FR2734944A3 - LIGHT PUSH BUTTON, ESPECIALLY FOR A PUSH BUTTON UNIT OF AN INTERCOM - Google Patents

Abstract

The push button (10) comprises a button (2) made of transparent plastic, which is illuminated, and a hemispherical metal shell (1) having a central opening (3) through which the light passes. The light is emitted by a source contained in a housing (8) for the electrical contacts, and is led towards the opening (3) of the button (2) by a diffusing element (7).

Description

The present invention relates to a luminous push button, in particular

  for intercom and video intercom systems. In their most common constructions, the push-button units are mounted flush with the wall or fixed to the wall at the external stations of the intercom and video-intercom system, the push-buttons (on the side of which are the relative bands bearing the written names) being mounted behind a plate and projecting outwards through an adequate hole, by means of a plunger button which is pressed with the finger. It is known to insert numerous incandescent lamps into the post to light both

  push buttons (constructed of transparent material) and name bands.

  Said lamps can remain on continuously or can be lit (by manual or automatic control) only in the event of poor or insufficient lighting of the push button unit with natural light (due to the installation position private room or during the night, if the push-button unit is located at an external unit). However, if the number of push buttons and strips (with the written names) is large or if several modules of push button units are

  combined, it is extremely difficult to light the entire station enough to read the names and make the call. 30 From this point of view, the number of lamps required would be much greater than the number of buttons

  pushbuttons present, so as to cover a large part of the front surface of this station. One solution to this problem is the use of

  push buttons in which the button is in the shape of a luminous gem.

  The luminous gem is usually made of thermoplastic material, available in various colors and different shapes (numbered, timed, with a mushroom button, flat, protruding, trigger type, type 5 lever, palm type), continuous or intermittent , and can be operated manually or automatically. However, again in this case, the solution adopted is very costly given the fact that the number of gems and lamps is equal to the number of push buttons, other lamps being additionally necessary for

illuminate the name bands.

  In addition, the structure of the push button unit is fragile, as the optical identification devices

  of night (gems or lamps) are of a relatively large size (corresponding appreciably to the diameter of the button-

  push button) and are located under the front plate. An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, in particular for push-button units of intercom or video-intercom systems, which combine into one and the same

  structures the advantages of rapid and simple operation with uniform lighting, sufficient not only for all the pushbuttons present, but also for the corresponding strips bearing the written names, in the event of insufficient natural light.

  Another objective is to provide a push button structure which retains strength and rigidity (for example in the case of anti-vandalism, shock and break-in push button units) while including optical identification devices. light placed in the pushbuttons. Another objective of the luminous push button of the present invention is to provide a structure which retains both its appearance and its proper functioning (in terms of service life, reliability and manufacturing

and operating costs).

  Another objective of the invention is to provide a luminous push button of a simple and economical construction, which has a low consumption of electrical energy compared to the prior art (and therefore significantly lower operating costs) and which does not require the use of complex techniques or expensive electrical and electronic components. These objectives, as well as others, are achieved by the luminous push button according to the present invention, of the type intended in particular for intercom and video intercom push button units, comprising at least one button which partially protrudes outward from the plate of said push button unit and is partially inserted into a housing seat, at least one metal shell which covers the external surface of said button, an interior structure & the plate, which supports said plate, and at least one housing in which the electrical contacts and terminals are placed for connection to intercom and / or video-intercom systems, characterized in that said button is made of light-transmitting material and comprises at least one cavity stamped receiving at least one diffuser element formed of light transmitting material and connected to said light source at least one in number, e that the radiation emitted by said source is diffused by said diffusing element and by said button towards the outside of said push button by an opening in said shell, said opening being formed of the same light-transmitting material as that forming said button, said scattered radiation being capable of illuminating a plurality of strips bearing written names and of pushbuttons of said unit & pushbuttons. Advantageously, the luminous pushbutton according to the present invention comprises a plastic button transparent which diffuses outward light from light sources (typically consisting of underpowered or long-life incandescent lamps or light emitting diodes), which are located in the housing of the electrical contacts. Reference is made here to modular push-button units, in which several modules containing electrical and electronic components of the entire intercom or video intercom system are assembled together in the housing.

  inside the station; each module corresponds to at least one push button (typically, each module can contain the electrical circuits of 1, 2 or 3 button-15 push buttons), provided with a single electrical contact and a relative strip bearing the written name.

