US3908109A - Dome shaped switch member - Google Patents
Dome shaped switch member Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3908109A US3908109A US479429A US47942974A US3908109A US 3908109 A US3908109 A US 3908109A US 479429 A US479429 A US 479429A US 47942974 A US47942974 A US 47942974A US 3908109 A US3908109 A US 3908109A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- dome
- side walls
- arcuate surface
- arcuate
- switch member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 11
- XOFYZVNMUHMLCC-ZPOLXVRWSA-N prednisone Chemical compound O=C1C=C[C@]2(C)[C@H]3C(=O)C[C@](C)([C@@](CC4)(O)C(=O)CO)[C@@H]4[C@@H]3CCC2=C1 XOFYZVNMUHMLCC-ZPOLXVRWSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004049 embossing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007620 mathematical function Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000237519 Bivalvia Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000020639 clam Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/02—Details
- H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
- H01H13/48—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using buckling of disc springs
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2227/00—Dimensions; Characteristics
- H01H2227/026—Separate dome contact
Definitions
- ABSTRACT A dome shaped element which is used as a switch zoo/275 member in a keyboard switch assembly consists of a [58] 275 67 D hollow, geometric solid having an open circular base a s A 159 R 83 83 with a plurality of planar side walls extending from the base. The side walls are joined by an arcuate surface I 56] R f d and arcuate feet members join segments of the arcuate e erences surface to the adjacent side walls. The feet are bent UNITED STATES PATENTS angularly to the plane of the arcuate surface. 3,684,842 8/1972 Boulanger 200/159 B 3,749,859 7/l973 Webb et al 2001159 B x 2 Clams, 5 Drawmg Figures Sept. 23,1975
- FIG. 1 A first figure.
- This invention relates generally to conductive, snapacting or spring type, dome shaped elements which are used as switch members in a keyboard switch assembly.
- dome shaped elements which are used as switch members in electronic calculators are described'in' US. Pat. No. 3,806,673 for Pushbutton Keyboard Switch Assembly with Improved Disc Spring Contact and Printed Circuit Structure, which issued Apr. 23, 1974.
- dome shaped switch members One of the problems associated with these dome shaped switch members has been the manufacture of large quantities of the dome elements having uniform characteristics such as consistent trip and. release forces the trip force being the force needed to depress the dome and the release force being the minimum force necessary to snap the dome from its deflected position to its normal position. This problem has been particularly acute with respect to the lightweight, small diameter dome shaped switch members, such as those having a trip force of 3 to 7 ounces and being 0.35 to 0.5 inches (9.0 to 12.7 mm) in diameter.
- the dome element of this invention hasmade possible the manufacture oflarge quantities of domes having uniform trip and release force characteristics.
- the dome switch member of this invention also permits the use of thinner materials in the'manufacture of the domes without experiencing the bi-stablecondition (no returning spring action] previously encountered when thinner materials were used in generally hemispherical domes.
- the edge bend or feet which are formed on the dome arcuate surface raise the arcuate surface of the dome allowing it to snap on a'flat surface. Also, the snap action of the dome element of this invention is'much crisper than was encountered with previously used generally hemispherical domes.
- the primary advantage obtained'bythe'dome element of this invention is a simplification of the tooling necessary to produce the dome element from th e more complex and expensive tooling 'which is'r'equired to manufacture the dome element described in US. Pat. No. 3,751,612, referred to above.
- the delta dome element described in that patent is substantially similar to the dome element of this invention with the exception that the delta dome element has an open polygonal base whereas the base of the dome element of this invention is circular.
- standard circular die buttons may be used in conjunction with a cylindrical die punch.
- FIG. 1 is a view of the face of the punch which is used to make the dome of this invention
- FIG. 2 is a transverse section. of the punch illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along the line 22;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dome of this invention. 1
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the dome illustrated in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dome illustrated in FIG. 3 taken along the line 5-5.
- a circular chamfer 16 is formed at the periphery of the spherical radius and the punch. is machined to the cross section shown in FIG. 1, by forming flat surfaces 18 which intersect with the spherical surface 14 and the outer cylindrical surface 20 of the punch 10.
- the dome element 12 is made in the same manner as the delta dome described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,751,612 except that a standard circular die button is used in conjunction with the punch 10 described above in manufacturing the dome element 12.
- the dome element 12 includes three feet 22 which are bent angularly to the general plane spherical surface 24 of the dome element. These feet bridge a tip of the spherical surface 24 and the outer portion of adjacent flats 26, forming three reinforced zones about which the general plane of the dome element may buckle to its snap-over position by application of a force to its upper surface. The deflected plane of the dome element returns to its normal position upon removal of the buckling force.
- dome element 12 To better enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention without experimentation, the following dimensions and specifications of a preferred embodiment of the dome element 12 are set forth below, as
- a dome clement for use as a switch member said dome element comprising an open circular base, a plurality of planar side walls, each of said planar side walls extending from a segment of said open circular base at equal angles thereto, an arcuate surface interconnecting said side walls and a plurality of arcuate corners angled downwardly from a tip of said arcuate surface, each of said arcuate corners interconnecting said tip of said arcuate surface with an adjacent pair of said planar side walls.
