Abstract:
A switch device includes a contact member and a plunger that removably connects to the contact member. The contact member creates a first audible feedback sound in response to being placed in a first electrical state. Additionally, a switch device includes a compressible contact member including at least one removable electrical contact portion, and a movable member that removably connects to a center portion of the compressible contact member. The compressible contact member creates a first audible feedback sound in response to being placed in a compressed state by the moveable member and creates a second audible feedback sound in response to being uncompressed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an electrical switch, and in particular to a push button switch. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electrical switches are used to make electrical connections or contacts between electrical wires. As compared with conventional toggle switches, push button switches usually occupy less space and make faster electrical contacts. Push button switches are commonly used in automobiles, flashlights, and many other circuitries for ON-OFF switching or for toggling between various modes. However, existing push button switches do not provide accurate audible feedback is for making or breaking electrical contact. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a method and a switch apparatus with an audible indication substantially concurrently or simultaneously with establishment of an electrical contact. 
     In one aspect, the invention provides an electrical switch apparatus, which in accordance with a preferred embodiment includes a contact member and a push button configured to press directly against the contact member when the electrical switch apparatus is in a closed state. The contact member is configured to make an electrical contact substantially concurrently with a first audible feedback when pressed by the push button at a pressure higher than a predetermined threshold. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a spring member to coupled to the push button. The apparatus may have a housing and a cover forming an enclosure that partially encloses the push button and substantially encloses the contact member. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal, wherein the contact member is configured to make the electrical contact between the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal. The first and second electrical terminals each have a retaining portion for retaining an electrical wire. The first and second electrical terminals each have a contact portion, and the contact portion of the second terminal is formed at an angle relative to the retaining portion. The contact member and the first electrical terminal are in constant electrical contact. The contact member has a plurality of legs, and one of the legs is always in electrical contact with the contact portion of the first electrical terminal. 
     The contact member may be made of stainless steel. 
     In one embodiment, the contact member is substantially dome shaped, and the contact member is configured to make the first audible feedback substantially concurrently with the establishment of the electrical contact. Preferably the contact member is configured to make the electrical contact within about 0.3 milliseconds from making the audible feedback. 
     The contact member may be configured to make a second audible feedback when the push button is released, and wherein the second audible feedback is different from the audible feedback when making the electrical contact. 
     In one embodiment, the push button has a plunger portion having a tip configured to press directly against a center portion of the contact member. The switch may further comprise a plunger cover substantially enclosing the tip of the plunger portion, wherein the plunger cover is removably coupled to the push button, and wherein the plunger cover and the tip are made of different materials. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for providing an electrical contact using a substantially dome-shaped contact member substantially concurrently with making an audible feedback. The method includes pressing a push button directly against a center portion of the contact member, and thereby deforming the contact member to make the electrical contact. The contact member is configured to make a first audible feedback substantially concurrently with making the electrical contact when pressed at a pressure higher than a predetermined threshold. 
     In one embodiment, the contact member is configured to make the first audible feedback within a first time interval of less than 0.3 milliseconds of establishing the electrical contact. The contact member may be further configured to make a second audible feedback within a second time interval from breaking the electrical contact, wherein the second time interval is substantially longer than the first time interval. 
     The method may further comprise adjusting the first audible feedback by removably coupling a plunger cover to a plunger portion of the push button, wherein the plunger cover and the plunger portion are made of different materials. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides an electrical system, including a plurality of electrical wires, and a switch for making an electrical contact between at least two of the plurality of electrical wires, wherein the switch includes a contact member, and a push button configured to press directly against the contact member when the electrical switch apparatus is in a closed state. The contact member is configured to make the electrical contact substantially concurrently with an audible feedback when pressed by the push button at a pressure higher than a predetermined threshold. 
