Electrical devices

• US 4,376,238 A
• Filed: 03/11/1981
• Issued: 03/08/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Computers Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Original Assignee: International Computers Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Inventors: Martin, Sidney H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shepperd, John W.
• Application Number:
  US06/242,700
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 200/159 B, 200/83 N, 200/1 B, 200/5 A
• US Class Current: 200/513
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/64 wherein the switch has more than two electrically distinguishable positions, e.g. multi-position push-button switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/004 Collapsible dome or bubble
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/018 Consecutive operations

Abstract

A membrane switch assembly in which portions of a membrane 14 mounted on a base member 11 are belled-outwardly to provide cavities 15, which are positioned so as to overly the location at which conductors 21, 22 are to be connected. The formation of each belled out portion is such that each portion carries electrical contactor means 16, 20 and such that the portion has a circumscribing region 18 which on compression of the portion to cause switch operation allows the membrane 14 to collapse at this region before the membrane is fully compressed.

Claims

1. A switch assembly including a base member, at least one pair of conductors provided upon the base member and which are to be electrically connected, an elastomeric membrane extending over the base member, the membrane having at least one portion belled outwardly away from the base member to define a cavity beneath the membrane and being so positioned as to overly at least two separate pairs of conductors to be electrically connected, each said belled out portion of the membrane having a circumscribing region of such characteristics that on exerting pressure on the portion to collapse said portion towards the base member, said circumscribing region is first to collapse, each said portion also including first and second conductive contactor elements positioned as to be electrically connectable with the first and second pairs of the electrical conductor pairs and so located relative to the circumscribing region that on exerting pressure upon the membrane to collapse said portion towards the base member, said first and second conductive contactor contact elements are caused successively to contact the associated first and second pairs of conductors.

2. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the first conductive contact comprises a ring-like member.