Membrane switch apparatus
US4034176A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1975 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2229/05
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A membrane switch in which a membrane layer is supported in a spaced relation from at least one contact of one or more pairs of electrically conductive switch contacts. The contacts are mounted on an insulated substrate. The membrane surface adjacent the contacts has an electrically conductive bridging surface supported thereon such that depression of the membrane will bridge the contacts to complete a circuit. The membrane is mounted on the substrate and is held in a normally spaced relationship with the contacts by a plurality of projections formed on the membrane surface adjacent the substrate or one or more of the contact surfaces. The projections may be integrally formed by puncturing the membrane surface with a sharp object or projections may be formed by permanently deforming the membrane without rupturing the membrane itself. Additionally, the projections may be formed by applying individual spacer elements to the membrane surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.