Patent ID: 6466118
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
An electrical conductor arrangement, for use with a magnetically coupled pushbutton switch having an overlay, a coupler magnet layer, an armature with a heel end and a toe end, and a substrate layer, the electrical conductor arrangement comprising:a crown on the armature, the crown being a raised portion that is closest the heel end of the armature and farthest from the toe end of the armature, the armature and the crown being electrically conductive; a first stable position of the switch, where the armature is magnetically coupled to the coupler magnet layer in a rest position; a second stable position of the switch, where the armature is partially actuated such that the heel end of the armature has broken away from the coupler magnet layer and traveled to the substrate layer, but the toe end of the armature is in contact with the coupler magnet layer; a third stable position of the switch, where the heel end of the armature and the toe end of the armature are in contact with the substrate layer, in a fully actuated position; a state of initial travel of the switch, where the armature is in a position between the first stable position and the second stable position; a state of final travel of the switch, where the armature is in a position between the second stable position and the third stable position; an overlay electrical conductor that electrically contacts the crown at least when the armature is in the second or third stable position; and a first set of electrical conductors that may be electrically opened or closed by a user provided actuation force, the overlay electrical conductor being part of the first set of electrical conductors.