Patent ID: 7133033

Claim:
A variable bias actuator for a switch comprising, a housing having a fixed plate with a central portion and a rotatable plate at least partially closing the central portion, one of the plates mounting a depressible actuator contact surface; a force responsive switch mounted in the central portion in fixed relation to the other of said plates, the switch being electrically responsive to depressive contact by the actuator contact surface; a resilient bias arm mounted in a position applying bias against the actuator contact surface resisting depressive contact and communicating a first force to the switch upon depressive contact; and means for supporting the resilient bias arm at radially variably spaced apart regions, said means moveable with relative rotation of the rotatable plate in a manner wherein rotation of the rotatable plate changes the spacing between the spaced apart support regions thereby changing the resiliency of the resilient bias arm, allowing a changed resistance to depressive contact against the actuator contact surface to produce a second force, different from the first force, thereby allowing different forces to operate the switch based upon relative rotation of the rotatable plate.