Abstract
Description
Claims (2)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US479429A US3908109A (en) | 1974-06-14 | 1974-06-14 | Dome shaped switch member |
CA227,865A CA1032996A (en) | 1974-06-14 | 1975-05-27 | Dome-shaped conductive switch element for a keyboard |
JP50069256A JPS519277A (en) | 1974-06-14 | 1975-06-10 | Doomugatasuitsuchibuzai |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US479429A US3908109A (en) | 1974-06-14 | 1974-06-14 | Dome shaped switch member |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3908109A true US3908109A (en) | 1975-09-23 |
Family
ID=23903970
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US479429A Expired - Lifetime US3908109A (en) | 1974-06-14 | 1974-06-14 | Dome shaped switch member |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3908109A (en) |
JP (1) | JPS519277A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1032996A (en) |
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3967084A (en) * | 1975-05-12 | 1976-06-29 | Kb-Denver, Inc. | Keyboard switch assemblies having two foot support legs on dome-shaped contact member |
FR2343323A1 (en) * | 1976-03-05 | 1977-09-30 | Schoeller & Co Elektrotech | DECLICK SWITCH ESPECIALLY FOR TELEVISION AND RADIO RECEIVERS |
US4085306A (en) * | 1977-06-09 | 1978-04-18 | Kb-Denver, Inc. | Keyboard switch assemblies |
JPS5479482U (en) * | 1977-11-17 | 1979-06-06 | ||
JPS5482362U (en) * | 1977-11-22 | 1979-06-11 | ||
FR2432205A1 (en) * | 1978-07-28 | 1980-02-22 | Rode Stucky | Pushbutton switch esp. for calculators and tv controls - has sprung snap action with electrode of shallow pyramidal shape |
US4286129A (en) * | 1978-11-24 | 1981-08-25 | Orega Electronique Et Mecanique | Keyboard having sudden trip tactile effect keys |
US4314117A (en) * | 1980-07-24 | 1982-02-02 | Re-Al, Inc. | Membrane contact switch |
US4398074A (en) * | 1981-06-12 | 1983-08-09 | Oak Industries Inc. | Low profile switch having a sealed interior |
US4532376A (en) * | 1983-05-26 | 1985-07-30 | Sanders Associates, Inc. | Electronic pen with switching mechanism for selectively providing tactile or non-tactile feel |
US4703139A (en) * | 1983-09-06 | 1987-10-27 | Kb Denver, Inc. | Method in a snap dome switch keyboard assembly for reducing contact bounce time |
US4933522A (en) * | 1989-03-07 | 1990-06-12 | Itt Corporation | Flanged snap dome |
US20050211460A1 (en) * | 2004-03-29 | 2005-09-29 | Draggie Raymond Q | Method and apparatus for A.C outlet having grounds-out receptacles |
US20060028435A1 (en) * | 1995-02-23 | 2006-02-09 | Armstrong Brad A | Image controller |
US20060028437A1 (en) * | 1992-03-05 | 2006-02-09 | Armstrong Brad A | Image controller |
US20080277251A1 (en) * | 2007-05-09 | 2008-11-13 | Snaptron, Inc. | Electrical switch apparatus and methods |
US20110181402A1 (en) * | 2008-01-16 | 2011-07-28 | Snaptron, Inc. | Novel Tactile Apparatus and Methods |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS62136026U (en) * | 1986-02-22 | 1987-08-27 |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3684842A (en) * | 1970-07-01 | 1972-08-15 | Texas Instruments Inc | Pushbutton keyboard switch assembly with improved over center diaphragm contact |
US3749859A (en) * | 1972-04-19 | 1973-07-31 | Colorado Instr Inc | Keyboard switch assembly with improved hermetically sealed diaphragm contact structure |
US3796843A (en) * | 1973-01-02 | 1974-03-12 | Bomar Instr Corp | Calculator keyboard switch with disc spring contact and printed circuit board |
US3806673A (en) * | 1972-11-20 | 1974-04-23 | Texas Instruments Inc | Pushbutton keyboard switch assembly with improved disc spring contact and printed circuit structure |
US3808384A (en) * | 1971-06-01 | 1974-04-30 | Texas Instruments Inc | Pushbutton keyboard system |
-
1974
- 1974-06-14 US US479429A patent/US3908109A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1975
- 1975-05-27 CA CA227,865A patent/CA1032996A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-06-10 JP JP50069256A patent/JPS519277A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3684842A (en) * | 1970-07-01 | 1972-08-15 | Texas Instruments Inc | Pushbutton keyboard switch assembly with improved over center diaphragm contact |
US3808384A (en) * | 1971-06-01 | 1974-04-30 | Texas Instruments Inc | Pushbutton keyboard system |
US3749859A (en) * | 1972-04-19 | 1973-07-31 | Colorado Instr Inc | Keyboard switch assembly with improved hermetically sealed diaphragm contact structure |
