United States Patent 1191
`Phalen
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,602,135
`Jul. 22, 1986
`
`[s4] MEMBRANE SWITCH
`[76] Inventor:
`Robert F. Phalen, 1612 W. North
`Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60622
`[21] Appl. No.: 739,544
`[22] Filed:
`May 30, 1985
`
`[51] Int. cu ........................................... .. HOlH 13/70
`[52] us° c1. ............................... .. 200/5 A; 200/86 R;
`200/159 B
`[58] Field of Search ............... .. 200/5 A, 86 R, 159 B,
`200/292, 308
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,699,294 10/1972 Sudduth ...................... .. 200/86 R X
`
`4,017,697 4/1977 Larson . . . . . .
`
`4,085,302 4/ 1978 Zenk et a1.
`
`. . . . . .. 200/5 A
`
`200/5 A
`
`4,317,013 2/1982 Larson . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . .. 200/5 A
`
`4,365,130 12/1982 Christensen ..
`
`.. 200/5 A X
`
`. . . . .. 200/5 A
`4,385,215 5/1983 Lemberg . . . . . .
`.. 200/5 A X
`4,471,177 9/1984 Doughty .... ..
`4,525,606 6/1985 Sudo ................................. .. 200/5 A
`Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert M. Ward
`[57]
`ABSTRACI‘
`The present invention is directed to an improved mem=
`
`brane switch of the kind comprising a polymeric over
`lay, which is generally planar and containing designated
`switch areas thereon for manual operation by pressure.
`The switch is formed from several layers of conductive
`and nonconductive materials. Speci?cally, the switch
`includes a pair of electronic switch circuit leads dis
`posed in noncontacting proximity. A substantially pla
`nar circuit completing layer formed to correspond with
`the pair of switch circuit leads is formed from conduc»
`tive material and disposed and spaced array substan
`tially parallel to the switch circuit leads. A nonconduc
`tive spacer is disposed, in one preferred embodiment,
`between the electric circuit and the circuit completing
`layer, with the spacer having a plurality of apertures
`therein of a selected density sufficient to provide a se
`lected touch pressure. In another preferred embodi
`ment, the substantially planar circuit completing layer is
`omitted, and the pair of electronic switch circuit leads
`are instead disposed in separate planes and are separated
`by the spacer, such that manual pressure on the switch
`will contact one circuit lead with the other circuit lead
`through the apertures in the spacer.
`
`11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures
`
`Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`Exhibit 2004
`Microsoft Corp. et al. v. Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`IPR2015-01149
`Page 1 of 7
`
`

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`US. Patent Jul. 22, 1986
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`4,602,135
`
`Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`Exhibit 2004
`Microsoft Corp. et al. v. Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`IPR2015-01149
`Page 2 of 7
`
`

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`U.S. Patent 1111.22, 1986
`
`Sheet20f3
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`4,602,135
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`N
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`26
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`24
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`W/
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`FIG.5
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`Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`Exhibit 2004
`Microsoft Corp. et al. v. Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`IPR2015-01149
`Page 3 of 7
`
`

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`k U.S. Patent Jul. 22, 1986
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`Sheet 3 of3
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`4,602,1 35
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`Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`Exhibit 2004
`Microsoft Corp. et al. v. Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`IPR2015-01149
`Page 4 of 7
`
`

`
`1
`
`MEMBRANE SWITCH
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates generally to switches,
`and more particularly to an improved membrance
`switch.
`In the prior art, various types of membrane switches
`have been utilized on machinery panels, calculators,
`computers, etc. Such membrane switches have the ad
`vantage over other forms of switches that they present
`a substantially flat upper surface, and are relatively very
`thin as compared with mechanical switches. Also, such
`membrane switches are enclosed, and contain very few
`moving parts. Accordingly, such membrane switches
`have had exceeding long useful lives.
`One dif?culty with prior art membrane switches has
`been the inability to control selevtively the amount of
`pressure necessary to operate this type of switch. Also,
`20
`another dif?culty with prior art switches has been fre
`quently the necessity for switches requiring different
`manual pressures on the same or different switch panels.
`Also, the prior switches have had the further dif?culty
`of an inability to provide different operating pressures
`within the same switch.
`Thus, in view of the dif?culties and de?ciencies with
`prior art membrane switches, it is an object of the im
`proved membrane switch of the present application to
`materially alleviate such dif?culties and de?ciencies.
