Multi-position keyboard key switch

A multi-position switch comprising:

• an enclosure provided by at least a bottom housing and a top housing, the top hosing having an aperture;
• a stem structured and arranged to move along a vertical axis within the housing through the aperture of the top housing, the stem providing a plurality of distinct pairs of horizontal fins at different elevations along the vertical axis, each fin having a first surface inclined towards the vertical axis;
• a plurality of distinct electrical contacts, each contact provided by a paired stationary element and a movable element for flexibly making and breaking electrical contact with the stationary element, the movable element biased for contact with the stationary element, each distinct electrical contact associated with one of the horizontal fins;
• and
• a spring disposed between the bottom housing and the stem, the spring disposing the stem in an initial position in which a portion of the plurality of first surfaces dispose all of the movable elements in broken contact;
• wherein motion of the stem along the vertical axis sequentially transitions the movable elements along the first surfaces of their associated fins to sequentially transition the movable elements and the stationary elements between making contact and breaking contact.

A multi-position switch comprising:

• an enclosure provided by at least a bottom housing and a top housing, the top hosing having an aperture;
• a stem structured and arranged to move along a vertical axis within the housing through the aperture of the top housing, the stem providing a plurality of horizontal protrusions, the horizontal protrusions including at least;
• a first horizontal fin having a first surface at a first elevation along the vertical axis, the first surface inclined towards the vertical axis;
• a second horizontal fin having a second surface at a second elevation along the vertical axis different from the first elevation, the second surface inclined towards the vertical axis;
• a plurality of distinct electrical contacts, each contact provided by a paired stationary element and a movable element for flexibly making and breaking electrical contact with the stationary element, the movable element biased for contact with the stationary element, each distinct electrical contact associated with one of the horizontal protrusions;
• and
• a spring disposed between the bottom housing and the stem, the spring disposing the stem in an initial position in which each first surface and each third surface dispose all of the movable elements in broken contact;
• wherein motion of the stem along the vertical axis sequentially transitions the movable elements between the first and second surfaces or third and fourth surfaces of their associated horizontal protrusions to sequentially transition the movable elements and the stationary elements between making contact and breaking contact.