Patent ID: 7176392

Claim:
A multi-contact input device comprising: a cover; a body in which the cover is mounted; a central switch provided on a bottom plate of the body; a plurality of peripheral switches provided around said central switch; a drive unit provided so as to be inclinable to the periphery in a space between the cover and the body to operate the plurality of peripheral switches; and an operating member which penetrates the drive unit in an axial direction and is elastically held in a neutral position, and inclines the drive unit when inclined to the periphery against the holding force or operates said central switch by a pressing operation thereof in the axial direction, wherein the operating member has a push rod which projects from a main body of the operating member to a pressing side and is movable in the axial direction with respect to the main body of the operating member to operate the central switch, and a spring which is incorporated in the main body of the operating member with the push rod forces the push rod toward a pressing side with a force which is greater than a force required to operate the central switch and does not damage the central switch.