Membrane keyboard switch assembly having spacer structure and method of making
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A membrane switch comprising:
- a first dielectric layer having a plurality of first elongated electrical conductors disposed thereon, each of said first conductors being in electrical communication with but spaced from first contact pad means;
a second dielectric layer having a plurality of second elongated electrical conductors disposed thereon, each of said second conductors being in electrical communication with but spaced from second contact pad means, said first and second contact pads forming switch sites when placed in facing relationship;
spacer means as part of said first dielectric layer, said spacer means being disposed in a symmetrical discontinuous pattern around but remote from said first contact pad means, said spacer means normally maintaining said first and second contact pad means spaced from each other at said switch sites and permitting electrical engagement there between upon application of an actuation force to said switch sites;
electrical insulating means disposed between at least one of any opposed first and second conductors when said first and second dielectric layers are assembled to form said membrane switch, said insulating means being spaced from said switch site; and
means for holding said first and second dielectric layers in alignment so that corresponding first and second contact pad means overlie one another at said switch sites.
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Abstract
A membrane keyboard is comprised of first and second dielectric layers having circuit patterns including a plurality of first and second electrical contact pads disposed on opposing surfaces thereof. The layers are maintained together such that corresponding first and second electrical contact pads overlie one another forming switch sites. A spacer is disposed in a discontinuous pattern around the first contact pads, the spacer normally maintaining corresponding first and second contact pads spaced from each other, while permitting electrical engagement therebetween upon application of an actuation force to one of the layers at a switch site.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A membrane switch comprising:
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a first dielectric layer having a plurality of first elongated electrical conductors disposed thereon, each of said first conductors being in electrical communication with but spaced from first contact pad means; a second dielectric layer having a plurality of second elongated electrical conductors disposed thereon, each of said second conductors being in electrical communication with but spaced from second contact pad means, said first and second contact pads forming switch sites when placed in facing relationship; spacer means as part of said first dielectric layer, said spacer means being disposed in a symmetrical discontinuous pattern around but remote from said first contact pad means, said spacer means normally maintaining said first and second contact pad means spaced from each other at said switch sites and permitting electrical engagement there between upon application of an actuation force to said switch sites; electrical insulating means disposed between at least one of any opposed first and second conductors when said first and second dielectric layers are assembled to form said membrane switch, said insulating means being spaced from said switch site; and means for holding said first and second dielectric layers in alignment so that corresponding first and second contact pad means overlie one another at said switch sites. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A membrane keyboard having a plurality of spaced apart switch sites, comprising:
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a first dielectric layer having a plurality of elongated first conductors disposed thereon, each of said first conductors being in electrical communication with but spaced from at least one first contact pad means; a second dielectric layer having a plurality of elongated second conductors disposed thereon, each of said second conductors being in electrical communication with but spaced from at least one second contact pad means, said first and second contact pad means forming spaced apart switch sites when placed in facing relationship; spacer means as part of said first dielectric layer, said spacer means being disposed in a symmetrical discontinuous pattern around but remote from said first contact pad means, said spacer means normally maintaining said first and second contact pad means spaced from each other at said spaced apart switch sites but permitting electrical engagement there between upon application of an actuation force to said switch site; electrical insulating means disposed between and overlying first and second conductors when said first and second dielectric layers are assembled to form said membrane keyboard, said insulating means being spaced from said switch sites; and means for holding said first and second dielectric layers in alignment so that corresponding first and second contact pad means overlie one another at said spaced apart switch sites. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for making a membrane switch comprising the steps of:
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disposing a plurality of first elongated electrical conductors on a first dielectric layer each of said first conductors being in electrical communication with but spaced from first contact pad means; disposing a plurality of second elongated electrical conductors on a second dielectric layer, each of said second conductors being in electrical communication with but spaced from second contact pad means, said first and second contact pads forming switch sites when placed in a facing relationship; disposing spacer means as part of said first dielectric layer, said spacer means being disposed in a symmetrical discontinuous pattern around but remote from said first contact pad means, said spacer means normally maintaining said first and second contact pad means spaced from each other at said switch sites and permitting electrical engagement there between upon application of an actuation force to said switch sites; disposing electrical insulating means between at least one of any opposed first and second conductors when said first and second dielectric layers are assembled to form said membrane switch, said insulating means being spaced from said switch sites; and providing means for holding said first and second dielectric layers in alignment so that corresponding first and second contact pad means overlie one another at said switch sites. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification