Flexible pressure sensitive switch actuator module adaptable to a keyboard surface having fixed contact array

• US 4,035,593 A
• Filed: 10/09/1975
• Issued: 07/12/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northern Engraving Corporation (Huaxiang Group Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Northern Engraving Corporation (Huaxiang Group Company Limited)
• Inventors: Riniker, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, James R.
• Application Number:
  US05/620,955
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5 R, 200/5 A, 200/159 B, 200/308, 200/314, 200/317, 200/86 R, 200/293-296, 200/329, 200/340, 428/40, 174/68.5
• US Class Current: 200/5.00A
• 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 2219/028 Printed information
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/006 Pad transfer printing
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/028 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/026 Car
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1093 with covering of discrete laminae with additional lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 Switch making

Abstract

A flexible, self-biasing switching element is disclosed herein for closing a circuit by flexing the element from an initial non-contacting position to a second contacting position and for opening the circuit by releasing the element and permitting it to return to a non-contacting position from the contacting position. The element includes a flexible non-conductive substrate having on one side thereof a plurality of spaced conductive contacts or areas. A two-sided pressure sensitive adhesive film for mounting the element is die cut and applied to the substrate in a manner so as to surround the conductive contact areas. The adhesive film provides an insulating medium between the contact points so as to prevent transmission of current between the contact points.

Claims

1. A unitary, self-biasing, flexible switching element constructed for mounting on a flat surface, said element comprising:

(1) a substantially planar, transparent, flexible and electrically non-conductive substrate;

(2) ink layer means formed directly on said substrate;

(3) a plurality of discrete, spaced and electrically conductive contact area means carried on the side of said ink layer means opposite the substrate; and

(4) insulating and bonding means bonded to the same side of said ink layer means as the contact area means and in surrounding relationship with each of said contact area means for cooperation in electrically insulating said contact area means from each other and for bonding said switching element to a surface, said insulating and bonding means including;

(a) a central, flexible, and non-conductive layer,

(b) a pair of adhesive layers, one on each side of said central layer, one of said adhesive layers for bonding to said ink layer means and the other of said adhesive layers for bonding to a flat surface, and

(c) a plurality of apertures of substantially the same size and shape as each of the contact area means formed in the insulating and bonding means so that the contact area means are exposed by the apertures;

said ink layer means including indicia aligned with and in overlying relationship to each of said contact area means for indicating a circuit that will be closed by flexing said substrate from an initial non-contacting position to a second contacting position, and opened by releasing the substrate and permitting it to move from said contacting position to said non-contacting position.