`
`4,602,135
`2
`of the same discrete membrane switch, by varying the
`size and density of the apertures in the spacer means.
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`tion will be better understood with reference to the
`following brief description of the drawing, detailed
`description of preferred embodiments, the appended
`claims, and the accompanying drawing.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`Preferred embodiments of the improved membrane
`switch apparatus of the present invention are set forth in
`the accompanying drawing, and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mem
`brane switch panel setting forth discrete areas contain
`ing visual indicia for designating and de?ning portions
`of the panel to receive manual pressure for operating an
`electronic improved membrane switch disposed there
`beneath;
`FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged, fragmented view of the
`improved membrane switch of the present invention,
`shown in peeled-apart array, and illustrating the inter
`twining, but noncontacting, electronic switch circuit
`leads, and the facing nonconductive, grid-like spacer
`means disposed atop the substantially planar circuit
`completing means formed from a conductive material;
`FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged top view of the improved
`membrane switch of the present invention, with layers
`of the electronic panel cut away to illustrate the dispo
`sition of circuit completing means, and spacer means (in
`phantom) disposed atop the pair of electronic switch
`circuit leads;
`FIG. 4 is an even further enlarged, fragmented side
`view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3, and illustrating
`the various layers comprising the improved membrane
`switch of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is the view of the present invention as shown
`in FIG. 4 showing manual pressure being applied
`thereto operate the switch;
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an alterna
`tive preferred embodiment of the improved membrane
`switch of the present invention illustrating the elec
`tronic switch circuit leads being disposed in separate
`planes, with the grid-like spacer means of nonconduc
`tive material disposed therebetween, such that manual
`pressure on the switch will contact one electronic lead
`with the other, and through the apertures in the grid of
`the spacer means to operate this switch;
`FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, and fragmented side
`view of the alternative preferred embodiment of the
`improved membrane switch of FIG. 6; and
`FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, and fragmentary top
`view of the spacer means layer of the improved mem
`brane switch of the present invention illustrating differ
`ent densities of the grid-like spacer means, which can be
`utilized in different individual switches, or which may
`be utilized in different portions of the same switch.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`tion concerns switches having a top sheet with portions
`designated thereon for manual pushing to operate the
`switch.
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`tion comprises a pair of electronic switch circuit leads
`which are disposed in noncontacting and mutually rela
`tive proximity. A substantially planar circuit complet
`ing means, the size and shape corresponding with at
`least a portion of the electronic switch circuit leads, is
`formed from a conductive material and is disposed in
`spaced array and substantially parallel to the switch
`circuits.
`A spacer means of a nonconductive material is dis
`posed between the pair of electronic circuit leads and
`the circuit completing means. The spacer means has a
`plurality of apertures therein of a selected density suffi
`cient to provide a selected touch pressure for pushing
`portions of the circuit completing means which appear
`through apertures in the spacer into contact with por
`tions of the pair of electronic switch circuit leads to
`complete the circuit and to operate the switch.
`In an alternative preferred embodiment, the elec
`tronic switch circuit leads are disposed in separate
`planes and substantially parallel to each other and are
`separated by the spacer means. In such embodiment, the
`electronic circuit leads are disposed opposite each
`other, such that suf?cient manual pressure on the switch
`disposes the electronic switch leads into contact with
`each other through the apertures in the spacer means to
`operate the swtich. In this embodiment also, the density
`and location of the apertures controls the amount of
`pressure necessary to operate the switch.
`In both of the above embodiments, the manual pres
`sure necessary to operate the switch may be varied in
`switches on the same switch panel, or even in portions
`
`35
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`45
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`tion has a top sheet with portions designated by visual
`indicia thereon for manual pushing to operate the
`switch. The improved membrane switch of the present
`invention includes a pair of electronic switch circuit
`leads which are disposed in noncontacting, and mutu
`ally relative proximity. A substantially planar circuit
`completing means has a size and shape to correspond
`with at least a portion of the pair of switch circuit leads.
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`Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`Exhibit 2004
`Microsoft Corp. et al. v. Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`IPR2015-01149
`Page 5 of 7
`
`

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`3
`Such circuit completing means is formed from a con
`ductive material, and is disposed in spaced array and
`substantially parallel to the switch circuits. A spacer
`means of a nonconductive material is disposed between
`the pair or electronic circuit leads and the circuit com
`pleting means. The spacer means has a plurality of aper
`tures therein of a selected density sufficient to provide a
`selective touch pressure for pushing portions of the
`circuit completing means appearing through the aper
`tures and the spacer into contact with portions of the
`pair of electronic switch circuit leads to complete the
`circuit and to operate the switch.
