Abstract: A keyswitch assembly having a mechanism for controlling touch of a plurality of keys simultaneously. Each key is vertically movably supported on a holder member by a key support assembly. The key support assembly has first and second links intersecting with each other and pivotally connected together at the intersecting portion. A first end of the first link is pivotally connected to the key and a second end of the first link is slidably movable in a horizontal direction and is pivotally connected to the holder member. A first end of the second link is pivotally connected to the holder member, and a second end of the second link is slidably movable in the horizontal direction and is pivotally connected to the key. A biasing segment is connected to the second end of the first link for urging the same. The biasing force of the biasing segment is controllable by moving an operation plate which is connected to the biasing segment.

Abstract: A key switch of the invention includes a key top having a face on which various characters are displayed and a back face having an engaging portion, a guide support member having two hinge members and a holder plate. The holder plate is provided with support portions which are elastically moved when pushed down by the lower portion of the guide support member to pinch and support the lower portion, and further the engaging portions of the key top can also pinch and support the upper portion of the guide support member by pushing the upper portion. Accordingly, according to the key switch, the fabrication of the guide support member and the holder plate and the fabrication of the guide support member and the key top can be extremely easily performed, and the operating performance of the key top is improved.

Abstract: A double-axis key switch has a key cap with a pair of key stems which slide into a housing to actuate a pair of switches. The key stems are slightly out of parallel so that the axes of the key stems meet in a direction of stroke relative to the key cap. However, the sleeves, into which the key stems insert, are parallel. When the key cap is pressed off-center, causing tilting of the key cap, one key stem advances ahead of the other. Because of the relative positions of the axes, binding forces increase in the leading key stem and decrease in the following stem. The asymmetry of the binding forces tends to correct the tilting of the key cap so that the key cap advances symmetrically and smoothly.

Abstract: A two-layer membrane switch particularly suited for application as a keyswitch in low-profile keyboard applications, such as keyboards for notebook or laptop type personal computers. When used as a keyswitch, the switch comprises a first conductor layer including a conductive ink patterned as an electrical contact on a polyester dielectric film around an opening through the film. A second conductor layer, also includes a conductive ink patterned as an electrical contact on a polyester dielectric film. With the electrical contact of the second conductor layer located under the corresponding opening in the first conductor layer, a moveable, conductive elastomer switch closure is used to establish electrical contact between the electrical contact of the first conductor layer and the electrical contact of the second conductor layer through the opening in the first conductor.

Abstract: A low profile electronic pushbutton switch, useful for computer keyboards, is provided having stabilization in both of its horizontal axes, thereby preventing binding of the switch's bearing surfaces and preventing tilting of the upper surface of the switch while being operated. The stabilization is achieved by a pair of yokes that are positioned at 90.degree. angles from one another, and which provide stability to keep the upper surface of the pushbutton switch normal to the direction of depression as the switch is actuated. The yokes are mounted via a "living hinge" to the base surface of the keyboard and to a moveable frame portion that is rigidly attached to the upper cap of the pushbutton switch. The yokes are also movably attached, via a pair of stems, to horizontal slots in the moveable frame portion and to the base. As the switch is depressed, the stems of the yokes will move in the horizontal direction within their horizontal slots to allow stabilized vertical movement of the moveable frame portion.

Abstract: An improved alphanumeric keyboard 10 is illustrated for use in lap top or notebook personal computers 12. The keyboard 10 has a plurality of full travel, self leveling keyswitches 14 for actuating printed circuit electrical contacts 22 and 26 when the keyswitch is depressed. The keyboard 10 includes an integral keyswitch structure 40 that has an integral keytop 42 and keytop support substructure 44 supported on a common integral base sheet 46. Each of the keytop support substructures 44 includes hinge members 50a50b, 50c and 50d that are positioned in a rectangular orientation about the keytop 42. Each hinge member has a rigid upper hinge panel 52 and a lower hinge panel 58 that are integrally interconnected to the keytop 42 and the base sheet 46 for maintaining the keytop in a parallelogram orientation as it is depressed to prevent the keytop from moving laterally or wobbling during depression. The hinge panels 52 and 58 are interconnected by resilient webs 54, 60 and 64.

