Sealed soft switch assemblies

1. A switch assembly, comprising:

a holder defining at least a pair of eyelets extending completely therethrough;

an electrically conductive lead-frame supported on the holder, the lead-frame defining at least a pair of openings therein, each opening being aligned with a respective eyelet formed in the holder;

at least a pair of electrically conductive rivets each configured and adapted for at least partial positioning in a respective eyelet, each rivet including a stem portion and a head portion;

wherein a first opening of at least the pair of openings of the lead-frame is larger than the head portion of a first rivet such that the head portion of the first rivet does not contact the lead-frame, and a second opening of at least the pair of openings of the lead-frame is smaller than the head portion of another rivet such that the head portion of the other rivet contacts the lead-frame; and

at least one electrically conductive snap dome in electrical contact with the lead-frame and overlying the first rivet;

wherein depressing the snap dome completes an electrical circuit between the first rivet and the second rivet through the lead-frame, and releasing the snap dome disconnects the electrical circuit.

2. The switch assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a flexible non-conductive cover configured and dimensioned to overlie at least the first snap dome.

3. The switch assembly according to claim 2 , further comprising an overmold configured and dimensioned to encase at least the holder, the lead-frame, the rivets, the snap dome, and the cover.

4. The switch assembly according to claim 3 , wherein at least one nub is provided on the overmold substantially over the snap dome.

5. The switch assembly according to claim 3 , wherein an electrical wire is connectable to each of the rivets.

6. The switch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the holder includes a recess formed in an upper surface thereof, the recess being configured and dimensioned to receive at least the lead-frame, the rivets and the snap dome therein.

7. The switch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the holder defines at least three eyelets formed therein and extending completely therethrough.

8. The switch assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the lead-frame defines at least three openings therein, wherein the three openings are in registration with the three eyelets of the holder when the lead-frame is operatively connected to the holder.

9. The switch assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the first and the second openings of the lead-frame are each larger than a third opening of the lead-frame.

10. The switch assembly according to claim 9 , further comprising at least three electrically conductive rivets each configured and adapted for at least partial positioning in a respective eyelet of the holder, each rivet including a stem portion and a head portion.

11. The switch assembly according to claim 10 , wherein a third opening of the lead-frame is smaller than the head portion of a third rivet such that the head portion of the third rivet contacts the lead-frame.

12. The switch assembly according to claim 11 , further comprising a pair of snap domes, wherein a first snap dome is in electrical contact with the lead-frame and overlies the first rivet, and wherein a second snap dome is in electrical contact with the lead-frame and overlies the second rivet.

13. The switch assembly according to claim 12 , wherein depressing the first snap dome completes a first electrical circuit between the first rivet and the third rivet through the lead-frame and releasing the first snap dome disconnects the first electrical circuit; and wherein depressing the second snap dome completes a second electrical circuit between the second rivet and the third rivet through the lead-frame and releasing the second snap dome disconnects the second electrical circuit.

14. The switch assembly according to claim 13 , further comprising a flexible non-conductive cover configured and dimensioned to overlie at least the first and second snap domes.

15. The switch assembly according to claim 14 , further comprising an overmold configured and dimensioned to encase at least the holder, the lead-frame, the rivets, the snap domes, and the cover.

16. The switch assembly according to claim 15 , wherein an electrical wire is connected to each rivet.

17. The switch assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the holder includes a recess formed in an upper surface thereof, the recess being configured and dimensioned to receive at least the lead-frame, the rivets, and the snap domes therein.

18. A switch assembly connectable to electrical terminals of electrical wire leads, the switch assembly comprising:

a holder defining at least three eyelets formed therein and extending completely therethrough;

an electrically conductive lead-frame supported on the holder, the lead-frame defining at least three openings therein, wherein the three openings are in registration with three eyelets of the holder when the lead-frame is operatively connected to the holder;

at least three electrically conductive rivets each configured and adapted for at least partial positioning in a respective eyelet of the holder, each rivet including a stem portion and a head portion;

wherein a first opening and a second opening in the lead-frame are each larger than the head portion of a first and a second rivet such that the head portion of each first and second rivet does not contact the lead-frame, and a third opening of the lead-frame is smaller than the head portion of a third rivet such that the head portion of the third rivet contacts the lead-frame; and

a pair of electrically conductive snap domes, wherein a first snap dome is in electrical contact with the lead-frame and overlies the first rivet, and wherein a second snap dome is in electrical contact with the lead-frame and overlies the second rivet;

wherein depressing the first snap dome completes a first electrical circuit between the first rivet and the third rivet through the lead-frame and releasing the first snap dome disconnects the first electrical circuit; and wherein depressing the second snap dome completes a second electrical circuit between the second rivet and the third rivet through the lead-frame and releasing the second snap dome disconnects the second electrical circuit.

19. The switch assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the holder includes a recess formed in an upper surface thereof, the recess being configured and dimensioned to receive at least the lead-frame, the rivets, and the snap domes therein.

20. The switch assembly according to claim 19 , further comprising an overmold configured and dimensioned to encase at least the holder, the lead-frame, the rivets, the snap domes, and the cover.