     In one embodiment, the contact member is made of stainless steel. The contact member may be substantially dome shaped, and the audible feedback includes a clicking sound. The contact member is preferably configured to make the electrical contact within about 0.3 milliseconds from making the clicking sound. The predetermined threshold is preferably about 3.9 N. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides an electrical switch assembly including a switch body, a contact member substantially enclosed in the switch body, a push button partially enclosed in the switch body and configured to press directly against the contact member when the electrical switch apparatus is in a closed state, and a plurality of terminals configured for making electrical contacts with the contact member, wherein the contact member is configured to make an electrical contact substantially concurrently with a first audible feedback when pressed by the push button at a pressure higher than a predetermined threshold. 
     In one embodiment, the switch body further includes a locking ring for locking the switch assembly onto a panel or a wall. The switch body may further include a guard ring around the push button, and wherein a diameter of the push button is smaller than a diameter of the locking ring. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  shows an exploded view of an electrical switch assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  shows the unassembled electrical switch assembly of  FIG. 1A  from a different angle. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of an assembled electrical switch. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of an internal structure of the electrical switch of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of a substantially dome-shaped contact member of the switch. 
         FIG. 3B  shows a top view of the contact member of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  shows a side view of the contact member of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3D  shows a side view of the contact member in its compressed, or flattened, state as compared with its normal state. 
         FIG. 3E  shows a partially-cut perspective view of the internal structure of the electrical switch of  FIG. 2B  in its connected, or closed, state. 
         FIGS. 4A-4F  show various views of a push button of the switch. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  show various views of a bottom contact member of the switch. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a cover of the switch together with the contact member and the electrical terminals. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the cover of the switch together with the electrical terminals and without the dome-shaped contact member. 
         FIGS. 8A-8E  show various views of the cover alone of the switch. 
         FIGS. 9A-9D  show various views of the housing alone of the switch. 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  show various embodiments of means for plugging the switch into an electrical system. 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of an assembled electrical switch locked onto a panel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows an exploded view of the electrical switch assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an electrical push button switch that provides audible feedback for making and/or breaking electrical contact. Exemplary implementations of the present invention described below provide an audible indication when electrical connection is made and/or broken via the switch, to keep a user informed of the timing and operation modes of the switch. 
       FIG. 1A  shows an exploded view of an electrical momentary push button switch  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the push button switch  10  may be connected to an electrical system using a plurality of wires or leads  11   a ,  11   b . The switch  10  includes a spring member  12 , a contact member  13 , a push button  14 , a cover  16 , a housing  18  and terminals  19   a ,  19   b  that can be coupled to the wires  11   a ,  11   b , respectively (the switch  10  may or may not include the wires  11   a ,  11   b ). The housing  18  has a plurality of cut-aways  23   a , which as shown are half-circular shaped. The push button  14  includes a plunger portion  15 . The cover  16  has a plurality of corresponding cut-aways  23   b . The cover  16  and the housing  18  together may be referred to as the switch body  28  ( FIG. 2A ).  FIG. 1B  shows the unassembled momentary push button switch  10  of  FIG. 1A  from a different angle, illustrating more details of the housing  18 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of an assembled switch  10 . As shown, when the push button switch  10  is assembled, the switch body  28  including the cover  16  and the housing  18  substantially encloses the spring  12 , the contact member  13  and terminals  19   a  and  19   b , and partially encloses the push button  14 . 
     The cover  16  and the housing  18  may be made of, for example, injection molded plastic. Designating parts of the switch  10  as the cover  16  and the housing  18 , for example, is simply a matter of convenience for description. The enclosure, e.g., the cover  16  and the housing  18 , of the switch  10  can be manufactured from more or fewer parts to enclose components such as the spring  12 , the contact member  13  and terminals  19   a  and  19   b . In addition, the switch  10  to can be installed and operated in any position, such as the push button  14  pointing upward, downward, or angled relative to the operator. Thus, designating the cover  16  and the housing  18  does not indicate a preferred orientation of the switch  10 . 
