Two-position latching two dome switch
US5819916A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2221/018
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention includes a keycap having a top surface having a first and second end, and a body portion, said keycap being pivotally connected to a support for movement of the keycap from a first to a second position. A lever extending downward from the body portion of the keycap. The lever is sandwiched between and constantly engaged by a first and second opposed dome structures. Each dome structure has a conductive material on the underside thereof and the dome structure is supported on a substrate having an open circuit. In the first position for the keycap a first dome structure is collapsed and the electrically conductive element on the undersurface of the dome engages the open circuit to close the circuit. When the keycap is moved to a second position, the keycap pivots causing the lever to move in a rotational direction collapsing the second dome structure and said first dome structure biases the lever against the second dome structure. The present invention is simple in construction and low cost and provides improved tactile field over prior art latching switches.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.