Dual function button
US5564560A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2225/018
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A dual function button for keyboards and keypads. The button includes a first contact switch which is activated by a first manual pressure. The first contact switch is preferably formed by a resilient cover having a conductive pellet on its interior face, and a flexible substrate having spaced contacts below the pellet. The first manual pressure causes the pellet to impinge upon the spaced contacts, completing a first circuit. The button also includes a second contact switch which is activated by a second, greater, manual pressure. The second contact switch includes the resilient cover of the first switch, a rigid substrate mounting spaced contacts, and a flexible conductive dome mounted on the rigid substrate below the resilient cover. The second manual pressure will cause the dome to resiliently deform and impinge upon the contacts, closing a second circuit. In this manner two functions may be provided by a single switch. The two functions may advantageously be a dual-speed cursor control.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.