United States Patent m
`United States Patent 1191
`Phalen
`Phalen
`
`[ii] Patent Number:
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,602,135
`4,602,135
`Jul. 22,1986
`Jul. 22, 1986
`
`[54] MEMBRANE SWITCH
`[s4] MEMBRANE SWITCH
`[76] Inventor: Robert F. Phalen, 1612 W. North
`[76] Inventor:
`Robert F. Phalen, 1612 W. North
`Ave., Chicago, 111. 60622
`Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60622
`[21] Appl. No.: 739,544
`[21] Appl. No.: 739,544
`[22] Filed:
`May 30, 1985
`[22] Filed:
`May 30, 1985
`H01H 13/70
`[51] IntCl."
`[51] Int. cu ........................................... .. HOlH 13/70
`[52] U.S. a
`.... 200/5 A; 200/86 R;
`[52] us° c1. ............................... .. 200/5 A; 200/86 R;
`200/159 B
`200/159 B
`200/5 A, 86 R, 159 B,
`[58] Field of Search
`[58] Field of Search ............... .. 200/5 A, 86 R, 159 B,
`200/292, 308
`200/292, 308
`
`[56]
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`200/86 R X
`3,699,294 10/1972 Sudduth
`3,699,294 10/1972 Sudduth ...................... .. 200/86 R X
`200/5 A
`4,017,697 4/1977 Larson
`4,085,302 4/1978 Zenk et al
`200/5 A
`4,085,302 4/ 1978 Zenk et a1.
`200/5 A
`4,317,013 2/1982 Larson
`200/5 A
`4,365,130 12/1982 Christensen
`. 200/5 A X
`4,365,130 12/1982 Christensen ..
`.. 200/5 A X
`4,385,215 5/1983 Lemberg
`200/5 A
`. . . . .. 200/5 A
`4,385,215 5/1983 Lemberg . . . . . .
`4,471,177 9/1984 Doughty
`200/5 A X
`4,471,177 9/1984 Doughty .... ..
`.. 200/5 A X
`4,525,606 6/1985 Sudo
`200/5 A
`4,525,606 6/1985 Sudo ................................. .. 200/5 A
`Primary Examiner—J. R. Scott
`Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Robert M. Ward
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert M. Ward
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`[57]
`ABSTRACI‘
`The present invention is directed to an improved mem-
`The present invention is directed to an improved mem=
`
`4,017,697 4/1977 Larson . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . .. 200/5 A
`
`4,317,013 2/1982 Larson . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . .. 200/5 A
`
`brane switch of the kind comprising a polymeric over­
`brane switch of the kind comprising a polymeric over
`lay, which is generally planar and containing designated
`lay, which is generally planar and containing designated
`switch areas thereon for manual operation by pressure.
`switch areas thereon for manual operation by pressure.
`The switch is formed from several layers of conductive
`The switch is formed from several layers of conductive
`and nonconductive materials. Specifically, the switch
`and nonconductive materials. Speci?cally, the switch
`includes a pair of electronic switch circuit leads dis­
`includes a pair of electronic switch circuit leads dis
`posed in noncontacting proximity. A substantially pla­
`posed in noncontacting proximity. A substantially pla
`nar circuit completing layer formed to correspond with
`nar circuit completing layer formed to correspond with
`the pair of switch circuit leads is formed from conduc­
`the pair of switch circuit leads is formed from conduc»
`tive material and disposed and spaced array substan­
`tive material and disposed and spaced array substan
`tially parallel to the switch circuit leads. A nonconduc­
`tially parallel to the switch circuit leads. A nonconduc
`tive spacer is disposed, in one preferred embodiment,
`tive spacer is disposed, in one preferred embodiment,
`between the electric circuit and the circuit completing
`between the electric circuit and the circuit completing
`layer, with the spacer having a plurality of apertures
`layer, with the spacer having a plurality of apertures
`therein of a selected density sufficient to provide a se­
`therein of a selected density sufficient to provide a se
`lected touch pressure. In another preferred embodi­
`lected touch pressure. In another preferred embodi
`ment, the substantially planar circuit completing layer is
`ment, the substantially planar circuit completing layer is
`omitted, and the pair of electronic switch circuit leads
`omitted, and the pair of electronic switch circuit leads
`are instead disposed in separate planes and are separated
`are instead disposed in separate planes and are separated
`by the spacer, such that manual pressure on the switch
`by the spacer, such that manual pressure on the switch
`will contact one circuit lead with the other circuit lead
`will contact one circuit lead with the other circuit lead
`through the apertures in the spacer.
