Push Button Switch Assembly With Slidable Interlocking Means Preventing Simultaneous Operation Of Two Or More Pushbuttons

Abstract

A switch assembly with a housing having fixed contacts, push button means reciprocable within the housing, movable contact means disposed within the push button actuator means and slide transfer motion means disposed between adjacent push button actuator means to prevent operation of more than one push button at a time.

Parent Case Text

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 867,325, filed Oct. 17, 1969, now abandoned.

Description

This invention generally relates to electrical switches and particularly concerns a push button switch assembly comprising multiple electrical switches with push button controls to selectively make and break a plurality of electrical circuits.

Multiple push button switch assemblies of the type herein concerned have long been known to the art and generally operate in a fashion such that when one push button of a plurality of push buttons is depressed to make or break one electrical circuit, all other push buttons that may previously have been depressed are returned to their initial or rest position. Such prior-art switches usually are of a construction which includes rather complex camming arrangements and sliding bar members attached to each of the push button shafts, and are generally exemplified by the type of multiple push button switch as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,091,671.

A number of disadvantages attend these complex prior-art switch constructions. For example, frequent maintenance such as lubrication of the sliding bar members is normally required so as to facilitate smooth operation. Furthermore, the manufacture and assembly of such prior-art multiple switches is quite expensive and time-consuming and requires precision machining techniques. In the event of a malfunction of a component part during use, disassembly and repair thereof cannot easily be undertaken, thus creating a situation in which the switches must be prematurely replaced as a unit.

Another type of prior-art switch assembly utilizes a plurality individual slider members formed with cam surfaces that cooperate with complementary cam surfaces formed on the push buttons. When one of the push buttons is depressed, the cam surfaces cause lateral movement of the slider associated with the depressed push button. Movement of the slider will cause movement of any previously depressed push button to its off position by either moving that push button directly or by moving other sliders located between the push button being depressed and that previously depressed. The number of sliders moving laterally depends on the location of the push button being depressed and that previously depressed.

Switch assemblies of the type utilizing a plurality of sliders have, prior to this invention, been relatively expensive to manufacture. The manufacturing expense results from the fact that in these previously known switch assemblies, the push buttons have been guided during their movement by their associated sliders. Since a plurality of sliders are utilized, the size variations of the individual sliders, due to the tolerance limits, can cause a misalignment of the push buttons. Thus, unless the slider tolerances are extremely close, the push buttons can cock and bind during movement. Manufacturing techniques involving close tolerances are, of course, relatively expensive.

Thus, a need exists in the art for a multiple push button switch assembly which avoids the drawbacks of prior-art assemblies discussed above. It is the primary object of the instant invention to satisfy this need with a switch assembly operative and constructed in an entirely novel fashion. Further, more specific, yet equally important objects of the instant invention are:

The provision of a push button switch assembly which is extremely simple in construction;

The provision of a push button switch assembly which requires no lubrication;

The provision of a push button switch assembly which can be manufactured at low cost and with relatively low precision techniques;

The provision of a push button switch assembly which can easily be disassembled for repair of components parts thereof;

The provision of a push button switch assembly which affords positive action in that when one push button is depressed, a previously depressed button is always raised;

The provision of a push button switch assembly wherein good electrical contact is always made when a push button is depressed;

The provision of a push button switch assembly in which complex sliding cam and bar members are eliminated; and,

The provision of a push button switch assembly which is not readily subject to jamming.

These objects as well as other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are implemented by the instant inventive switch which is characterized by a unique cooperation between a plurality of push button means disposed for reciprocating movement in a housing and a plurality of individual discrete slide transfer means retained for lateral movement in the housing beneath the push button means, the slide transfer means insuring that only a single push button is in an activated condition at any one time.

Specifically, a plurality of aligned push button means are disposed in a housing adjacent an electrical contact board means in which are included a plurality of electrical terminals. Each push button means preferably comprises a body member disposed inside the housing, leg means extending outside the housing through apertures therein, and a downwardly extending lip means of a given shape, preferably triangular, which defines a first camming surface. The push button means are adapted to effect a vertical reciprocating movement in a plane parallel to the plane of the contact board between a first or rest position and a second or depressed position, each of the push button means selectively making and breaking a circuit between respective electrical terminal pairs on the electrical contact board means during reciprocation and being guided during its movement by the action of the leg means and the apertures.

