Switch unit and game machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9995478-B2
Application number	US-201615130657-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 15, 2016
Priority date	May 14, 2015
Publication date	Jun 12, 2018
Grant date	Jun 12, 2018

Abstract

A switch unit has a display part configured to display an image, and an operation part provided on the display part in a stacked manner. The operation part includes a plurality of press buttons each having a pressable top surface formed to be transparent, a transparent base having a plurality of openings formed so as to be spaced from each other in positions corresponding to a display region of the display part, while avoiding a peripheral edge of the display region, and a transparent substrate provided below the base and having a light source in a position corresponding to the outer periphery of the top surface. Each of the press buttons includes, and forms into a unit, a button body having the top surface, and a frame-like light guiding body provided in a flange shape below the button body and provided so as to cover the light source.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A switch unit comprising:
a display part configured to display an image; and
an operation part provided on the display part in a stacked manner, wherein
the operation part includes:
a plurality of press buttons each having a pressable top surface formed to be transparent;
a transparent base having a plurality of openings formed so as to be spaced from each other in positions corresponding to a display region of the display part, while avoiding a peripheral edge of the display region; and
a transparent substrate provided below the base and having a light source in a position corresponding to an outer periphery of the top surface, and
each of the press buttons includes, and forms into a unit,
a button body having the top surface,
a frame-like light guiding body provided in a flange shape below the button body and provided so as to cover the light source,
a transparent frame-like cover configured to cover the button body and an outer periphery of the light guiding body except for the top surface,
an inner light shielding part integrally formed with an inner peripheral surface of the light guiding body and configured to shield light leaking to an inner peripheral side of the top surface, and
an outer light shielding part integrally formed with an outer peripheral surface of the cover and configured to shield light leaking to an outer peripheral side of the cover,
the press button being mounted on the transparent substrate via the opening provided in the base.

2. The switch unit according to claim 1 , wherein the button body is integrally formed of the top surface, a frame-like stand that is larger than the top surface, and an elastically transformable bending transformation part configured to couple the top surface with the stand.

3. A game machine comprising the switch unit according to claim 2 .

4. A game machine comprising the switch unit according to claim 1 .

Assignees

• Omron Tateisi Electronics Co

Inventors

• Onoyama Taichi
• Sumi Masaaki
• Onitsuka Hiroyuki
• Agata Takehiro
• Kimura Masataka

Classifications

• G02B6/0051

  Diffusing sheet or layer · CPC title

• G07F17/3211

  Display means · CPC title

• G07F17/34

  depending on the stopping of moving members {in a mechanical slot machine}, e.g. "fruit" machines · CPC title

• F21V33/008 Primary

  Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes · CPC title

• G07F17/3209 Primary

  Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen · CPC title