Patent Publication Number: US-2023154698-A1

Title: Multi-position keyboard key switch

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/397,943 filed on Aug. 9, 2021 and entitled DUAL CONDUCTIVE KEY SWITCH, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, this continuation claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/397,943 filed on Aug. 9, 2021. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of keyboard switches, and more specifically and particularly, to a multi-position key switch—a single switch having more than one state of conducting when depressed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     At the present, users of keyboards are familiar with the typical operation of a key when depressed—a single letter or number is generally displayed on a monitor or screen when alpha numeric keys are depressed, and various functions may be performed when other keys are depressed. 
     More specifically stated, each key when depressed results in a single trigger—typically a conductive trigger, but key switches may also operate with induction, capacitive-coupling, optical triggers, or other such methods or systems that can detect when a key has been depressed and result in a signal that such an action has occurred. 
     While the typical keyboard may appear to offer more than one option for at least some key switches—capital letters vs lower case, numbers vs symbols, and function keys vs system adjustments, etc . . . this duality of behavior is actually dependent upon the user depressing yet another key first—a Shift, Control, Command, or other key. 
     Moreover, the same key for the lower case “a” and the capital “A” is depressed, and the same signal of its depression is received—the determination of a lower case or capital letter being dependent not on how the key itself was depressed, but on whether or not another key was depressed to indicate a change in case. 
     Key switches as used in keyboards must also operate reliably over a relatively long service life, and in many cases users desire keyboards with keys that have a desirable tactile feel. More specifically, many users prefer the feel of a key switch that provides at least some range real motion, such as 4 millimeters, so that the human user has a tactical awareness of the selected key being depressed, and then released. 
     But it is also to be appreciated that in many fields where traditional keyboards are used, speed and efficiency are often highly desired—such as for example in the field of multi person computer gaming. In addition, although most people do have two hands with ten fingers, there are people who have suffered a handicap and as such do not have use of two hands. Still further, that are situations where a person may be attempting to multi task with many different devices, and requiring both hands to be on a keyboard may be less efficient then otherwise desired. In short, a key switch that provides more than just one conductive trigger could be beneficial to many users in many settings. 
     Hence there is a need for a multi-position keyboard key switch that is capable of overcoming one or more of the above identified challenges. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Our invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a novel multi action key switch providing more than one conductive trigger. 
     In particular, and by way of example only, according to at least one embodiment, provided is a multi-position electrical switch including: an enclosure; a stem structured and arranged to move along a vertical axis within the housing, the stem providing a plurality of distinct horizontal protrusions as physical deactivators at different elevations along the vertical axis; a plurality of distinct electrical contacts, each contact provided by a paired stationary element and a movable element for flexibly making and breaking electrical contact with the stationary element, the movable element biased for contact with the stationary element, each distinct electrical contact associated with at least one distinct horizontal protrusion; and a spring disposing the stem in an initial position in which the plurality of distinct horizontal protrusions dispose all of the movable elements in broken contact; wherein depression of the stem along the vertical axis sequentially transitions the distinct horizontal protrusions away from the movable elements permitting contact with their paired stationary elements. 
     In yet another embodiment, provided is a multi-position electrical switch including: an enclosure provided by at least a bottom housing and a top housing, the top hosing having an aperture; a stem structured and arranged to move along a vertical axis within the housing through the aperture of the top housing, the stem providing a plurality of distinct pairs of horizontal fins at different elevations along the vertical axis, each fin having a first surface inclined towards the vertical axis, a plurality of distinct electrical contacts, each contact provided by a paired stationary element and a movable element for flexibly making and breaking electrical contact with the stationary element, the movable element biased for contact with the stationary element, each distinct electrical contact associated with one of the horizontal fins; and a spring disposed between the bottom housing and the stem, the spring disposing the stem in an initial position in which a portion of the plurality of first surfaces dispose all of the movable elements in broken contact; wherein motion of the stem along the vertical axis sequentially transitions the movable elements along the first surfaces of their associated fins to sequentially transition the movable elements and the stationary elements between making contact and breaking contact. 
