Membrane switch with means for preventing contamination of the interior thereof
AssigneeOak Industries Inc.
InventorWillis A. Larson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A membrane switch has a substrate and a plurality of first conductors formed on the substrate. A flexible membrane having a plurality of second conductors formed thereon is positioned relative to the substrate by a spacer which may be adhesively secured to both membrane and substrate. There are openings in the spacer in register with aligned first and second conductors. The membrane is caused to move toward the substrate through an opening to cause contact between the aligned first and second conductors in response to pressure upon the exterior of the membrane. There are vent passage means interconnecting the spacer openings, which vent passage means may be open to the atmosphere.
Claims12
In a membrane switch, a substrate, a plurality of first conductors formed on said substrate, a flexible membrane, a plurality of second conductors formed on said membrane, a spacer positioned between said substrate and membrane, openings in said spacer in register with aligned first and second conductors, said membrane moving toward said substrate through an opening to cause contact between aligned first and second conductors in response to pressure upon the exterior of said membrane, and vent passage means interconnecting said spacer openings, said vent passage means including a main labyrinth passage and secondary passages connecting each spacer opening with said main passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.