Breathable sealed dome switch assembly
AssigneeResearch In Motion Limited
InventorPatrick Clement Strittmatter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sealed dome switch assembly is provided to allow air to flow between the interior and the exterior of the dome switch during the collapse and recovery of the resilient dome shell. The sealed dome switch assembly comprises at least one vent leading between the interior space and the exterior space of the sealed dome switch, wherein the vent is covered by a membrane that is permeable to air and resilient to liquid (e.g. water) and small particles (e.g. dirt). A vent may also be used to network the interiors of a plurality of sealed dome switches to at least one exterior entranceway that is covered by the membrane.
Claims13
A breathable sealed dome switch assembly comprising:
- a dome switch comprising a shell attached to a base and defining an interior space there between;
- at least one vent fluidly connecting said interior space at a first end to an exterior of said assembly at a second end;
- and
- at least one membrane being permeable to air and resistant to contaminants and positioned with said vent such that fluid passing through said vent also passes through said membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.