Switch assembly having selective actuation sensitivity

• US 4,024,368 A
• Filed: 10/02/1975
• Issued: 05/17/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Litton Systems Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Litton Systems Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Shattuck, Ronald Corroalles
• Primary Examiner(s): Tolin, Gerald P.
• Application Number:
  US05/619,137
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 340/365 R, 235/145 R, 200/308, 200/314, 200/340, 200/159 B, 200/5 A, 200/5 R
• US Class Current: 200/314
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83

Abstract

A switch assembly having a lighted display module for programmable character display where the module is an active part during switch actuation. The module has a force actuating line and is displaced by a predetermined portion of an applied switch actuating force because the module line for transmitting such force is selectively displaced from the line of the applied actuating force.

Claims

1. A switch assembly comprising:

a. force transmitting means displaceable from a first non-actuation switch position to a second actuating switch position by an actuating force directed along a force transmitting line defined by the centerline of said force transmitting means,

b. flexible indicator means for display of indicia, said flexible indicator means having a centerline defining a force transmitting line, and displaceable by said force transmitting means,

c. said flexible indicator means centerline misaligned with said force transmitting means centerline by a selected distance so that displacement of said transmitting means by the actuating force displaces said indicator means, and said misaligned centerline reducing the transmitted actuating force by a first determinable portion, and

d. switch means operable by said reduced actuating force.

2. The switch assembly of claim 1 in which said flexible indicator means includes a resilient means absorbing a first portion of the reduced actuating force displacing said indicator means and transmitting a second portion of the reduced actuating force.

3. The switch assembly of claim 2 in which said switch means is operable by said second portion of the reduced actuating force.

4. The switch assembly of claim 1 in which said switch means defines a force transmitting centerline that is misaligned with said indicator means centerline by a selected distance, said misaligned indicator means and switch means centerlines reducing said reduced actuating force by a second determinable portion.

5. The switch assembly of claim 1 in which said force transmitting means are selectively transparent and said flexible means displays said indicia therethrough.

6. The switch assembly of claim 1 in which said switch means defines a force transmitting centerline that is aligned with said indicator means centerline.