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`tion also may include as and for the spacer means a grid
`formed from lines of a nonconductive material. Such
`nonconductive material preferably comprises a noncon
`ductive paint, which is disposed on the circuit complet
`ing means. Such circuit completing means preferably
`comprises a conductive paint material, and such con
`ductive paint material is preferably disposed upon a
`backing sheet.
`The nonconductive spacer apertures may be selected
`to varying density and different portions of the noncon
`ductive spacer, to provide a variable touch pressure at
`different portions of the nonconductive spacer. The pair
`of electronic switch circuit leads is preferably disposed
`in a common plane in preferred embodiments.
`In other preferred embodiments, the pair of elec
`tronic switch circuit leads are disposed in separate
`planes, and are disposed substantially parallel to each
`other and are separated by the spacer means. In this
`preferred alternative embodiment, the electronic switch
`circuit leads are disposed opposite each other, whereby
`suf?cient manual pressure on the switch disposes the
`electronic switch leads into contact through the aper
`tures in the spacer means to operate the switch.
`In either of the above embodiments of the improved
`membrane switch of the present invention, the elec
`tronic switch circuits may be preferably formed by
`printing. Also, the top sheet as for the switch panel
`comprises a nonconductive polymeric overlay contain=
`ing visual indicia thereon to de?ne the switch area to be
`operated by manual pressure.
`Referring now to the drawing and to FIG. 1 in partic
`ular, the improved membrane switch of the present
`invention generally 10 is contained within a switch
`panel 11 has a top sheet 12 with switch portions 14
`designated by visual indicia thereon for manual pushing
`to operate the switch 10. Such switch panel 11 may
`have an electronic connecting means in the form prefer
`ably of a ?exible tail 16.
`As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the improved membrane
`switch 10 of the present invention includes a pair of
`electronic switch circuit leads 18, 20 which are disposed
`in noncontacting, and mutually relative proximity. Such
`switch leads 18, 20 are disposed onto a polymeric sheet
`21, which is in turn secured preferably by a contact
`adhesive 22 to top sheet 12, which contains the visual
`indicia.
`A substantially planar circuit completing means 24
`' has a size and shape to correspond with at least a por
`tion of the pair of switch circuit leads 18, 20. Such
`circuit completing means 24 is formed from a conduc
`tive material, and is disposed in spaced array and sub
`stantially parallel to the switch circuit leads 18, 20, as
`shown in FIGS. 4~5. The circuit completing means 24 is
`disposed on a polymeric sheet 25, which is backed by
`
`4,602,135
`4
`adhesive 27, which in turn is protected by a peel strip 29
`until applied for use to a control panel, etc.
`A spacer means 26 of a nonconductive material is
`disposed between the pair of electronic circuit leads 18,
`20, and the circuit completing means 24. Such spacer
`means 26 may also preferably include a nonconductive
`border portion 28. The spacer means 26 has a plurality
`of apertures 30 therein of a selected density sufficient to
`provide a selective touch pressure for pushing portions
`of the circuit completing means 24 appearing through
`the apertures 30 of the spacer means 26 into contact
`with portions of the pair of electronic switch circuit
`leads 18, 20 to complete the circuit and to operate
`switch 10, as shown in FIG. 5 by manual digit 32 lines
`shown in phantom.
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`tion 10 may specifically include as and for the spacer
`means 26 the grid formed from lines of a nonconductive
`material, as shown in the Figures hereof. Of course,
`spacer means 26 may take shapes and forms other than
`a grid. Such nonconductive material for spacer means
`26 preferably comprises a nonconductive paint, which
`is disposed on the circuit completing means. Such cir
`cuit completing means preferably comprises a conduc
`tive paint material.
`The apertures 30 in spacer means 26 may be selected
`to have varying density and to be disposed in different
`portions of the nonconductive spacer means 26, to pro
`vide a variable touch pressure at different portions of
`the nonconductive spacer means 26, as shown for exam
`ple in FIG. 8. Therein, spacer means generally 26 con
`tains in left-hand portion relatively fewer grid lines 26a
`for lower pressure actuation, the middle portion con
`tains a medium number of grid lines 26b for moderate
`pressure actuation, and the right-hand portion contains
`a dense number of grid lines 260 for high pressure actua
`tion.