Abstract: A two-way dual action electric switch assembly has an actuator that slides in housing from a neutral position to a first position to a second position and back to the neutral position in each direction. Travelling circuit boards are slideably disposed in the housing on either side of the actuator and a single elastomeric dome switch is disposed between the actuator and each travelling circuit board. A fixed circuit board is outboard of each travelling circuit board and a pair of second elastomeric dome switches are disposed between each travelling circuit board and its associated fixed outboard circuit board. The single elastomeric dome switches close electric circuitry of the travelling circuit boards in the first positions and the pairs of second elastomeric dome switches close electric circuitry of the fixed outboard circuit boards in the second positions.

Abstract: A rubber contact portion, a drive member and an illuminant are mounted on a housing. The rubber contact portion is made of a transparent material and has electrical contacts which come into contact with or estranged from each other. The drive member is made of a transparent material and is supported on the housing so as to reciprocate to the rubber contact portion. The illuminant is mounted to face a base portion of the drive member.

Abstract: A push-button switch keytop includes a flexible resin film deformed in such a manner that the resin film bulges upwardly to form a curved portion that is filled with a molding resin while the resin film is being deformed. The molding resin is allowed to harden to form a keytop body, whereby the top side of the keytop body consisting of the molding resin is integrated with the resin film in a state in which the top side of the keytop body is covered by the resin film. The keytop is manufactured by clamping a resin film between upper and lower molds, charging a molten resin from a pin gate provided on the lower mold into a cavity provided in the lower mold, thereby deforming and urging the resin film upward by pressure and heat produced by the molten resin and causing the resin film to adhere to the inner surface of the upper mold, filling the cavities of the upper and lower molds with the molten resin and separating the upper and lower molds after the resin hardens.

Abstract: A key stem of a keyboard switch includes an outer slide and an inner slide. When a key top is struck, the outer slide slides inside of an outer guide, and the inner slide slides inside an inner guide. A first moment point is developed between the outer slide and the outer guide, while a second moment point is developed between the inner slide and the inner guide. A taper at the bottom of the outer slide prevents the second moment point being developed in that location. The reduced horizontal distance between the two moment points helps prevent binding of the key when an actuating force is applied off the axis of the key top. A relationship is disclosed for avoiding sticking or binding in which the horizontal distance between the two moment points, times a coefficient of friction, is less than the vertical distance between the planes of the two moment points.

Abstract: A key switch and resilient actuator assembly that includes an electrical switching region and a hollow open ended actuator cover of elastomeric material overlaying the switching region with the open end of the actuator cover in surrounding relationship with the switching region. The actuator cover includes a first wall portion shaped to provide substantially linear resistive force during compression displacement of the cover toward the switching region and to provide substantially linear restoring force during expansion displacement of the actuator cover away from the switching region. The actuator cover further includes a second wall portion shaped to undergo buckling toward the switching region at a predetermined compression displacement and to undergo unbuckling away from the switching region at a predetermined expansion displacement that is smaller in total displacement than the predetermined compression displacement.

Abstract: A computer a key switch device comprised of key cap, a key body plate and a rubber base plate, wherein the key body plate has a raised key body portion with a respective center hole and a pair of opposite pin holes and a pair of opposite retaining holes; the rubber base plate has a conical projection received within the raised key body portion, the conical projection having a horn-shaped bottom ring supported on a membrane, a top ring extended out of the center hole on the raised key body portion, a transverse division wall blocked between the top ring and the horn-shaped bottom ring, and a solid stub rod extended downwards from the transverse division wall at the center to trigger a circuit inside the membrane upon each down stroke of the key cap; the key cap has a plunger stopped against the top ring of the conical projection, two opposite bottom rods inserted into the pin holes on the raised key body portion, and two opposite hooks hooked in the retaining holes on the raised key body portion.