     For yet another embodiment, provided is a multi-position electrical switch including: an enclosure provided by at least a bottom housing and a top housing, the top hosing having an aperture; a stem structured and arranged to move along a vertical axis within the housing through the aperture of the top housing, the stem providing a plurality of horizontal protrusions, the horizontal protrusions including at least; a first horizontal fin having a first surface at a first elevation along the vertical axis, the first surface inclined towards the vertical axis; a second horizontal fin having a second surface at a second elevation along the vertical axis different from the first elevation, the second surface inclined towards the vertical axis; a plurality of distinct electrical contacts, each contact provided by a paired stationary element and a movable element for flexibly making and breaking electrical contact with the stationary element, the movable element biased for contact with the stationary element, each distinct electrical contact associated with one of the horizontal protrusions; and a spring disposed between the bottom housing and the stem, the spring disposing the stem in an initial position in which each first surface and each third surface dispose all of the movable elements in broken contact; herein motion of the stem along the vertical axis sequentially transitions the movable elements between the first and second surfaces or third and fourth surfaces of their associated horizontal protrusions to sequentially transition the movable elements and the stationary elements between making contact and breaking contact. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are exploded perspective views of a multi-position switch in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 D  are perspective, side, top, and front views of a stem element as incorporated in a multi-position switch in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 F  are top, front, side, back, and perspective views of the stationary element of an electrical contact as incorporated in a multi-position switch in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 F  are top, front, side, back, and perspective views of the movable element of an electrical contact electrical contact as incorporated in a multi-position switch in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 F  are top, front, side, back, and perspective views of the electrical contact provided by a stationary element and movable element of an electrical contact as incorporated in a multi-position switch in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  6 A- 9 C  are progressive external views, partially exposed view and cut through views of a multi-position switch transitioning from an initial at rest position to a fully depressed position in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  10 A- 10 D  present conceptual illustrations of a fully assembled multi-position switch in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before proceeding with the detailed description, it is to be appreciated that the present teaching is by way of example only, not by limitation. The concepts herein are not limited to use or application with a specific key switch. Thus, although the instrumentalities described herein are for the convenience of explanation shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood and appreciated that the principles herein may be applied equally in other types of systems involving key switches and more specifically multi-position key switches for keyboards. 
     This invention is described with respect to preferred embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. Further, with respect to the numbering of the same or similar elements, it will be appreciated that the leading values identify the Figure in which the element is first identified and described, e.g., element  100  first appears in  FIG.  1   . 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  present an exploded view of a multi-position switch  100 , hereinafter MPS  100 . To facilitate the description of systems and methods for this MD MPS SV  100  the orientation of MPS  100 , as presented in the figures, is referenced to the coordinate system with three axes orthogonal to one another as shown in  FIG.  1   . The axes intersect mutually at the origin of the coordinate system, which is chosen to be the center of MPS  100 , however the axes shown in all figures are offset from their actual locations for clarity and ease of illustration. 
     Returning to  FIGS.  1 A, and  1 B  it will be appreciated that the view in  FIG.  1 B  is a 90-degree rotation of the view in  FIG.  1 A . As is shown in both  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 B , for at least one embodiment, MPS  100  is provided at least in part by an enclosure  102  that is provided by at least a bottom housing  104  and a top housing  106 . The top housing  106  has an aperture  108 . A movable stem  110  is disposed within the housing  102  and structured and arranged to move along a vertical axis  112  within the housing  102 , the distal end  114  of the stem  110  passing through the aperture  108  of the top housing  106 . 
     For at least one embodiment, a key cap (not shown) providing indicia such as a letter, number, symbol, tactile element or the like is disposed upon the distal end  114  of the stem  110  when the MPS  100  is affixed to a printed circuit board or other structure so as to provide a key in a keyboard. 
