Multiple contact layer membrane switch
First Claim
1. A membrane switch assembly comprising a flexible first layer, a second layer having a plurality of contacts, a third layer having a plurality of contacts, certain of said third layer contacts being in registration with at least a portion of said second layer contacts, and a fourth layer having at least one contact area, certain of said third layer contacts being of a configuration so as to permit contact between each such third layer contact, a second layer contact in registration therewith and the fourth layer contact area when an area of said flexible first layer in registration with said second and third layer contacts is compressed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A membrane switch is provided having at least two surfaces having contact members thereon. Such contact surfaces can be applied to different layers of the switch assembly or to both the top and bottom surfaces of the same layer of the switch assembly. Certain of the contact members of the different surfaces are in registration with each other and are of such a configuration to permit the combined contact of such members with a base layer.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A membrane switch assembly comprising a flexible first layer, a second layer having a plurality of contacts, a third layer having a plurality of contacts, certain of said third layer contacts being in registration with at least a portion of said second layer contacts, and a fourth layer having at least one contact area, certain of said third layer contacts being of a configuration so as to permit contact between each such third layer contact, a second layer contact in registration therewith and the fourth layer contact area when an area of said flexible first layer in registration with said second and third layer contacts is compressed.
- 9. A membrane switch assembly comprising a flexible first layer, a second layer adjacent said first layer, said second layer having a plurality of contacts on its lower surface, a third layer adjacent said second layer, said third layer having a plurality of apertures certain of which are in registration with said contacts on the lower surface of the second layer, a fourth layer adjacent said third layer, said fourth layer having a plurality of contacts on its upper surface, certain of said fourth layer contacts being in registration with at least a portion of the contacts on the lower surface of the second layer, said fourth layer also including apertures in registration with certain of the contacts on the lower surface of the second layer, and a fifth layer having at least one contact area on its upper surface, said fourth layer contacts being of a configuration so as to permit each second layer contact in registration therewith to contact said fifth layer contact area while also contacting the fourth layer contact in registration therewith when an area of said flexible first layer in registration with any such second and fourth layer contact is compressed.
- 14. A membrane switch assembly comprising a flexible first layer, said first layer having an upper surface and a plurality of first layer contacts on its lower surface, a second layer adjacent said first layer, said second layer having a plurality of apertures in registration with said contacts on the lower surface of the first layer, a third layer adjacent said second layer, said third layer having a plurality of contacts on its upper surface and a plurality of contacts on its lower surface, certain of said third layer upper and lower surface contacts being in registration with said contacts on said first layer, said third layer also including apertures in registration with at least some of said third layer upper and lower surface contacts, a fourth layer adjacent said third layer, said fourth layer having a plurality of apertures in registration with the contacts on the lower surface of said third layer, and a fifth layer having at least one contact area on its upper surface, each of said third layer upper and lower surface contacts being of a configuration so as to permit each first layer contact in registration therewith to contact said fifth layer contact area through the corresponding apertures in said third layer when an area of said first layer upper surface in registration with said first layer contact is compressed.
Specification