Abstract: A panel switch according to the present invention has a switching unit comprising a plurality of switches which are not provided with individual click means and at least one click mechanism for the switching unit. Because the switching unit does not incorporate individual click mechanisms, the panel switch can be formed into a small size. In addition, by the integration of the provided click mechanism, the degree of freedom on the design of the panel switch is enlarged, and a small-sized panel switch which is excellent in switching feeling can be offered.

Abstract: The multi-position electrical switch includes a printed circuit (PC) board arranged in a casing and supporting an array of stationary contacts encircling a light emitting element fixed on the PC board. A resilient rubber sheet covers the PC board and supports an array of movable contacts arranged opposite the stationary contacts. A control knob having a central opening rests on the rubber sheet in the region of the movable contacts. The bottom of the knob is formed with a tubular projection communicating with the central opening of the knob and extending to the level of an opening in the rubber sheet around the light emitting element.

Abstract: A switch assembly comprises an element carrying a pair of hinged switch actuators and a universal devices connector. An outer member, preferably formed of rubber, overlies the actuators and underlies the connector whereby the placement of this switch sub-assembly comprising the element and member in the switch compartment of a portable radio seals the switches in the compartment. Actuation of the switches is accomplished by depressing a switch-actuation area in the flexible rubber member to pivot the underlying hinge to engage and depress an electrical switch. The sub-assembly is mounted in the compartment by a tongue-and-groove arrangement at one end, and a single retaining screw at its opposite end. Flexible electrical circuit carrier leads are threaded through a slot in the compartment wall to interconnect the switches and connector with the internal circuitry of the radio.

Abstract: A keyboard switch capable of minimizing the number of parts to reduce manufacturing costs and giving an operator a light touch during its operation. The keyboard switch includes an actuator arranged in a frame for pressing a membrane switch. The actuator includes a key stem, a pressing member for forcedly pressing the membrane switch, a pair of leaf springs for forcedly pushing up the key stem. The key stem, pressing member and leaf spring means are integrally formed and joined together by a base member.

Abstract: A clicked key board switch capable of minimizing an error or deviation between a position at which click feeling is produced and a position at which the switch is turned on while reducing the number of parts. In the switch, when a key stem slidably arranged in a frame is pushed down, a membrane switch is forcedly operated through a pressing element provided in the frame. The pressing element includes a base fixed at an upper end thereof on the side of the frame and provided thereon a projection engaged with the key stem when it is pushed down and a pressing section connected to the base so as to extend from the base to a position above the membrane switch and forcedly operating the membrane switch when the base is laterally forced by the key stem.

Abstract: A keyboard switch for use with a membrane switch array (20) to provide a tactile feeling and, optionally, a click sound comprises a housing (10) which is positioned on the membrane switch array (20). A plunger (13) is reciprocally mounted within the housing (10) and projects outwardly from the housing, the plunger having a cam portion (133). An actuating arm (14) is pivoted to the housing (10) and has a first portion (141) extending beneath the plunger (13) and a second, cam follower portion (142) which engages the cam portion (133) of the plunger (13). The first portion (141) of the actuating arm (14) has a boss (1412) on its surface facing away from the plunger (13) for engaging the switch array (20). A compression spring (15) extends between the plunger (13) and the first portion 141 of the actuating arm (14) to urge the plunger (13) outwardly from the housing (10 ).

Abstract: A keyswitch operator includes a supporting bearing block and axially movable keytop and plunger. A cylindrical plunger is slidably guided between alternating flat and conical surfaces about a through bore in the bearing block. The flat surfaces provide constant bearing guides along multiple axial lines angularly spaced about the plunger. The conical surfaces provide draft to facilitate removal of a mold after forming of the through bore. Both "quiet tactile" and "click tactile" modes of operation are available when utilizing the keyswitch operator in conjunction with a yieldable dome overlying a membrane switch assembly. "Click tactile" operation requires the addition of a spring-biased piston to physically engage the underlying switch assembly when the plunger has been depressed.

Abstract: A switch activator is described which is a unitary molded plastic molded coil spring and a pivot plate which pivots to act on a membrane switch when the coil spring buckles under load. The buckling of the spring is controlled by the relative placement of the axis of the spring and a pivot surface around which the top portion of the spring pivots as the spring buckles. The cross section of the spring member is limited in size so as to prevent the forming of a solid column upon compression, while at the same time accommodating the needs for molten plastic flow in the spring during molding.

