Patent Publication Number: US-6667450-B2

Title: Quite button assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a button assembly with reduced noise characteristics and more particularly to a button assembly with a reduced tendency to squeak during operation. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electronic devices and controls have become widely prevalent in almost every aspect of life. Their design and purpose can run the gamut of simple operation, audio control, environmental control, and a host of other known uses. Often, the interfaces of these designs use simple controls, such as push buttons, to provide a simple and well known method of activating functions. Commonly, such push buttons are hard plastic injection molded items. Their surfaces may be decorated with words or symbols to indicate function. Although such push buttons may be formed in an almost infinite number of shapes and configurations, one standard category of push button design includes hinged and hard rocker push buttons. 
     Hinged and hard rocker button designs typically function by pivoting the button body about a pivotal element. Often this is accomplished by positioning the cylindrical pivot element within a pocket allowing the push button to rotate about the cylindrical element. During activation of such designs, however, the rotation of the pivot element within the pocket can generate friction between the pivot element and the pocket and thereby cause noise generation. Often this noise generation takes the form of high pitched noise commonly referred to as squeaking. This noise generation is often highly undesirable. The production of squeaking or squeaks or other undesirable noises during button operation may result in a loss of customer satisfaction. The generation of such noises, although typically not affecting proper operation of the push button, may result in a perception of poor quality. It would, therefore, be highly desirable to have a push button design that would reduce noise generation during operation and thereby improve perceptions of quality and customer satisfaction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rocker button assembly with reduced unwanted noise generation characteristics. 
     In accordance with the object of the present invention, a rocker button assembly is provided. The rocker button assembly includes a button body, including a pivot element. A noise reducing element covers a portion of the pivot element, thereby reducing the generation of noise due to friction generated by the pivot element during operation. 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of an unassembled rocker button assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-section of an embodiment of a rocker button assembly as shown in FIG. 1, the rocker button assembly shown assembled and mounted for operation; and 
     FIG. 3 is a detail of a noise reducing element for use with a rocker button assembly accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, which is an illustration of a rocker button assembly in accordance with the present invention. Rocker button assembly  10  includes button body  12 , including pivot element  14 . Although rocker button assembly  10  has been illustrated as a traditional rocker-style rocker button, it should be understood that a wide variety of rocker and hinged rocker button shapes and designs are contemplated by the present invention. Both rocker-style and hinged-style rocker buttons utilize a pivot element  14  to allow button movement. In addition, although the pivot element  14  has a general cylindrical shape, it should be understood that a wide variety of pivot element designs are known and used in the prior art and contemplated by this invention. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, which is a cross-sectional illustration of a rocker button assembly  10  in accordance with the present invention. The rocker button assembly  10  is commonly mounted such that the pivot element  14  is positioned within a pocket  16 . A cap  18  is often positioned over the pocket  16  to hold the rocker button assembly  10  in position against the plurality of walls  15  of the pocket  16 . By positioning the pivot element  14  within the pocket  16 , the rocker button assembly  10  is allowed to pivot, about a rocker button axis of rotation  17 , and thereby affect is operation. Although rocker button assembly  10  has been described with a pivot element  14  residing in a pocket  16 , it should be understood that in alternate embodiments, the pocket  16  may be formed as part of the button body  12  and the pivot element  14  may be mounted externally. 
     The rocker button assembly  10  further includes a noise reducing element  20  covering a portion of the pivot element  14 . The noise reducing element  20  is positioned in-between a pivot element  14  and the pocket  16 , and thereby reduces the generation of noise caused by friction between the pivot element  14  and the pocket  16  during rotation. Although the noise reducing element  20  may be formed from a variety of materials, in one embodiment the noise reducing element  20  is formed of rubber. In alternate embodiments, the noise reducing element  20  may be formed from a variety of polymers. 
     Often, rocker button designs use back lighting in order to illuminate words or figures illustrated on the surface of the button body  12 . With such backlit designs, it may be desirable to prevent the escape of light from around the edges (or perimeter  23 ) of the rocker button assembly  10 . The present invention further contemplates that the noise reducing element  20  may be formed in combination with a gasket  24  to add the further functionality to the button assembly  10  in which the escape of light from around the perimeter  23  of the button assembly  10  is reduced. An illustration of the gasket  24  and noise reducing element(s)  20  is shown in FIG.  3 . In the shown embodiment, the noise reducing elements  20  may be folded down (as illustrated by the arrows  30  in FIG. 1) in order to cover a portion of the pivot element  14 . One additional advantage of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is that it may be useful on present rocker button designs and configurations. The ability to use presently manufactured rocker button designs in combination with the noise reducing element  20  in order to practice the present invention, further accentuates the simplicity and versatility of the present invention. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.