Patent ID: 6455788
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: H01H,H04N

Abstract:
A bypass switch for use in an electronic device, comprising:a substrate on which first, second, and third terminals are mounted; a primary element, having first and second opposing ends, mounted to a bottom surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the first terminal at its first end and to the second terminal at its second end, wherein the primary element is electrically conductive; a bypass element, having first and second opposing ends, mounted to the bottom surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the third terminal at its first end and vertically aligned, at its second end, with the second end of the primary element, wherein the bypass element is electrically conductive; and an actuator mechanically coupled to the bypass element and extending through the substrate, the actuator having an actuating surface accessible at a top surface, opposite the bottom surface, of the substrate, wherein a downward force exerted upon the actuating surface of the actuator forces the second end of the bypass element away from the second end of the primary element, thereby electrically decoupling the bypass element and the third terminal from the first and second terminals.