US3806673A (en) * | 1972-11-20 | 1974-04-23 | Texas Instruments Inc | Pushbutton keyboard switch assembly with improved disc spring contact and printed circuit structure |
US3796843A (en) * | 1973-01-02 | 1974-03-12 | Bomar Instr Corp | Calculator keyboard switch with disc spring contact and printed circuit board |
Cited By (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3967084A (en) * | 1975-05-12 | 1976-06-29 | Kb-Denver, Inc. | Keyboard switch assemblies having two foot support legs on dome-shaped contact member |
FR2343323A1 (en) * | 1976-03-05 | 1977-09-30 | Schoeller & Co Elektrotech | DECLICK SWITCH ESPECIALLY FOR TELEVISION AND RADIO RECEIVERS |
US4085306A (en) * | 1977-06-09 | 1978-04-18 | Kb-Denver, Inc. | Keyboard switch assemblies |
JPS5479482U (en) * | 1977-11-17 | 1979-06-06 | ||
JPS5482362U (en) * | 1977-11-22 | 1979-06-11 | ||
FR2432205A1 (en) * | 1978-07-28 | 1980-02-22 | Rode Stucky | Pushbutton switch esp. for calculators and tv controls - has sprung snap action with electrode of shallow pyramidal shape |
US4286129A (en) * | 1978-11-24 | 1981-08-25 | Orega Electronique Et Mecanique | Keyboard having sudden trip tactile effect keys |
US4314117A (en) * | 1980-07-24 | 1982-02-02 | Re-Al, Inc. | Membrane contact switch |
US4398074A (en) * | 1981-06-12 | 1983-08-09 | Oak Industries Inc. | Low profile switch having a sealed interior |
US4532376A (en) * | 1983-05-26 | 1985-07-30 | Sanders Associates, Inc. | Electronic pen with switching mechanism for selectively providing tactile or non-tactile feel |
US4703139A (en) * | 1983-09-06 | 1987-10-27 | Kb Denver, Inc. | Method in a snap dome switch keyboard assembly for reducing contact bounce time |
US4933522A (en) * | 1989-03-07 | 1990-06-12 | Itt Corporation | Flanged snap dome |
US20060028437A1 (en) * | 1992-03-05 | 2006-02-09 | Armstrong Brad A | Image controller |
US20060028436A1 (en) * | 1992-03-05 | 2006-02-09 | Armstrong Brad A | Image controller |
US9081426B2 (en) | 1992-03-05 | 2015-07-14 | Anascape, Ltd. | Image controller |
US7345670B2 (en) | 1992-03-05 | 2008-03-18 | Anascape | Image controller |
US20060028435A1 (en) * | 1995-02-23 | 2006-02-09 | Armstrong Brad A | Image controller |
US8674932B2 (en) | 1996-07-05 | 2014-03-18 | Anascape, Ltd. | Image controller |
US20050211460A1 (en) * | 2004-03-29 | 2005-09-29 | Draggie Raymond Q | Method and apparatus for A.C outlet having grounds-out receptacles |
US7785139B1 (en) | 2004-03-29 | 2010-08-31 | Mechanical Answers Llc | Electrical outlet having grounds-out receptacles and method |
US8025527B1 (en) | 2004-03-29 | 2011-09-27 | Mechanical Answers Llc | Electrical outlet having grounds-out receptacles and method |
US8348682B1 (en) | 2004-03-29 | 2013-01-08 | Mechanical Answers Llc | Method for electrical outlet having grounds-out receptacles |
US7278878B2 (en) | 2004-03-29 | 2007-10-09 | Mechanical Answers Llc | Method and apparatus for A.C. outlet having grounds-out receptacles |
US20080277251A1 (en) * | 2007-05-09 | 2008-11-13 | Snaptron, Inc. | Electrical switch apparatus and methods |
US20110181402A1 (en) * | 2008-01-16 | 2011-07-28 | Snaptron, Inc. | Novel Tactile Apparatus and Methods |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPS519277A (en) | 1976-01-24 |
CA1032996A (en) | 1978-06-13 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MOHAWK SYSTEMS CORPORATION, A DE CORP Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:MOHAWK DATA SCIENCES CORP., A NY CORP;REEL/FRAME:004596/0913 Effective date: 19860502 Owner name: MOMENTUM SYSTEMS CORPORATION Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:MOHAWK SYSTEMS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004596/0879 Effective date: 19860502 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON, THE, 100 FEDERAL ST Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:MONMENTUM SYSTEMS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005142/0446 Effective date: 19880901 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: DECISION DATA INC., A CORP. OF DE, PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:MOMENTUM SYSTEMS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF DE;REEL/FRAME:006673/0857 Effective date: 19920521 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A., AS AGENT, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON, AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:007846/0256 Effective date: 19951020 |