Elastomeric vehicle control switch

Abstract

A vehicle control switch assembly for use with a printed circuit board that includes a switch having an elastomeric pad portion and a first insert interface attached to the pad. The assembly also includes first and second electrical contacts, each contact being selectively operable to actuate a vehicle function. The switch assembly also includes a pivotable beam member bridging a span between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. Movement of the switch in a first direction causes the first insert interface to depress the beam member thereby engaging the first electrical contact with the printed circuit board to actuate the first electrical contact. Further movement of the switch in the first direction causes the first insert interface to slide along the beam member in a second direction to further depress the first beam member thereby actuating the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.