Abstract: A push button switch which may be used, for example, as a zooming switch in a video camera, having a uniform electrical resistance/applied pressure characteristic and which can be manufactured easily and at a low cost. The switch includes a conductive layer and a pressure-sensitive resistance element disposed between electrode patterns provided on a printed circuit board and an insulated push button. The conductive layer is coated with a pressure-sensitive conductive paste and the pressure-sensitive resistance element is fixed to the insulated push button at a opposed surface to the electrode patterns separated by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A push-button switch comprises a fixed electrode; a movable electrode disposed opposite to the fixed electrode; a key housing having a tubular spring retainer, and an annular guide wall surrounding the tubular spring retainer and having a stopping flange, a coil spring received in the tubular spring retainer, and a key for operating the movable electrode through the coil spring. The coil spring has a large coil section, a middle extension coil section, and a small compression coil section having a projecting part. The tubular spring retainer is provided with a protrusion on the inner circumference thereof. When the key is depressed to close the switch, the projecting part of the coil spring is forced to move down over the protrusion in a snap motion, and the projecting part is forced to move up over the protrusion by the contractive force of the middle extension coil section and the recoiling force of the small compression coil section of the coil spring when the key is released.

Abstract: A membrane keyboard has two spaced flexible membranes (1 and 2) carrying contact pad assemblies. Acoustic pads (15) of expanding ink are printed on the top surface of the upper membrane (2) between the contact pads (4) and the key buttons used to operate the contact switches formed by the pairs of opposed contact pads, thus reducing the acoustic noise and improving the contact bounce characteristic.Optionally, printed expanding ink is also used to form the spacer (5) between the membranes (1 and 2).

Abstract: A switching device comprising a rubber switch, an operating member displaceable between at least two operative positions and a neutral position, and a cooperating member shiftable between the at least two cooperative positions and neutral position in response to displacement of the operating member. The operating member and the cooperating member are held in their neutral position due to the resilience of the rubber switch, while one contact is brought into engagement with a corresponding conductive element in the rubber switch when the corresponding cooperating member is shifted to one of the cooperative positions in response to the displacement of the operating member against the resilience of the rubber switch.

Abstract: A low-profile keyboard switch having an improved guide structure for guiding the vertical motion of the keys. Each key assembly comprises a guide member and a key including a keypad, a downwardly projecting central plunger and a downwardly projecting leg or skirt, the inner dimension of the leg or skirt being greater than the outer dimension of the guide member. The guide member is provided with a generally horizontal central opening adapted to receive the plunger and generally vertical peripheral walls which serve as a bearing surface for slide cams which project inwardly from the inner surface of the leg or skirt. Together the contact between the key, the central opening and the peripheral walls assure a vertical orientation for the key and a reduced resistance to key motion.

Abstract: A liquid regulator device has a buoyant body which is anchored to a side of the vessel by an electrical conductor. The body contains a movable ballast in the form of a ball and an attitude sensitive switch connected to the electrical conductor. The buoyant body floats in the liquid with one end in the uppermost position. Changing the liquid level tensions the electrical conductor causing the body to tumble. When the body has tumbled through a predetermined angle, the ballast moves from one end of the body to the other to cause the body to rapidly assume the reverse orientation. This causes the attitude sensitive switch to change state, which is used to control the liquid level.

Abstract: A low-profile rubber keypad with good tactile feel and illuminability includes a plurality of layers adhesively bonded to one another. The top layer of the keypad is a silicone rubber overlay having a plurality of keys protruding therefrom. The rubber overlay is adhesively bonded to an actuation layer including a plurality of thin actuating strips. The actuation layer is adhesively bonded to a tactile layer including a plurality of collapsible resilient domes. The tactile layer is adhesively bonded to a shorting layer including a plurality of conductors. The shorting layer is adhesively bonded to a flex circuit layer including a plurality of conductors.

Abstract: A multi-directional switch which is utilized for completing selected ones of a number of different electrical circuits is placed in a housing in which the different electrical circuits to be controlled terminate in pairs of spaced-apart conductors located in the bottom of the housing. A cylindrical pushbutton actuating member extends upwardly through a circular opening in the top of the housing. This actuating member has a flange on the lower end which extends radially outwardly from the main body of the actuating member, and this flange is supported on a deformable support which has a circular opening in the center. A ball bearing is placed in the opening the deformable support and engages the bottom of the housing and the bottom of the actuating member.

