GB2134321A - Touch switch apparatus - Google Patents

Touch switch apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2134321A
GB2134321A GB08318534A GB8318534A GB2134321A GB 2134321 A GB2134321 A GB 2134321A GB 08318534 A GB08318534 A GB 08318534A GB 8318534 A GB8318534 A GB 8318534A GB 2134321 A GB2134321 A GB 2134321A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
conductor
support member
ply
touch
top surface
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08318534A
Other versions
GB2134321B (en
GB8318534D0 (en
Inventor
Serge A Tcherepnin
Franklin Neal Eventoff
M Tyrone Christiansen
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/097,610 external-priority patent/US4268815A/en
Priority claimed from US06/110,416 external-priority patent/US4276538A/en
Priority claimed from US06/135,386 external-priority patent/US4301337A/en
Priority claimed from US06/140,937 external-priority patent/US4314228A/en
Priority claimed from US06/140,921 external-priority patent/US4315238A/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of GB8318534D0 publication Critical patent/GB8318534D0/en
Publication of GB2134321A publication Critical patent/GB2134321A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2134321B publication Critical patent/GB2134321B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/78—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
    • H01H13/807—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C23/00—Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
    • B60C23/02—Signalling devices actuated by tyre pressure
    • B60C23/04—Signalling devices actuated by tyre pressure mounted on the wheel or tyre
    • B60C23/0408—Signalling devices actuated by tyre pressure mounted on the wheel or tyre transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/02—Contacts characterised by the material thereof
    • H01H1/021—Composite material
    • H01H1/029—Composite material comprising conducting material dispersed in an elastic support or binding material
    • 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
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • 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
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/78—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
    • H01H13/785—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
    • 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
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/78—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
    • H01H13/80—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the manner of cooperation of the contacts, e.g. with both contacts movable or with bounceless contacts
    • 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
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H01H13/703—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2201/00—Contacts
    • H01H2201/002—Contacts bounceless
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2201/00—Contacts
    • H01H2201/022—Material
    • H01H2201/032—Conductive polymer; Rubber
    • H01H2201/036—Variable resistance
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2203/00—Form of contacts
    • H01H2203/012—Microprotrusions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2203/00—Form of contacts
    • H01H2203/02—Interspersed fingers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2211/00—Spacers
    • H01H2211/026—Spacers without separate element
    • H01H2211/032—Pressure sensitive layer on contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2213/00—Venting
    • H01H2213/002—Venting with external pressure
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2213/00—Venting
    • H01H2213/016—Venting in adhesive layer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
    • H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
    • H01H2215/008—Part of substrate or membrane
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/008—Actuators other then push button
    • H01H2221/02—Actuators other then push button pneumatic
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2225/00—Switch site location
    • H01H2225/002—Switch site location superimposed
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2225/00—Switch site location
    • H01H2225/006—Switch site location more then one pole
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2227/00—Dimensions; Characteristics
    • H01H2227/002—Layer thickness
    • H01H2227/012—Conductive rubber
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2227/00—Dimensions; Characteristics
    • H01H2227/002—Layer thickness
    • H01H2227/012—Conductive rubber
    • H01H2227/014—Conductive particles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/002—Screen printing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/012—Vacuum deposition
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/014—Electro deposition
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/024—Packing between substrate and membrane
    • H01H2229/028—Adhesive
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/038—Folding of flexible printed circuit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2231/00—Applications
    • H01H2231/018—Musical instrument
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/016—Miscellaneous combined with start switch, discrete keyboard
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/078—Variable resistance by variable contact area or point
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S84/00—Music
    • Y10S84/07—Electric key switch structure

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Switches (AREA)
  • Measuring Fluid Pressure (AREA)