A plurality of individual, discrete slide transfer means which cooperate with the push button means in a novel fashion discussed hereinbelow, are disposed in a bottom portion of the housing in a longitudinally extending channel thereof beneath the plurality of push button means. In the preferred inventive embodiment, the slide transfer means comprise individual rectangular blocks having a triangularly shaped upper extending portion which defines a second camming surface shaped complementary to the first camming surface of the push button means. Each of the rectangular blocks are aligned in side-by-side relationship in the longitudinal channel of the housing whereby such individual blocks can undergo lateral movement. Importantly, the disposition of the slide transfer means with respect to the push button means is such that the triangularly shaped lip means of the push button means and the upper extending triangularly shaped portions of the individual rectangular blocks define a common plane. Yet, the apex of each of the triangularly shaped lip means of the push buttons and the apex of the triangularly shaped extending portions of the slide transfer means or rectangular blocks are laterally offset with respect to one another.

Now, if a single push button means is displaced or depressed from its first position into the second position, the first camming means defined by the triangularly shaped lower depending lip portion would contact a second camming surface defined by the triangularly shaped upper extending portion of a slide transfer means directly below and, with wedge-like action, would effect lateral movement of the slide transfer means within the longitudinally extending channel of the housing. In most instances, the lateral movement of this one slide transfer means would be imparted to other slide transfer means due to the side-by-side alignment of all the slide transfer means within the housing channel. If another push button means had previously been displaced or depressed from its first into its second position, the second camming surface of a moving slide transfer means would contact the first camming surface of the previously depressed push button means, and, with a reverse wedge-like action, would effect a reciprocal displacement of the previously depressed push button means from its second position back into its first position. Accordingly, the operation of the inventive device is such that only one push button means can be disposed in the second position at any given time.

The invention itself will be better understood and further features and advantages thereof will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred inventive embodiment, such description making reference to the appended sheets of drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective illustration of the novel push button switch assembly of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a rear elevational view of an electrical contact board utilized in the switch assembly;

FIG. 3 depicts a front elevational view of the electrical contact board;

FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of the upper casing of the housing of the inventive switch assembly;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the upper casing of FIG. 4 taken along lines I--I;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the upper casing of the housing;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the upper casing of the housing depicted in FIG. 6 taken along lines II--II;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the upper casing of the housing of the novel switch assembly;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a slide transfer means of the instant invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the slide transfer means depicted in FIG. 9 taken along lines III--III;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the lower casing of the housing of the novel switch assembly;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the lower casing of the housing;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the lower casing depicted in FIG. 12 taken along lines IV--IV;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the push button means utilized with the novel switch assembly;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view, partially broken away for illustrative clarity, of the push button means of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective illustration of a spring utilized with the push button means of FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a spacer member utilized between sets of push button means of the novel switching assembly;

FIG. 18 is a side view of an electrical contact utilized in conjunction with the spring of FIG. 16 and the push button means of FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the electrical contact of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an elevational view, with parts shown in dotted lines for illustrative clarity, of the overall inventive switch assembly depicting its novel operation;

FIG. 21 is an elevational view, with parts omitted for the sake of clarity, of a modified embodiment of a push button switch assembly in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the push button utilized in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line 23--23 of FIG. 21; and,

FIG. 24 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 24--24 of FIG. 23.

Describing now the drawings, particular attention should be given to FIG. 1 wherein an exploded overall view of the novel push button switch assembly of the instant invention is depicted. The assembly can be seen to comprise a housing which generally includes an elongated upper casing 22 and an elongated lower casing 24, the casings being adapted to mate in juxtaposed relationship with one another along confronting surfaces 26 and 28, respectively. For purposes of maintaining the upper casing 22 and the lower casing 24 in an aligned mating relationship, a plurality of throughbores 30 are provided in both sides of each casing through which dowels generally designated 32 are inserted.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 through 8, the upper casing member 22 of the housing is provided with a plurality of apertures 34 through the top surface 36 thereof, apertures 34 preferably though not necessarily being of rectangular shape. Side walls 38 depend from the top surface 36 such that the upper casing 22 defines a generally hollowed-out elongated body, with a cut-away portion generally designated 40 provided in one of the lengthwise sides thereof. A groove or channel member 42 as is best seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, is provided on the underside of the top surface 36 adjacent the cut-away portion 40 for purposes which will be discussed hereinbelow. Upper housing or casing 22 is constructed of an electrically insulating material and preferably of a plastic such as polycarbonate.

The lower housing or casing 24 is also constructed of an electrically insulating material such as polycarbonate and includes side wall portions 42 such that the lower housing or casing 24 also comprises a generally hollowed-out elongated body with a cut-away portion 44 being provided through one of the lengthwise side walls 42 thereof. The dimensions of the cut-out or cut-away portion 44 correspond to the dimensions of the cut-out portion 40 of the upper housing 22 such that when both casings 22 and 24 are juxtaposed to form the over-all housing, a rectangular "window" results. As best seen in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, the bottom of the lower casing comprises two longitudinally extending channels 46 and 48 separated by a stepped intermediate portion 50 and 52. The disposition of the channels is such that when the upper casing 22 and the lower casing 24 are placed in juxtaposition or mating relationship with respect to one another, channel 46 in the lower casing 24 is vertically aligned with channel 42 of the upper casing 22.

A plurality of individual, distinct slide transfer means generally designated 56 as depicted in FIGS. 1, 9 and 10, is disposed in the longitudinally extending channel or groove 48 within the lower casing 24. Each of the slide transfer means 56 is aligned in the channel 48 adjacent one another in a side-by-side relationship. In the preferred construction, each of the slide transfer means 56 preferably comprises an individual rectangular block 58 having a triangularly shaped upper extending portion 60 which defines a camming surface as will be discussed hereinbelow. The slide transfer means are preferably manufactured from nylon and, as best seen in the sectional view of FIG. 10, each slide transfer means 56 has a thin central region 62 and a thicker rib portion 64 about the periphery thereof. The width of the thicker rib portion 64 is adapted to be approximately the same width as is the longitudinally extending channel or groove 48 within the lower casing 24. Each of the slide transfer means 56, when disposed in the longitudinally extending groove 48, can undergo lateral movement either to the right or the left, either individually or in groups, as the length of the longitudinally extending channel 48 is selected to be slightly longer than the cumulative lengths of all of the slide transfer means 56 disposed therein whereby a free space always appears somewhere along the channel length.

A plurality of push button means generally designated 66 and preferably constructed of plastic material are also provided within upper and lower casings 22 and 24, respectively, comprising the housing. As depicted in FIGS. 14 and 15, as well as in FIG. 1, each of the push button means 66 comprise a body member 58 which is disposed internally of the upper casing 22 of the housing and an upwardly extending leg portion 70 adapted to fit through apertures 34 in the upper casing 22 so as to protrude out therefrom. A lower depending lip means is provided on the body member 68 and preferably is disposed towards the rear of such body member 68 as illustrated in FIG. 15. Lower depending lip means 72 preferably has a triangular shape and thus defines a camming surface complementary in shape with respect to the camming surface defined by the upper extending portion 60 of the slide transfer means. A countersunk bore 74 is provided toward the front of the body member 68 of each push button means 66 in which a spring 76 as depicted in FIG. 16, is inserted as is an electrical contact generally designated 78 having a circular face portion 80 and an extending shaft 82 such as depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19, such that the shaft 82 of the electrical contact fits within the spring 76 to thus form a spring-loaded electrical contact means on each of the push button means 66.

Each of the push button means 66, when inserted through the apertures 34 of the upper housing or casing 22, as described, are in an aligned, side-by-side relationship and can undergo vertical reciprocating movement between a first extended position and a second depressed position, as will be discussed hereinbelow. A spacer element 84 as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 17 is preferably provided between two of the push button means 66 as illustrated so as to aid in the vertical alignment thereof.

Finally, the novel switch assembly can be seen to include an electrical contact board generally designated 88 as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The external or outside of contact board 88 contains a plurality of electrical connecting posts 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100 . . . to which external circuit connections can be made whereas the inside or interior of the electrical contact board means 88 contains electrical contacts 90', 92', 94', 96', 98', 100' . . . respectively associated with the electrical terminals of the same number. Importantly, a plurality of electrical terminal or contact pairs 90'-96', 92'-98', 94'-100' . . . are defined by the contact board means 88. The contact board means 88 is adapted to fit within the "window" defined by the cut-away or cut-out sections 40 and 44 of the upper and lower casings 22 and 24, respectively, within the respect grooves or channels 42 and 46. Thus, the contact board means defines one side of the housing and lies within a plane parallel to the vertical plane of displacement of the push button means 66 such that when a respective push button means 66 is depressed from its first position into its second position, the spring-loaded contact terminals or members 78 thereof serve to complete or "bridge" A circuit between respective contact terminal pairs on the contact board means.

