# US 8,569,642 B2 · Structurally enhanced switch assemblies > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,569,642 B2 - Document ID: US8569642B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/855,460 - Filed: 2013-04-02 - Published: 2013-09-12 - Granted: 2013-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2011-01-10 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Ashutosh Y. Shukla; Scott A. Myers; Matthew D. Hill; Michael B. Wittenberg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8569642B2 ## CPC - H01H 15/10: Operating parts - H01H 2221/014: Slide selector - H01H 2221/058: to avoid tilting or skewing of contact area or actuator - H01H 2225/028: perpendicular to base of keyboard - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract Slide switch assemblies with structural enhancements are provided for use in electronic devices. Slide switch assemblies in accordance with embodiments the invention can include a button, an engagement member, and switch box. The engagement member couples the button to the switch box and translates any movement of the button to the switch box. The switch box is mounted offset with respect to the button because another component such as, for example, a display screen occupies the space that would have been a better mounting position for the switch box. To compensate for the offset, and the added torsion that is applied to the engagement member during button movement events, the engagement member is structurally enhanced. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A switch assembly, comprising: an input member, the input member operative to move to one of at least two positions along a path; a switch box having a center axis that is offset with respect to a center axis of the input member, the switch box including at least two contact portions each of which correspond to a respective one of the at least two positions; and an engagement member, coupled to the input member and to the switch box, operative to move in relation to the path in response to movement of the input member to one of the positions, wherein the engagement member interfaces with the contact portion corresponding to the position of the input member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the switch box comprises at least one of a single pole single throw switch, a single pole double throw switch, a single pole center off switch, a double pole single throw switch, a double pole double throw switch, a double pole center off switch, a maintained contact switch, a momentary contact switch, a fader, or a limitless contact switch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein no portion of the input member cants when moved from to one of the positions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein no portion of the input member rotates when moved from to one of the positions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the input member is operable to slide along the path. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the two contact portions are coupled to at least one electronic component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the center axis of the input member passes through an electronic component. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement member comprises plastic structurally enhanced with metal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the switch box changes at least one a function or logic of at least one electronic component coupled to the switch box in response to movement of the input member to one of the positions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The switch assembly of claim 9, wherein the movement of the input member to one of the positions comprises movement to one of the at least two positions from the other of the two positions. ### Claim 11 An electronic device, comprising: a housing; and a switch assembly coupled to the housing, comprising: an input member, the input member operative to move to one of at least two positions along a path; a switch box having a center axis that is offset with respect to a center axis of the input member, the switch box including at least two contact portions each of which correspond to a respective one of the at least two positions; and an engagement member, coupled to the input member and to the switch box, operative to move in relation to the path in response to movement of the input member to one of the positions, wherein the engagement member interfaces with the contact portion corresponding to the position of the input member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the switch box changes at least one a function or logic of at least one electronic component of the electronic device in response to movement of the input member to one of the positions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the movement of the input member to one of the positions comprises movement to one of the at least two positions from the other of the two positions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein no portion of the input member cants when moved from to one of the positions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein no portion of the input member rotates when moved from to one of the positions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the switch box comprises at least one of a single pole single throw switch, a single pole double throw switch, a single pole center off switch, a double pole single throw switch, a double pole double throw switch, a double pole center off switch, a maintained contact switch, a momentary contact switch, a fader, or a limitless contact switch. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the input member is operable to slide along the path. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein each of the two contact portions are coupled to at least one electronic component. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the center axis of the input member passes through an electronic component of the electronic device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the engagement member comprises plastic structurally enhanced with metal.