Abstract: A low profile keyswitch having bearing surfaces on both the inside and outside of the plunger of the keycap member is disclosed. The key switch includes a one-piece switch chimney having a cylindrical upright member, a plurality of arcuate ribs positioned coaxially inwardly of the cylindrical member along with a membrane support member. The chimney receives the cylindrical plunger between the cylindrical member and the ribs to provide bearing surfaces on the plunger closest to the keycap member actuation point to minimize friction when the keycap member is depressed offcenter thereby reducing binding of the keyswitch. A plurality of equidistance upstops are disposed on the lower-end of the plunger to reduce wobble of the keycap member in the extended position.

Abstract: An ON/OFF push button switch is disclosed which includes a housing, a fixed contact fixedly mounted on the housing, and a movable contact adapted to be brought into and out of contact with the fixed contact. An operating portion of the disclosed switch is supported in the housing in which the movable contact is to be movable in a direction towards the fixed contact. A contact connect spring located between the housing and the movable contact is provided to urge the movable contact towards the fixed contact. A contact release spring is located between the housing and the operating portion to urge the operating portion away from the fixed contact with an urging force greater than that of the contact connect spring. A coupling arrangement is provided for releasably coupling the movable contact and the operating portion together with the movable contact being inhibited from being moved away from the operating portion towards the fixed contact.

Abstract: A computer key includes a socket member which confines a receiving space therein and which has a top wall that is provided with a through hole, a resilient biasing member which is disposed inside the receiving space of the socket member, and a support member which has an upright tubular portion and a flange portion that projects radially outward from an intermediate part of the tubular portion and that is in sliding contact with an inner wall surface of the socket member. The support member is provided inside the receiving space of the socket member such that the tubular portion extends through the through hole of the socket member. The tubular portion has a bottom end which rests on top of the biasing member. The biasing member urges the support member upward to a normal unpressed key condition. A push button is secured on top of the support member.

Abstract: A leveler suitable for use in multi-unit keys for a keyboard, such as a notebook keyboard, includes a J-shaped cantilever member interposed between a keycap and a base used to house the keycap. The leveler is rotatably attached to the keycap and rotatably and slidably engaged with the base. Upon actuation of the key, the slidable and rotatable portion permits the key to be compressed, while the rotatable portion attached to the keycap provides, through the action of the cantilever, a downward force upon the lower surface of the keycap. The distribution of this force via the cantilever mechanism provides a key leveling function, such that the keycap does not have a tendency to bind or stick within the guide portion of the base.

Abstract: A computer keyboard includes a plurality of pairs of side by side keys, each pair of which is on opposite sides of a vertical plane lying between such keys. The keys are mounted for pivotal movement about respective first and second axes. The first key is located at one side of the plane and its pivotal axis is on the opposite side of such plane. The second key is located on the same side of the plane as the first axis and has its pivotal axis on the same side of the plane as the first key. The spacing between the axes is such that the keys have maximum vertical travel and minimal lateral travel. The keys have faces that are inclined toward the plane to form an upwardly concave pocket between the keys for the accommodation of a user's finger. A switch is activated by the first key and another switch is activated by the second key.

Abstract: A mechanical key switch for a membrane keyboard including a key cap supported on an actuating spring member by a compression spring and made to slide on a key body vertically, the actuating spring member having a unitary, arched bridge plate in the middle, which curves inwards to trigger an electrical signal and simultaneously to produce a click sound upon pressing of the key cap against the compression spring, and curves outwards to return the key cap and simultaneously to produce a click sound upon releasing of the key cap.

Abstract: A keyboard switch has a deformable membrane which, when deformed, enables electrical contact between a pair of contacts. A key stem is urged away from the deformable membrane by an elastic body. When the key stem is displaced sufficiently, the elastic body imparts a click feel. The key stem, when displaced a sufficient amount, deforms the deformable membrane to make the electrical contact.

