US Patent 7129432 Lighted switch unit

A lighted switch unit having a light-shield structure at a lower end of an operating body is provided, in which an outer surface of the operating body is covered with a non-translucent covering layer, and a light-transmitting display part is formed on an upper part or side part of the body. The light-shield structure is such as an inclined part formed on an outer surface at the lower end of the operating body, with which an exposed area of a lower end of the inner surface of the operating body is made small so that an amount of a light that leaks out of a gap between the cover and the operating body is reduced. Thus, a lighted switch unit having good visibility is obtained with a simple structure.