Patent ID: 7122751

Claim:
In a first platform of the type holding a plurality of normally-open electrically conductive switches, the first platform being configured and arranged to permit closing of an individual selected such switch by application of a force in a direction approximately normal to an activation surface of the selected switch by a portion of a human body, the improvement comprising: an electrically conductive ground member disposed on said platform and configured to encompass an area to provide a common electrical ground reference for a plurality of said switches; an electrically conductive deflection member carrying a conductive surface disposed in a substantially parallel arrangement relative to a portion of said ground member, said conductive surface being disposed in a normally spaced apart relationship adapted to resist forming an electrically conductive contact between said ground member and said conductive surface; and a fastening arrangement disposed in association with a perimeter of said deflection member effective to hold said deflection member in operable association with said ground member; wherein: said deflection member is structured to permit displacement of a portion of said deflection member in a direction effective to form said electrical contact under application of said force.