`through the apertures in the spacer.
`
`11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures
`11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures
`
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`[8
`
`•22
`
`GLOBAL EX. 2006
`Microsoft Corporation, et al. v. Global Touch Solutions, LLC
`IPR2015-01150
`
`

`
`U. S. Patent
`Jul. 22,1986
`US. Patent Jul. 22, 1986
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`U.S. Patent
`Jul. 22,1986
`U.S. Patent 1111.22, 1986
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`U.S. Patent Jul. 22,1986
`k U.S. Patent Jul. 22, 1986
`
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`10
`
`1
`1
`MEMBRANE SWITCH
`MEMBRANE SWITCH
`
`4,602,135
`4,602,135
`2
`2
`of the same discrete membrane switch, by varying the
`of the same discrete membrane switch, by varying the
`size and density of the apertures in the spacer means.
`size and density of the apertures in the spacer means.
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven­
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`tion will be better understood with reference to the
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`tion will be better understood with reference to the
`5 following brief description of the drawing, detailed
`following brief description of the drawing, detailed
`The present invention relates generally to switches,
`The present invention relates generally to switches,
`description of preferred embodiments, the appended
`description of preferred embodiments, the appended
`and more particularly to an improved membrance
`and more particularly to an improved membrance
`claims, and the accompanying drawing.
`claims, and the accompanying drawing.
`switch.
`switch.
`In the prior art, various types of membrane switches
`In the prior art, various types of membrane switches
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`have been utilized on machinery panels, calculators,
`have been utilized on machinery panels, calculators,
`Preferred embodiments of the improved membrane
`Preferred embodiments of the improved membrane
`computers, etc. Such membrane switches have the ad­
`computers, etc. Such membrane switches have the ad
`switch apparatus of the present invention are set forth in
`switch apparatus of the present invention are set forth in
`vantage over other forms of switches that they present
`vantage over other forms of switches that they present
`the accompanying drawing, and in which:
`the accompanying drawing, and in which:
`a substantially flat upper surface, and are relatively very
`a substantially flat upper surface, and are relatively very
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mem­
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mem
`thin as compared with mechanical switches. Also, such
`thin as compared with mechanical switches. Also, such
`brane switch panel setting forth discrete areas contain-
`brane switch panel setting forth discrete areas contain
`membrane switches are enclosed, and contain very few
`membrane switches are enclosed, and contain very few
`15 ing visual indicia for designating and defining portions
`ing visual indicia for designating and de?ning portions
`moving parts. Accordingly, such membrane switches
`moving parts. Accordingly, such membrane switches
`of the panel to receive manual pressure for operating an
`of the panel to receive manual pressure for operating an
`have had exceeding long useful lives.
`have had exceeding long useful lives.
`electronic improved membrane switch disposed there-
`electronic improved membrane switch disposed there
`One difficulty with prior art membrane switches has
`One dif?culty with prior art membrane switches has
`beneath;
`beneath;
`been the inability to control selevtively the amount of
`been the inability to control selevtively the amount of
`FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged, fragmented view of the
`FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged, fragmented view of the
`pressure necessary to operate this type of switch. Also,
`pressure necessary to operate this type of switch. Also,
`20 improved membrane switch of the present invention,
`improved membrane switch of the present invention,
`20
`another difficulty with prior art switches has been fre­
`another dif?culty with prior art switches has been fre
`shown in peeled-apart array, and illustrating the inter­
`shown in peeled-apart array, and illustrating the inter
`quently the necessity for switches requiring different
`quently the necessity for switches requiring different
`twining, but noncontacting, electronic switch circuit
`twining, but noncontacting, electronic switch circuit
`manual pressures on the same or different switch panels.
`manual pressures on the same or different switch panels.
`leads, and the facing nonconductive, grid-like spacer
`leads, and the facing nonconductive, grid-like spacer
`Also, the prior switches have had the further difficulty
`Also, the prior switches have had the further dif?culty
`means disposed atop the substantially planar circuit
`means disposed atop the substantially planar circuit
`of an inability to provide different operating pressures
`of an inability to provide different operating pressures
`25 completing means formed from a conductive material;
`completing means formed from a conductive material;
`within the same switch.
`within the same switch.
`FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged top view of the improved
`FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged top view of the improved
`Thus, in view of the difficulties and deficiencies with
`Thus, in view of the dif?culties and de?ciencies with
`membrane switch of the present invention, with layers
`membrane switch of the present invention, with layers
`prior art membrane switches, it is an object of the im­
`prior art membrane switches, it is an object of the im
`of the electronic panel cut away to illustrate the dispo­
`of the electronic panel cut away to illustrate the dispo
`proved membrane switch of the present application to
`proved membrane switch of the present application to
`sition of circuit completing means, and spacer means (in
`sition of circuit completing means, and spacer means (in
`materially alleviate such difficulties and deficiencies.
`materially alleviate such dif?culties and de?ciencies.
`30 phantom) disposed atop the pair of electronic switch
`phantom) disposed atop the pair of electronic switch
`circuit leads;
`circuit leads;
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`view taken aiong jines 4_4 of FIG 3> and jnustrating
`.
`.
`FIG. 4 is an even further enlarged, fragmented side
`FIG. 4 is an even further enlarged, fragmented side
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven-
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3, and illustrating
`tion concerns switches having a top sheet with portions
`tion concerns switches having a top sheet with portions
`the various layers comprising the improved membrane
`the various layers comprising the improved membrane
`designated thereon for manual pushing to operate the
`designated thereon for manual pushing to operate the 35 switch of the present invention;
`switch of the present invention;
`35
`switch.
`switch.
`FIG. 5 is the view of the present invention as shown
`FIG. 5 is the view of the present invention as shown
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven­
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`in FIG. 4 showing manual pressure being applied
`in FIG. 4 showing manual pressure being applied
`tion comprises a pair of electronic switch circuit leads
`tion comprises a pair of electronic switch circuit leads
`thereto operate the switch;
`thereto operate the switch;
`which are disposed in noncontacting and mutually rela-
`which are disposed in noncontacting and mutually rela
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an alterna­
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an alterna
`tive proximity. A substantially planar circuit complet
`tive proximity. A substantially planar circuit complet- 40 tive preferred embodiment of the improved membrane
`tive preferred embodiment of the improved membrane
`ing means, the size and shape corresponding with at
`switch of the present invention illustrating the elec-
`ing means, the size and shape corresponding with at
`switch of the present invention illustrating the elec
`least a portion of the electronic switch circuit leads, is
`tronic switch circuit leads being disposed in separate
`least a portion of the electronic switch circuit leads, is
`tronic switch circuit leads being disposed in separate
`formed from a conductive material and is disposed in
`planes, with the grid-like spacer means of nonconduc-
`formed from a conductive material and is disposed in
`planes, with the grid-like spacer means of nonconduc
`spaced array and substantially parallel to the switch
`tive material disposed therebetween, such that manual
`spaced array and substantially parallel to the switch
`tive material disposed therebetween, such that manual
`circuits.
`... 45 pressure on the switch will contact one electronic lead
`circuits.
`pressure on the switch will contact one electronic lead
`45
`A spacer means of a nonconductive material is dis-
`with the other, and through the apertures in the grid of
`A spacer means of a nonconductive material is dis
`with the other, and through the apertures in the grid of
`posed between the pair of electronic circuit leads and
`the spacer means to operate this switch;
`posed between the pair of electronic circuit leads and
`the spacer means to operate this switch;
`the circuit completing means. The spacer means has a
`FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, and fragmented side
`the circuit completing means. The spacer means has a
`FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, and fragmented side
`plurality of apertures therein of a selected density suffi-
`view of the alternative preferred embodiment of the
`plurality of apertures therein of a selected density suffi
`view of the alternative preferred embodiment of the
`cient to provide a selected touch pressure for pushing 50 improved membrane switch of FIG. 6; and
`cient to provide a selected touch pressure for pushing
`improved membrane switch of FIG. 6; and
`portions of the circuit completing means which appear
`FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, and fragmentary top
`portions of the circuit completing means which appear
`FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, and fragmentary top
`through apertures in the spacer into contact with por­
`view of the spacer means layer of the improved mem­
`through apertures in the spacer into contact with por
`view of the spacer means layer of the improved mem
`tions of the pair of electronic switch circuit leads to
`brane switch of the present invention illustrating differ­
`tions of the pair of electronic switch circuit leads to
`brane switch of the present invention illustrating differ
`complete the circuit and to operate the switch.
`ent densities of the grid-like spacer means, which can be
`complete the circuit and to operate the switch.