     The housing  18  includes an aperture  20  for the push button  14  to extend therethrough, and a guard ring  21  surrounding the push button  14 . The cut-aways  23   a  of the housing  18  and the cut-aways  23   b  of the cover  16  ( FIG. 1A ) form a plurality of apertures  23  ( FIG. 2A ) when the switch  10  is assembled, allowing the electrical wires  11   a  and  11   b  to extend therethrough. Some of the apertures  23  may be reserved, for example, for closing lines. The apertures  23  as shown are substantially circular in shape. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other shapes are possible, and that the apertures  23  are not necessarily formed with cut-aways in both the housing  18  and the cover  16 . 
       FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of the internal structure of the assembled electrical switch  10  of  FIG. 2A  with the housing  18  and the cover  16  not shown, for clarity. The push button  14  is concentric with the spring  12 , wherein the plunger portion  15  of the push button  14  is disposed within the core (center)  17  of the spring  12 .  FIG. 2B  shows the push button  14  and the spring  12  in its fully uncompressed state. 
     The switch  10  is in a normally open state as shown in  FIG. 2B , where the button  14  is not pushed and is supported by the spring  12  to be away from the to contact member  13 . The switch  10  can be closed by pressing the button  14 , which compresses the spring  12  causing a tip  22  of the plunger portion  15  to compress the contact member  13 , which makes an electrical contact between terminals  19   a  and  19   b . When the button  14  is released, the switch  10  returns to its open state as the contact member  13  returns to the dome shape and breaks the electrical contact. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C , in one implementation, the contact member  13 , when uncompressed is substantially “dome” shaped, wherein the contact member  13  comprises a plurality of contact legs (e.g.,  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c ,  13   d ). The contact member  13  may be unitarily formed using a resilient, conductive, material, for example, stainless steel. The material and the “dome” shape of the contact member  13  are selected to provide the contact member  13  with spring loaded characteristics, wherein without external pressure, the contact member  13  always returns to its original dome shape shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
     Specifically,  FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of the substantially dome-shaped contact member  13 . Each of the contact legs  13   a - 13   d  has a tilted portion  31 , which as discussed further below helps secure the contact member  13  in the cover  16 . Each of the legs  13   a - 13   d  may have a corresponding electrical terminal. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B , only two electrical terminals  19   a  and  19   b  are present. Thus, only corresponding legs  13   b  and  13   d  of the contact member  13  are used for making/breaking electrical contact. The other legs  13   a  and  13   c  may provide some mechanical support for the dome, but are not used for making/breaking electrical contact in this embodiment. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, more or fewer contact legs for the contact member  13  may be implemented as the number of the electrical terminals varies. 
       FIG. 3B  shows a top view of the contact member  13  of  FIG. 3A , and  FIG. 3C  shows a side view of the contact member  13 , illustrating an angle α between the tilted portions  31  relative to the legs  13   a - d . In one embodiment, the angle α is in the range between 10° and 60°, and is preferably about 30°. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3C-3E , in one implementation, the dome shaped contact member  13  is configured such that the center portion (i.e., dome)  33  is more susceptible to deformation (e.g., relative to the legs  13   a - 13   d ) and generating an audible feedback (e.g., clicking sound) when the center portion  33  of the contact member  13  is compressed by the tip  22  of the plunger portion  15  ( FIG. 3E ) from an uncompressed state  35  ( FIG. 3D ) to a fully compressed state  37  ( FIGS. 3D-3E ). This may be achieved, for example, by making the center portion  33  with physical properties (e.g., thickness, texture, material), different from those of other portions (e.g., legs  13   a - d ) of the contact member  13 . 
     For example, when the center portion  33  of the contact member  13  is exposed to a compression pressure higher than a predetermined threshold, (e.g., about 3.9 N), the contact member  13  deforms to a compressed, or flattened, state  37 , as shown in  FIGS. 3D-E . 
       FIG. 3D  compares the uncompressed position  35  and the compressed position  37  of the contact member  13 . During the compression process from the uncompressed state  35  to the compressed (deformed) state  37 , the center portion  33  travels a distance d to make electrical contact with the terminal  19   b  and substantially concurrently generates an audible sound due to deformation. 
