Laminated membrane switch

• US 4,394,547 A
• Filed: 01/27/1982
• Issued: 07/19/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oak Industries, Inc. (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Oak Industries, Inc. (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Larson, Willis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grimley, A. T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ginsburg, Morris
• Application Number:
  US06/343,310
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5 R, 200/5 A, 200/159 B, 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 2209/014 composed of different layers; Lubricant in between
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/004 Membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/006 Spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/03 Laminating
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/038 Folding of flexible printed circuit

Abstract

An assembly for manufacture of a membrane switch includes a composite formed of first and second layers, one substantially thicker than the other, with the composite having a size and shape to form both outer members of a membrane switch when folded back upon itself. Metallic conductors, preferably silver, are formed on the composite prior to folding. A spacer member having spaced openings therein and extending over approximately half of the area of the composite is positioned thereupon. After the composite is folded over the spacer member, laminating heat and pressure are applied to the assembly with the result that a bond is formed between the spacer member and composite and between the layers of the composite.

Claims

1. A membrane switch assembly including a membrane, a substrate, a spacer member having spaced openings therein positioned between said membrane and substrate, and a thin layer of a polyethylene material interposed between said membrane and spacer and between said substrate and spacer, electrical conductors formed on each thin layer and facing the spacer, said membrane, substrate and spacer being formed of a material which is heat bondable to the interposed polyethylene material, the application of heat and pressure to said assembly utilizing said polyethylene material to bond said membrane, substrate and spacer into a switch assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further characterized in that said membrane and substrate are formed of a polyester.

3. The assembly of claim 2 further characterized in that said polyester has a thickness of approximately five mils and said polyethylene material has a thickness of approximately one mil.

4. The assembly of claim 1 further characterized in that said polyethylene material is coated onto one or more of said substrate, membrane or spacer prior to the application of heat and pressure.