`ent densities of the grid-like spacer means, which can be
`In an alternative preferred embodiment, the elec- 55 utilized in different individual switches, or which may
`In an alternative preferred embodiment, the elec
`utilized in different individual switches, or which may
`tronic switch circuit leads are disposed in separate
`be utilized in different portions of the same switch.
`tronic switch circuit leads are disposed in separate
`be utilized in different portions of the same switch.
`planes and substantially parallel to each other and are
`planes and substantially parallel to each other and are
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`separated by the spacer means. In such embodiment, the
`separated by the spacer means. In such embodiment, the
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`electronic circuit leads are disposed opposite each
`electronic circuit leads are disposed opposite each
`other, such that sufficient manual pressure on the switch 60
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven­
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`other, such that suf?cient manual pressure on the switch
`disposes the electronic switch leads into contact with
`tion has a top sheet with portions designated by visual
`tion has a top sheet with portions designated by visual
`disposes the electronic switch leads into contact with
`each other through the apertures in the spacer means to
`indicia thereon for manual pushing to operate the
`indicia thereon for manual pushing to operate the
`each other through the apertures in the spacer means to
`switch. The improved membrane switch of the present
`operate the swtich. In this embodiment also, the density
`operate the swtich. In this embodiment also, the density
`switch. The improved membrane switch of the present
`invention includes a pair of electronic switch circuit
`and location of the apertures controls the amount of
`invention includes a pair of electronic switch circuit
`and location of the apertures controls the amount of
`pressure necessary to operate the switch.
`65 leads which are disposed in noncontacting, and mutu­
`leads which are disposed in noncontacting, and mutu
`pressure necessary to operate the switch.
`65
`In both of the above embodiments, the manual pres­
`ally relative proximity. A substantially planar circuit
`ally relative proximity. A substantially planar circuit
`In both of the above embodiments, the manual pres
`sure necessary to operate the switch may be varied in
`completing means has a size and shape to correspond
`completing means has a size and shape to correspond
`sure necessary to operate the switch may be varied in
`switches on the same switch panel, or even in portions
`with at least a portion of the pair of switch circuit leads.
`with at least a portion of the pair of switch circuit leads.
`switches on the same switch panel, or even in portions
`
`

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`4,602,135
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`adhesive 27, which in turn is protected by a peel strip 29
`Such circuit completing means is formed from a con­
`adhesive 27, which in turn is protected by a peel strip 29
`Such circuit completing means is formed from a con
`until applied for use to a control panel, etc.
`ductive material, and is disposed in spaced array and
`until applied for use to a control panel, etc.
`ductive material, and is disposed in spaced array and
`A spacer means 26 of a nonconductive material is
`substantially parallel to the switch circuits. A spacer
`A spacer means 26 of a nonconductive material is
`substantially parallel to the switch circuits. A spacer
`disposed between the pair of electronic circuit leads 18,
`means of a nonconductive material is disposed between
`disposed between the pair of electronic circuit leads 18,
`means of a nonconductive material is disposed between
`the pair or electronic circuit leads and the circuit com- 5 20, and the circuit completing means 24. Such spacer
`20, and the circuit completing means 24. Such spacer
`the pair or electronic circuit leads and the circuit com
`means 26 may also preferably include a nonconductive
`pleting means. The spacer means has a plurality of aper­
`means 26 may also preferably include a nonconductive
`pleting means. The spacer means has a plurality of aper
`border portion 28. The spacer means 26 has a plurality
`tures therein of a selected density sufficient to provide a
`border portion 28. The spacer means 26 has a plurality
`tures therein of a selected density sufficient to provide a
`of apertures 30 therein of a selected density sufficient to
`selective touch pressure for pushing portions of the
`of apertures 30 therein of a selected density sufficient to
`selective touch pressure for pushing portions of the
`provide a selective touch pressure for pushing portions
`circuit completing means appearing through the aper­
`provide a selective touch pressure for pushing portions
`circuit completing means appearing through the aper
`tures and the spacer into contact with portions of the 10 of the circuit completing means 24 appearing through
`of the circuit completing means 24 appearing through
`tures and the spacer into contact with portions of the
`pair of electronic switch circuit leads to complete the
`the apertures 30 of the spacer means 26 into contact
`the apertures 30 of the spacer means 26 into contact
`pair of electronic switch circuit leads to complete the
`circuit and to operate the switch.
