Methods of manufacturing tactile switch for keyboards and the like
AssigneeEssex International, Inc.
InventorsGideon A. DuRocher, Daniel J. DuRocher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tactile switch plate for a keyboard member has a planar body portion provided with a plurality of outwardly deformed carrier portions corresponding in number and spacing to the number and spacing of the keys of the keyboard. Each of the carrier portions is resiliently flexible for movement toward the plane of the body and each carrier portion carries a preferably elastomeric switching member that is adapted to bridge the conductors and establish an electrical circuit between the conductors. The plate and switching members are produced by a molding process and the elastomeric switching members are cured by heat.
Claims20
A method of making an electrical switching device comprising forming an electrically non-conductive material into a substantially planar, relatively rigid body surrounding a stiff but relatively flexible portion protruding to one side of the plane of said body and having a thickness less than that of said body;
- forming an opening in said flexible portion;
- filling said opening with a module of uncured, heat curable, electrically non-conductive resin having a plurality of electrically conductive particles dispersed therein;
- and heating said module to a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to cure said resin and form an electrically conductive member supported by said flexible portion.
A method of making an electrical switching device comprising forming electrically non-conductive material into a non-conductive switch plate having a substantially planar body provided with a plurality of spaced apart, flexible protrusions deformed outwardly from the plane of said body and having a thickness less than that of said body;
- forming an opening in each of said protrusions;
- filling each of said openings with a module comprising an uncured, heat curable, non-conductive resin having a plurality of electrically conductive particles dispersed therein;
- and heating each of said modules to a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to cure said resin and form an electrically conductive member supported by its associated protrusion.
A method of applying an electrically conductive member to a non-conductive support comprising forming an opening in said support;
- filling said opening with a module comprising an uncured, heat curable resin having a plurality of electrically conductive particles dispersed therein, said module projecting beyond at least one end of said opening;
- heating said resin at least to its curing temperature by inducing an electric current in said particles;
- and maintaining said current for a sufficient period of time to cure said resin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.