Abstract

A touch switch apparatus has a first conductor layer 646 affixed to a first support member 620 and a second conductor layer 650 disposed on the bottom surface of a second support member 626. A third conductor layer 634 is also disposed on the top surface of the second support member 626 in opposing spaced-apart relationship to a fourth conductor layer 638 disposed on the bottom surface of a third support member 636. The second and third support members and the affixed conductor layers are resiliently deformable in response to a transverse touch force F to thereby cause electrical contact between the third and fourth and between the first and second conductors. Semiconductor layers 648,652 may be disposed on top of the conductors to provide a pressure sensitive resistance in series with the switches. <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB 2 134 321 A 1
SPECIFICATION
Multi-function touch switch apparatus The present invention relates to touch switch de- vices and in particular to multiple stacked touch switches which may be simultaneously closed by the application of a single transverse touching force.
Switching devices which are operable in response to application of a transverse touching force are well known. Frequently, however, it is desirable to per form several independent switching functions simul taneously upon the application of a single transverse touch force. For example, battery-powered musical instruments have recently been developed wherein keyboards consist of touch-sensitive switches inter connected in resistive networks to thereby replace strings or keys utilized on conventional instruments.
In such instruments, it is frequently desirable to use metal oxide semiconductor technology (MOS).
However, as is well known, MOS circuitry requires substantial amounts of power even if an input signal has been entirely disconnected by the opening of a switch. Hence, batteries are quickly drained of power and require frequent replacement even when the instrument has not been played but is on.
It is therefore desirable to provide a dual or multi-function switch which will perform the func tion of both connecting power to the circuitry and connecting or applying the input signal to the circuitry only when the touch-sensitive switch is depressed by a transverse touching force.
In another embodiment of the invention a semi conductor composition layer can be disposed on one or more of the contact surfaces of one or more of the stached switches to thereby interpose a resistance in series with the switch. The resistance in a preferred embodiment will be variable in response to varia tions in the transverse touching force.
The present invention is a multi-function touch switch apparatus comprising a plurality of juxta posed touch switches in a unitary stacked configura tion for being closed in response to a single transverse touching force. Each touch switch in the stacked configuration comprises a first conductor and a second conductor. The second conductor is juxtaposed opposite the first conductor in a spaced apart, normally opened switch relationship wherein at least one of the first and second conductors is resiliently deformable into electrically contacting relationship to the other of the first and second conductors by the transverse touching force. Each of the juxtaposed stacked touch switches may thus be electrically isolated from the remaining touch switches.
In the preferred embodiment, at least one of the first and second conductors of at least one of the stacked switches comprises a conductor layer with a semiconductor composition layer covering the con ductor layer so that the semiconductor composition layer faces the other of the first and second conduc tors for being contacted thereby when the transverse touch force is applied.
The semiconductor composition layers are prefer ably responsive to variations in the amount of 130 applied transverse touch force for decreasing the contact resistance across the surface of the semiconductor composition layer as the transverse touch force is increased.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with particular reference to the sole Figure of the accompanying drawing which is a cut-away side plan view of a dual-function, touchswitch apparatus of the invention.
Referring to the drawing, a dual function, touchswitch conf i6 u ration of the invention has a first support me;---iber 620 made of an insulative material which may be flexible or rigid. The first support member 620 has a top surface 622 on which a first conductor ply 624 is disposed.
A second support member 626, also made of insulative material, is spaced above the first support member 620 by first spacers 628. A second conductor ply 630 is positioned or otherwise affixed to the bottom surface of the second support member 626 facing but in spaced apart relationship to the first conductor ply 624. The second support member 626 is made of a material which is resiliently deformable so that the second conductor ply 630 can be depressed into contact with the first conductor ply 624 by the application of a transverse force F. Thus, the movement of the second conductor ply 630 into contact with the first conductor ply in response to an applied transverse force 632 provides a first touch switch 632.
A second touch switch 642 which is also operable in response to the same transverse force F is incorporated by providing a third conductor ply 634 on the top surface of the second support member 626. A third support member, which is also made of a resiliently deformable material, is spaced above the third conductor ply 634 by second spacers 640. A fourth conductor ply 638 is affixed on the bottom surface of a third support member 636 facing, but spaced apart from, the third conductor ply 634 in a normally opened, i.e. non-conducting, relationship. The third support member 636, and hence the fourth conductor ply 638, is spaced apart from the third conductor ply 634 by the second spacers 640.
In operation, the application of the transverse force F, which may be applied by simply pressing against the top surface of the third support member 636, causes the third support member 636 and the fourth conductor ply 638 to be resiliently deformed into electrical conducting contact with the third conductor ply 634 to thereby close the second switch 642 coupled between a power source 643 and the power supply input of a utilization circuit 644. As additional transverse touch force F is applied, the second support member, and hence the third conductor ply 34 and the second conductor ply 630 are resiliently deformed so that the second conductor ply 630 is brought into electrically contacting relationship with the first conductor ply 624 to thereby close the first switch 632 to thus couple an input signal to the utilization circuit 644.
In a basic embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, third and fourth plies 624, 630, 634 and 638, each comprise simply a conductive layer or plate disposed on the appropriate first, second, or 2 GB 2 134 321 A 2 third support members 620, 626 or 636.
In an alternative embodiment at least one of the first and second conductor plies 624 and 630 comprises a conductive layer on top of which is disposed a layer of semi-conductor material to thereby couple a resistance in series with the switch. Similarly, the second conductor ply 630 may include a second conductive layer 650 covered by a second semiconductor composition layer 652.
It will be appreciated, of course, that one or both of 75 the third and fourth conductor plies 634 and 638 may also incorporate a semiconductor top surface layer to provide an additional variable resistance across the switch 642.
Although the switches 632 and 642 of the present dual function touch switch apparatus previously disclosed, are closed substantially simultaneously, it will be appreciated that there will, in fact, be a very small delay between the time that the fourth conduc tor ply 638 contacts the third conductor ply 634 and the time the second conductor ply 630 contacts the first conductor ply 624. This very slight delay allows the power to be applied to the utilization circuit 644 priorto application of the input signal to the utilization circuit 644. This allows the various circuit 90 components to be substantially fully powered and thus operational prior to the connection of input signal.
It will be appreciated that more than two switches may be stacked on top of one another in a unitary touch switch apparatus to thereby provide a multi function touch switch apparatus without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Each such additional touch switch device may be configured in the manner previously described.

