 ,  12 ,  13  are turned on. Alternatively, the actuating pieces  16 , may be operated to temporarily activate operational components other than switches. 
     In the embodiment described above, the holes  19 ,  20  in the actuating pieces have ecliptic shapes so as to prevent interference with the shafts  31   a,    31   b,    31   c  during turn of the actuating pieces  15 ,  16 ,  17 . Alternatively, the holes may have circular shapes if the actuating pieces  15 ,  16 ,  17  are slidable in a direction parallel to the centers of the shafts. 
     In the embodiment described above, the circumferential areas of the holes  19 ,  20  constitute pressure receivers. Alternatively, the edges of the end surfaces of the actuating pieces or the edges of notches in the actuating pieces may serve as the pressure receivers. 
     The input device  3  according to the present invention can be installed in toys other than toy robots, such as vehicle toys. The input device  3  may have control modes other than those involving audio and light indicators: for example, control modes involving several different preprogramed motions. Furthermore, the input device  3  may be used for authentication of the operator. 
     In an embodiment described above, multiple keys having different pushers are used. Alternatively, different pushers maybe disposed around the circumference of a single key so that different actuating pieces can be operated depending on the insertion angle of the key. 
     This U.S. patent application claims priority to Japanese patent application No. 2015-156936 filed on Aug. 7, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein for correction of incorrect translation.