     As may be appreciated, the stem  110  provides a plurality of horizontal protrusions  116  as physical deactivators at different elevations along the vertical axis  112 . For the exemplary embodiment of MPS  100  as shown, there are two sets of horizontal protrusions  116 A and  116 B. In keeping with the exemplary depiction of two horizontal protrusions “A” and “B”, additional elements which will be understood and appreciated to be associated with horizontal protrusions “A” and “B” are also identified with an “A” or “B” for ease of distinction, but may be generally be referred to without the “A” or “B” in the continuing description. 
     Moreover, it will be understood and appreciated that the horizontal protrusions  116  provide a varying width to the stem  110 . As will be further described below, for at least one embodiment this varying width acts in part as a mechanical element or lever to cause or break sequential connections between triggers  118  (such as but not limited to electrical contacts, inductive contact, capacitive contacts, optical sensors, or the like) which signal to the greater device that the key has been depressed—at least to a given point. 
     Because of varying widths provided by the horizontal protrusions  116 , and different heights of these horizontal protrusions  116 , different triggers  118  within the MPS  100  may be activated or deactivated at different elevations of the stem  110 . Moreover, MPS  100  advantageously permits at least two sequential triggers  118  (shown in  FIGS.  1 A &amp;  1 B  as triggers  118 A and  118 B) to be sequentially initiated during a single key depression and release by a user, dependent on the degree of key depression. In other words, for at least one embodiment, the first trigger  118 A is activated and remains activated while the second trigger  118 B is activated—as the user retracts pressure from the MPS  100 , the second trigger  118  is released (sequentially deactivated) before the first trigger  118  is also released (sequentially deactivated). 
     Moreover, for at least one embodiment, the different triggers  118  are asymmetric, meaning that one can and will activate a contact or sensor before another contact or sensor is activated, and this activation is based on the degree of depression imparted to the stem  110 . Further, an activated contact or sensor remains activated even as other contacts or sensors may be activated by other triggers  118 , until such time as the depression of the stem  110  is released past the point of trigger activation. 
     For at least one embodiment, the horizontal protrusions  116  are horizontal fins  120 , again shown as fins  120 A and  120 B to correlate to the two horizontal protrusions and triggers as shown, the fins  120  further described below with respect to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D . 
     Although a varying option of triggers  118  may be employed in various embodiments, for at least one embodiment MPS  100  enjoys the use of physical electrical contacts  122 , which by their very nature provide an advantage for easy tactile feedback to the user, as well as a simplistic electrical/mechanical configuration that is low cost and well known for longevity of performance. 
     Moreover, for at least one embodiment, the triggers  118 , e.g., exemplary trigger  118 A and trigger  118 B, are distinct electrical contacts  122 , each contact  122  provided by a paired stationary element  124  and a movable element  126  for flexibly making and breaking electrical contact with the stationary element  124 . For at least one embodiment, each movable element  126  is biased for contact with the stationary element  124 . 
     More specifically, as shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , there are two electrical contacts  122  of which  122 A and  122 B are exemplary. Electrical contact  122 A is provided by paired stationary element  124 A and movable element  126 A. Likewise, electrical contact  122 B is provided by paired stationary element  124 B and movable element  126 B. 
     It will also be appreciated from  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  that electrical contact  122 A is generally aligned to horizontal protrusions  116 A and electrical contact  122 B is generally aligned to horizontal protrusions  116 B, and for the exemplary embodiment as depicted these paired sets of horizontal protrusions  116  and electrical contacts  122  are on opposing sides of stem  110 , shown to have a generally square core  128 . For at least one alternative embodiment, the paired horizontal protrusions  116  and electrical contacts  122  may be disposed at right angles to one another (e.g., on adjacent sides of the square core  128 ), not shown. 
