Patent · US Expired

Tactile feedback plunger switch

US7326869B2 · kind B2 · utility

17Cited by
29References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 22, 2004
Grant dateFeb 5, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 1, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K2217/96062
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A tactile feedback switching mechanism having a plurality of switching states. The tactile feedback switching mechanism includes a plunger switch having a plunger. When the plunger is displaced a given distance the switch changes state. A covering lies at least over the plunger switch and includes a border section and a deformation section. The covering may be formed from an elastic material such as an elastomer. When a user depresses the plunger, confirmation of a change in the state of the switch can be tacitly sensed by a change in resistance provided by the covering. The resistance of the covering changes by deformation of the deformation portion of the covering while the plunger is depressed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.