Membrane switch with pivotable rocker

A normally closed membrane switch comprising:

• a circuit board having first and second electrical contacts in spaced relationship to each other;
• thin, substantially planar rocker means located immediately above the circuit board and including a first end and a second end, the first end having an electrical contact on its underside, normally positioned to electrically contact and short together the first and second circuit board contacts, and the second end sized such that it is normally spaced a predetermined distance above the circuit board;
• and
• positioning means for holding the rocker means in its prescribed position above the circuit board, the positioning means including
• spacer means encircling and abutting the rocker means, to prevent the rocker means from moving laterally relative to the circuit board, and
• a resilient membrane overlaying the spacer means and the rocker means;
• wherein the switch is free of any means for attaching the rocker means to the positioning means;
• and wherein a downward force applied to the portion of the resilient membrane overlaying the second end of the rocker means pivotally lifts the rocker means contact out of electrical contact with the first and second circuit board contacts, against the yielding resistance of the resilient membrane, and wherein, upon removal of the downward force, the resilient membrane forcibly returns the rocker means to its normal position, with the rocker means contact again electrically contacting and shorting together the first and second circuit board contacts.

A membrane switch comprising:

• a circuit board having an electrical contact fixed thereon;
• rocker means located immediately above the circuit board and including a first end and a second end, the first end normally positioned to contact the circuit board and the second end normally spaced a predetermined distance above the circuit board, the rocker means further including an electrical contact on its underside;
• and
• positioning means for holding the rocker means in its prescribed position above the circuit board, the positioning means including a resilient membrane overlaying the rocker means;
• wherein a downward force applied to the portion of the resilient membrane overlaying the second end of the rocker means pivotally lifts the first end of the rocker means out of contact with the circuit board, against the yielding resistance of the resilient membrane, and wherein, upon removal of the downward force, the resilient membrane forcibly returns the rocker means to its normal position, with the first end of the rocker means again contacting the circuit board;
• and wherein the pivotal lifting and return of the rocker means moves the rocker means contact into and out of electrical contact with the circuit board contact.