     It will also be understood and appreciated, that in varying embodiments, the general structure of MPS  100  as shown could be modified to include an additional one or two pairs of horizontal protrusions  116  and electrical contacts  122  along three or four sides of the square core  128 . Moreover, it will be understood and appreciated that varying embodiments of MPS  100  may be configured to provide at least two to four different contacts. Indeed, it will be understood and appreciated that changes to the cross-section geometry of the core  128 —such as for a triangle, pentagon, or hexagon may provide convenient alignment surfaces for embodiments of MPS  100  having a varying plurality of distinct trigger points during depression of the stem  110 . 
     For at least one embodiment, at least one spring  130  is disposed between the stem  110  and the bottom housing  104 . This at least one spring  130  disposes the stem  110  in an initial position in which the plurality of distinct horizontal protrusions  116  dispose all of the movable elements  126  in broken contact. In other words, in the initial position of stem  110  as established by the at least one spring  130 , all of the stationary elements  124  and their associated movable elements  126  of each distinct electrical contact  122  are disposed apart from each other, such that no electrical contact is made. 
     MPS  100  is generally affixed to a portion of a circuit board  132 , aka PCB  132 , which in at least one embodiment has been set to receive and support the bottom housing  140  as well as electrical contact leads from each electrical contact  122 . 
     As noted above,  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D  present views of the stem  110 . Specifically,  FIG.  2 A  presents a perspective view similar to that of  FIG.  1 A , with  FIG.  2 B  presenting a side to further appreciate the horizontal protrusions  116 .  FIG.  2 C  presents a top view and  FIG.  2 D  presents a 90-degree rotation of the view in  FIG.  2 B . With respect to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D , it will be appreciated that stem  110  is not symmetrical, at least with respect to horizontal protrusions  116 . 
     As may be most clearly appreciated in the side view of  FIG.  2 C , the profile of the two exemplary horizontal protrusions  116 , aka horizontal fins  120 , is quite different. Each fin  120  having at least a first surface  200  that is inclined towards the vertical axis  112 . It is also to be appreciated that as this first surface  200  is inclined towards the vertical axis  112 , at least a portion  202  of the first surface  200  is therefore disposed away from the vertical axis  112 . 
     More simply put, each horizontal fin  120  has a first surface  112  that extends from generally a first point  204  a first distance  206  away from the vertical axis  112  to a second point  208  a second distance  210  away from the vertical axis  112 , the second distance  210  being less than the first distance  206 . As such, first surface  112  is an inclined surface such that relative movement along the vertical axis  112  corresponds to points along the inclined surface that are closer to or farther away from the vertical axis  112 . 
     With respect to  FIG.  2 B , it will be easily appreciated that second point  208 A for fin  120 A is at a height  212 A that is substantially above the height  212 B of second point  208 B for fin  120 B, and as is also shown, the relative change between distance  206 B and  210 B is greater than the relative change between distance  206 A and  210 A. Simply put, it is difference in this change in distance from the vertical axis  112  at different points along the first surface  200 A vs. first surface  200 B that allows the horizontal protrusions  116 A, aka horizontal fins  120 A to have a distinctly different trigger point from the horizontal protrusions  116 B, aka horizontal fins  120 B. It is these trigger points along horizontal protrusion  116  that transitions the state of the electrical contact  122  from breaking to making contact and vice versa. 
     In varying embodiments, each horizontal fin  120  may or may not have a surface that is essentially parallel to the vertical axis  112 . For such embodiments, such a parallel surface is of course understood and appreciated as a surface that remains equidistant from the vertical axis  112  along its entire length. Further still, varying embodiments might present a stair step arrangement of the horizontal protrusions  116 , inclined surfaces are generally appreciated to help the mechanical elements glide smoothly against one another in embodiments of MPS  100  reliant upon mechanical interaction between elements. 
