Kit for use in the construction of custom prototype membrane switch panels

• US 4,303,811 A
• Filed: 12/03/1979
• Issued: 12/01/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xymox Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: W H Brady Company
• Inventors: Parkinson, Wayne K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, James R.
• Application Number:
  US06/099,628
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5 A, 200/159 B, 200/312, 200/317, 200/314, 200/11 TW, 200/292
• 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 2209/022 Velvet; Mat finish
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/014 LED
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/022 Modular assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/028 Adhesive

Abstract

A kit for making custom prototype membrane switch panels which includes a plurality of switch units and an overlay unit for integration and protection of said switch panels and indicia carried thereby.

Claims

1. A kit capable of being assembled into a prototype membrane switch comprising

a plurality of switch units

each said switch unit comprising at least one membrane switch, each said membrane switch including upper and lower plastic membranes, electrical contact portions adhered to said membranes, and a spacer element between said membranes, and

an overlay sheet adapted to be affixed to the upper surfaces of each of said switch units,

said overlay sheet having twice or more the area of each said switch unit and the shape of each said unit being selected so as to permit said plurality of units to be affixed in side-by-side relationship beneath said overlay sheet, and

said overlay sheet being provided with indicia areas at locations selected to be coordinated with switch portions of said plurality of switch units upon assembly.

2. The kit of claim 1 in which each said switch unit includes a multiplicity of switches.

3. The kit of claim 2 in which each said switch unit includes a layer of adhesive and a release layer on its lower surface, and on its upper surface a layer on which may be written indicia.

4. The kit of claim 3 in which said overlay includes opaque portions defining transparent areas, said transparent areas being over said switch portions.

5. The kit of claim 4 which includes at least one indicia transfer unit.