Convertible hybrid touch button switch

A method of providing a tactile touch button switch, comprising:

• providing a hybrid touch button that includes:
• a generally cylindrical body having proximal and distal ends, and having a bore axially disposed between said ends;
• an electrically conductive actuator having a touch pad at one end and a stem at another end, said actuator disposed to slide within said body with said stem being located within said bore between a proximal position with said touch pad near said proximal end and a distal position with said touch pad located inward of said proximal end;
• a circuit board having an electronic motionless switch circuit disposed thereon, and having a switch assembly disposed thereon, said switch assembly including a tactile switch with an electrically conductive switch actuating surface in contact with said actuator when said actuator is in any position, to which it can slide, said tactile switch being operable by sliding said actuator to said distal position, said surface electrically connected with said circuit, whereby switching action is achieved by touching said touch pad or by sliding said actuator, or both;
• and
• disconnecting said surface from said circuit.

A method of providing a motionless touch button switch, comprising:

• providing a hybrid touch button that includes:
• a generally cylindrical body having proximal and distal ends, and having a bore axially disposed between said ends;
• an electrically conductive actuator having a touch pad at one end and a stem at another end, said actuator disposed to slide within said body with said stem being located within said bore between a proximal position with said touch pad near said proximal end and a distal position with said touch pad inward of said proximal end;
• a circuit board having an electronic motionless switch circuit disposed thereon, and having a switch assembly disposed thereon, said switch assembly including a tactile switch with an electrically conductive switch actuating surface in contact with said actuator when said actuator is in any position to which it can slide, said tactile switch being operable by sliding said actuator to said distal position, said surface electrically connected with said circuit, whereby switching action is achieved by touching said touch pad or by sliding said actuator, or both;
• and
• providing a spacer to prevent said actuator from sliding.

A method of providing a touch button, comprising:

• providing a generally cylindrical body having a proximal end, having a plurality of hook latches extending longitudinally outward from a distal end thereof, having at least one stop surface near said distal end, having a bore axially disposed between said ends, and having an electrically conductive actuator with a touch pad at a proximal end and a stem at a distal end slidably disposed within said body with said stem being located within said bore and said touch pad being located near said proximal end;
• providing a first circuit board having a tactile switch disposed thereon for operation by sliding said actuator and having a mortise for each of said hook latches, said circuit board being able to be mounted on said body, so that said actuator can operate said switch, by being urged against said stop surface with said hook latches extending through said mortises and engaging said circuit board;
• providing a second circuit board having an electronic motionless switch circuit and having an electrically conductive surface disposed on said circuit board to provide connection between said actuator and said circuit, and having a mortise for each of said hook latches, said second circuit board being able to be mounted on said body, with said actuator in electrical contact with said surface, by being urged against said stop surface with said hook latches extending through said mortises and engaging said circuit board;
• and
• mounting one of said first circuit board and said second circuit board on said body.