Abstract: A switching assembly includes an insulative substrate upon which is carried a plurality of conductive paths respective portions of which are selectively bridged upon depression of a resilient conductive contact element. That contact element is generally in the shape of a dome and has a central region of substantially planar conformation from which the remainder of the dome slants integrally downward and outward to a lower marginal rim portion. The dome-shaped element is disposed adjacent to the substrate with at least a portion of its rim portion electrically and physically contacting one of the portions of one of the paths. The central region is generally in registry over another of the portions in another of the paths so as to enable connection between the central region and that other portion upon depression of the central region.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly includes an insulative substrate upon which are carried a plurality of conductive paths. Respective portions of the paths are selectively bridged upon depression of a dome shaped conductive resilient contact element. Each contact element has a single foot disposed along a marginal portion thereof to allow the dome shaped element to be deformed downwardly upon depression at its apex. The foot of each contact element is in physical and electrical contact with selected ones of the conductive paths and the dome shaped element is adapted to simultaneously engage a plurality of such paths upon depression at the apex. An indentation is provided in the substrate immediately beneath the apex of each contact element to better assure simultaneous contact of the plurality of conductive paths immediately beneath the dome shaped contact element.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly includes an insulative substrate upon which are carried a plurality of conductive paths. Respective portions of the paths are selectively bridged upon depression of a dome-shaped conductive resilient contact element. A pair of space-opposed regions of the dome's marginal portion are deformed downwardly away from its apex so as to constitute a pair of space-opposed feet. The feet have a complex shape which leads to high lifetime of the dome. Preferably, the feet rest on corresponding conductive pads, and the pad pairs for adjacent domes may be differently oriented so as better to accommodate the passage of leads between those domes. Leads on the substrate passing beneath dome edges desirably are depressed into the substrate. Overlying the domes in a completed assembly is a layer of deflectable insulating material that is adhesively affixed to the substrate and to the domes; the latter includes an aperture in registry with each dome but of a diameter smaller than the width of such dome.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly includes an insulative substrate upon which are carried a plurality of conductive paths. Respective portions of the paths are selectively bridged upon depression of a dome-shaped conductive resilient contact element. A pair of space-opposed regions of the dome's marginal portion are deformed downwardly away from its apex so as to constitute a pair of space-opposed feet. The feet have a complex shape which leads to high lifetime of the dome. Preferably, the feet rest on corresponding conductive pads, and the pad pairs for adjacent domes may be differently oriented so as better to accommodate the passage of leads between those domes. Leads on the substrate passing beneath dome edges desirably are depressed into the substrate. Overlying the domes in a completed assembly is a layer of deflectable insulating material that is adhesively affixed to the substrate and to the domes; the latter includes an aperture in registry with each dome but of a diameter smaller than the width of such dome.