     As first stated above, and now shown in the optional dotted rounded rectangle  214  of  FIG.  2 B , for at least one embodiment, one or more of the horizontal protrusions  116  may include a surface that is essentially parallel to the vertical axis  112 , such as second surface  216  for horizontal protrusion  116 A. As this second surface  216  is parallel to the vertical axis  112 , during movement of the stem  110  along the vertical axis  112 . When the second surface  216  transitions to the first surface  200 A at point  204 A, as first surface  200 A is inclined towards the vertical axis  112 , a change in horizontal distance occurs once again and the transition from breaking to making contact occurring at the transition points  208 A, which again will be appreciated to be at different height— 212 A, relative to height  212 B transition point  208 B. 
     One or more of the horizontal protrusions  116  may also include a tactile feature, such as feature  218 , which is structured and arranged in such a way so as to cause the user to feel through their fingertip that a depression level has been achieved. Feature  218  may also be an audible indicator, such as a click plate. 
     As may further be appreciated in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D , for at least one embodiment each horizontal protrusion  116  is actually a matched set of protrusions which operate collective as one. As keyboard keys are generally required to have a long life of performance, many manufacturers have found the parallel elements to have greater longevity and reliability of performance. However, it is to be expressly understood and appreciated, that the present invention is not limited to embodiments having paired horizontal protrusion  116 . Moreover, for at least one embodiment a single horizontal protrusion  116  may be provided for each physical deactivator, while for yet another embodiment, more than two elements may cooperatively operate as each horizontal protrusion  116 . 
       FIG.  3 A- 5 F  presents an enlarged view of electrical contact  122  with,  FIGS.  3 A- 3 F  providing enlarged views of the stationary element  124 ,  FIGS.  4 A- 4 F  providing similar enlarged views of movable element  126 , and  FIGS.  5 A- 5 F  providing similar enlarged views of electrical contact  122  as provided by stationary element  124  and movable element  126 . 
     Moreover, for at least one embodiment, stationary element  124  is appreciated to have a lead  300  and a contact area  302 , if not an actual contact pad(s)  304 . For at least one embodiment, stationary element  124  is essentially a metallic element provided as a cut or stamped element. In varying embodiments, stationary element  124  may be formed from, but not limited to, copper, aluminum, silver, zinc, or other metals.  FIG.  3 A  provides a top view,  FIG.  3 B  provides a front view,  FIG.  3 C  provides a side view,  FIG.  3 D  provides a back view and  FIGS.  3 E and  3 F  provide opposing perspective views. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 F , the movable element  126  is also appreciated to have a lead  400 . For at least one embodiment, movable element  126  may be described as a biased spring element where the contact area  402 , if not an actual contact pad(s)  404 , and at least one cam  406  are disposed on, or as part of the movable spring end  408 . As is further shown below with respect to  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  the at least one cam  406  is structured and arranged for sliding contact with the horizontal protrusion  116  as provided by the stem  110 . 
     For at least one embodiment, movable element  126  is essentially a metallic element provided as a cut or stamped element. In varying embodiments, movable element  126  may be formed from, but not limited to, copper, aluminum, silver, zinc, or other metals.  FIG.  4 A  provides a top view,  FIG.  4 B  provides a back view,  FIG.  4 C  provides a side view,  FIG.  4 D  provides a front view and  FIGS.  4 E and  4 F  provide opposing perspective views. 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 F  essentially combine the illustrations of the stationary element  124  as shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 F  and the movable element  126  as shown in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 F , as a functional electrical contact  122 .  FIG.  5 A  provides a top view,  FIG.  5 B  provides a front view,  FIG.  5 C  provides a side view,  FIG.  5 D  provides a back view and  FIGS.  5 E and  5 F  provide opposing perspective views. 
     With respect to lead  300  of the stationary element  124  and lead  400  of the movable element  126 , leads  300  and  400  extend through openings in the bottom of the housing  104  (see  FIGS.  1 A &amp;  1 B ) to conductively connect the electrical contact  122  with an associated circuit (not shown). As the associated circuit may in at least one embodiment be provided by a printed circuit board, when the leads  300  and  400  are attached, such as by solder, it will be appreciated that leads  300  and  400  may also serve to mount and support MPS  100 . 