Abstract: A computer keyboard employs a single monoblock structure to both support the keys and to define the aesthetic enclosure. The monoblock has multiple key supports into which key bodies are slidably mounted. The keyboard includes a switch membrane disposed on top of the monoblock and a dome sheet positioned on top of the switch membrane beneath the key bodies. The dome sheet has multiple resilient domes with openings formed therein to provide access for the key bodies to corresponding key supports. The domes support the key bodies and provide the "spring-like" feel during operation of the computer keys. The switch membrane has annular switch contacts positioned about the monoblock key supports beneath the domes. As one of the key bodies is depressed, the associated dome buckles and actuates the annular switch contact. The computer keyboard is low cost due to having only one structural component and is quiet due to the position of the rubber or elastomer dome sheet beneath the key bodies.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a housing with facing mounting surfaces on which opposed facing switches are mounted. In one embodiment, three spaced generally planar mounting members extended between end supports with actuating levers extending in the two spaces between each of the horizontally extending mounting members. Mounted in facing relationship on opposing surfaces are switches such that an actuating lever extending into a space between the opposing surfaces engage a first switch when moved in a first direction and a second switch when moved in a second direction. The actuating levers are, in the preferred embodiment, pivotally coupled by axles means to end walls supporting the switch mounting members so that they can be moved in first and second directions for actuating the associated first or second switch with each of the levers.

Abstract: The keytop of a push-button switch includes a keytop portion situated on the top of a resin film, and a retaining portion situated on the underside of the resin film. The keytop portion and retaining portion are formed into a unitary body by a resin-molding process in which resin is passed through a hole provided in the resin film such that the resin film is sandwiched between the keytop portion and the retaining portion. In another embodiment, the retaining portion is loop-shaped and is formed into a unitary body with the keytop portion by a resin-molding process in which the resin passes through a plurality of holes provided in the resin film in a pattern corresponding to the loop-shaped circumference of the retaining portion. The resin film is sandwiched in a water-tight state between the keytop portion and the loop-shaped retaining portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a keyswitch assembly enabling a keyboard employing the same to be formed in a small thickness without sacrificing the stroke of the key to the reduction of thickness of the keyboard, facilitating keystroke operation and securing reliable keystroke. The keyswitch assembly has a key supported on a base plate by a support mechanism formed by pivotally connecting first and second support levers each provided with pivots at their opposite ends in a scissors-like form by a pivotal joint. The support levers are connected to the key and the base plate by fitting the pivots thereof in round holes and horizontally elongate grooves formed in the key and in round holes and horizontally elongate grooves formed in the base plate. When the key is depressed, the first and second support levers turn on the pivots fitted pivotally in the round holes and the pivotal joint compresses a rubber spring disposed under the support mechanism for switching.

Abstract: A low profile tactile keyswitch including a horizontally positioned elastic column spring which buckles under an axial load to provide a tactile feel for the keyswitch. The ends of the spring are maintained between two spring holders which are urged together as the keybutton is depressed. Stabilizing arms pivotally attached to the keybutton are used to stabilize the keybutton and also to carry extensions which engage the spring holders to move them together as the keybutton is depressed. The keyswitch is operable to be placed in an inactive configuration in which the keybutton is lowered without placing the spring under added compression.

Abstract: A multi-step switch includes a resilient or resiliently mounted push button. In a first stage of the pressed-in state, the push button presses a contact surface against an at least partially resiliently constructed printed circuit board, which, on the upper side thereof, is provided with conductors. In a second stage of the pressed-in state of the switch, the push button and, in turn, the printed circuit board press with the aid of a resilient push element against additional conductors arranged underneath the printed circuit board. The multi-step switch is suitable for low switching capacities, particularly for use in hand-held control transmitters of remote controls.

Abstract: A keyboard switch having a membrane contact point sheet and a push button key for pressing down a contact point portion of the membrane contact point sheet, further includes a housing including a base portion and a casing portion, a key top which is slidably supported in the casting portion and has a contact point pressing portion projecting toward the base portion in an area extending outside a periphery of the casing portion, and a biasing member for biasing the key top toward a home position. The membrane contact point sheet is disposed on the base portion of the housing so that the contact point portion is confronted with the contact point pressing portion, and is formed in a three-layered structure, including an upper contact point sheet, a spacer, and a lower contact point sheet. The contact point portion has a window hole provided in the spacer.

