Island switch
AssigneeDuraswitch Industries, Inc.
InventorAnthony J. Van Zeeland
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A magnetically actuated pushbutton switch has individual switch modules pre-assembled as standalone subassemblies. Each subassembly has a platform with a cavity on its underside. A portion of the platform is magnetized. A metallic armature is held in the cavity by the magnetic attraction of the platform. The switch subassemblies are mounted on a substrate that has switch contacts thereon. The armature is movable into and out of shorting relation with the contacts. A major spacer on the substrate has openings aligned with the switch contacts for receiving the subassemblies. An overlay film covers the subassemblies and major spacer. The armature may have a lens therein for transmitting backlighting. The platform can be magnetized at the time of installation on the substrate.
Claims31
An electrical switch, comprising:
- a substrate;
- electrodes disposed on the substrate and defining at least one set of spaced switch contacts;
- a major spacer adjacent to and in contact with the substrate and having an opening aligned with said at least one set of switch contacts;
- an actuator subassembly disposed in the opening of the major spacer for selectively opening or closing the switch contacts, the actuator subassembly comprising a platform mounted on the substrate and defining a cavity adjacent the switch contacts and an electrically conductive armature disposed in the cavity, one of the platform and armature including a permanent magnet and the other being made of magnetic material such that the armature is normally held spaced from the switch contacts in engagement with the platform by the magnetic attraction between the platform and armature, the armature being releasable from the platform upon application of a switch closing force to engage and close the switch contacts.
An electrical switch panel, comprising:
- a substrate;
- electrodes disposed on the substrate and defining at least first and second sets of spaced switch contacts;
- first and second actuator subassemblies overlying the first and second sets of switch contacts, respectively, each actuator subassembly comprising a platform mounted on the substrate and defining a cavity adjacent the switch contacts and an electrically conductive armature disposed in the cavity, one of the platform and armature including a permanent magnet and the other being made of magnetic material such that the armature is normally held spaced from the switch contacts in engagement with the platform by the magnetic attraction between the platform and armature, the armature being releasable from the platform upon application of a switch closing force to engage and close the switch contacts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.