Keyboard switch assembly with improved operator and contact structure

Claim 1

An encoded keyboard device comprising a first insulator layer having top and bottom surfaces, a first electrically conductive circuit pattern including a plurality of conductive elements supported on the top surface of the first insulator layer, a second insulator layer having top and bottom surfaces, the bottom surface thereof secured to and positioned over the top surface of the first insulator layer and the first electrically conductive circuit pattern, said second insulator layer of the thickness of a film and having a plurality of holes therethrough from the bottom to the top surface thereof, the holes being selectively aligned with the circuit elements of said first circuit pattern, a second circuit pattern, said second circuit comprising a plurality of electrically conductive switch contacts and a plurality of electrically conductive circuit elements electrically interconnected, and said second circuit pattern positioned on the top surface of the second insulaTor layer and extending into and through selected holes of said second insulator layer to electrically contact selected ones of said first circuit elements to form electrical pathways between the switch contacts and the circuit patterns above and below said second insulator layer, electrically conductive contactor means positioned over said switch contacts, and first means to cause said contactor means to engage one or more of said switch contacts to complete one or more electrical pathways through the device.