Abstract: A push button switch includes an elastic sheet member serving as a stopper of an operation member and an elastic projection. When the operation member abuts with the projection, it is elastically deformed to absorb abutment impact to thereby cost effectively reduce noise when the push button switch is operated. A key switch includes a torsion bar, a key top and, an elastic sheet member having a projection. The play of a torsion bar at a bearing portion and at a coupling portion of the torsion bar with the key top is eliminated through a pushing force by the elastic sheet member having a projection, to thereby reduce noise and prevent trapping of a key stem by another component, when the key switch is operated.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch including a keycap having a keycap top and a keycap plunger, a retaining bezel for guiding the keycap plunger and limiting the displacement thereof, a deformable elastomeric switch button supporting a contact pad, and a printed circuit contact pattern engageable by the contact pad when the switch button is deformed by the downward displacement of the keycap plunger. The deformation of the button switch provides tactile feedback, while impact of the keycap top against the retaining bezel provides audible feedback. The pushbutton switch is configured to limit the downward displacement of the keycap plunger to avoid excessive force on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A keyboard membrane keyswitch assembly comprises a housing, a button, a compression piston and a rubber element. The housing holds the compression piston and the rubber element. The compression piston preferably has a cylindrical shape with a vertical guider along its longitudinal axis. The vertical guider is used to connect the assembly to the button. A supporting ring is linked to the vertical guider by rib elements. The rubber element is adapted to receive the supporting element of the compression piston thereby maximizing the displacement of the button and preventing the button from tilting when it is depressed.

Abstract: A membrane keyboard producing audible and tactile responses when individual character keys are depressed. To facilitate typing efficiency, the keyboard has membrane characters keys with different transverse heights and adjustable sensory responses.

Abstract: A push button key switch has an intermediate guide cylinder which is free to slide lengthwise inside a fixed guide cylinder and which at the same time holds the neck of a keytop while allowing it to slide freely lengthwise. The intermediate guide cylinder guides the keytop in its motion while the fixed guide cylinder guides the intermediate guide cylinder in its motion. Downward motion of the keytop causes the lower ends of the neck and the intermediate guide cylinder to collapse an elastic member which, in turn, then activates an electrical contact mechanism.

Abstract: In a process of producing an electric or electronic component, particularly a key, a continuous track of a metal foil is machined into two metallic terminal components constituting links between two carrier strips. A base housing component is cast from a high temperature resistant material around the terminals and is connected to the carrier strips through two tags protruding outwards from opposite, outer side surfaces of the base housing component. In an inner recess of the base housing component a domed metal disc having an acoustically damping coating on the convex side surface thereof, an elastically compressible rubber component and a push button are arranged. On top of the base housing component, a top housing component preferably made from the same high temperature resistant plastics material is arranged. Within the recess of the base housing component, the terminals define electric contacts with which the domed metal disc cooperates.

Abstract: A push button switch has a stem having a thin flange without requiring fabrication of synthetic material, thereby realizing a push button switch having good productivity and high reliability.

Abstract: A key switch actuator includes a switching member supported on a resilient member and connected to a key cap and driven by it to slide in a locating member. The switching member has two opposite, curved side plates caused to slide in the locating member along two opposite sliding ways. The elastic member has a plurality of small raised portions supported on the PC board and a plurality of notches between the raised portions for exhaust of squeezed air.

Abstract: A pushbutton and cover combination for operating an electronic switching device, such as a telephone or keypad. The cover defines a number of button receiving apertures extending therethrough. Each button comprises a body having a first part which provides a contact surface and a second part which is slidably received through an individual one of the apertures, so that the contact surface of the button is accessible from a first side of the cover. Latches on the second part of the button body are cooperable with the cover so that the button is held captive in the cover, with the second part of the body being operable to move slidably within the aperture, for engaging a flexible barrier layer and operating the electronic switching device on an underlying circuit board. The subassembly of the cover with the captive buttons is removable intact from the circuit board and flexible barrier layer of the electronic switching device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a push button switch assembly which is used in the operation panel of an electronic equipment or in the input device of an office automation apparatus. The assembly comprises a pair of upper and lower contacts, a slider body for pressing said contacts, a button for pressing said slider body, protrusions provided on respective opposing surfaces of the button and the slider body respectively, a coil spring disposed between the button and the slider body and arranged such that is end portions are forced onto and retained on the protrusions respectively, and a casing for retaining the button in a manner such that the button is vertically movable. By providing the protrusions on the back surface of the button and the bottom of the slider body respectively, the coil spring has its end portions forced, respectively, onto the protrusions to firmly hold the slider body in place. Thus, the components involved become easy to be incorporated into the assembly.

