Abstract: A magnetically coupled pushbutton switch may be improved by adding protuberances to the top of an armature to create a weak heel on the armature. The protuberances impose a physical barrier which prevents the weak heel from becoming fully magnetically coupled to the magnetic coupler layer, so the initial tactile feedback is lost. Eliminating the double tactile feedback of a magnetically coupled pushbutton switch has some significant advantages over the prior art. Now, a very light actuation force will move an armature with a weak heel from the rest position to a partially actuated position, but without sacrificing any of the final tactile feedback. The improved armature design also makes it possible to use a magnetically coupled pushbutton switch to produce a dual output. The initial travel of a dual output switch does not create any feedback to the user, so there is no longer a need to stabilize the bottom of the heel end of the armature.

Abstract: A flexible magnetically coupled pushbutton switch assembly has a coupler layer magnetically held against a flexible layer that has flaps that function as flexible armatures. The flexible armatures are normally magnetically coupled to the coupler layer. The coupler layer is a sheet of magnetic receptive rubber material that includes debossed spacers, and there are embossed crowns in the flexible armatures. The embossed crowns fit into openings in the coupler layer so that a switch user may manipulate the flexible armatures. The debossed spacers support the flexible layer above a bottom layer such that there are armature cavities for the flexible armatures. An arrangement of electrical conductors is affected when a switch user selectively manipulates a flexible armature so that an electrical circuit connected to the electrical switch is opened or closed when the switch is actuated.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated switch has a magnet coupler layer spaced from a set of electrodes formed on a substrate. The electrodes include spaced contacts. The coupler layer normally holds a conductive armature spaced from the contacts. An aperture in the coupler layer provides access to the armature for application of an actuating force by an actuator. The actuator has a base portion mounted on the coupler layer and a force-receiving portion cantilevered from the base portion. The actuator has a width greater than that of the armature. Alternately, the armature itself can include a base portion pivotable on the substrate and a multi-wide force-receiving portion cantilevered from the base portion.

Abstract: A membrane switch construction and method for making same. A plate of relatively rigid, flat material is coated with an insulative cover and electrical conductors are formed thereon. A membrane of flexible, plastic material with conductors formed on the underside thereof overlies the plate. A non-conductive spacing means interposed between the conductors has holes in register with the conductors. The spacing means normally holds the conductors in spaced, non-contacting relation. The conductors are movable through the holes in the spacing means in response to pressure on the exterior of the membrane. One or the other or both of the sets of conductors may comprise two tiers of conductors separated by an isolation layer of non-conductive material. Holes are appropriately positioned in the isolation layer to permit access to the buried tier of conductors.