Electronic touch pad key assembly with stroke amplifier

• US 4,594,481 A
• Filed: 06/19/1985
• Issued: 06/10/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Rowe, Richard A., Wilham, Donald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ginsburg, Morris
• Application Number:
  US06/746,528
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5 A, 200/293, 200/295, 200/159 B, 200/340, 235/145 R
• US Class Current: 200/5.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/705 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/072 Stroke amplification
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/012 Snap mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/044 Protecting cover
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/054 Mounting of key housings on same printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/036 with limited freedom

Abstract

An electrical switch panel including a switch actuating assembly is disclosed for intermittently altering the electrical condition of a switch. A base member is formed to include a plurality of chambers each dimensioned for receiving and retaining the electrical switch actuating assembly is positioned on a support member carrying the switch. An insulative tactile film is arranged on the base pad providing a touch area covering the chamber openings. An axially movable member disposed in the chamber is operable by movement of the film to engage a cantilever switch actuating member whereby the axial movement of the film transmitted through the axially movable member causes an amplified movement of the cantilever switch actuating member which is effective in altering the electrical condition of the switch.

Claims

1. An electrical switch panel including a switch and a switch actuating assembly positioned for intermittently altering the electrical condition of said switch comprising:

a support member including a top wall supporting said switch actuating assembly, and a bottom wall for supporting said switch;

a base member arranged on said top wall in spaced relationship to said bottom wall, said base member including an opening defining a chamber;

an insulative film arranged on said base member providing a touch area covering said chamber opening;

actuating means disposed for axial movement in said chamber, and a movement amplifying lever arrangement in said chamber, whereby axial movement of said film is transmitted through said actuating means and said movement amplifying lever arrangement to thereby amplify said axial movement of said film to alter the electrical condition of said switch.

2. The electrical switch panel recited in claim 1 wherein said chamber includes side walls extending from said opening and a bottom wall defined by a cantilever extending from one of said side walls to a centrally located free end, a switch actuating member extending downwardly from said centrally free end of said cantilever having its lower end located adjacent said switch on said bottom wall of said support member.

3. The electrical switch panel recited in claim 2 wherein said actuating means includes a central portion having its upper end arranged adjacent said insulative film, lower wall portions extending outwardly from said central portion and upwardly extending side wall portions spaced from said central portion.

4. The electrical switch panel recited in claim 3 wherein said actuating means includes a subtending leg means on said lower wall portions engaging said cantilever intermediate said centrally located free end and said one of said side walls, whereby axial movement of said film is transmitted through said actuating means and said cantilever to thereby amplify said axial movement of said film to cause said actuating member to alter the electrical condition of said switch.

5. The electrical switch panel recited in claim 4 wherein the upper end portions of said side wall portions of said switch actuating means includes means projecting outwardly therefrom dimensioned to engage guide means in said chamber side walls for axially retaining said actuating means in said chamber.