TW202338880A - Push button - Google Patents

Abstract

The components of a push button comprise a plunger, a retainer, a spring and an end cap. The plunger has a button at the top, a middle section with an enlarged square cross-section, and a pin of reduced diameter at the bottom end. The plunger slidably strokes up and down within a retainer which has an upper portion that closely holds the button on the top of the plunger and also includes a rectilinear recess sized to receive the square midsection of the plunger. A middle portion of the retainer comprises an enlarged cylindrical cavity bounded above and below by opposing roof and floor surfaces. The roof and the floor have cams that engage the corners of the plunger midsection which cause it to rotate during plunger strokes. A spring within the retainer biases the plunger upward. The assembly of parts is captivated by a retainer end cap.

Description

button

The present invention relates to a manually operated push button for use as a mechanical actuator. More specifically, it relates to buttons employing an alternating actuation mechanism whereby a central plunger moves between stable extended and retracted positions.

In a variety of applications including writing instruments, door lock hardware, switch actuation, and hydraulic valve actuation, push buttons with alternating actuation mechanisms that provide a center plunger that Movement between position and retracted position. In some cases, principally in the field of pen writing instruments, the plunger moves alternately between a stable extended position and a retracted position when the plunger is repeatedly pushed in the same direction. This is often referred to as "alternating actuation".

However, there is a problem in this area because these devices have complex or sophisticated mechanisms that are expensive to manufacture or not robust enough for high-intensity industrial applications. Accordingly, there is a need for a simplified alternate actuation button mechanism that is cost-effective to manufacture and durable for use in severe operating environments.

In order to meet the above technical requirements, the applicant has designed an alternating actuation button with good industrial applicability. The button of the present invention is composed of a minimum number of parts, and each part has a strong and durable structure. In a specific example, the components only consist of a plunger, a retainer, a spring and an end cap. Its plunger has three sections: at its top is a button portion with a flat end that allows the user to press and operate the device. The middle section has an enlarged square section, while the bottom is a pin of reduced diameter. When actuated, the pin can engage relevant structures as required for a particular application.

The plunger slides up and down inside the holder, which has three main sections. An upper portion tightly holds the button portion on top of the plunger and also includes a linear groove that can accommodate the square middle section of the plunger. The intermediate portion of the retainer includes an enlarged cavity that provides side clearance for rotation of the enlarged square intermediate section of the plunger. The cavity is cylindrical and bounded upper and lower by opposing top and bottom surfaces respectively. Its top and bottom surfaces have cam structures that engage the corners of the middle section of the plunger to rotate it. A spring within the retainer biases the plunger upward. An end cap secured to the bottom of the retainer holds the plunger and spring assembly and tightly holds the plunger pin. A handle of the end cap extending from the bottom end of the holder provides an attachment means for securing the button assembly to an object such as a support structure.

More specifically, Applicants have designed a push button device that includes a holder with opposing top and bottom ends, and the holder has a reduced diameter at the topmost end of the holder. a collar, and an axial bore having a square cross-section extending downwardly from the collar. The groove leads to a central cavity of enlarged diameter. The cavity has two opposing sets of cams on its bottom and top portions respectively, defining the top and bottom of the cavity. A coaxial plunger slidably operates within the retainer bore to move between extended and retracted stable positions. The plunger includes a cylindrical button portion extending upwardly through the collar from the top end of the retainer. When the plunger is in its extended position, a cylindrical pin at the distal bottom end of the plunger extends from the bottom end of the retainer. An enlarged central section of the plunger has a transverse square section and is of sufficient size to allow cams to act on the corners of the central section of the plunger to cause the plunger to move at the same speed during each upward and downward reciprocating stroke of the plunger. Turn the plunger in the direction of rotation.

When in its retracted position, the middle section of the plunger is received tightly within a square groove in the top of the retainer to allow retraction of the plunger. The retainer has an end cap at its bottom end that is secured to the main body of the retainer to secure the plunger within the retainer. A spring operates between the end cap and the middle section of the plunger to push the plunger upward into its retracted position. The middle section of the plunger engages the retainer collar to stop its upward advancement and thereby define its retracted position. The end cap is received in one of the retainer counterbores. The end cap has a handle extending from the bottom of the retainer with attachment means for securing the retainer to the exterior of a support structure.

