Button assembly with inverted dome switch

A switch assembly in a portable electronic device having a cover with a hole comprising:

• a button structure having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, the button structure reciprocating within the hole between an unactuated position and an actuated position;
• a collapsible dome member having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is conductive and faces the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, wherein the first side electrically connects the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact when the button structure is in the actuated position, and wherein the collapsible dome member forms a footprint;
• and
• a planar plastic member that overlaps only part of the footprint, and wherein the collapsible dome member has a tip that bears against the planar plastic member.

A portable electronic device comprising:

• a housing having a button hole;
• a dome switch button having a button member with two contacts and a dome, wherein the dome switch button reciprocates within the button hole between an unactuated state and an actuated state when pressure is applied to the dome member through the button hole, wherein the dome provides an electrical connection between the two contacts when the dome switch button is in the actuated state, wherein the dome has a base that is connected to the button member, and wherein the base forms a footprint for the dome switch button;
• and
• a housing member against which the dome presses within the housing, wherein the housing member overlaps only part of the footprint.