Means for attaching auxiliary devices to a membrane switch

• US 4,414,452 A
• Filed: 12/13/1982
• Issued: 11/08/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oak Industries, Inc. (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Oak Industries, Inc. (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Denley, Ronald S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcus, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kidorf, Renee S.
• Application Number:
  US06/448,929
• Time in Patent Office: 330 Days
• Field of Search: 200/159 B, 200/310, 200/312, 200/314, 200/317, 339/17 F, 339/176 MF
• US Class Current: 200/512
• 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 2207/028 on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/014 LED
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/04 Attachments; Connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/022 Modular assembly

Abstract

A membrane switch has a substrate, a flexible membrane and an intervening spacer. Switch contacts are formed on the top surface of the substrate and the underside of the membrane in spaced, facing relation. A hole in the spacer in register with the switch contacts allows the contacts to move together in response to pressure exerted on the membrane. An auxiliary electrical device can be incorporated into the membrane switch through an opening in the membrane which provides access to a current supply circuit which is formed on the top surface of the spacer. The auxiliary device is held in place in electrical contact with the current supply circuit on the spacer. A pair of current supply leads provide electrical power to the current supply circuit. In a preferred embodiment at least one of the current supply leads is formed on the underside of the membrane, in contact with the current supply circuit and also connected to the switch contact on the membrane.

Claims

1. In a membrane switch of the type having a substrate, a first switch contact on the top surface of the substrate, a flexible membrane, a second switch contact on the bottom surface of the membrane and aligned with the first switch contact, a spacer between the substrate and membrane having an aperture in register with the switch contacts such that the contacts are normally in spaced, facing relation while pressure on the membrane top surface moves the second contact through the aperture and into engagement with the first contact thereby closing the switch, the improvement comprising means for incorporating a discrete electrical component into the membrane switch including a current supply circuit formed on the top surface of the spacer, an opening in the membrane providing access to the current supply circuit, and means for retaining the discrete component in the opening and in electrical contact with the current supply circuit.

2. The structure of claim 1 further comprising at least one current supply lead formed on the underside of the membrane and in contact with the current supply circuit to provide electrical power to said current supply circuit.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the current supply lead is also connected to the second switch contact.

4. The structure of claim 2 further comprising a second current supply lead formed on the top surface of the spacer and in contact with the current supply circuit to provide electrical power to said current supply circuit.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein the current supply circuit comprises a pair of spaced electrodes, generally surrounding the spacer aperture.

6. The structure of claim 1 wherein the current supply circuit includes a pair of spaced electrodes, generally surrounding the spacer aperture.