Abstract: A sealed backlit switch assembly including an integral body composed of an elastomeric material and having a hollow push button. The body is clamped to a panel by means of a printed circuit board and threaded fasteners whereby the body is sealed to the panel. The printed circuit board has an LED mounted thereon which is enclosed in a hollow push button which forms a part of the unitary molded body and thereby illustrates the push button.

Abstract: A keyboard having a plurality of rows of depressable keys whose key tops define a surface of concave profile curved about an axis. The concave profile is achieved with key tops and key stems of identical configuration by maintaining a key holder plate which carries the key stems in a concave profile. The concave profile of the key holder plate is produced by forming the plate with graduated flexibility across its width and mounting it on a substantially rigid base so that a region of the plate located midway between its edges is drawn to a position outside the plane containing the edges of the plate by means of a plurality of fasteners between the base and a plate located along its length.

Abstract: A key switch utilizing a buckling compression spring to move a switch actuator mechanism includes a cylindrical core of resilient material located within an opening formed by the coils of the compression spring to attenuate the acoustical energy generated by the buckling and unbuckling action of the spring.

Abstract: A key switch assembly for direct mounting on a PCB or similar substrate. The key switch has a body with depending mounting pin having retainers thereon to secure the key switch at apertures in the substrate. The key switch body has a hinged key and includes a snappable dome moveable from a non-actuated position to an actuated position in direct contact with conductive elements in the substrate by manual depression of a key.

Abstract: In a push-button switch, serially connected first, second and third coaxial springs having gradually increasing diameters are disposed between a key top and contact members, a key stem extends through the second and third springs for operating the contact members through the first spring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a keyboard button structure. Each button has a pair of side mounted "U" shaped plates. Holes are provided in the housing panel and protrusions are formed inside the holes to permit rapid assembly of the button into the holes, and to prevent loss of buttons. A rubber member between the button and the panel provides button return and also permits feel of the contact and comfortable operation. The invention's novel structure provides economic and other advantages.

Abstract: A full sized electronic keyboard with full travel keybuttons provides switches for controlling an electronic typewriter or for controlling other devices. The keyboard has a structure designed for reducing part count and switch component part size and for simplifying assembly to minimize manufacturing cost. The structure has integral one piece parts for accommodating several keybutton actions. The integral one piece parts include a main frame, a sheet steel spring, a rubber dome switch member, and a printed circuit switch panel.

Abstract: An elastic key top construction for supporting a key top comprising a key top push or support section on which the key top is mounted, a projection disposed below the key top support section, a first movable wall integral with the key top support section and the projection for connecting the key top support section to the projection while allowing relative movement to each, a second movable wall integral with the key top support section, the second movable wall being connected to a installment support member of the key top construction so as to allow up/down movement of the key top support section in respect to the base member.

Abstract: A short travel key switch comprising an electrically insulating base having a bottom and a cylindrical lateral wall defining a cavity closed by a cap. A central contact and a lateral contact are mounted on the bottom. The periphery of a switching element received in the cavity is in electrical contact with the lateral contact. The element is elastically yieldable to establish an electrical connection between the two contacts in response to an axial load exerted on its convex face by the facing portion of an actuator. The central contact is mounted flush with a plane central portion of the bottom. The facing portion of the actuator which engages the central contact is flat.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly having key-switches, comprising a key holder plate supporting multiple keys in plural rows and movably across the thickness of the plate, and further comprising an upper casing which has a rectangular aperture closed by the key holder plate. The key holder plate has holes through which the keys extend, and integral guide portions concentric with the holes and .[.extend.]. .Iadd.extending .Iaddend.toward the rectangular aperture. Opposite right and left sides of the aperture perpendicular to the rows of the keys are defined by side walls of the upper casing each of which has a downward extension toward the key holder plate. The extension has a convex lower end profile with which the key holder plate is held in pressed contact by fasteners, with elastic deformation thereof following the convex lower end profile of the downward extension, such that a surface generally defined by top faces of the keys is curved in cross section across the rows of the keys.