`In other preferred embodiments as shown in FIGS.
`6-7, generally as switch 110 the electronic switch cir
`cuit leads 118, 120 are disposed in separate planes, are
`disposed substantially parallel to each other and are
`separated by the spacer means 126. The remaining ele~
`ments of switch 110 are analogous to those of the first
`embodiment, switch 10, of FIGS. 2-5, and like elements
`are designated with like numerals plus 100. In the pre
`ferred alternative embodiment of 110, the electronic
`switch circuit leads 118, 120 are disposed opposite each
`other and preferably at 90° to each other, whereby
`sufficient manual pressure on the switch disposes the
`electronic switch leads 118, 120 into contact through
`the apertures 130 in spacer means 126 to operate the
`switch 110.
`In the above description, speci?c details of an em
`bodiment of the invention have been provided for a
`thorough understanding of the invention concepts. It
`will be understood by those skilled in the art that many
`of these details may be varied without departing from
`the spirit and scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An improved membrane switch having a top sheet
`with a portion designated thereon for manual pushing to
`operate the switch, said switch comprising:
`a pair of electronic switch circuit leads disposed in
`the same plane in noncontacting mutually relative
`close proximity, said pair of electronic switch cir
`cuit leads each comprising a plurality of inter
`twined but non-contacting elongated bars, said bars
`having a designated width;
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`Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`Exhibit 2004
`Microsoft Corp. et al. v. Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`IPR2015-01149
`Page 6 of 7
`
`

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`4,602,135
`6
`5
`4. The improved membrane switch of claim 3
`supporting means for said electronic switch circuit
`wherein said conductive paint material is disposed upon
`leads;
`a backing sheet.
`a substantially planar circuit completing means of a
`size and shape to correspond with at least a portion
`5. The improved membrane switch of claim 1
`of said pair of switch circuit leads, formed from
`wherein said circuit completing means is disposed upon
`conductive material, and disposed in spaced array
`a backing sheet.
`and substantially parallel to said switch circuit
`6. The improved membrane switch of claim 1
`wherein said nonconductive spacer apertures vary in
`leads; and
`-
`density in different portions of said nonconductive
`a nonconductive spacer means comprising a grid, said
`grid comprising a plurality of substantially inter
`spacer to provide a variable touch pressure at different
`portions of said nonconductive spacer.
`secting lines of a nonconductive material, said sub
`stantially intersecting lines of said grid having a
`7. The improved membrane switch of claim 1
`wherein said pair of electronic switch circuit leads are
`width which is substantially narrow relative to the
`selected width of said elongated bars of said elec
`disposed in a common plane.
`tronic switch circuit leads, said substantially inter
`8. The improved membrane switch of claim 1
`secting lines of said grid disposed directly between
`wherein said electronic switch circuit leads are printed r
`of conductive paint.
`said pair of electronic circuit leads and said circuit
`9. The improved membrane switch of claim 1
`completing means, said spacer means grid having a
`plurality of apertures therein formed by said sub
`wherein the top sheet comprises a nonconductive poly
`stantially intersecting lines of said grid and having
`meric overlay containing visual indicia thereon to de
`?ne the switch portion to be operated by manual push
`a selected grid density suf?cient to provide a se
`lected touch pressure during pushing at least a
`mg.
`10. The improved membrane switch of claim 1
`portion of the said circuit completing means ap
`pearing through the apertures in said spacer grid
`wherein said supporting means for said electronic
`switch circuit leads comprises a substantially planar
`into contact with at least a portion of the pair of
`25
`polymeric sheet.
`electronic switch circuit leads to complete the
`11. The improved membrane switch of claim 1
`circuit and to operate the switch.
`wherein said intertwined elongated bars of said elec
`2. The improved membrane switch of claim 1
`wherein said nonconductive material comprises a non
`tronic switch circuit leads combine to cover a de?ned
`conductive paint.
`area which is substantially co-extensive with a portion
`designated on the top sheet for manual pushing to oper
`3. The improved membrane switch of claim 1
`ate the switch.
`wherein said circuit completing means comprises a
`conductive paint material.
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`it
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`Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`Exhibit 2004
`Microsoft Corp. et al. v. Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`IPR2015-01149
`Page 7 of 7