Claims (5)

1. A dual function, touch switch apparatus corn prising, in stacked configuration:
a first support member having a top surface; a first conductor ply positioned on the top surface of the first support member; a second support member having a bottom sur face facing the top surface of the first support member and having a top surface, the second support member being spaced from the first support member; a second conductor ply juxtaposed opposite the first conductor ply and affixed on the bottom surface of the second support member, in normally spaced apart relationship for defining a first switch; at least one of the first and second conductor plies comprising:
a first conductor layer attached to the adjacent one 120 of the first and second support members, and a first semi-conductor layer affixed on the first conductor layer and juxtaposed opposite the spaced-apart other of the first and second support members; a third conductor ply on the top surface of the second support member; a third support member having a top surface and a bottom surface facing but spaced from the top surface of the second support member; and 130 a fourth conductor ply on the bottom surface of the third support member and juxtaposed opposite the third conductor ply in normally spaced-apart relationship thereto for defining a second switch,. at least the second and third support members being resiliently deformable in response to the application of a transverse force for making electrical contact between the first and second conductor plies and between the third and fourth conductor plies.
2. A multi-function touch switch apparatus comprising a plurality of juxtaposed touch switches in a stacked configuration for being closed in response to a single transverse touch force, each touch switch comprising:
a first conductor ply; and a second conductor ply juxtaposed opposite the first conductor ply in normally spaced-apart relationship thereto, at least one of the first and second conductor plies being resiliently deformable into electrically contacting relationship to the other of the first and second conductor plies by the transverse touch force, each juxtaposed stacked touch switch being electrically isolated from the remaining touch switches.
3. A multi-function touch switch apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawing.
Superseded claims All New or amended claims:- 1. A dual function, touch switch apparatus comprising, in stacked configuration:
a first support member having a top surface; a first conductor ply positioned on the top surface of the first support member; a second support member having a bottom surface facing the top surface of the first support member and having a top surface, the second support member being spaced from the first support member; a second conductor plyjuxtaposed opposite the first conductor ply and affixed on the bottom surface of the second support member, in normally spacedapart relationship for defining a first switch; at least one of the first and second conductor plies comprising:
a first conductor layer attached to the adjacent one of the first and second support members, and a first semi-conductor layer affixed on the first conductor layer and juxtaposed opposite the spaced-apart other of the first and second support members; a third conductor ply on the top surface of the second support member; a third support member having a top surface and a bottom surface facing but spaced from the top surface of the second support member; and a fourth conductor ply on the bottom surface of the third support member and juxtaposed opposite the third conductor ply in normally spaced-apart relationship thereto for defining a second switch, at least the second and third support members being resiliently deformable in response to the application of a transverse force for enabling electrical conduction between the first and second conductor plies and between the third and fourth conductor plies.
c w _i 3 GB 2 134 321 A 3 2. A multi-function touch switch apparatus comprising a plurality of juxtaposed touch switches in a vertically stacked configuration for being closed in response to a single vertically applied transverse touch force, each touch switch comprising:
a first conductor ply; and a second conductor ply juxtaposed opposite the first conductor ply in normally spaced-apart relationship thereto, at least one of the first and second conductor plies being resiliently deformable into electrically conducting relationship to the other of the first and second conductor plies by the transverse touch force, each juxtaposed stacked touch switch being electrically isolated from the remaining touch switches, at least one of the first and second conductor plies of at least one of the juxtaposed stacked switches comprising a conductor layer and a semiconductor composition layer covering the conductor layer wherein the semiconductor composi- tion layer faces the other of the first and second conductor plies for being contacted thereby when the transverse touch force is applied to close the juxtaposed stacked switches.
3. The dual function, touch switch apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one of the third and fourth conductors comprises:
a second conductor layer; and a second semiconductor composition layer in permanent contacting relationship to the second conductor layer, the conductor layer being between the adjacent one of the second and third support members and the second semiconductor composition layer.
4. The dual function, touch switch apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first semiconductor composition layers are responsive to variations in the applied transverse touch force for decreasing the contact resistance across the surface of the semiconductor composition layer as the transverse touch force is increased.
5. A touch switch apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the single Figure of the accompanying drawing.
Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, by Croydon Printing Company limited, Croydon, Surrey, 1984. Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.
GB08318534A 1979-11-26 1983-07-08 Touch switch apparatus Expired GB2134321B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/097,610 US4268815A (en) 1979-11-26 1979-11-26 Multi-function touch switch apparatus
US06/110,416 US4276538A (en) 1980-01-07 1980-01-07 Touch switch keyboard apparatus
US06/135,386 US4301337A (en) 1980-03-31 1980-03-31 Dual lateral switch device
US06/140,937 US4314228A (en) 1980-04-16 1980-04-16 Pressure transducer
US06/140,921 US4315238A (en) 1979-09-24 1980-04-16 Bounceless switch apparatus

