TACTILE RESPONSE SWITCH WITH UNITARY CONTROL STRIP OF INDEPENDENTLY OPERABLY PLURAL DISC CONTACTS

• US 3,673,357 A
• Filed: 03/29/1971
• Issued: 06/27/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andrew John Molchan
• Original Assignee: Andrew John Molchan
• Inventors: Molchan, Andrew John
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, J. R.
• Application Number:
  US05/128,997
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5,6,11DA,17,18,67DA,159R,159B,116PC
• US Class Current: 200/5.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/38 Single blade moved across dead-centre position
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/7013 in which the movable contacts of each switch site or of a row of switch sites are formed in a single plate

Abstract

A tactile response switch comprises a unitary cantilever-snap disc mechanism in which the cantilever provides reliable electrical contact properties and the snap disc provides a tactile response to contact closure. A plurality of independent contact closures can be made by operation of a single contact button and the properties of the cantilever and the snap disc can be easily tailored to achieve a desired sequence of contact closures and desired switch operating characteristics.

Claims

1. A tactile response switch comprising, in combination:

a strip of conductive spring material having thereon a plurality of snap discs and contacts, said strip having a bend therein in its longitudinal direction so that said strip forms a curved surface;

a terminal board having thereon a plurality of contacts matching said contacts on said strip;

means for mounting said strip to said board along said bend so that said bend is held in fixed relation to said board and the portions of said strip on each side of said bend form cantilevers supported at said bend which can deflect toward said board; and

deflecting means comprising a plurality of buttons mounted on said snap discs for deflecting said portions of said strip toward said board and snapping said discs to effect closure of said contacts and provide a tactile response feedback of said closure.

2. A tactile response switch comprising, in combination:

a strip of conductive material having thereon a plurality of snap discs and contacts;

a terminal board having thereon a plurality of contacts matching said contacts on said strip;

means for mounting said strip with respect to said board comprising a holder for attaching one edge of said strip in fixed relation to said board so that the remainder of said strip can deflect as a cantilever about said one edge toward said board; and

deflecting means comprising a plurality of buttons mounted on said snap discs for deflecting said remainder of said strip toward said board and snapping said discs to effect closure of said contacts and provide a tactile response feedback of said closure.

3. A tactile response switch comprising, in combination:

a strip of conductive spring material having thereoN a snap disc and a contact;

a terminal board having thereon a contact matching said contact on said strip;

means for mounting said strip with respect to said board comprising a holder for receiving one end of said strip and attaching said one end in fixed relation to said board so that the remainder of said strip can deflect as a cantilever about said one end toward said board; and

deflecting means comprising a button mounted on said snap disc for deflecting said remainder of said strip toward said board and snapping said disc to effect closure of said contacts and provide a tactile response feedback of said closure.

4. A tactile response switch comprising, in combination:

a strip of conductive spring material having thereon at least one snap disc and at least one contact;

a terminal board having at least one contact thereon matching said one contact on said strip;

means including a cover plate for mounting said strip to said board between said plate and said board, said plate holding a portion of said strip in fixed relation to said board, said plate being spaced from said board so that the remainder of said strip can move therebetween and can deflect as a cantilever toward said board; and

means for deflecting said remainder of said strip toward said board and snapping said disc to effect closure of said contacts and provide a tactile response feedback of said closure, said plate including an opening in which said deflecting means is slideably mounted.