Abstract: A push switch includes a support, a switching-element assembly arranged on the support, and an actuator assembly arranged on the switching-element assembly. The switching-element assembly includes first and second contacts vertically arranged, with the second contact being elastically movable toward the first contact and making contact with the first contact when depressed by the actuator assembly. The basic actuator assembly includes an airtight enclosure of an elastic film having a domed shape and a gas enclosed therein, so that the bottom surface of the airtight enclosure depresses the second contact by a depression force onto the top surface thereof.

Abstract: A slide switch (10) comprises a housing (12) having at least one cantilever beam (22 and 23) integrally formed in the housing (12). A keypad (24 and 25) is arranged and constructed below at least one of the cantilever beams (22 and 23). A horizontal slide actuator (30) is arranged and constructed to slide over the cantilever beam (22 and 23) for substantially biasing the cantilever beam (22 and 23) toward the keypad (24 and 25).

Abstract: A push button of a notebook computer key has a plate portion, a hook projection extending downward from the plate portion and having a distal outward hook end, and a conductive member spaced vertically downward from the plate portion. The hook projection extends into an upright hollow confining wall of a socket member. The top end of the socket member is provided with an inwardly extending peripheral flange to hinder movement of the distal hook end out of the receiving space to prevent detachment of the push button from the socket member. A circuit board is provided on a lower end of the socket member. An upright hollow guide projection extends from the circuit board and into the hollow confining wall of the socket member. The conductive member is disposed inside the guide projection.

Abstract: Pivotal movement of a switch actuator drives a finger projecting from the actuator against a convexly bowed leaf spring, depressing an intermediate portion of the leaf spring to an unstable concave condition. The leaf spring resists the actuator movement, initially with an increasing force but changing to a decreasing force at a predictable point in actuator movement to provide tactile feedback at an operator affixed to the actuator. The leaf spring is a flat beam. The spring force and point of changeover can be readily and predictably varied during manufacture by selecting springs having different widths, thicknesses or other variable parameters. A modular block holds the spring in the bowed condition and is positioned relative to the actuator finger by a support plate. The actuator finger drives the spring against a conductive rubber block, compressing the block against spaced conductors on a printed circuit to complete the circuit.

Abstract: A push button switch including a case, a key top fastened to the case, an elastic member disposed between the case and the key top and acting to upwards urge the key top and a contact portioned so as to confront a spring member fastened to an operation member of the key top so that the contact portion is pressed by the spring member when the key top is depressed, the push button switch comprising: a movable member disposed between the operation member of the key top and a projection wall of the case whereby the operation member and the movable member can be moved with respect to each other and the movable member and the projection wall can be moved with respect to each other.

Abstract: A momentary contact switch suitable for use in an electrical keyboard has cylindrical projections projecting from a baseplate with axial bores into which projections of the keys fit and by which are guided and retained. A resilient boot interposed between each key and the baseplate and surrounding the cylindrical projections bears against the underside of the key to keep its switch unclosed except when force is applied to an actuation surface of the key. A movable contact internal to the boot is transported by actuation of the key to make electrical contact with a fixed contact adjacent the cylindrical projection. In a preferred embodiment the fixed and movable contacts both have the shape of a ring and encircle the cylindrical projection. The movable contact in the preferred embodiment further is formed on a resilient surface of the boot.

Abstract: A rocker switch, particularly for selecting voices in an electronic organ. A translucent tab is pivotally mounted at its center on a printed circuit board such that when the tab is pressed at either end, it actuates a respective elastomeric electric switch also mounted on the printed circuit board. A lamp is releasably mounted on the printed circuit board through an aperture in the back thereof by a twist-lock mechanism. A petal-like reflector and shield is disposed behind the tab for reflecting light from the lamp through the tab while blocking stray light and minimizing heat buildup. Elastomeric electric switches are positioned on the circuit board by pins and held in place by the pressure of the petal-like reflector, which is attached to the circuit board by plastic rivets. The tabs snap onto pivot points integrally formed as part of a rocker bar that includes the petal-like reflector.

