WO2000074092A1

WO2000074092A1 - Improvements relating to push button switch assemblies

Info

Publication number: WO2000074092A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/001353
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dov Liam Randall; Robert Alan Holmes
Original assignee: IGT UK Ltd; Gamesman Ltd
Current assignee: IGT UK Ltd; Gamesman Ltd
Priority date: 1999-05-29
Filing date: 2000-04-10
Publication date: 2000-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2001-11-29
Also published as: AU3980100A; GB2350722B; GB9912478D0; GB2350722A

Abstract

A push button (1) can be depressed within a surrounding bezel (8) to operate a switch (5). The bezel (8) has an array of selectively illuminable lights (19), conveniently LEDs, on a circuit board (20) beneath the bezel (8). The light is transmitted in optic fibre manner by light conducting elements (17) which extend up through bores (15) in the bezel (8). These elements can be fingers (17) upstanding from a ring (16) which seats over the array of LEDs (19).

Description

Improvements relating to Push Button Switch Assemblies

This invention relates to push button switch assemblies. It is primarily concerned with those fitted to screens or panels of amusement or gaming machines, to initiate and subsequently affect their operation.

Conventionally, such an assembly shows as a translucent button, illuminated from its interior and surrounded by a plain bezel. The illumination may flash, particularly to indicate that the associated switch is "active" and will produce a response if the button is pressed. But they are not very interesting or prominent features, and it is the aim of this invention to make them more noticeable and attractive to potential players.

According to the present invention there is provided a push button switch assembly m which the push button is presented within a bezel, and wherein the bezel is provided with an array of selectively lllummable lights.

Although filament lamps could be used, the lights are preferably LEDs which may be mounted on a circuit board concealed beneath the bezel. To convey their outputs to the upper surface of the bezel, they may be located in registry with bores or elongate apertures through the bezel, each bore containing a light conducting element which functions as a squat optic fibre. The upper ends of these elements will show as spots of light when their associated LEDs are energised. The LEDs can emit white or coloured light, and it may be possible to have single or multi- coloured LEDs to generate a mixed colour. The circuitry which controls them can be separate from or part of the assembly with a pm connection to the board.

Preferably, the light conducting elements are mtegr- ally formed with a closed loop or ring which seats over the array of LEDs, the elements being upstanding fingers m registry with respective LEDs. The structure may be likened to a coronet, and will plug into the underside of the bezel m a single operation. The push button and bezel will usually be circular, square or rectangular, but the shape is immaterial and the bezel can be any closed loop.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, m which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view, m elevation, of a push button switch assembly.

Figure 2 is an exploded view, m perspective, of that assembly, Figure 3 is a plan view of a completed assembly, and

Figure 4 is a side view of the completed assembly.

Much of this push button switch assembly is conventional. The main components are a push button 1, a housing 2, a spring 3, a clamping ring 4, and a lamp-switch unit 5. The push button 1 fits down into the housing 2 and is retained against the spring 3 by integral hooked fingers 6, one of which operates the switch of the unit 5 when the push button is depressed. The ring 4 screws on to the threaded stem 7 of the housing 2 when that has been passed through an aperture m a screen or panel (not shown) , leaving a bezel 8 proud of the screen. The lamp-switch unit 5 attaches to the base of the stem 7 by a bayonet fitting 9 (as shown) or other simple quick release arrangement, the actual lamp 10 then being within the hollow stem 11 of the push button 1.

The top of the push button 1 is recessed to receive a translucent disc 12 on top of which can be laid a transparency 13 with a word or logo, for example. Over this is fitted a lens cap 14 which will normally be just proud of the top of the bezel 8.

The bezel 8 is opaque, translucent or transparent, and is formed with an annular array of vertically extending bores 15, parallel to the axis of the housing 2. Underneath it, and concealed by its lower rim, there fits a light conductor ring 16 with upstanding fingers 17 corresponding in number and spacing to the bores 15, and with sloping upper ends . These fingers plug into the bores 15 so that those sloping ends are flush with the upper face of the bezel 8. The ring 16 can be a separate part or the product of an integral or insert multi shot injection moulding.

Beneath each finger 17 there is a notch 18 m the underside of the ring, and into these notches locate LEDs 19 on a circuit board 20. The LEDs are connected to the pins of a plug 21 on the underside of the board 20, which locates in an aperture 22 of a washer 23 that actually seats on the screen to which the assembly is fitted. The nearby small aperture 24 m the washer and a corresponding one 25 in the circuit board 20 are to receive a pm 26 projecting down from the underside of the bezel 8. This will locate m a hole m the panel or screen to prevent the assembly rotating. The screen will be further apertured to provide access to the pins of the plug 21. The circuitry for selectively energising the LEDs is not part of the assembly but is connected via the plug 21.

Another washer 27 is interposed between the top of the clamping ring 4 and the underside of the screen. The LEDs 19 may be white or coloured, and when energised the light that they emit will travel up the respective fingers 17, as in an optic fibre, and show as bright spots around the bezel . They can be selectively energised so that as they turn on and off, so the light spots twinkle or alternate, or generally create a changing pattern. This applies to translucent and transparent bezels as well as opaque ones since the interfaces between the fingers 17 and the bores 15 still ensure that the tips of the fingers are bright when the LEDs are energised, while allowing some light to leak into the bezel and causing that to glow.

As well as providing an attractive display of light, the feature could also be used to interact with the machine game .

Claims

1. A push button switch assembly, m which a push button is presented within a bezel (8) , characterised m that the bezel (8) is provided with an array of selectively illummable lights (19) .

2. A push button switch assembly as claimed m Claim 1, characterised m that the lights are LEDs (19) mounted on a circuit board (20) concealed beneath the bezel.

3. A push button switch assembly as claimed m Claim 2, characterised m that the lights (19) are located m registry with bores or elongate apertures (15) through the bezel (8), each bore (15) containing a light conducting element (17) which acts as an optic fibre.

4. A push button switch assembly as claimed m Claim 3, characterised m that the light conducting elements (17) are integrally formed with a closed loop or ring (16) which seats over the array of LEDs (19) , the elements being upstanding fingers (17) m registry with respective LEDs (19) and which plug into the bores (15) m the bezel (8) .