`with portions of the pair of electronic switch circuit
`with portions of the pair of electronic switch circuit
`circuit and to operate the switch.
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven-
`leads 18, 20 to complete the circuit and to operate
`leads 18, 20 to complete the circuit and to operate
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`tion also may include as and for the spacer means a grid
`switch 10, as shown in FIG. 5 by manual digit 32 lines
`switch 10, as shown in FIG. 5 by manual digit 32 lines
`tion also may include as and for the spacer means a grid
`shown in phantom.
`formed from lines of a nonconductive material. Such 15 shown in phantom.
`formed from lines of a nonconductive material. Such
`nonconductive material preferably comprises a noncon-
`T*16 improved membrane switch of the present inven-
`The improved membrane switch of the present inven
`nonconductive material preferably comprises a noncon
`tlon 10 ^ speclflcallyAnclud1e as a"d for
`tion 10 may specifically include as and for the spacer
`ductive paint, which is disposed on the circuit complet-
`ductive paint, which is disposed on the circuit complet
`ing means. Such circuit completing means preferably
`means. ^the fld formed from lines of a nonconductive
`means 26 the grid formed from lines of a nonconductive
`ing means. Such circuit completing means preferably
`comprises a conductive paint material, and such con-
`matenal> as sl™wn in the Figures hereof. Of course,
`material, as shown in the Figures hereof. Of course,
`comprises a conductive paint material, and such con
`ductive paint material is preferably disposed upon a 20 spacer means 26 may take shapes and forms other than
`spacer means 26 may take shapes and forms other than
`ductive paint material is preferably disposed upon a
`backing sheet
`a grid. Such nonconductive material for spacer means
`a grid. Such nonconductive material for spacer means
`backing sheet.
`26 preferably comprises a nonconductive paint, which
`The nonconductive spacer apertures may be selected
`26 preferably comprises a nonconductive paint, which
`The nonconductive spacer apertures may be selected
`is disposed on the circuit completing means. Such cir
`to varying density and different portions of the noncon-
`18 d'sPosed °.n the circult completing means. Such or-
`to varying density and different portions of the noncon
`.
`«
`.
`cuit completing means preferably comprises a conduc-
`cuit completing means preferably comprises a conduc
`j
`
`/
` • j
`• « i
`
`ductive spacer, to provide a variable touch pressure at
`.
`. ;
`,
`. ,
`^
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`v
`ductive spacer, to provide a variable touch pressure at
`tiv^e paint material*
`tive paint material.
`i
`.
`.*
`, • if
`*
`different portions of the nonconductive spacer. The pair
`*1
`30 j
`b seleCted
`different portions of the nonconductive spacer. The pair
`t
`26
`The apertures 30 in spacer means 26 may be selected
`*
`»,
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`i
`A HC uL)dl'UlC?& vlF 111 oLIuwd lllwdllo .av 111a y L7C odwwLGU
`of electronic switch circuit leads is preferably disposed
`j density and to be disposed in different
`to have ^
`of electronic switch circuit leads is preferably disposed
`to have varying density and to be disposed in different
`m a common plane in preferred embodiments.
`portions 0f the nonconductive spacer means 26, to pro-
`in a common plane in preferred embodiments.
`portions of the nonconductive spacer means 26, to pro
`In other preferred embodiments, the pair of elec-
`In other preferred embodiments, the pair of elec
`a variable touch
`sure at different
`ions of
`vide a variable touch pressure at different portions of
`tronic switch circuit leads are disposed m separate 30 the nonconductive spacer means 26, as shown for exam-
`tronic switch circuit leads are disposed in separate
`the nonconductive spacer means 26, as shown for exam
`planes, and are disposed substantially parallel to each
`ple in FIG 8 xherein) spacer means generally 26 con-
`planes, and are disposed substantially parallel to each
`ple in FIG. 8. Therein, spacer means generally 26 con
`other and are separated by the spacer means. In this
`tmtis in left-hand portion relatively fewer grid lines 26a
`other and are separated by the spacer means. In this
`tains in left-hand portion relatively fewer grid lines 26a
`preferred alternative embodiment, the electronic switch
`for ]ower pressure actuation, the middle portion con-
`preferred alternative embodiment, the electronic switch
`for lower pressure actuation, the middle portion con
`circuit leads are disposed opposite each other, whereby
`tains a medium number of grid lines 26Z, for moderate
`circuit leads are disposed opposite each other, whereby
`tains a medium number of grid lines 26b for moderate
`sufficient manual pressure on the switch disposes the 35 pressure actuation, and the right-hand portion contains
`suf?cient manual pressure on the switch disposes the
`pressure actuation, and the right-hand portion contains
`electronic switch leads into contact through the aper­
`a dense number of grid lines 26c for high pressure actua­
`electronic switch leads into contact through the aper
`a dense number of grid lines 260 for high pressure actua
`tures in the spacer means to operate the switch.
