Membrane switch and components having means for preventing creep
US4559426A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1980 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2221/046
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A membrane switch panel has patches of low creep material attached to the membrane at portions thereof which are subject to creep. Membrane switch panels may be incorporated in keyboards wherein some of the keys may be of the alternate action type. If the alternate action keys are left in an actuated position and the keyboard is stored at a high temperature, the membrane material may be subject to creep. The present invention prevents this by including a stainless steel patch on the membrane under each alternate action type key. The stainless steel patch will not creep at elevated storage temperatures. The patch causes the membrane to be restored to its original location even after being subjected to conditions which would cause the membrane material to creep.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.