Lucas Duralith Corporation

David D Lewis

Meryl E Miller

Leroy N Nopper

A membrane keyboard is comprised of a dielectric substrate and an overlying deflectable membrane layer separated by a spacer. A plurality of contact poles are located on the dielectric substrate with an electrically conductive common contact area located on the flexible membrane. A portion of the flexible membrane is locally stiffened and, in a preferred embodiment, provided with a ridge extending away from a portion of the membrane towards the contact poles. Upon actuation of the switch, the stiffened portion of the membrane ensures simultaneity of contact between the common contact area on the membrane and the contact poles on the substrate. Preferred embodiments utilize a generally circular ridge in the deflectable membrane cooperating with interdigitated contact poles.

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La Habra, CA, United States of America

David D Lewis