  The light emitted by the light sources (the number of which is fixed for each push-button unit and depends on the number of modules and push-buttons 20 present) is perceived externally by a central opening in a metal shell, which covers the button and protrudes from the front plate of the push button unit. The diffusion of the radiation emitted by the light sources, intervening through the diffusing element (placed in a cavity stamped in the button) and through the material constituting the button leads to an adequate lighting at the same time of the push-buttons and bands relative names, even in the case of poor natural light. Usually, in such a case, an incandescent lamp, or an array consisting of a predetermined number of light emitting diodes is used to illuminate a push button unit comprising up to 8 push buttons. The operation of the light sources is continuous, taking into account the fact that the electrical energy consumption for lighting is negligible compared to the energy consumption

  necessary to power the intercom system.

  In addition, said button and said diffuser element are formed from transparent plastic or from luminescent and / or electroluminescent material. The metal shell covering the button is hemispherical in shape, so as to immediately attract

  attention of the user and allow easy and quick use.

  Limiting the dimensions of the opening through which the light comes out to identify the push button and the relative name strip leads to a robust and solid structure of the push button unit, in particular of anti-vandalism push buttons, in case of impact or attempt

  break-in, while retaining its aesthetic and operating characteristics. In addition, the fact of locating the radiation on a small surface increases the density of energy transmitted to the outside compared to known devices.

  According to another characteristic, said shell is folded and folded, by a crimping operation, on

  said button coinciding with the ends of the diameter of said shell, in order to form a seal against atmospheric agents.

  Advantageously, said push button comprises a plurality of bellows seals fixed to said button and to said interior structure, so as to return said push button to its rest position when said push button is released by the user after being brought into its operating contact position in

  being pressed from the outside by the user.

  In addition, said seals are of construction in

plastic.

  Finally, the shell of the push button has a diameter greater than the sliding seat of the push button, and is folded and folded over the edges of the button along the horizontal plane by a crimping operation, in order to obtain a durable seal and good between the metal cover and the plastic material of the button.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the description

  which follows from a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the illuminated push button, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the appended schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a push button unit , comprising a plurality of illuminated pushbuttons and relative name bands; Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of a light push button of the invention in its rest position, and also showing the part of the plate of the push button unit around the push button. In the aforementioned figures, the reference 10 designates the push button as a whole, 20 designates the bands bearing the written names, and 5 designates the front plate of the push button unit. The push button 10 comprises a hemispherical shell 1 made of metal (typically stainless steel or chrome plated brass) with a central opening 3, from which protrudes the button 2 made of transparent plastic. In Figure 1, we can see that the diameter of the push button 10 is less than the diameter of its seat

  housing 18, formed in the plate 5, so that the push button 10 can slide inward.

  The shell i is fixed to the button 2 by a crimping operation at the ends of the diameter of the hemisphere,

  so that dust or other atmospheric agents cannot get inside.

  Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the reference 4 designates two plastic bellows seals connected at one end to the plate 5 and at the other end to the button 2. In coincidence with the seat 18 of the push button 10, the plate 5 is curved downwards to accommodate the shell 1. The reference 6 designates two metal structures placed under the plate 5 and symmetrical about an imaginary axis passing vertically through the center of the opening 3 and on which the seals 4 are fixed , reference 8 designates a housing comprising

  internally the light sources (not shown) and the electrical contacts and terminals (not shown) for connection to the intercom and / or video intercom system.

  Finally, the reference 7 designates a T-shaped diffuser element of transparent plastic construction, contained in a cavity 15 in the button 2 (this cavity being obtained by stamping the hole receiving the element

diffuser 7).

  The diffuser element communicates with the light sources placed in the housing 8.

  The push button 10 and the button 2 move down when they are pressed with the finger, from the rest position to the operating contact position, to push the diffuser element 7, which can slide and can act on the contacts located in the housing 8. In their downward movement, the button 2 and the diffuser element 7 are guided by the two bellows seals 4, the role of which is to absorb the thrust of the shell i and of the button 2 against the structure 6 inside the plate 5. Said seals 4 also protect the button 2 and the structure 6 of the push button 10 against humidity and protect the mechanism by preventing the entry of agents

  atmospheric such as rain, dust and the like.

