Plunger Interface

A unitary structure for interfacing a plunger that is exposed outside of a housing and is constructed and arranged to be pushed in relative to the housing so as to operate a switch that is located inside of the housing, wherein the plunger comprises a recess, the structure comprising:

• an elastic portion comprising an elastomeric material and that is constructed and arranged to interface with the plunger so as to maintain the plunger in the housing and create a water-resistant seal to the plunger, wherein the elastic portion is in part located in the recess of the plunger;
• and
• a stiff portion comprising a plastic material and that is coupled to the elastic portion and is constructed and arranged to interface with the housing so as to capture the structure in the housing, wherein the stiff portion comprises a frame with a top face, an inner perimeter, and a depth;
• wherein the elastic portion comprises a face portion that overlies the top face of the frame, and an inner portion that abuts the inner perimeter of the frame, and wherein the elastic portion creates a water-resistant seal to the housing.

A unitary structure for interfacing a plunger that is exposed outside of a housing and is constructed and arranged to be pushed in relative to the housing so as to operate a switch that is located inside of the housing, wherein the housing comprises a pocket with opposed sidewalls and a sealing surface, and the plunger comprises a circumferential groove, the structure comprising:

• an elastic portion comprising an elastomeric material and that is constructed and arranged to interface with the plunger so as to maintain the plunger in the housing, wherein the elastic portion comprises a ring that is seated in the groove of the plunger and a face that is face sealed against the sealing surface of the pocket;
• and
• a stiff portion comprising a plastic material and that is coupled to the elastic portion and is constructed and arranged to fit into the pocket of the housing so as to capture the structure in the housing, wherein the stiff portion comprises a frame with a top face, an inner perimeter, an a depth;
• wherein the elastic portion further comprises a face portion that overlies the top face of the frame, and an inner portion that abuts the inner perimeter of the frame and has a depth that is less than the depth of the frame, wherein the inner portion of the elastic portion defines a bore and the plunger passes through the bore, and wherein the elastic portion creates a water-resistant seal to the plunger and to the housing.