US 4,594,481 AGranted

Electronic touch pad key assembly with stroke amplifier

AssigneeGeneral Electric Company

InventorsDonald W. Wilham, Richard A. Rowe

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Abstract

An electrical switch panel including a switch actuating assembly is disclosed for intermittently altering the electrical condition of a switch. A base member is formed to include a plurality of chambers each dimensioned for receiving and retaining the electrical switch actuating assembly is positioned on a support member carrying the switch. An insulative tactile film is arranged on the base pad providing a touch area covering the chamber openings. An axially movable member disposed in the chamber is operable by movement of the film to engage a cantilever switch actuating member whereby the axial movement of the film transmitted through the axially movable member causes an amplified movement of the cantilever switch actuating member which is effective in altering the electrical condition of the switch.

Claims5

Dependent claims

An electrical switch panel including a switch and a switch actuating assembly positioned for intermittently altering the electrical condition of said switch comprising:

a support member including a top wall supporting said switch actuating assembly, and a bottom wall for supporting said switch;
a base member arranged on said top wall in spaced relationship to said bottom wall, said base member including an opening defining a chamber;
an insulative film arranged on said base member providing a touch area covering said chamber opening;
actuating means disposed for axial movement in said chamber, and a movement amplifying lever arrangement in said chamber, whereby axial movement of said film is transmitted through said actuating means and said movement amplifying lever arrangement to thereby amplify said axial movement of said film to alter the electrical condition of said switch.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.