Abstract: A vehicle display assembly includes a display board, a light source for illuminating the display board, a plurality of buttons, and a grounding frame and housing which are both configured to allow light from the light source to illuminate the plurality of buttons. Using the same light source to illuminate both the display board and the buttons eliminates the need for separate button lighting, simplifying the assembly and reducing the assembly's operating temperature.

Abstract: An enclosure for electronic instrument panel circuitry including a circuit board, a front housing with rear lower and upper locking flanges, and a two part case, preferably articulated at the rear for clamshell operation. The case has flanges on each part for interlocking with the housing, without separate fasteners. The circuit board is located in the case and connected to the housing before the case is closed. Support members molded in the case hold the circuit board in place and a single screw further secures the circuit board. A second circuit board on the rear of the housing is trapped by its margin between the housing and case, and held without screws.

Abstract: A switching apparatus providing both linear momentary and rotary switching, including a carrier element disposed within a switch housing and activated by the rotation or linear displacement of an operator manipulated button. The carrier is supported on a central transparent shaft which pipes light to a button-mounted indicator from a lamp disposed behind the switch apparatus. The carrier element supports rotary and linear contact rings in relation to a coplanar set of stationary contacts formed on the bottom of the housing. The rotary contact ring is resiliently biased into engagement with the stationary contacts, and is keyed to the carrier element for rotation therewith, defining a rotary travel switch. The linear contact ring is resiliently biased away from the stationary contacts and into engagement with a shoulder formed on the carrier element shaft, defining a linear travel momentary contact switch.

Abstract: A switch actuator mounted in a housing for axial and rotary movement operates a rotary switch on the actuator axis through an axial lost motion connection. A pushbutton switch offset from the axis is engaged by a semi-circular plate radially extending from the actuator and is actuated upon axial movement of the actuator for any rotary position of the actuator. Optionally, the plate has apertures which register with the pushbutton switch at selected actuator rotary positions to disable pushbutton operation at the selected positions. The actuator is made of light conducting transparent plastic to illuminate an indicator on the switch knob from a bulb within the housing. A flexible detent finger integrally molded into the housing engages the plate during its axial movement to impart tactile feel.

Abstract: A back-lit push button array which permits close spacing of the buttons while preventing light leaks between the buttons. The buttons are individually keyed into the outer shell of a housing to provide lateral support while permitting axial movement, and interleaving laterally extending features are formed on juxtaposed sidewalls of the buttons within the housing to prevent interbutton light leaks. This permits the buttons to be spaced very closedly, and there is no limitation on the size of the symbols or legends other than the dimensions of the button face itself.