Each cam in the retainer cavity has an acute angled surface that engages the corner of the plunger mid-section. Each set of cams consists of a circular array of cams positioned along the peripheral wall of the central cavity of the retainer. The opposing cam trains are angularly offset from each other by half the arc length of each cam. Each set of cams preferably consists of a plurality of sharp, vertically extending teeth.

In a second embodiment, a separate cam ring insert is used to provide the lower cam set on the floor of the central cavity. The operation of the two embodiments is essentially the same, as in the previous embodiment, the plunger assumes an extended position and a retracted position within the holder. The cam ring insert is positioned within the retainer and secured by the end cap. The same plunger configuration is used in both embodiments.

In this alternative embodiment, the internal configuration of the retainer is different to allow access of the cam ring insert during assembly. For this purpose, the holder bore has an enlarged counterbore at its bottom to allow the introduction of the insert. The counterbore has keyways that engage the cam ring to ensure correct radial positioning of the ring. The insert ring has top and bottom cam sets that are symmetrical about its midplane, making it easier to assemble with either end guide.

From the following drawings and the description of a specific example of the present invention, those skilled in the art will understand that the purpose of a button invention that can meet the art's need for a strong and durable button has been achieved.

The following description related to the drawings uses the same element symbols for the same elements shown in different figures to facilitate cross-reference without individual reference to each element listed in a particular figure. The specific example shown is rotationally symmetric about a central axis within a circular body, but bodies with non-circular outer surfaces are also possible.

Referring now to Figure 1, a specific example of the present invention will be described. A button 10 of the invention is shown, comprising a generally cylindrical retainer 13, a coaxial plunger 11 and an end cap 15. An internal spring shown in Figures 8 and 9 completes the assembly. One advantage of the present invention is its simplicity of design, requiring only these four components.

Referring to Figure 2, a separate button plunger 11 is seen. The plunger can be described as consisting of three parts: a cylindrical top button part 17, an enlarged square middle section 18 and at its bottom a pin section 19 which is the working end of the plunger.

Figures 3 to 7 show details of the holder 13 seen in Figures 1 and 2. It is shown individually in cross-sectional views from top, bottom and front.

Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and 5, the top and bottom internal cam sets are more clearly depicted, as well as other details of the retainer. Referring to Figure 3, the main feature of the retainer is the retaining collar 20 at its top which terminates in a square cross-section groove 23 in the upper portion of the retainer. The holder in this specific example is symmetrical about the button axis A-A. The groove 23 is elongated and has a square cross-section. It terminates upwardly at the topmost end of the retainer 13 in a collar 20 having a circular opening 21 of reduced diameter. Proceeding downwardly from its top end, the groove 23 enters an enlarged cylindrical central cavity 24 in the middle portion of the holder. The two opposing sets of cams 27 and 29 are arranged along circumferential circular paths on the top and bottom surfaces of the central cavity 24 respectively. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, a counterbore 25 at the bottom of the retainer receives the end cap 15.

The cams are each constructed as tines, and their cam sets are angularly offset from each other about the retainer axis by half the arc length of each cam equal to an angle of 22.5 degrees. In this way, cam trains act on the middle section of the plunger to rotate or twist it. Each rotation of the plunger aligns the plunger with the cam it contacts and then angularly offsets the opposing set of cams. When the opposing cams touch only the corners of the plunger's midsection, the next stroke of the plunger will add an additional 22.5 degrees of rotation. This occurs with each alternate reciprocal stroke of the plunger. The combined upward and downward strokes of each press/release cycle cause the plunger to rotate through a 45-degree angle.