Referring now to FIG. 20, the novel mode of operation of the inventive push button switch assembly will be described. It should initially be noted that the triangularly shaped lip means 72 of the push button means 66 are disposed directly above the triangularly shaped upper extending portions 60 of the slide member means 56 with the lip means and the extending portions defining a common vertical plane. Further, it should be noted that the apex of each of the triangularly shaped lip means 72 and the apex of each of the triangularly shaped extending portions 60 are laterally offset with respect to one another.

Now, let it be assumed that a push button means 102 had initially been depressed from its first into its second position and then, push button means 100 is subsequently depressed from its first into its second position as depicted in FIG. 20. As push button means 100 is depressed, an electrical circuit will be completed between a given pair of contact terminals on the contact board means 88 since the spring-loaded contact 78 on the push button means 100 serves to bridge the gap between such given contact terminal pair. In its second position, the underside of the body portion or member 68 of push button means 100 abuts against the step 52 of the lower casing 24 as best depicted in FIG. 13.

The novel interaction between the lower depending lip means 72 of push button means 100 and the slide transfer means 56 disposed in the channel 48 of the lower casing 24 as push button means 100 is displaced from its first into its second position, is such as to ensure, in a simple yet effective manner, that only one push button means can be disposed in the second position at any one time. As mentioned above, the lower depending lip means 72 of push button means 100 defines a first camming surface in that each side of the triangularly-shaped lip means 72 forms a wedge. By the same token, the upper extending portions 60 of each of the slide transfer means 56 define a second camming surface having a shape complementary to the shape of the first camming surface. Now, as push button means 100 is depressed, the depending lip means defining the first camming surface makes contact with the upper extending portion of individual slide transfer means 56' and 56", such upper extending portions defining the second camming surface. Such contact between the two camming surfaces effects, in a wedge-like manner, lateral movement of slide transfer means 56' and 56" to the left and to the right of FIG. 20, respectively. The remainder of the slide transfer means 56 disposed to the right of slide transfer means 56" will also be laterally moved toward the right whereas the remainder of the slide transfer means 56 disposed to the left of slide transfer means 56' will likewise also be moved towards the left, due to the adjacent side-by-side relationship between the individual slide transfer means 56 disposed in channel or groove 48. Accordingly, slide transfer means 56'" is also laterally displaced towards the left in FIG. 20. As the second camming surface of slide transfer means 56'" contacts the first camming surface defined by the lower depending lip means of push button 102, a reciprocal displacement of push button 102 from its previously depressed second position back into its illustrated first position is effected also due to the wedge-like action of the complementary shaped triangular camming surfaces. The end result is that substantially simultaneously with the depression of push button 100, previously depressed push button 102 is raised back into its initial or rest position. In a similar manner, had any other of the push button means 66 been depressed, such push button means would have been raised through the lateral movement of one of the slide transfer means 56 disposed therebeneath. Of course, if one of the push button means disposed at the ends of the housing is depressed, then all of the slide transfer means 56 would be laterally displaced in one direction only. Yet, the interaction between the slide transfer means and a previously depressed push button remains the same. When a previously depressed push button is reciprocally displaced or raised back into its first position, the electrical circuit made by the spring-loaded contact 78 of the push button between two contact pairs of the contact board means 88, would be broken. As should also be apparent, jamming of the novel push button switch assembly cannot occur since if two or more push button means 66 are depressed at the same time, none of the push button means could be displaced into the second position since lateral movement of the underlying slide transfer means would be precluded.

Referring now to FIGS. 21 through 24, there is depicted another embodiment of a push button switch assembly in accordance with this invention. This embodiment comprises a housing 110 in which is carried a plurality of push button means 112 movable between a first position and a second position, and a plurality of movable slide transfer means 114. The slide transfer means and the push button means cooperate in such a way that only one push button means can be in the second position at a particular time. As will be more fully described hereinafter, movement of the push button means is guided by its cooperation with a portion of the housing so that axial and rotational misalignment or binding of the push button means is prevented. Part of the housing includes a contact board means 116 that cooperates with an electrical contact means 118 carried by each of the push button means to selectively make and break an electrical circuit.

In this particular embodiment of the invention, housing 110 includes a base portion 120, upstanding longitudinal side walls 122 and 124, and upstanding transverse side walls 126 and 128 that connect the longitudinal side walls. A plurality of apertures 130 are formed in longitudinal side wall 122 and are aligned with a plurality of apertures 131 formed in longitudinal side wall 124. As best seen in FIG. 23, apertures 130 extend through substantially the entire depth of longitudinal side wall 122 and apertures 131 extend through only a portion of the depth of longitudinal side wall 124. Apertures 130 and 131 cooperate with push button means 112 in a manner to be described hereinafter to guide movement of the push button means. Removably secured to the free edges of walls 122-128 and in parallel relationship to base portion 120 is a face member 132 on which is carried contact means 116. Similar to the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-20, contact means 116 includes terminal posts 134 and electrical contacts 136. Terminals posts 134 are adapted to be connected to an external electrical circuit and contacts 136 are adapted to cooperate with push button means 112 to selectively make or break a circuit.

Each of the slide transfer means 114 is carried in the housing and includes a flat portion 138 an edge of which bears along longitudinal side wall 124. A triangular section is formed on base portion 138 and provides camming surfaces 140 in a manner similar to that disclosed in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 20 of the drawing. Also similar to the arrangement illustrated in the FIGS. 1 through 20 embodiment of the invention, the cumulative length of all of the slide transfer means is less than the distance between transverse wall portions 126 and 128 whereby a free space always appears somewhere along longitudinal side wall 124. Thus, the slider members are able to move laterally along longitudinal side wall 124.

As best seen in FIG. 22, each push button means 112 comprises a central body portion 142, a frist leg portion 144 and a second leg portion 146. Leg portions 144 and 146 extend axially from opposite ends of body portion 142 and have a reduced width relative to the body portion so that shoulders 145 are formed at the intersection of leg portion 144 and the body portion and shoulders 147 are formed at the intersection of leg portion 146 and the body portion. In addition, leg portion 146 has reduced depth relative to body portion 142 equal to the depth of aperture 131. The push button means are carried in housing 110 with body portions 142 being contained wholly within the space between longitudinal side wall portions 122 and 124, and with leg portions 144 projecting through apertures 130 in longitudinal side wall 122. As best seen in FIG. 22, since leg portions 146 are of a reduced thickness, they overlie their associated slider mechanisms 114 and project through apertures 131 in longitudinal side wall 124. With reference to FIG. 21 of the drawing, it can be seen that the length of body portion 142 is less than the distance between longitudinal side walls 122 and 124 so that the push buttons are movable between a first position wherein shoulders 145 abut longitudinal side wall 122 and a second or depressed position wherein shoulders 147 abut longitudinal side wall 124. The shoulders and side walls provide a stop means that limits the movement of the push button means. By the interaction between the leg portions and their associated apertures, movement of the push button means is guided so that axial and rotational misalignment are prevented. Since the legs and apertures provide the guiding function during the movement of the push button means, slider means 114 need not be manufactured with such close tolerances since they perform no guiding function for the movement of the push buttons. Thus, the cumulative size deviations among the individual sliders will not affect the alignment of the push button means. In this way, misalignment problems are eliminated and the manufacturing cost of the push button switch assembly is significantly reduced.

Formed at the end of the body portion 142 and adjacent leg portion 146, there is a triangular-shaped portion 148 that performs the camming function described with respect to the push button means described in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 20. As noted in that description, the camming means on the push button means and the camming means on the slider members cooperate to assure that only one push button means can be located in the second position at any time. As best seen in FIG. 23, contact means 118 carried in body portion 142 is also similar to that described in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the FIGS. 1 through 20 in that it comprises a spring urged contact located in a bore formed in body portion 142. When a push button means is in its second position, contact means 118 carried by that particular push button will engage contacts 136 on face number 116 to complete an electrical circuit. When a push button means is in the first position, obviously no circuit is connected.

