Touch switch keyboard apparatus

A multiple touch switch apparatus for being selectively actuated in response to the application of at least one transverse force comprising:

• a first support member having a top surface;
• at least one multiple segment conductor ply positioned on the top surface of the first support member comprising:
• a plurality of first electrically isolated conductor segments immediately adjacent but laterally displaced from one another and having a surface area whereby at least a selected one of the first electrically isolated conductor segments is simultaneously contacted in response to the application of the single transverse touch force;
• a second support member having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a first conductor layer positioned on the bottom surface of the second support member and having a plurality of conducting regions, each region being juxtaposed opposite one of the first electrically isolated conductor segments;
• a resistor network for being electrically interconnected between the juxtaposed first electrically isolated conductor segments and conducting regions of the first conductor layer when the transverse force is applied to the second support member, the second support member and the first conductor layer being resiliently deformable in response to the application of the transverse force;
• transverse spacer means positioned laterally between each multiple segment conductor ply and transversely between the first and second support members for spacing the first conductor layer from the multiple segment conductor plies.

A multiple touch switch apparatus for being selectively activated in response to the application of at least one transverse force comprising:

• a first support member having a top surface;
• a plurality of first electrically isolated conductor segments laterally displaced from one another, each being responsive to the application of a transverse force;
• a second support member having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a unitary conduction ply positioned on the bottom surface facing but transversely spaced from the plurality of first electrically isolated conductor segments, the second support member and the unitary conduction ply being resiliently deformable for deforming the unitary conduction ply into electrically contacting relationship with at least a selected one of the first electrically isolated conductor segments, the unitary conduction ply comprising:
• a first conductive layer positioned on the bottom surface of the second support member, and
• a first semiconductor composition layer positioned on the first conductive layer for facing the plurality of first electrically isolated conductor segments;
• and
• a transverse spacer positioned laterally between each first electrically isolated conductor segment and transversely between the first and second support members for spacing the unitary conduction ply from the plurality of first electrically isolated conductor segments.

A multiple touch switch apparatus for being selectively activated in response to the application of at least one transverse force comprising:

• a first support member having a top surface;
• a plurality of first electrically isolated conductor segments laterally displaced from one another, each being responsive to the application of a transverse force, each first electrically isolated conductor segment comprising:
• a first conductive layer positioned on the top surface of the first support member, and
• a first semiconductor composition layer positioned on the first conductive layer;
• a second support member having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a unitary conduction ply positioned on the bottom surface facing but transversely spaced from the plurality of first electrically isolated conductor segments, the second support member and the unitary conduction ply being resiliently deformable for selectively moving the unitary conduction ply into electrical contact with at least one of the first electrically isolated conductor segments in response to the application of the transverse force;
• and
• transverse spacer means positioned laterally between each first electrically isolated conductor segment and transpacing between the first and second support members for spacing the unitary conduction ply from the plurality of first electrically isolated conductor segments.