As shown in the cross-sectional view marked on Figure 5, which in turn is a cross-sectional view taken from Figure 4, Figures 6 and 7 show the layout of the bottom cam group and the top cam group of the central cavity as viewed from above and below. . The upper top cam set 27 contains four cams, while the lower bottom cam set 29 contains eight cams. The bottom cam group is composed of a 360-degree circular array of equally spaced cams. In operation, each cam has an acute-angled surface that engages one of the corners of the plunger midsection. In Figure 7, the groove opening 23 in the upper portion of the retainer 13 is constructed to closely accommodate the plunger mid-section and extends upwardly from the top surface of the cavity. This is depicted to show its relationship to the cams 27 on the top surface of the cavity. Each cam is positioned within the boundary between the major and minor diameters of the plunger's mid-section so that only the edges of the corners of the plunger's mid-section contact the cams. The individual cam trains in each group are essentially identical and angled to form peaks. The cam trains are oriented to exert rotational forces on the plunger in the same direction of rotation in both perpendicular directions of each reciprocating stroke of the plunger, so that their rotational position advances are additive.

Figures 8 and 9 depict the stable states of extension and retraction of the button of the present invention. Referring now to Figure 8, a front cross-sectional view shows various internal features of the completed button assembly. The assembly is formed in one piece by an end cap 15 with three main features: a groove that houses the bottom of the spring 16; external attachment features that allow the end cap to be broached into the bottom of the retainer; and, in Attachment means 14 on the handle at the distal end of the end cap. Rivet features are shown that would allow this button assembly to be attached to a hole in a receiving plate (not shown).

As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the central cavity 24 of the holder has a cam structure on its cavity bottom surface 9 and cavity top surface 12, and when the button part is pressed and released, because the plunger 11 is forced to lean against the cam group 27 and 29, so its cam structure exerts a torsional force or torque on the plunger 11. As seen in Figures 6 and 7, the cam sets are directed in opposite vertical directions around the cylindrical central cavity 24 of the retainer. The cam trains are positioned far enough away from the axis of the plunger that they only engage the corners of the plunger intermediate section 18 .

In Figure 8, the plunger is seen in its extended position. This position is achieved by first manually or mechanically pushing the plunger 11 downward until the corners of its square middle section 18 press against the cam 29 on the floor of the central cavity. When the button part is released, the plunger is now moved upward by the force of the spring 16 until it contacts the cam on the top surface of the cavity, causing the plunger 11 to rotate an additional amount. The plunger center section 18 is now out of alignment with the square cross-section groove above the retainer, and it stops at abutment between the cams and the central cavity top surface 12. The plunger 11 is thus held in this extended position with the end pin 19 of the plunger 11 extending from the bottom of the retainer end cap 15 . The positional stability of the plunger is maintained by the force of the spring 16 acting on the bottom of the middle section 18 of the plunger.

Referring now to Figure 9, the plunger can be seen in its retracted position. This position is achieved from the extended position shown in Figure 8 by another similar push and release of the plunger button portion 17 which again rotates the plunger through an angle of 45 degrees. Here, after another 45 degree rotation of the plunger, the plunger middle section 18 is now aligned with the holder square groove 23 . Therefore, when the button portion is released, the middle section of the plunger is received upwardly into the recessed bore by the force of the spring 16 . This causes the end pin 19 of the plunger 11 to retract into the end cap 15 . The plunger movement is stopped upwards by the collar seen in Figure 3 as element 20. The collar 20 has a narrow circular opening that accommodates the plunger button as it extends further from the top of the retainer when the plunger 11 is fully retracted. The plunger 11 is held in this stable retracted position by the force of a spring 16 which operates between the end cap 15 and the bottom of the plunger intermediate section 18 .

With these mechanical relationships, the button operates as follows. As the plunger is continuously pushed and released, the action of the cams in two opposite axial directions each exerts a rotational force or twist on the plunger in the same direction of rotation. Each twist applied to the plunger defines 22.5 degrees of rotation, so that when the plunger returns upward after the push/release cycle, the plunger rotates a total of 45 degrees. The enlarged square center section of the plunger is now misaligned with the top groove of the retainer so that the corners of the plunger's middle section abut against the top surface of the central cavity, preventing further upward retraction of the plunger. This establishes the stable extended position of the button assembly. When the plunger is depressed and released again, the bottom cam and the top cam, acting together alternately, exert a total of 45 degrees of rotation on the plunger so that it is now aligned with the groove in the top of the retainer. In this position, the force of the internal spring moves the plunger upward into the upper groove of the retainer, achieving a stable retraction state.

