Touch-sensitive door control switch

A touch-sensitive control device for mounting on a vehicle door comprising:

• a resilient tubiform door-edge housing having longitudinally extending distal and proximal end surfaces at the ends of its transverse cross section and distal and proximal portions extending therealong of which the distal portion is flexible and warpable with respect to the proximal portion when the proximal portion is rigidly supported, said housing having a flexible wall defining its distal side which encloses a longitudinal passageway;
• an electrical switch and switch-operating assembly received in said passageway comprising:
• a plurality of spacer blocks spaced at operating position generally uniformly along said passageway;
• a cable extending substantially the full length of the passageway centrally through said blocks;
• a normally resiliently closed switch comprising a body supported in one end of the passageway, and an element movable within the body between positions for opening and closing an electrical circuit therethrough;
• anchor means fixed in the other end of said passageway gripping said cable;
• resilient and element-engaging means connected with a portion of said cable adjacent to the switch acting on the housing in the outward direction of said one passageway end to place the cable in a condition of continuous tension and to engage said element, and to hold said switch in one of said positions;
• and adjustable means in said assembly for adjusting said switch body and cable toward and away from each other while maintaining said cable under tension at undeflected condition of said distal housing portion, said body and cable being adjustable to a relative position to maintain said switch in said one position enabling said switch to assume the other of said positions upon a predetermined deflection of said distal portion of the housing and a corresponding shift in position of said cable portion.