Push-button switch

Claim 1

A push-button switch comprising: a bottom layer of rigid insulating material, said bottom layer having a plurality of openings therethrough extending from the top to the bottom surface thereof, a first base layer of resilient and flexible plastic arranged on the bottom layer; a plurality of electrically conductive contacts supported on the side of said base layer which faces away from said bottom layer, each contact in register with at least one different opening in said bottom layer; an intermediate layer of rigid insulating material having a plurality of openings therethrough extending from the top to the bottom surface thereof and said intermediate layer being arranged on the contact side of said base layer with each opening in said intermediate layer in register with at least one different contact on said base layer; a second base layer of resilient and flexible plastic arranged on said intermediate layer; a plurality of electrically conductive contacts supported on the side of said second base layer which faces said contacts on said first base layer with each contact on said second base layer in register with a corresponding contact on said first base layer; and, wherein the portions of said second base layer overlying said openings thereunder are domed with a convex curved surface to provide snappable surfaces, wherein inwardly deflection of said domed surfaces provides electrical engagement of the corresponding contacts in register therewith and a corresponding inward deflection of the portions of said first base layer which overlie said openings in said bottom layer, and wherein all adjacent ones of said openings are separated by respective portions of rigid bottom and intermediate layers whereby the portions of said base layers between adjacent openings are firmly clamped in position.