Magnetically coupled pushbutton plunger switch

A magnetically coupled pushbutton plunger switch, comprising:

• a post made from a substantially rigid material, the post having a top end and a bottom end;
• a sleeve made from a substantially rigid material, the sleeve having a lumen in which the post is moveably mounted;
• a base made from a substantially rigid material, the base being fixed to the sleeve;
• a magnetic armature made from a magnetic material;
• a magnetic coupler with an aperture, the magnetic coupler being fixed to the base such that the aperture is substantially an extension of the lumen;
• a magnetic active force that normally holds the magnetic armature in coupled engagement with the magnetic coupler;
• and
• a membrane switch assembly that is secured in spaced relation to the base such that a user-provided actuation force, when directed against the top end of the post, transfers sufficient force against the magnetic armature to cause the magnetic armature to break away from coupled engagement with the magnetic coupler until the membrane switch assembly is physically forced to close electrical conductors of the magnetically coupled pushbutton plunger switch.

A magnetically coupled pushbutton plunger switch, comprising:

• a post made from a substantially rigid material, the post having a top end and a bottom end;
• a sleeve, made from a substantially rigid material, having a lumen in which the post is moveably mounted;
• a keycap stop, on a top end of the sleeve, that limits the travel of the post;
• a base that is fixed to the sleeve;
• a magnetic armature with a central hole;
• a magnetic coupler with an aperture, the magnetic coupler being a permanent magnet fixed to the base such that the aperture is substantially an extension of the lumen;
• a fastener, with a fastener head, for securing the magnetic armature to the bottom end of the post such that the fastener head at least partially covers the central hole;
• a magnetic attractive force that normally holds the magnetic armature in coupled engagement with the magnetic coupler;
• a membrane switch assembly having printed or painted electrical conductors;
• a rigid platform that substantially supports the membrane switch assembly;
• and a means for securing the rigid platform so that the membrane switch assembly is held in spaced relation to the base such that a user-provided actuation force, when applied substantially against the top end of the post, causes the magnetic armature to break away from coupled engagement with the magnetic coupler until the fastener head physically contacts the membrane switch assembly, thereby closing the electrical conductors of the membrane switch assembly.