Switch assembly having an enlarged actuation surface
AssigneeShop Vac Corporation
InventorRobert C. Berfield
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch assembly having an enlarged actuation surface and enhanced tactility is provided. The switch assembly may include a switch having a movable switch mounted within a recess. The actuation surface may be an elongate planar body loosely held within the recess and in engagement with the movable switch. A flexible protective cover may be provided over the recess, switch and actuation surface. The planar body increases the actuation area of the switch assembly without increasing the size, and accompanying cost, of the switch.
Claims20
A switch assembly, comprising:
- a switch having a movable switching element disposed in a recess;
- a flexible cover disposed over the recess;
- and
- an actuation member loosely disposed in the recess and separate from the switching element wherein the actuation member is engageable with the switching element in response to an applied force to assist in moving the switching element.
A switch assembly, comprising:
- a rocker switch operable between first and second positions;
- a rigid actuation surface loosely positioned over the rocker switch;
- and
- a flexible cover mounted over the rocker switch and the rigid actuation surface.
A switch assembly, comprising:
- a switch movable between first and second positions, the switch having an operable surface with a first surface area against which force is applied to move the switch between the first and second positions;
- and
- a rigid, planar actuation member positioned atop the switch, the actuation member having a second surface area against which force is directed to move the switch between the first and second positions, the second surface area being larger than the first surface area.
A method of operating a switch, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a switch movable between first and second positions, the switch having a first engageable surface;
- loosely positioning a rigid, planar actuation member atop the switch, the actuation member having a second engageable surface with first and second ends;
- and
- depressing one of the first and second ends of the actuation member to move the switch between one of the first and second positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.