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8318534D0 GB8318534D0 (en) 1983-08-10
GB2134321A true GB2134321A (en) 1984-08-08
GB2134321B GB2134321B (en) 1985-05-01

Family

ID=27536842

Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8037047A Expired GB2064873B (en) 1979-11-26 1980-11-19 Pressure sensitive electric switch
GB08318533A Expired GB2134320B (en) 1979-11-26 1983-07-08 Pressure transducer
GB08318534A Expired GB2134321B (en) 1979-11-26 1983-07-08 Touch switch apparatus
GB08322859A Expired GB2134322B (en) 1979-11-26 1983-08-25 Dual switches

Family Applications Before (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8037047A Expired GB2064873B (en) 1979-11-26 1980-11-19 Pressure sensitive electric switch
GB08318533A Expired GB2134320B (en) 1979-11-26 1983-07-08 Pressure transducer

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08322859A Expired GB2134322B (en) 1979-11-26 1983-08-25 Dual switches

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AU (1) AU544234B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1153801A (en)
DE (1) DE3044384C2 (en)
FR (1) FR2470435B1 (en)
GB (4) GB2064873B (en)
IT (1) IT1143185B (en)
NL (1) NL8006409A (en)
SE (1) SE452925B (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1153801A (en) 1983-09-13
DE3044384A1 (en) 1981-08-27
GB2134322B (en) 1985-05-01
GB2134321B (en) 1985-05-01
GB2064873A (en) 1981-06-17
IT8050239A0 (en) 1980-11-25
AU6467980A (en) 1981-06-04
GB8318533D0 (en) 1983-08-10
SE452925B (en) 1987-12-21
FR2470435A1 (en) 1981-05-29
IT1143185B (en) 1986-10-22
AU544234B2 (en) 1985-05-23
GB8318534D0 (en) 1983-08-10
GB2134322A (en) 1984-08-08
DE3044384C2 (en) 1994-05-11
NL8006409A (en) 1981-06-16
FR2470435B1 (en) 1985-06-14
GB2134320B (en) 1985-05-01
SE8008205L (en) 1981-05-27
GB2064873B (en) 1984-09-05
GB8322859D0 (en) 1983-09-28
GB2134320A (en) 1984-08-08

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732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19971119