1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-directional switch, and particularly relates to, for example, a multi-directional switch in which on-off operation of multiple contacts is dependent on the pressing directions of the switch.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a hand-held type game playing apparatus using a conventional character moving switch which constitutes the background of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a body 1 comprises a liquid crystal display plate 2. The liquid crystal plate 2 comprises a plurality of characters formed with transparent electrodes so that a predetermined character is displayed according to development of a game or in response to operation of character moving switches 4a to 4d. The characters 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d illustrated in the drawing are selectively displayed by operation of character moving switches 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d. More particularly, the character 3a is displayed responsive to operation of the character moving switch 4a, the character 3b is displayed responsive to operation of the character moving switch 4b, the character 3c is displayed responsive to operation of the character moving switch 4c and the character 3d is displayed responsive to operation of the character moving switch 4d. Accordingly, by operating optionally the character moving switches 4a to 4d, a display is made as if characters 3a to 3d were moving. The body 1 further comprises game switches 5 and 6 for giving instructions to start a game of different difficulty and a current time switch 7 for giving instructions to indicate the current time.
As described above, the conventional character moving switches 4a to 4d are provided corresponding to the characters 3a to 3d, that is, corresponding to the moving directions of the characters. The character moving switches 4a and 4b are provided in the vicinity of the left end of the body 1, and the character moving switches 4c and 4d are provided in the vicinity of the right end of the body 1. Accordingly, if one plays a game with a hand-held type game playing apparatus in his hands, the character moving switches 4a and 4b must be operated with the left hand, and the character moving switches 4c and 4d must be operated with the right hand. Thus, it is very difficult to operate two switches with one hand and other two switches with the other hand. As a result, one must take a great care in operation of the character moving switches 4a and 4d, which makes the game dull. On the other hand, if a larger number of character moving switches are provided to increase character moving directions, more variety will be given to the game, so that one will not easily get bored with it. Thus, in using conventional character moving switches, there is a disadvantage that either variety of a game or simplicity in operation must be disregarded.
In order to eliminate the above described disadvantage, the character moving switches 4a to 4d might be disposed collectively in a certain position in the body 1 so that one can operate them with one hand. However, such collective disposition will encounter another problem in that two or more than two character moving switches are often pressed simultaneously. Conversely, this means that the character moving switches 4a to 4d must be separated from each other with a certain distance. Accordingly, space for positioning the character moving switches 4a to 4d should be made larger, and consequently sufficient space cannot be provided for display of the liquid crystal display plate 2. As a result, the content of a game organized in the liquid crystal display plate 2 has to be limited.
In the foregoing, the disadvantage of character moving switches used in a hand-held type game playing apparatus was explained. However, the same disadvantages or problems as described above are also found in various conventional apparatus where control for selection of modes or moving directions is made by means of switches, if switches are provided corresponding to the modes or moving directions.