Pushbutton switch assembly with actuator and slider complementary latch means

Claim 1

An improved pushbutton switch assembly including: a housing; a plurality of contact means in said housing; a plurality of elongated sliders carried by said housing for selective reciprocating movement between first and second positions selectively to actuate said contact means; a plurality of push rod means mounted to said housing for longitudinal reciprocating movement between extended positions and depressed positions relative to said housing; each of said push rod means including an elongated push rod of flat stock having a width sufficient to span all of said sliders; the inner end of each push rod being smoothly curved to form a generally cylindrical actuating portion; a plurality of actuating recesses in each of said plurality of elongated sliders, there being a recess in each of said plurality of elongated sliders to receive said actuating portion of each of said push rod means for selectively moving predetermined ones of said elongated sliders between first and second positions in response to depression of predetermined ones of said push rod means; said generally cylindrical actuating portion associated with a first push rod means and a first recess in a first elongated slider being formed with corresponding generally planar latching surfaces disposed generally perpendicular to the axis of longitudinal reciprocating movement of said first push rod means; said corresponding generally planar latching surfaces being disposed in interfering relationship, when said first push rod means is depressed, for releasably retaining said first push rod means in its depressed position.