MULTIPLE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION

• US 3,600,528 A
• Filed: 09/25/1969
• Issued: 08/17/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wayne V. Leposavic
• Original Assignee: Wayne V. Leposavic
• Inventors: Leposavic, Wayne V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sliney, D. X.
• Application Number:
  US04/860,861
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5,86,159B 339/18
• US Class Current: 200/5.00A
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/12 Construction of key buttons
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/80 characterised by the manner of cooperation of the contacts, e.g. with both contacts movable or with bounceless contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/004 Wiping action
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/014 Conductive gas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/026 non precious
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/018 binary coded
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/022 Helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/032 Several contacts formed in one plate or layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/022 Plug
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/01 Increasing rigidity; Anti-creep
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/03 Ridges on layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/05 Force concentrator; Actuating dimple
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/002 sealed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/008 Die stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/016 Selective etching
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/028 Adhesive

Abstract

Multiple switches produced as a flat panel embodying the basic principle of laminates of electrical conductors in desired patterns assembled as stratifications in close proximity but separated by spacers and covered by resilient material facilitating momentary pushbutton operation of companion switch elements thereof, the separators isolating companion switch elements of the stratified laminates within switching zones identified by indicia or pushbutton pads on the resilient cover.

Claims

1. In a multiple switch construction in which stratified laminates superimposed in spaced relation and in close proximity one upon another comprise in combination:

1. an electrically nonconductive base panel having one surface thereof divided into a plurality of switching areas;

2. a fixed electrically conductive switch element fixed upon said surface of said base panel within each of said switching areas thereon;

3. depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon;

4. a flexible electrically conductive switching element supported in spaced relation to said base panel with said depressible means for movement by the latter into electrical contact with the particular fixed electrically conductive switch element within the switching area into which said depressible means is selectively depressed; and

5. each of said fixed electrically conductive elements within a switching area comprising a plurality of fixed contact members arranged on said base panel for collective engagement by said flexible electrically conductive element upon movement thereof under depression of said depressible means toward said base panel.

2. In a multiple switch construction in which stratified laminates superimposed in spaced relation and in close proximity one upon another comprise in combination:

3. depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon;

4. a flexible electrically conductive switching element supported in spaced relation to said base panel with said depressible means for movement by the latter into electrical contact with the particular fixed electrically conductive switch element within the switching area into which said depressible means is selectively depressed;

and

5. a depending central annular pushbutton projection on the underside of said depressible means within each of said switching areas and supported on said common central ring and extending therethrough for engaging the movable medial contact element therebelow for moving the latter into electrical contact with the fixed electrically conductive element on said base panel upon depression of said depressible means in the respective switching area.

6. A multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 5 in which each of said fixed electrically conductive elements in a switching area comprises a plurality of segmental contact members arranged on said base panel within the peripheral reach of the radially disposed fingers on said medial contact element for flexing said fingers upon engagement thereof with said segmental contact members upon perpendicular movement of said medial contact element relative to and into engagement with said base panel.

7. The multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 6 in which said segmental contact members are rounded bead like projections above said one surface of the fixed electrical contact element on said base panel whereby to effect a wraparound wiping engagement of said radially disposed fingers during flexing thereof upon downward movement of said medial contact member into engagement with said base panel.

8. The multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 7 including a spring steel laminate disposed between said flexible electrically conductive element and said depressible means for supporting the latter and comprising in combination:

a. nonconductive extensions on said spacers disposed on the framelike portions of the flexible electrically conductive element;

b. a plurality of integrated frames formed in said spring steel laminate conforming to said nonconductive extensions of said spacers and secured thereto;

c. a plurality of spring steel spider legs extending inwardly of each of said spring steel framelike portions and having inwardly bowed ends terminating in a common central ring; and

d. a depending central annular pushbutton projection on the underside of said depressible means within each of said switching areas and supported on said common central ring and extending therethrough for engaging the movable medial contact element therebelow for moving the latter into electrical contact with the fixed electrically conductive element on said base panel upon depression of said depressible means in the respective switching area.

9. In a multiple switch construction in which stratified laminates superimposed in spaced relation and in close proximity one upon another comprise in combination:

10. The multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 9, including in combination:

11. In a multiple switch construction having nonconductive spacers defining independent switching areas, the improvement comprising switching elements constructed of a panel divided into a plurality of framelike portions having integral movable switch elements suspended from said framelike portions for flexing movement, said integral movable switching elements including:

12. A multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 11 in which said medial contact element includes a plurality of substantially radially disposed fingers.

13. The multiple switch construction of claim 11 in which the spider legs extend across one side of said framelike portions and then inwardly toward the center thereof.

14. The multiple switch construction of claim 13 in which the inner ends of said spider legs of each frame include a plurality of elongated fingers for providing multiple contact.

15. The multiple switch construction of claim 13 in which the inner ends of said spider legs of each frame are interconnected and include a Plurality of elongated fingers for providing multiple contact.

16. The multiple switch of claim 15 in which the elongated fingers extend substantially radially inwardly.

17. The multiple switch of claim 15 in which the elongated fingers extend substantially radially outwardly.