Linear cam-assisted plunger switch

A linear cam-assisted plunger switch comprising:

• a cam member having a body portion and at least three outwardly extending wedge-shaped arms, said wedge-shaped arms having a flat surface and a sloped surface formed at an angle with respect to the flat surface and converging in a direction of the flat surface;
• a base constructed and arranged for slidably receiving said cam member, a support member connected to the base, said support member having spaced apart electrical contacts and an electrical circuit associated therewith, a non-metallic, flexible dome carried by said support member, said flexible dome having an electrically conductive element on an underside of the dome positioned for engagement with said spaced apart contacts and closing said circuit when said dome is collapsed;
• a keycap having at least one downwardly extending wedge-shaped leg for each of the wedge-shaped arms on said cam member, said wedge-shaped leg having a flat surface and a sloped surface formed at an angle to said flat surface and converging thereon, said wedge-shaped leg being constructed and arranged for slidable movement of the sloped surface of the leg over the sloped surface of the arm of the cam;
• said dome being positioned, when fully extended, to bias said cam in a first direction wherein said keycap is in an upward-most position, and wherein said keycap is depressible to a second position wherein said cam is linearly displaced along said base to a second position causing said dome to be collapsed and said conductive element engaging said spaced apart electrical contacts to close said electrical circuit.