Electrical switch having stacked switching elements, as for controlling a flashlight

摘要

An electrical switch (100, 100') comprises first and second switch elements (102, 102', 104) including respective first and second electrically conductive flexible domes (150, 170) for selectively making electrical connections. The second switch element (104) is disposed adjacent the first switch element (102, 102') with an electrical conductor (160, 164, 166) therebetween. An actuator (190) is movable for exerting force on the second switch element (104) via a spring (180), and for exerting force on the first switch element (102, 102') via the spring (180) and the second switch element (104). The second flexible dome (170) may have an actuating force that is less than the actuating force of said first flexible dome (150). A flashlight (200) may include a controller 260 coupled to an electrical switch (102, 102', 104) proximate a head end of a housing 200 and to an electrical switch (102, 102', 104) proximate a tail end of the housing 200.