`tion.
`tures in the spacer means to operate the switch.
`tion.
`In either of the above embodiments of the improved
`In other preferred embodiments as shown in FIGS.
`In either of the above embodiments of the improved
`In other preferred embodiments as shown in FIGS.
`membrane switch of the present invention, the elec­
`6-7, generally as switch 110 the electronic switch cir-
`membrane switch of the present invention, the elec
`6-7, generally as switch 110 the electronic switch cir
`tronic switch circuits may be preferably formed by
`40 cuit leads 118, 120 are disposed in separate planes, are
`tronic switch circuits may be preferably formed by
`cuit leads 118, 120 are disposed in separate planes, are
`printing. Also, the top sheet as for the switch panel
`disposed substantially parallel to each other and are
`printing. Also, the top sheet as for the switch panel
`disposed substantially parallel to each other and are
`comprises a nonconductive polymeric overlay contain­
`separated by the spacer means 126. The remaining ele­
`comprises a nonconductive polymeric overlay contain=
`separated by the spacer means 126. The remaining ele~
`ing visual indicia thereon to define the switch area to be
`ments of switch 110 are analogous to those of the first
`ing visual indicia thereon to de?ne the switch area to be
`ments of switch 110 are analogous to those of the first
`operated by manual pressure.
`embodiment, switch 10, of FIGS. 2-5, and like elements
`operated by manual pressure.
`embodiment, switch 10, of FIGS. 2-5, and like elements
`Referring now to the drawing and to FIG. 1 in partic- 45 are designated with like numerals plus 100. In the pre-
`Referring now to the drawing and to FIG. 1 in partic
`are designated with like numerals plus 100. In the pre
`45
`ular, the improved membrane switch of the present
`ferred alternative embodiment of 110, the electronic
`ular, the improved membrane switch of the present
`ferred alternative embodiment of 110, the electronic
`invention generally 10 is contained within a switch
`switch circuit leads 118,120 are disposed opposite each
`invention generally 10 is contained within a switch
`switch circuit leads 118, 120 are disposed opposite each
`panel 11 has a top sheet 12 with switch portions 14
`other and preferably at 90° to each other, whereby
`panel 11 has a top sheet 12 with switch portions 14
`other and preferably at 90° to each other, whereby
`designated by visual indicia thereon for manual pushing
`sufficient manual pressure on the switch disposes the
`designated by visual indicia thereon for manual pushing
`sufficient manual pressure on the switch disposes the
`to operate the switch 10. Such switch panel 11 may 50 electronic switch leads 118, 120 into contact through
`to operate the switch 10. Such switch panel 11 may
`electronic switch leads 118, 120 into contact through
`have an electronic connecting means in the form prefer­
`the apertures 130 in spacer means 126 to operate the
`have an electronic connecting means in the form prefer
`the apertures 130 in spacer means 126 to operate the
`ably of a flexible tail 16.
`switch 110.
`ably of a ?exible tail 16.
`switch 110.
`As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the improved membrane
`In the above description, specific details of an em-
`As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the improved membrane
`In the above description, speci?c details of an em
`switch 10 of the present invention includes a pair of
`bodiment of the invention have been provided for a
`switch 10 of the present invention includes a pair of
`bodiment of the invention have been provided for a
`electronic switch circuit leads 18,20 which are disposed 55 thorough understanding of the invention concepts. It
`thorough understanding of the invention concepts. It
`electronic switch circuit leads 18, 20 which are disposed
`in noncontacting, and mutually relative proximity. Such
`will be understood by those skilled in the art that many
`in noncontacting, and mutually relative proximity. Such
`will be understood by those skilled in the art that many
`switch leads 18, 20 are disposed onto a polymeric sheet
`of these details may be varied without departing from
`of these details may be varied without departing from
`switch leads 18, 20 are disposed onto a polymeric sheet
`21, which is in turn secured preferably by a contact
`the spirit and scope of the invention.
`the sp