Figures 10 to 14 depict alternative embodiments of the present invention. Referring first to Figure 14, this second embodiment uses a separate cam ring 35 insert to provide a lower cam set on the bottom surface of the central cavity. In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the central cavity is provided by an end cap 36. defined by the top surface. The operation of the two embodiments is essentially the same, and as shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the previous embodiment, the plunger assumes an extended position and a retracted position within the holder. The cam ring insert can be seen alone in Figures 12 and 13, and its position within the retainer 34 is shown in Figures 11 and 14. The same plunger configuration is used in both embodiments.

In this alternative embodiment, the internal configuration of the retainer is different to allow the cam ring 35 to enter. As shown in Figure 10, the retainer has an extended counterbore 31 in its bottom to allow the introduction of the cam ring. The collar 33 at the top of the counterbore of the retainer 34 abuts the top surface of the cam ring which is captured between the end cap and the top of the counterbore. The retainer 34 has keyways 40 and 41, also shown in Figure 11, which receive mating cam ring keys that project axially from the periphery of the cam ring.

Referring now to Figure 11, a bottom cross-sectional view taken just below the cam ring 35 shows the ring keys 37 and 39 located within the retainer bore keyways 40 and 41 in the retainer bore sidewalls. The position and shape of the cams provide a square opening to receive its plunger when first assembled into the holder.

Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, the cam ring has two radially outwardly extending ring keys 37 and 39 and an inwardly projecting cam 32. The cam 32 is operated on the plunger to rotate the plunger in the same manner as the previous specific example. However, the orientation of the cams is different. In this embodiment, the cam trains extend radially inwardly rather than axially as in the previous embodiments. The cams 32 are arranged on the top surface and the bottom surface of the cam ring 35 so that the cam ring is symmetrical with the middle plane as the center. This allows the cam ring 35 to be inserted into the retainer 34 in either a top or bottom orientation, simplifying the assembly process. The ring shown has a minimum number of two operating cams on each face, but can be constructed with up to eight cams in total.

In Figure 14 the positioning of the cam ring 35 within the retainer 34 is seen. During assembly, the cam ring is sandwiched between the top of the end cap 36 and a collar 33 at the top of the counterbore. The retainer has keyways that receive the keys of the cam ring to ensure precise radial orientation of the ring cam as shown in Figure 11. The top surface of the end cap 36 defines the floor of the central cavity but otherwise has the same attachment features as shown in the embodiment depicted in Figures 1-9. The rest of the structure of the retainer 34 is the same and operates similarly on the plunger 38 .

Dimensions shown in the specific examples depicted may be altered as necessary to suit a particular application. For example, the square portion side length and plunger pin diameter can be made to any suitable size required. Additionally, the distance between the upper and lower boundaries of the central cavity can be easily modified. This distance and the length of the plunger pin determine how far the pin extends from the bottom of the retainer end cap. As shown in Figures 8, 9 and 14, the counterbored bottom area of the body provides sufficient material so that the end cap can be broached to the retainer body and the assembly secured to the retainer. The distal end of the end cap may have any suitable attachment means for securing to a support structure, such as a flat plate with a receiving hole.

Although only two specific examples of the present invention are described above, it should be understood that many changes may be made to what has been shown and described, and these changes all fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention should be defined only by the following patent claims and their legal equivalents.

9: Bottom of cavity 10:Button 11:Plunger 12: Top surface of cavity 13:Retainer 14: Attachment means 15: End cap 16:Spring 17:Button part 18:Middle section 19: Pin section; end pin 20: (retention) collar 21: Round opening 23: Groove; groove opening 24: Central cavity 25: Counterbore 27: Cam; cam group 29: Cam; cam group 31: Counterbore 32:Cam 33:shaft collar 34:Retainer 35: Cam ring 36: End cap 37: Ring key 38:Plunger 39: Ring key 40:Keyway 41:Keyway A-A: axis

Figure 1 is a top front perspective perspective view. Figure 2 is a top left perspective perspective view. Figure 3 is a front cross-sectional view. Figure 4 is a bottom view. Figure 5 is an elevational partial cross-sectional view taken from Figure 4 as shown. Figure 6 is a top cross-sectional view taken from Figure 5. Figure 7 is a bottom cross-sectional view taken from Figure 5 as shown. Figure 8 is a front cross-sectional view showing the extended position. Figure 9 is a front cross-sectional view showing the retracted position. Fig. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of the second specific example. Figure 11 is a bottom view. Figure 12 is a top view of the cam ring component of the second specific example. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken from Figure 12. FIG. 14 is a front cross-sectional view showing the assembled button device of the second specific example.