  The shell i is pressed so that it is inserted in alignment with the plate 5 in the housing seat 18 at the position in which the operational contact 5 is established, so to call the various stages. By releasing the push button 10, the seals 4, resting against the structure 6 and against the button 2 and fully compressed, restore the rest position (with the shell 1 protruding from the horizontal plane of the plate 5), by pressing the diffuser element 7 and the button

2 up.

  The return stroke of the diffuser element 7 is limited by a collar which engages the button 2 and the structure 6.15 The light emitted by the light sources is diffused, by reflection and transparency, from the

  light sources contained in the housing 8, through the diffuser element 7 and the button 2 (both made of transparent plastic) and outwards through the opening 3 (also made of transparent plastic) of the shell 1.

  Because the plastics constituting the diffusing element 7 and the button 2 contain numerous inclusions, and as the separation surface 25 between said materials is rough, a disordered reflection and a refraction of the light beam occurs, as a result of which the matter seems cloudy, although made up of transparent substances. The light diffuses in the direction of the opening 3 due to the disordered reflection by the particles of the materials constituting the diffusing element 7 and the

  button 2, by partial refraction in all directions, and finally due to the transparency of the two plastics.35 Particles of material in particular scatter short wavelength electromagnetic radiation.

  The longer the wavelength, the more waves

  electromagnetic easily pass the obstacle formed by each particle.

  Thus, for usual particle sizes, a beam of white light mainly diffuses bluish light. This is one of the reasons why

  it is preferable to use as a light source an array of light-emitting diodes (generally of the gallium arsenide type) of slightly dimmed color compared to incandescent lamps.

  Another advantageous characteristic of the invention is that the light sources (lamps or light-emitting diodes) are placed inside the intercom and / or video-intercom system, and not near the front plate of the unit. with push buttons. This means that the exterior structure of

  the push button unit, if constructed of robust materials for special requirements (e.g. for anti-push button units

  vandalism protected against impact and break-in), is not weakened by the presence of fragile plastic or glass elements, such as optical night indicator devices for pushbuttons and name bands.25 It is clear that the materials and dimensions of the invention as described above, shown in the accompanying drawings, and specified below, can be changed at will depending on the requirements. It is also clear that all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent ones, and that many modifications can be made by

  the expert in the art with a luminous push button according to the present invention, but without departing from the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims (9)

  1. Illuminated push-button (10), of the type intended in particular for intercom and video-intercom push-button units, comprising at least one button (2) which projects partially towards the outside of the plate ( 5) of said push button unit and is partially inserted in a housing seat (18), at least one metal shell (1) which covers the outside surface of said button (2), a structure (6) inside the plate (5), which supports said plate (8), and at least one housing (8) in which are placed the electrical contacts and terminals for connection to intercom and / or video-intercom systems, characterized in that said button (2) is formed from light transmitting material and comprises at least one stamped cavity (15) receiving at least one diffuser element (7) formed from light transmitting material and connected to said light source at least one in number, so that the radiation emitted by pa r said source is diffused by said diffusing element (7) and by said button (2) towards the outside of said push button (10) through an opening (3) in said shell (1), said opening (3) being formed of the same light-transmitting material as that forming said button (2), said scattered radiation being capable of illuminating a plurality of bands   (20) bearing written and push button names (10) of said push button unit.   2. Illuminated push-button (10) according to the   claim 1, characterized in that said light source is placed in said housing (8).   3. illuminated push button (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said light source is a light emitting diode. 35 4. Illuminated push-button (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said light source ll is an incandescent lamp supplied at low voltage by transformers or resistors. 5. Illuminated push-button (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said button (2) and said diffuser element (7) are formed from transparent plastic or from luminescent and / or electroluminescent material. 6. Illuminated push button (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said shell (1)   is hemispherical in shape, with a diameter greater than the diameter of said seat (18) receiving said button (2).   7. illuminated push-button (10) according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that said shell (1) is folded and folded, by an operation of crimping S15, on said button (2) coincident with the ends of the diameter of said shell (1), in order to form   a seal against atmospheric agents. 8. Illuminated push button (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said button   push button (10) comprises a plurality of bellows seals (4) fixed to said button (2) and to said interior structure (6), so as to return said push button (10) to its rest position when said push button (10) is released by the user after being brought into its operating contact position in   being pressed from the outside by the user.   9. illuminated push button (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that said seals (4) are of plastic construction.