Switch unit and game machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9543091-B2
Application number	US-201414168725-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 30, 2014
Priority date	Jan 30, 2014
Publication date	Jan 10, 2017
Grant date	Jan 10, 2017

Abstract

A switch unit has a display part that displays an image in at least one input area, a substrate provided above the display part, the substrate having a contact, and at least one substrate opening configured to allow the image in the at least one input area to be viewed from above, an operating button case that covers the substrate, having at least one button case opening, at least one operating button that has translucency, and that is freely pressed down through the at least one button case opening of the operating button case and causes conduction of the contact by being pressed down, light sources mounted on the substrate, that illuminate an area surrounding the at least one operating button, and a light transmissive water-proof sheet made of an elastic member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A switch unit comprising:
a display part that displays an image in at least one input area;
a substrate provided above the display part, the substrate comprising:
a contact, and
at least one substrate opening configured to allow the image in the at least one input area to be viewed from above;

an operating button case that covers the substrate, comprising at least one button case opening;
at least one operating button that has translucency, and that is freely pressed down through the at least one button case opening of the operating button case and causes conduction of the contact by being pressed down;
light sources mounted on the substrate, that illuminate an area surrounding the at least one operating button; and
a light transmissive water-proof sheet made of an elastic member,
wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet is provided between the display part and the at least one operating button to cover the substrate,
wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet comprises at least one sheet opening formed thereon at a position facing the at least one input area,
wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet comprises:
a contact conducting portion that faces and comes into contact with the contact of the substrate to cause conduction of the contact by pressing down the at least one operating button,
a down portion that covers a circumference of the substrate, and
a light transmitting portion formed on a top surface thereof, that transmits light from the light sources therethrough,

wherein the light transmissive waterproof sheet comprises one kind of colored elastic member,
wherein a part of the light transmissive water-proof sheet other than the light transmitting portion formed as a light blocking portion that blocks light from the light sources, and
wherein the light transmitting portion is thinner than the light blocking portion.

2. The switch unit according to claim 1 , wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet comprises colored silicone rubber having an absorption coefficient of four to seven.

3. The switch unit according to claim 2 , wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet comprises a light blocking partition configured to block light between adjacent ones of the light sources and formed of the light blocking portion.

4. The switch unit according to claim 2 , wherein a light diffusion frame configured to be fitted around the at least one operating button and direct light from the light sources along the circumference of the at least one operating button are provided in the at least one button case opening of the operating button case.

5. A game machine comprising:
a display monitor, and
the switch unit according to claim 2 .

6. The switch unit according to claim 1 , wherein the light transmissive water-proof sheet comprises a light blocking partition configured to block light between adjacent ones of the light sources and formed of the light blocking portion.

7. The switch unit according to claim 6 , Wherein a light diffusion frame configured to be fitted around the at least one operating button and direct light from the light sources along the circumference of the at least one operating button are provided in the at least one button case opening of the operating button case.

8. A game machine comprising:
a display monitor, and
the switch unit according to claim 6 .

9. The switch unit according to claim 1 , wherein a light diffusion frame that is fitted around the at least one operating button and directs light from the light sources along the circumference of the at least one operating button is provided in the at least one button case opening of the operating button case.

10. A game machine comprising:
a display monitor, and
the switch unit according to claim 9 .

11. A game machine comprising:
a display monitor, and
the switch unit according to claim 1 .

12. The switch unit according to claim 1 , wherein a light diffusion frame configured to be fitted around the at least one operating button and direct light from the light sources along the circumference of the at least one operating button are provided in the at least one button case opening of the operating button case.

Assignees

• Omron Tateisi Electronics Co

Inventors

• Okazaki Ryoji

Classifications

• G07F17/3216

  Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects · CPC title

• H01H13/86 Primary

  characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size · CPC title

• H01H2231/016

  Control panel; Graphic display; Program control · CPC title

• H01H13/83

  characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements · CPC title

• H01H2219/036

  Light emitting elements · CPC title