     When disposed within the bottom housing  104  of the MPS  100 , the stationary element  124  and movable element  126  are so positioned contact areas  302  and  402  are disposed apart when the stem  110  is in released or initial position, and in physical contact when the stem  110  has been depressed such that the horizontal protrusion  116  associated with the electrical contact  122  has been disposed away from its initial deactivator position. 
     For at least one embodiment, the electrical contacts  122  within the MPS  100  are substantially identical, such that the enlarged electrical contact  122  comprised of the stationary element  124  and the movable element  126  shown in  FIG.  3 A- 5 F  may be either the electrical contact  122 A or electrical contact  122 B as shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . 
     Returning to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , as the stem  110  is depressed by a user, the stem  110  travels along the vertical axis  112 . As the stem  110  travels along the vertical axis  112  it transitions the distinct horizontal protrusions  116  away from the movable elements  126  and allows each movable element  126  to make electrical contact with its associated stationary element  124 . As the distinct horizontal protrusions  116  are at different relative elevations along the stem  110 , for at least one embodiment the movable element  126 B will make contact with stationary element  124 B of electrical contact  122 B before the movable element  126 A will make contact with stationary element  124 A of electrical contact  122 A. 
     As the user release the stem  110 , the at least one spring  130  drives the stem  110  back up along the vertical axis  112  and in so doing sequentially repositions the distinct horizontal protrusions  116  to dispose the movable elements  126  away from their paired stationary elements  124  of each electrical contact  122 . 
     In short, for at least one embodiment, MPS  100  may be summarized as including: an enclosure  102 ; a stem  110  structured and arranged to move along a vertical axis  112  within the enclosure  102 , the stem  110  providing a plurality of distinct horizontal protrusions  116  as physical deactivators at different elevations along the vertical axis  112 ; a plurality of distinct electrical contacts  122 , each contact provided by a paired stationary element  124  and a movable element  126  for flexibly making and breaking electrical contact  122  with the stationary element  124 , the movable element  126  biased for contact with the stationary element  124 , each distinct electrical contact  122  associated with at least one distinct horizontal protrusion; and a spring disposing the stem  110  in an initial position in which the plurality of distinct horizontal protrusions  116  dispose all of the movable elements  126  in broken contact; wherein depression of the stem  110  along the vertical axis  112  transitions the distinct horizontal protrusions  116  away from the movable elements  126  permitting contact with their paired stationary elements  124 . 
     For yet another embodiment, MPS  100  may be summarized as including: an enclosure  102  provided by at least a bottom housing and a top housing, the top hosing having an aperture; a stem  110  structured and arranged to move along a vertical axis  112  within the housing through the aperture of the top housing, the stem  110  providing a plurality of distinct pairs of horizontal fins, each fin having a first surface inclined towards the vertical axis  112 , a plurality of distinct electrical contacts  122 , each contact provided by a paired stationary element  124  and a movable element  126  for flexibly making and breaking electrical contact  122  with the stationary element  124 , the movable element  126  biased for contact with the stationary element  124 , each distinct electrical contact  122  associated with one of the horizontal fins; and a spring disposed between the bottom housing and the stem  110 , the spring disposing the stem  110  in an initial position in which a portion of the plurality of first surfaces dispose all of the movable elements  126  in broken contact; wherein motion of the stem  110  along the vertical axis  112  transitions the movable elements  126  along the first surfaces of their associated fins to transition the movable elements  126  and the stationary elements  124  between making contact and breaking contact. 
     Moreover, with respect to the above description of the physical elements for at least one exemplary embodiment of MPS  100  having two (2) distinct triggers  118  structured and arranged for activation and deactivation at distinctly different points of vertical travel by the stem  110  along the central access,  FIGS.  6 A-C  through  9 A-C provide a conceptualized walk through of exemplary use of at least the one exemplary MPS  100 . 
