Patent ID: 8104803

Claim:
A rocker switch suitable for serving as a user interface to allow a user to actuate at least one electrically powered device, the rocker switch comprising: an outer housing adapted for mounting to a console; an inner housing received at least in part in said outer housing, said inner housing having a pair of inner projecting fins; a printed circuit board supported by said inner housing; a button pivotally supported by said inner housing, said button being pivotally movable about a pivot axis that extends through approximately the centerline of said button when viewed in plan view such that said button is pivotally movable in seesaw fashion by pressing said button on either side of said centerline of said button, said button having a back plate, said back plate having a pair of ribs provided on a backside of said back plate below said pivot axis, each of said ribs being received in a respective groove formed in a respective one of said pair of inner projecting fins when said button is in said neutral position; a first micro switch supported by said printed circuit board at a location such that, when said button is moved to a first position corresponding to said button being pivotally moved by being pressed on a first side of said centerline of said button, then said first micro switch is actuated by said button; a second micro switch supported by said printed circuit board at a location such that, when said button is moved to a second position corresponding to said button being pivotally moved by being pressed on a second side of said centerline of said button, then said second micro switch is actuated by said button; and a biasing spring acting between said button and said inner housing, said spring biasing said button toward a neutral position where neither said first micro switch nor said second micro switch is actuated, wherein any movement of said button toward one of said first and second positions will cause said ribs to become misaligned relative to their respective grooves and said pair of inner projecting fins have to be forced apart by said ribs in order for pivotal movement of said button to take place, whereby said ribs provide resistance to the pivotal movement of said button and thus provide a detent mechanism that tends to maintain said button in said neutral position.