Multi stage and multi direction key and multi stage and multi direction key switch using the same

• Main Author: KANEKO TAKEHIRO
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.01.2003
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRIC SWITCHES; ELECTRICITY; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES; RELAYS; SELECTORS

An end of the present invention is to make it possible to input multi-valued signals by a manipulation to incline a key in a multi-direction-operative key switch, and disclosed is a structure of a multi-direction-operative key fitting to the end of the present invention. The multi-direction-operative key includes: a key top made of hard resin; a key base made of rubber-like elastic body loading the key top on its surface; and a plurality of switch thrusting projections, each of which is made of the same material as that of the key base and extends vertically from a rear surface of the key base opposite to the surface loading the key top, wherein the switch thrusting projections are respectively provided at the position just below the center of the key top and at intersection points of a plurality of concentric circles surrounding the center of the key top and radii of the key top in its inclination directions, and lengths of the switch thrusting projections in the inclination directions are made to be different for the concentric circles.