     More specifically,  FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  illustrate an embodiment of MSP  100  as described above, having two distinct triggers  118 , provided by two distinct electrical contacts  126 , specifically electrical contacts  126 A and  126 B which are in paired alignment with horizontal protrusions  116 A and  116 B from stem  110 . 
       FIG.  6 A  is a first external side view of MSP  100  in its initial at rest/non-depressed state. As such spring  130  is expanded to naturally dispose the stem  110  in its upward most position within the housing  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 B  as a partially exposed view, in this initial at rest/non-depressed state, horizontal protrusion  116 A is disposed against cam  406 A and horizontal protrusion  116 B is disposed against cam  406 B.  FIG.  6 B  is a 90-degree rotation of the MSP  100  in  FIG.  6 A  so as to appreciate the bisection that is shown in  FIG.  6 C . As illustrated in  FIG.  6 C , the contact areas  302 A/ 402 A and  302 B/ 402 B are disposed apart and therefore no electrical contact is presently occurring. 
       FIG.  7 A  is a similar first side view of MSP  100 , but now a downward force  700  has been applied to the stem  110  such that stem  100  has traveled some vertical distance along vertical axis  112 .  FIG.  7 B  is again a 90-Degree rotation and partially exposed view of the MSP  100  in  FIG.  7 A  so as to appreciate the bisection that is shown in  FIG.  7 C . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7 C , the contact points  302 B/ 402 B are now in physical contact as the horizontal protrusion  116 A has been disposed below cam  308 B. However, contact points  302 A/ 402 A remain disposed apart because cam  308 A and horizontal protrusion  116 A as still in sufficient alignment that horizontal protrusion  116 A remains active as a physical deactivator. 
       FIG.  8 A  is a similar first side view of MSP  100 , but now progressed from the state shown in  FIG.  7 A . Moreover, the downward force  800  has continued such that stem  100  has traveled a further vertical distance along vertical axis  112 .  FIG.  8 B  is again a 90-Degree rotation and partially exposed view of the MSP  100  in  FIG.  8 A  so as to appreciate the bisection that is shown in  FIG.  8 C . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  8 C , the contact points  302 B/ 402 B are still in physical contact as the horizontal protrusion  116 B is still disposed below cam  408 B. Now as well, contact points  302 A/ 402 A are in physical contact as horizontal protrusion  116 A has been disposed below cam  408 A. 
       FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  are conceptual renderings of MSP  100  as shown in  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C , only now the application of continued force  900  has the stem  110  has physically impacted some portion of the bottom housing  104 , or spring  130  has been completely compressed such that no further depression of stem  110  is generally possible. 
     With respect to the above description, it may also be understood and appreciated that a second spring (not shown) may be disposed about spring  130  with a relative height of  212 B, such that the user feels an increased resistive force when depressing the stem  110  past the trigger  118  established by horizontal protrusion  116 B and further displacing horizontal protrusion  116 A. 
     With respect to the above description of  FIGS.  6 A-C  through  9 A-C with respect to two triggers  118 , it will be understood and appreciated that the same methodology of physical performance may be extrapolated to embodiments of MPS  100  incorporating a plurality of triggers  118  beyond the present exemplary embodiment of two. 
       FIGS.  10 A- 10 D  present conceptual illustrations of a fully assembled MPS  100  as described above. More specifically,  FIG.  10 A  is a top view,  FIG.  10 B  is a front view,  FIG.  10 C  is a side view, and  FIG.  10 D  is a top perspective view. 
     Changes may be made in the above methods, systems and structures without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description and/or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Indeed, many other embodiments are feasible and possible, as will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art. The claims that follow are not limited by or to the embodiments discussed herein, but are limited solely by their terms and the Doctrine of Equivalents.