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US 4,677,268 AGranted
Elastomeric switch control device
AssigneeThe Gates Corporation
InventorsJoseph C. Nemeth, Richard L. Watkins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An elastomeric switch control element for push button switches and the like, including first and second annular spring portions formed of elastic material, one of the spring portions adapted to undergo a rolling action upon depression of the switch control element, and the other annular portion adapted to flex and undergo a snap transformation to provide a tactile feel to the operator.
Claims19
An elastomeric switch control element providing a tactile feel in operation thereof, comprising:
- a central portion including switch actuation means;
- a first annular spring portion, attached to the central portion, adapted to flex and after predetermined axial displacement of the central portion in excess of a breakover amount, to undergo a snap transformation, and
- a second annular spring portion, coaxially arranged with and attached to the first annular spring portion, at least a portion of which extends radially outwardly from said first annular spring portion, and which, in operation, undergoes a rolling action upon axial displacement of the central portion of the switch control element, and in which switch actuation occures after said central portion has been displaced at least about said breakover amount.
An elastomeric switch control element comprising:
- a central portion including switch actuation means;
- a first annular spring portion, attached to the central protion, adapted to flex and after predetermined axial displacement of the central portion in excess of a breakover amount, to undergo a snap transformation;
- and
- a second annular spring portion;
- coaxially arranged with and attached to the first annular spring portion at the outer side thereof through an interconnecting portion, which second spring portion, in operation, flexes and bulges radially outwardly upon axial displacement of the central portion of the switch control element, and in which, switch actuation occurs after said central portion has been displaced at least about said breakover amount.
2 more elements
A keyswitch assembly comprising:
- a key holder housing having an aperture and an inner wall;
- a switch control device contained within the the housing and comprising (i) a central portion including switch actuation means, (ii) a first annular spring portion attached to the central portion, adapted to undergo a snap transformation after a given axial displacement of the central portion in excess of a breakover amount, and (iii) a second annular spring portion, coaxially arranged with and attached to the first annular spring portion with at least a portion of the second spring portion extending radially otuwardly from said first spring portion, which, in operation, flexes and substantially freely bulges radially outwardly without substantially contacting the inner wall of the key holder housing;
- a key top mounted to said housing and including means passable through said aperture for transmitting force applied to the key top to the switch control device, for actuating a switch device;
- and whereby in operation switch actuation occurs after said central portion has been displaced at least about said breakover amount.
1 more element
An elastomeric switch control element comprising:
- a central portion including switch actuation means;
- a first annular spring portion, attached to the central portion, adapted to flex and after a predetermined axial displacement of the central portion in excess of a breakover amount, to undergo a snap transformation;
- and
- a second annular spring portion, coaxially arranged with and attached to the first annular spring portion at the outer side thereof, which in operation flexes and bulges radially outwardly and simultaneously undergoes a rolling action upon axial displacement of the central portion of the switch control element, and in which switch actuation occurs after said first annular spring portion has undergone said snap transformation.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.