     Preferably, a time difference t between generating said audible sound, and making electrical contact between the center portion  33  and the terminal  19   b , is less than a selected threshold value. Based on the overall dimensions of the switch  10 , travel distance d has a predetermined value selected based on a time t between: (1) making electrical contact (i.e., the center portion  33  electrically contacting the terminal  19   b ) and (2) generating said audible sound due to deformation of the center portion  33 , wherein 0≦t&lt;threshold. In one example, the distance d is about 0.024 inch, to realize a specified t less than 0.3 milliseconds, such that the time difference t between generating an audible sound (e.g., a mechanical clicking) due to deformation of the center portion  33 , and making electrical contact between the center portion  33  and the terminal  19   b , is less than 0.3 milliseconds. 
       FIG. 3E  shows a partially-cut perspective view of the internal structure of the electrical switch  10  of  FIG. 2B  in its making contact (connected), or closed, state. As shown, the spring member  12 , which surrounds the plunger portion  15  of the push button  14 , is compressed when the button  14  is pressed into the housing  18  such that the tip  22  of the plunger portion  15  presses against the contact member  13 , compressing the contact member  13 . As a result, the contact member  13  deforms and substantially flattens from dome state  35  into flat state  37 , generating an audible sound within a time period t of the center  33  of the contact member  13  coming in electrical contact with the terminal  19   b.    
     In this closed state, the contact leg  13   b  of the contact member  13  is in electrical contact with the terminal  19   a , and the center  33  of the contact member  13  is in electrical contact with the terminal  19   b . As a result, electrical contact is established between the terminals  19   a  and  19   b  through the contact member  13 . 
     By pressing the push button  14 , which is made of a relatively stiff material such as plastic, directly on the contact member  13 , embodiments of the invention advantageously allow an electrical connect be established faster than if the spring  12  is used to compress the contact member  13  to cause the contact member  13  to flatten. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B , the spring  12  is mainly to keep button  14  away from the contact member  13  in the normally open state, and contributes little to the pressure received by the center  33  of the contact member  13  when the button  14  is pressed down towards the content member  13  while compressing the spring  12 . 
     In the above exemplary implementation of the contact member  13 , making electrical contact with the terminal  19   b  and substantially concurrently generating an audible sound due to deformation involves: generating an audible sound within a specified time interval t, preferably less than 0.3 milliseconds, of the portion  33  making electrical contact with the terminal  19   b . Another implementation involves making electrical contact with the terminal  19   b  within a specified time interval, preferably less than 0.3 milliseconds, of generating an audible sound. 
     By generating an audible sound substantially concurrently with making electrical contact, the momentary push button switch  10  provides an audible feedback to the user of making or breaking electrical contact. 
     When applied to, for example, a flashlight, the audible sound provides the user with a feedback indicating an operation mode or status of the flashlight which the user may otherwise be unaware of. If the time interval t between the clicking sound and the establishment of the electrical contact is too long, e.g., substantially longer than 0.3 milliseconds, the feedback becomes less useful to the user. 
     When pressure is removed from the push button  14 , the spring  12  pushes the tip  22  of the push button  14  away from the center portion  33  of the contact member  13 . In one implementation, this causes the center portion  33  to revert from the flat state  37  ( FIG. 3D ) to the dome state  35 , breaking electrical contact with the terminal  19   b  and also generating a second audible sound substantially concurrently with (e.g., within a time period T milliseconds of) breaking electrical contact. 
     Specifically, when the push button  14  is released, the contact member  13  bounces back from its compressed state  37  ( FIG. 3D ) to its normal state  35 , while the switch  10  breaks contact (is turned off). This process may be configured to occur during a specified time interval T (e.g., T&lt;6 milliseconds), between the second audible sound and the turning off of the switch  10 . Further, the second audible sound may be different from the first audible sound in that the second clicking sound may last longer and/or have a lower/higher pitch to indicate breaking contact. Preferably the second clicking sound has a lower pitch and lasts longer as compared with the first clicking sound. By generating an audible sound substantially concurrently with breaking electrical contact, the momentary push button switch  10  provides an audible feedback for breaking electrical contact. The values t and T may be the same, or may be different. The audible sound is of a specified loudness such that the sound can be heard from a distance of a few feet or more, such that in various applications such as on a flashlight or in an automobile the audible sound can be positively identified by the user. 
