Patent ID: 8136424

Claim:
A steering switch for a vehicle comprising: a support member which is mounted on a steering wheel, the steering wheel having an annular ring and at least one spoke formed inside the ring; a manipulating knob which is rotatably supported on the support member such that the manipulating knob is rotatable in front and rear directions of the steering wheel, the manipulating knob projecting inside a space surrounded by the ring and the spoke; a rotary support body which is mounted on the support member and rotatably supports the manipulating knob; biasing means which bias the manipulating knob such that the manipulating knob returns to a neutral position; and signal changeover means which are capable of changing over two kinds of electric signals in response to a rotational direction of the manipulating knob from the neutral position, wherein the manipulating knob includes a manipulating knob body which is formed of a member having an L-shaped bend, and wherein a manipulating portion to which a manipulating force is applied by a manipulator is provided at one end side of the manipulating knob body using the bend as reference while the biasing means are provided at another end side of the manipulating knob body, wherein the rotary support body includes a first side plate which is positioned at one side of the manipulating knob body and a second side plate which is positioned at another side of the manipulating knob body, and wherein the manipulating knob body is rotatably supported between the first side plate and the second side plate, and wherein the signal changeover means include a printed circuit board having a conductive pattern for changing over the two kinds of electric signals and a slide contact which is slidable on the printed circuit board along with rotation of the manipulating knob, wherein the printed circuit board is arranged parallel to the rotational direction of the manipulating knob and is mounted on one of the first side plate and the second side plate, and wherein the slide contact is mounted on the manipulating knob body such that the slide contact is slidable on the printed circuit board along with the rotation of the manipulating knob body.