KEYBOARD SWITCH WITH PIVOTAL ACTUATOR LEVER

摘要

A keyboard switch which is used in combination with a membrane switch array (20, 22, 24) includes a housing (10) adapted to be positioned on the membrane switch array. There is an upright opening (12) in the housing and a plunger (14) is reciprocal in the housing opening. There is a spring (50) urging said plunger outwardly in said opening and there is an actuator lever (18) pivotally mounted on said housing and positioned for engagement by said plunger. Inward movement of said plunger through a given distance causes the application of a switch closing force by said lever on the underlying switch array. The geometry of the actuator lever-plunger interface can be arranged for linear application of the switch closing force or sudden application of said force. Sudden application of the switch closing force provides a tactile feedback.