Operation of the push button switch assembly illustrated in FIGS. 21 through 24 is similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 20. That is, movement of a particular push button means 112 from the first position to the second or depressed position is effected by pushing on the free end of leg portion 144. Cam surfaces 148 on the push button means being depressed cooperate with cam surfaces 140 on the associated slider member to cause lateral movement of that slider member. This lateral movement, in turn, effects reciprocal movement of another push button means from its second position to its first position in a manner similar to that described with respect to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 20. Thus, only one push button means can be depressed at any particular time.

As should now be apparent, the objects set forth at the outset of the specification have been successfully achieved.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A push button switch assembly comprising a housing having a plurality of aligned apertures in one side thereof; contact board means in said housing defining a plurality of electrical terminals; a plurality of aligned push button means disposed on said housing adjacent said contact board means for vertical reciprocating movement between a first position and a second position, each said push button means and contact means selectively making and breaking a circuit between respective electrical terminal pairs, each said push button means comprising a body member disposed internally of said housing and a leg member disposed outside said housing and extending upwardly through a respective housing aperture, said leg member and said aperture defining means for preventing rotational and axial misalignment of said push button means in said housing, each said push button means further including a lower depending lip means which defines a first camming surface; and a plurality of individual discrete slide transfer means disposed in a line adjacent to one another in said housing beneath said push button means, each of said slide transfer means including an upper extending portion defining a second camming surface having a shape complementary to said first camming surface, said first camming surfaces of said push button means contacting said second camming surface of a slide transfer means and effecting lateral movement thereof when a push button means is displaced from said first position to said second position, said second camming surface of a slide transfer means contacting said first camming surface of other push button means and effecting reciprocal displacement thereof when said slide transfer means is moving laterally, whereby only one push button means can be disposed in said second position at any given time.

2. A push button assembly comprising: a housing; contact board means in said housing defining a plurality of electrical terminals; a plurality of aligned push button means disposed in said housing adjacent said contact board means for vertical reciprocal movement between a first position and a second position, each of said push button means and contact means selectively making and breaking a circuit between respective electrical terminal pairs, a raised step means disposed internally of said housing, said step means delimiting travel of said push button means when said push button means are in said second position and thereby defining a stop means therefor; each said push button means including a surface portion cooperably disposed with respect to said raised step means; a plurality of individually discrete slide transfer means disposed in a line adjacent to one another in said housing beneath said push button means, said slide transfer means undergoing lateral movement when a single push button means is displaced from said first position to said second position, said lateral movement effecting reciprocal displacement of another single push button means from said second position to said first position, whereby only one push button means can be disposed in said second position at any given time.

3. A push button switch assembly comprising: a housing; a planar contact board means defining one side of said housing and including a plurality of electrical terminals; a plurality of aligned push button means disposed in said housing adjacent to said contact board means for vertical reciprocating movement between a first position and a second position, said push button means comprising a body member disposed internally of said housing and an upwardly extending leg portion disposed outside said housing, said extending leg portion and said body portion of each said push button means defining a common vertical plane parallel to the plane of said contact board means, said push button means including spring-loading contact plates on said body members thereof for selectively making and breaking a circuit between respective electrical terminal pairs of said electrical contact board means; and a plurality of individual discrete slide transfer means disposed in a line adjacent to one another in said housing beneath said push button means, said slide transfer means undergoing lateral movement when a single push button means is displaced from said first position to said second position, said lateral movement effecting reciprocal displacement of another single push button means from said second position to said first position, whereby only one push button means can be disposed in said second position at any given time.

4. A switch as defined in claim 3, wherein said housing comprises top and bottom removable casings.

5. A push button switch assembly having a plurality of push buttons disposed for vertical reciprocating movement between a raised position and a depressed position within a housing having a plurality of apertures in one side thereof, each said push button including a body member disposed within said housing, and a leg member extending upwardly through a respective housing aperture, the shape of said leg member and said housing aperture defining means for preventing rotational and axial misalignment of said push button; said body portion of each push button defining first camming surface means; and a plurality of individual blocks disposed for lateral displacement beneath the push buttons, each block including a second camming surface for cooperative interaction in a wedge-like manner with said first camming surface means of said push buttons to transfer vertical movement of one push button from its raised position to its depressed position into lateral displacement of said blocks, said lateral displacement, in turn, effecting vertical movement of any other depressed push button from its depressed position into its raised position, whereby only one push button can be disposed in a depressed position at any given time; said housing further including a raised step portion therein defining a stop means for each of said push button means when said push button means are in said depressed positions; and a contact board means defining one side of said housing and incorporating a plurality of electrical terminals; said push button means including spring-loading contact plates on said body members thereof for selectively making and breaking circuits between said respective electrical terminal pairs of said contact board means.

