Abstract: A touch panel diaphragm-type switch array providing improved tactile feedback. A rigid substrate having a printed circuit conductor pattern thereon, with the pattern defining a plurality of switch locations, each including first and second separate electrical contacts is provided and superimposed thereover is a spacer having apertures in registration with the electrical contact pairs. Sandwiched between the substrate and the spacer is a thin layer of a suitable plastic material which is deformed in the areas defined by the apertures in the spacer to define dome-shaped projections surrounded by an annular ring. A bridging conductor is disposed on the underside of the dome-shaped projections. "Spider" members are supported by the side walls of the apertures and are disposed between the outer side of the dome-shaped projections and a flexible plastic cover layer which is affixed to the top side of the spacer layer. The cover layer is imprinted with indicia to visually define the switch positions.

Abstract: A tactile layer for use in combination with diaphragm-type switch keyboards to impact a tactile signal to the user upon depression of a key. The tactile layer comprises a sheet of Mylar polyester material having integrally formed deformations therein wherein the deformation is in the form of an annular ring hingedly supporting a dome shaped projection about a generally circular transition line, the transition line being displaced a first predetermined distance from the plane of the sheet which is less than the distance which the top of the dome shaped projection is displaced from the plane of the sheet.