US 4,268,815 AGranted

Multi-function touch switch apparatus

OwnerFranklin N. Eventoff, M. Tyrone Christianseninventors

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A multi-function touch switch apparatus has a first semiconductor composition layer disposed on top of a first conductor layer which is affixed to a first base member. A second semiconductor composition layer opposing the first semiconductor in spaced relationship thereto is disposed on a second conductor layer which is itself disposed on the bottom surface of a second support member. A third conductor layer is also disposed on the top surface of the second support member in opposing spaced-apart relationship to a fourth conductor layer disposed on the bottom surface of a third support member. The second and third support members and the affixed conductor layers and semiconductor layers are resiliently deformable in a transverse axis in response to a transverse touch force to thereby cause electrical contact between the second and third conductor layers to provide a closed switch and the first and second semiconductor layers to provide a closed switch in series with a pressure sensitive resistance.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A dual function, touch switch apparatus comprising, in stacked configuration:

a first support member having a top surface;
a first conductor ply positioned on the top surface of the first support member;
a second support member having a bottom surface facing the top surface of the first support member and having a top surface, the second support member being spaced from the first support member;
a second conductor ply juxtaposed opposite the first conductor ply and affixed on the bottom surface of the second support member, in normally spaced-apart relationship for defining a first switch;
at least one of the first and second conductor plies, comprising:
a first conductor layer attached to the adjacent one of the first and second support members, and
a first semiconductor layer affixed on the first conductor layer and juxtaposed opposite the spaced-apart other of the first and second support members;
a third conductor ply on the top surface of the second support member;
a third support member having a top surface and a bottom surface facing but spaced from the top surface of the second support member;
and
a fourth conductor ply on the bottom surface of the third support member and juxtaposed opposite the third conductor ply in normally spaced-apart relationship thereto for defining a second switch, at least the second and third support members being resiliently deformable in response to the application of a transverse force for making electrical contact between the first and second conductor plies and between the third and fourth conductor plies.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/097,610Filed 26 Nov 1979
Granted: 19 May 1981
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification28 codes

H01H 13/807
Characterised by the contacts or the contact sites: characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
H01H 1/029
Composite material: comprising conducting material dispersed in an elastic support or binding material
H01H 13/702
Having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard: with contacts carried by or formed from layers…
H01H 13/785
Characterised by the contacts or the contact sites: characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers