Snap action dome switch having wire contacts

Abstract

The present invention is comprised of a dielectric case having defined in it a cylindrical cavity with a larger diameter counterbore in its upper portion. Slots extending across the case and through the cavity have the same depth as the cavity and carry wire conductors whose diameter is less than the difference between the depth of the cavity and the depth of the counterbore. Located medially in the bottom of the cavity is a raised bridge which has a height approximately equal to the amount the diameter of the wire conductors is less than the difference between the depth of the cavity and the depth of the counterbore. Thus the top surfaces of the wires lie below the counterbore proximate the periphery of the cavity and lie approximately co-planar with the lip of the counterbore at the center of the cavity. An electrically conductive deformable dome having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the counterbore is secured in the cavity by a piece of transparent tape adhered to the top of the case. The dome provides a noticeable snap immediately before its center becomes co-planar with its periphery when it is deflected and immediately after it returns from being co-planar when released. Thus, the dome comes into contact with the wire conductors, thereby closing the switch, immediately after the snap is felt and breaks contact with the wire conductors to open the switch immediately before the snap is felt.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.