Abstract: A manually actuatable electric pushbutton switch that automatically returns to the starting position after actuation, especially such a switch for the keyboard of an electronic device, for example a typewriter, is provided. The switch has a plastic housing in which is disposed a plate spring that is in engagement with an actuating button. The plate spring has a region that during shifting of the actuating button and flexing of the plate spring abruptly jumps to a different position when the electrical contact position is achieved, so that the triggering function is indicated both physically as well as audibly to the user. The region of the plate spring that abruptly reverses is preferably formed by slots, between which the abruptly reversing plate spring strip is defined.

Abstract: A low profile keyboard switch actuator mechanism having tactile and/or audible feel, for use in combination with a membrane switch assembly, and which includes a housing for mounting on top of the membrane switch assembly, a plunger slidably positioned in the housing, an actuator pivotally mounted within the housing, and a biasing spring. The actuator has a vertical arm and a horizontal leg. A slide member is mounted on the arm. Upper and lower stops on the arm limit the range of movement of the slide member. The spring is seated upon the horizontal leg and urges the plunger outwardly in an upper opening in the housing. Cooperating cam surfaces on the plunger and the slide member function during reciprocating movements of the plunger for attaining desired sensible results with mechanism.

Abstract: Pivotal movement of a switch actuator drives a finger projecting from the actuator against a convexly bowed leaf spring, depressing an intermediate portion of the leaf spring to an unstable concave condition. The leaf spring resists the actuator movement, initially with an increasing force but changing to a decreasing force at a predictable point in actuator movement to provide tactile feedback at an operator affixed to the actuator. The leaf spring is a flat beam. The spring foce and point of changeover can be readily and predictably varied during manufacture by selecting springs having different widths, thicknesses or other variable parameters. A modular block holds the spring in the bowed condition and is positioned relative to the actuator finger by a support plate. The actuator finger drives the spring against a conductive rubber block, compressing the block against spaced conductors on a printed circuit to complete the circuit.

Abstract: The contact-type keyboard comprises a plurality of keys which are movable from a rest position to an operative position and which each have a sleeve capable of being accommodated in a tube provided on the upper part of a dome portion of elastomeric material. Each dome portion projects from a mat and, below the tube, comprises an internal circular ring provided with a movable conductive portion for short-circuiting a corresponding fixed conductor of a printed circuit which in turn is carried by a stop plate of insulating material. Each sleeve is of such a length as to pass internally by way of an upper opening through the dome portion, to engage a through hole in the plate to project downwardly beyond the plate and comprises a seat capable of accommodating a corresponding pin of a support frame structure so as to guide the respective key from the rest position to the operative position and vice-versa.

Abstract: A push button switch including a housing, an operating member slidably received in the housing, a contact switch section located under the operating member, an actuator rotatably supported to the housing for opening and closing the contact switch section, a spring retained between the actuator and the operating member, and a pusher pin extending downwardly from the operating member and adapted to push the actuator, wherein when the operating member is depressed to make the pusher pin abut against the actuator, the actuator starts to be rotated for generation of buckling of the spring. Accordingly, the switching time of the buckling of the spring can be made constant, thereby ensuring a constant on-timing of the switch.

Abstract: A push button switch used for a personal computer or a word processor, which uses a membrane switch in a contact portion. The push button switch comprises a casing, a key top slidably guided along the casing, a contact portion arranged below the key top, an actuator rotatably supported on the casing to open and close the contact portion, a spring retained in a curved orientation between the actuator and the top key, and a click portion provided on the actuator by which a curved side of the spring is pressed, the clock portion of the actuator actuated by downward movement of the key top urging the side of the spring so as to invert the curved orientation of the spring.

Abstract: A multi-directional switch assembly, such as a joypad or joystick for an electronic game apparatus, including a printed circuit board, a resiliently deformable member having contact elements thereon and an input member mounted to deform the deformable member to effect closing of the switches. The input member is pivotally mounted by a post assembly, and the post assembly is supported by the game apparatus housing in a manner which is independent of the printed circuit board to substantially isolate the printed circuit board from thrust forces manually applied to the joypad input member.