       FIGS. 4A-4F  show more details of the push button  14  of the switch  10 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the push button  14  has a plunger portion  15  and a push button body  43 . The plunger portion  15  has a semispherical tip  22  configured to press against the center portion  33  of the contact member  13 . The body  43  has a plurality of protrusions  44 - 47 . In the view of  FIG. 4B , a pressing portion  48  is shown as part of the push button body  43 . When operating the switch  10 , an operator presses the pressing portion  48  using, for example, a finger tip. Accordingly, the pressing portion  48  may be made of a material different from the rest of the push button  14 . For example, the pressing portion  48  may be made of rubber, which is softer than the plastic body  43 , for increased friction between the operator&#39;s finger tip and the surface of the pressing portion  48 . 
       FIG. 4C  shows a cross-sectional view of the push button  14 , from the A-A section as shown in  FIG. 4D , which is a view from the pressing portion  48 . FIG.  4 E shows a side view.  FIG. 4F  shows a view of the push button  14  from the tip  22  of the plunger portion  15 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  show various views of the terminal  19   b  of the switch  10 . As shown in the perspective view in  FIG. 5A , the terminal  19   b  has a retaining portion  51  for retaining one of the wires  11   b  ( FIG. 1 ), and a contact portion  53  for making electrical contact with the contact member  13  in the closed state. As shown in the top view in  FIG. 5B , the contact portion  53  is angled from the longitudinal axis  55  of the retaining portion  51 . The relative angle y as shown is in the range of 0° to 40°, and is preferably about 10°. A tip portion  57  is at a relative angle β, which is in the range of 90° to 120°, and preferably about 100°, from the axis  55 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, a different angle may be necessary when the terminal is used in conjunction with a different portion of the contact member  13 , such as different contact legs.  FIG. 5C  is a side view of the terminal  19   b.    
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the cover  16  of the switch  10 . The cover  16  has a plurality of extrusions  61  for mating with corresponding recesses in the housing  18 . The cover  16  also has a recess  63  configured to retain the contact member  13 . The tilted portion  31  of the contact member  13  helps the contact member  13  being snuggly coupled to the cover  16  at the recess  63 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the cover  16  with the contact member  13  removed. The recess  63  has a circular portion  63   a  and a plurality of leg portions such as  63   b . The recess  63  is shaped to have the contact member  13  fit in. The angled contact portion  53  of the terminal  19   a  extends through the center of the circular portion  63   a  in order to have electrical contact with the center portion  33  of the contact member  13 . The contact portion  73  of the terminal  19   b  has one or more apertures  75  to have one or more of the protrusions  61  extend therethrough. 
       FIGS. 8A-8E  show various views of the cover  16 . As seen in the internal view in  FIG. 8A , a plurality of extrusions  61  are arranged around the recess  63 , and are used to mate with the housing  18  shown in  FIGS. 9A-9E . Additionally, some of the extrusions, e.g.,  61   a - 61   d , are configured to secure the terminal  19   a  therebetween ( FIG. 7 ).  FIG. 8B  is an external view of the cover  16 , wherein certain patterns such as a company logo  81  may be disposed on an external, bottom, surface  83  of the cover  16 .  FIG. 8C  is a side view of the cover  16 .  FIG. 8D  is a cross-sectional view showing the cut-aways  23   b  at an end  23   c  of the cover  16 .  FIG. 8E  includes perspective views from both sides of the cover  16 . 