10:Button

11:Plunger

13:Retainer

15: End cap

Claims (20)

A button that includes: A retainer having a top end and a bottom end, and an axial bore extending from the top end of the retainer to its bottom end, the retainer including: an upper portion having an axially extending groove of transverse square cross-section and a reduced diameter collar at the topmost end; and a central cavity of enlarged diameter bounded above by a top portion and below by a bottom portion, the top portion having a first set of cams, and the bottom portion having a second set of cams; A plunger, tightly received in the retainer bore and slidable axially between an extended position and a retracted position, the plunger comprising: a button portion at a distal top end, a pin portion at a distal bottom end, and an enlarged middle section of transverse square cross-section between the top end and the bottom end, Wherein, when the plunger moves between the retracted position and the extended position, the corners of the middle section of the plunger act on the cams, thereby causing the plunger to rotate; an end cap secured to the bottom end of the retainer to secure the plunger within the retainer; and A spring operates between the plunger and the end cap to push the plunger upward toward the top of the retainer. The button of claim 1, wherein the button is configured to: during a first upward movement of the plunger, when the middle section of the plunger abuts the collar of the retainer, the plunger is The plug stops, thereby defining a stable retracted position of the plunger within the retainer. The button of claim 2, wherein the button is configured to be pressed by the top surface portion of the central cavity of the holder during the next upward movement of the plunger after the first upward movement. The plunger stops thereby defining a stable extended position of the plunger with the plunger pin extending from the bottom end of the retainer. The button of claim 1, wherein the end cap is fixed to the bottom of the holder by an attachment feature on the end cap. The button of claim 1, wherein the stable extended and retracted positions of the plunger alternate with each other by a first downward stroke of the plunger followed by a second and subsequent upward stroke of the plunger. The combination of these upward and downward strokes defines a plunger cycle. The button of claim 5, wherein the second set of cams engages a middle section of the plunger during a first downward stroke of the plunger, and the first set of cams engages an upward portion of the plunger. The middle section of the plunger is engaged during the stroke. Such as the button of claim 1, wherein all cams in each group have the same shape and are equidistantly spaced into approximately a 360-degree circular array. The button of claim 5, wherein the change in the stable position of the plunger is performed back and forth between the retracted and extended positions by pressing and then releasing the button portion of the plunger. The button of claim 5, wherein the cam groups are oriented to exert a rotational force on the plunger in the same direction of rotation in both the axial upward and downward directions of each plunger cycle, such that the plunger The rotation positions are advanced and added together. The button of claim 1, wherein the end cap is fixed to the holder by broaching. The button of claim 7, wherein the first set of cams and the second set of cams are radially offset from each other by an angle of 22.5 degrees. The button of claim 6, wherein the cams only engage the corners of the middle section of the plunger. The button of claim 8, wherein each plunger cycle causes the plunger to rotate 45 degrees. The button of claim 1, wherein the end cap has attachment means for attaching the button to the exterior of an object. The button of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the central cavity is defined by a top surface of the end cap, and the top surface supports a cam ring insert containing the second set of cams. The push button of claim 15, wherein the cam ring insert occupies a counterbore at the bottom end of the retainer, allowing the insert to be introduced into the counterbore of the retainer during assembly of the push button. The button of claim 16, wherein the cam ring insert is provided with radially outwardly extending keys surrounding it, the keys occupying matching keyways in the counterbore of the retainer. The button of claim 15, wherein the cams are located on the top and bottom surfaces of the cam ring insert such that the insert is symmetrical about the midplane. The button of claim 15, wherein the cam ring insert is fixed to the retainer at the top of the counterbore between the end cap and a collar. The button of claim 1, wherein the cam groups protrude axially and face each other.