6. A push button switch assembly comprising a housing having a plurality of aligned apertures in one side thereof; contact means carried on said housing and defining a plurality of electrical terminals; a plurality of aligned push button means disposed in said housing adjacnet said contact means for reciprocating movement between a first position and a second position, each said push button means and control means selectively making and breaking a circuit between respective electrical terminal pairs, each said push button means comprising a body member disposed internally of said housing and a leg member disposed outside said housing and extending through a respective housing aperture, said leg member and said aperture providing means for preventing rotational and axial misalignment of said push button means in said housing, ach said push button means further including a depending portion which defines a first camming surface means; and a plurality of individual discrete slide transfer means disposed in side-by-side relationship in said housing adjacent said push button means, each of said slide transfer means including a projecting portion defining a second camming surface means having a shape complementary to said first camming surface means, said first camming surface means of said push button means contacting said second camming surface means of said slide transfer means, movement of one of said push button means from said first positions to said second position causing at least one of said slide transfer means to move laterally, lateral movement of said slide transfer means causing any other push button means in said second position to move to said first position, whereby only one push button means can be disposed in said second position at any given time.

7. A push button switch assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein said housing includes a plurality of aligned apertures in the side opposite said one side thereof and wherein said push button means includes another leg member projecting from said body member and projecting through a respective aperture in said side opposite said one side of said housing.

8. A push button switch assembly comprising: a housing; contact means carried one side of said housing and including a plurality of electrical terminals; a plurality of aligned pushbutton means disposed in said housing adjacent to said contact means for reciprocating movement between a first position and a second position, each of said push button means comprising a body member disposed internally of said housing and a pair leg portions each extending from opposite ends of said body position and disposed outside said housing, said extending leg portions and said body portion of each said push button means defining a common plane parallel to the plane of said contact means, said push button means including spring-loaded contact plates on said body members thereof for selectively making and breaking a circuit between respective electrical terminal pairs of said contact means; and a pluarlity of individual discrete slide transfer means disposed in side-by-side relationship in said housing adjacent said push button means, at least one of said slide transfer means undergoing lateral movement when a single push button means is displaced from said first position to said second position, said lateral movement effecting reciprocal displacement of another single push button means from said second position to said first position, whereby only one push button means can be disposed in said second position at any given time.

9. A push button switch assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein stop means are provided to limit the movement of said push button means to said first and second position.

10. A push button switch assembly comprising: a housing; contact means carried on said housing a plurality of aligned push button means disposed in said housing for reciprocating movement between a first position and a second position, said push button means comprising a body member disposed internally of said housing and guide means extending from each end of said body member to guide the movement of said push button means from said first position to said second position, said push button means also including contact means that cooperate with said contact means on said housing to selectively make and break an electrical circuit; and a plurality of individual discrete slide transfer means disposed in side-by-side relationship in said housing adjacent said push button means, at least one of said slide transfer means undergoing lateral movement when a single push button means is displaced from said first position to said second position, said lateral movement effecting reciprocal displacement of another single push button means from said second position to said first position, whereby only one push button means can be disposed in said second position at any given time.

11. A push button switch assembly in accordance with claim 10 wherein said guide means includes leg portions extending through apertures in said housing.

12. A push button switch assembly of the type including a plurality of push button means carried in a housing, each of said push button means being manually movable between a first position and a second position where it completes an electrical circuit, and means within said housing for moving a push button means in the second position to the first position when another push button means is moved from said first position to said second position, the improvement comprising:

a. a plurality of aligned apertures formed in opposite side walls of said housing adjacent said first and second positions;

b. each of said push button means including a body portion within said housing and having axial leg portions extending from opposite sides of said body portion, each of said leg portions extending through one of a pair of aligned apertures for guiding said push button means during movement between said first and second positions.