Patent ID: 8138432
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A switch assembly comprising: a body; an actuation button pivotally supported by said body; an electrical circuit portion underlying said actuation button; an elastomeric portion overlying said electrical circuit portion, said elastomeric portion having a pair of collapsible domes formed therein for providing respective connections on said electrical circuit portion when said domes are in collapsed positions; a plunger element supported by said body between said actuation button and said elastomeric portion, said plunger element comprising a first upwardly directed portion bearing against said actuation button such that movement of said actuation button causes said plunger element to move towards said elastomeric portion, a second downwardly directed portion aligned with a first of said collapsible domes such that movement of said actuation button in a first direction beyond a first predetermined threshold causes said second downwardly directed portion to collapse said first of said elastomeric domes, and a third downwardly directed portion spaced from said second downwardly directed portion such that said first upwardly directed portion is aligned between said second and third downwardly directed portions, said third downwardly directed portion being aligned with a second of said collapsible domes such that movement of said actuation button in a second direction beyond a second predetermined threshold causes said third downwardly directed portion to collapse said second of said elastomeric domes; and a limiting mechanism extending downwardly from said plunger element between said second and third downwardly directed portions towards said elastomeric portion to restrict movement of said plunger element beyond a lower limit to protect overloading of said collapsible domes.