       FIGS. 9A-9D  show various views of the housing  18 . As seen in the internal view in  FIG. 9A , a plurality of recesses  81  are configured to receive extrusions  61  ( FIG. 8A ) from the cover  16 .  FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional view, and further illustrates the locking ring  24  around the guard ring  21  for locking the switch onto a wall  25 . As shown, the outer diameter  21   d  of the guard ring is smaller than the outer diameter  24   d  of the locking ring  24 . A portion  27  of the guard ring  21  below the locking ring  24  has a diameter  27   d  also smaller than the outer diameter  24   d  of the locking ring. Thus, the locking ring  24  can lock the housing  18  onto the panel  25  as shown.  FIG. 9C  is a side view showing the cut-aways  23   a .  FIG. 9D  includes perspective views from both sides of the housing  18 . 
       FIGS. 10A-10C  show embodiments of means for connecting the switch into an electrical system. In  FIG. 10A , the switch  100  has male terminals  101   a ,  101   b  in electrical contacts with terminals  19   a  and  19   b , respectively. The male terminals  101   a ,  101   b  extend through cut-aways  23   b  on the cover  16 . Accordingly, the switch  100  can be conveniently plugged into a socket in an electrical system. The switch  110  in  FIG. 10B , on the other hand, has female terminals  111   a  and  111   b  for receiving male terminals through cut-aways  23   b  on the cover  16  from an electrical system. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10C , the cover  16  of the switch  120  has apertures  121   a  and  121   b  on its bottom  83  for receiving electrical terminals for connection with terminals  19   a  and  19   b . Thus, the switch  120  can be plugged in from the cover side through the bottom surface  83 . 
     In addition, the cover  16  in  FIG. 10C  may also have cut-aways  23   b  on one end (edge or side)  23   c , similar to the cut-aways  23   b  of the cover in  FIG. 1A . A housing (not shown) may be used with the cover  16  in  FIG. 10C , wherein the housing can be similar to the housing  18  in  FIG. 1A  and have corresponding cut-aways  23   a  similar to those of  FIG. 1A , except that the cut-aways for the housing for the embodiment of  FIG. 10C  may be rectangular shaped to match the cut-aways  23   b  of the cover  16 . The cutaways  23   b  and  23   a  in the side of the cover and housing for the switch  120  in  FIG. 10C , respectively, form apertures (e.g., similar to apertures  23  in  FIG. 2A ) that allows the switch  120  to also receive electrical terminals from the end  23   c  of the switch  120 . 
       FIG. 11  shows another perspective view of an assembled electrical switch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown the housing  18  further comprises a locking ring  24  around the guard ring  21 , allowing the switch  10  to be installed on a panel or wall  25 . This is realized by fitting a portion of the guard ring  21  through an aperture  26  in the panel or wall  25 , and then locking the switch  10  onto the panel or wall  25  using the locking ring  24 . 
       FIG. 12  shows an embodiment of the switch  10  where the plunger portion  15  of the push button  14  is partially enclosed by a plunger cover  121 . The plunger cover  121  is removably coupled to the push button  14  and is made of a material different from that of the push button  14 . For example, the push button  14  including the plunger portion  15  may be made of a relatively stiff plastic material, while the plunger cover  121  may be made of a softer, resilient material such as rubber or silicone. By using a plunger cover  121  made with different materials and/or with different thicknesses, the pitch and duration of the audible feedback can be adjusted. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the configurations of the recesses  81  in the housing  18  and the corresponding extrusions  61  of the cover  16  may be configured differently from the embodiments shown in the drawings. For example, recesses may be formed in the cover  16 , or in both the housing  18  and the cover  16 . Similarly, extrusions may be formed in either, or both, of the housing  18  and the cover  16 . In addition, other types of coupling between the cover  16  and the housing  18  are possible. For example, a hinge between the cover  16  and the housing  18  may be used for easy access to the enclosure of the switch  10 . Alternatively, glues or screws may be used to couple the cover  16  and the housing  18 . 
     Advantageously, embodiments of the invention provide an electrical switch that has an audible feedback to the user substantially concurrently with making the electrical contact. Thus, the user is informed of the timing of the electrical contact. This is also useful when the user needs to count the number of clicks to be aware of the status of the switch, such as when different numbers/sound of clicks correspond to different positions of on/off and/or operation modes. 
     The present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof; however, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.