Switch actuator for membrane switch

An actuator for a switch, comprising:

• a rubber dome having an electrically conductive bridge surface, the rubber dome being seated on the switch for selectively actuating the switch;
• a housing for receiving the rubber dome, the housing having a top portion and an upper opening defining an edge of the opening and having an inwardly slanted peninsula-type retainer provided on the top portion, the inwardly slanted peninsula-type retainer having an inner surface, the inner surface having portions of a horizontal surface and a slanted surface;
• a plunger moving reciprocally within the housing and being guided by the edge of the opening during the reciprocal movement, the plunger having a hook end which is retained by the slanted surface of the inner surface of the inwardly slanted peninsula-type retainer in response to an upward movement of the plunger, thereby reducing the noise generated by the movement of the plunger, wherein the horizontal surface of the inner surface of the inwardly slanted peninsula-type retainer prevents detachment of the plunger from within the housing;
• a keytop having a bottom surface, the keytop moving reciprocally and vertically together with the plunger to selectively deform the rubber dome to and actuate the switch as a result of the operation of a user.

An actuator for a switch, comprising:

• a rubber dome having an electrically conductive bridge surface, the rubber dome being seated on the switch for selectively actuating the switch;
• a housing for receiving the rubber dome, the housing having an upper opening defining an edge of the opening and having an inner surface, the inner surface having portions of a horizontal surface and an inwardly slanted surface;
• a keytop having a bottom surface;
• a plunger moving reciprocally within the housing and being guided by the edge of the opening during the reciprocal movement of the keytop, the plunger having a bifurcated hook end retained by the inwardly slanted surface of the inner surface of the housing in response to an upward movement of the plunger, thereby reducing the noise generated by the movement of the plunger, wherein the horizontal surface of the inner surface prevents detachment of the plunger from within the housing, the keytop moving reciprocally and vertically together with the plunger to selectively deform the rubber dome to actuate the switch as a result of the operation of a user.

An actuator for a switch, comprising:

• a rubber dome having an electrically conductive bridge surface, the rubber dome being seated on the switch for selectively actuating the switch;
• a housing for receiving the rubber dome, the housing having a top portion and an upper opening defining an edge of the opening and having an inwardly slanted peninsula-type retainer provided on the top portion, the inwardly slanted peninsula-type retainer having an inner surface, the inner surface having portions of a horizontal surface and a slanted surface;
• a keytop having a bottom surface;
• a plunger moving reciprocally within the housing and being guided by the edge of the opening during the reciprocal movement of the keytop, the plunger having a bifurcated hook end which is retained by the slanted surface of the inner surface of the inwardly slanted peninsula-type retainer in response to an upward movement of the plunger thereby reducing the noise generated by the movement of the plunger, wherein the horizontal surface of the inner surface of the inwardly slanted peninsula-type retainer prevents detachment of the plunger from within the housing, the keytop moving reciprocally and vertically together with the plunger to selectively deform the rubber dome to actuate the switch as a result of the operation of a user.