IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,738,431
Granted Patent B2
US 12,738,431 · App. 17/778,323 · Granted Sep 15, 2026

Multilayer switchdome systems and methods

Inventors: Jeffrey M. Hanson (Severance, CO); Walter Goodrich (Windsor, CO); Kevin N. Albertsen (Windsor, CO); Peter J. Standiford (Loveland, CO); David P. Butler (Windsor, CO)
Assignee: Snaptron, Inc.
H01H13/48H01H13/7006H01H13/78H01H2209/002H01H2227/01H01H2227/026H01H2229/058
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,738,431
App. No.
17/778,323
Granted
Sep 15, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Multilayer switchdome systems and methods are presented that may enable improved tactile and strength properties and enhanced action. Embodiments may utilize a first layer of spring material ( 1 ) and at least a second layer of spring material ( 2 ) to form a switchdome component ( 4 ). In certain embodiments, the spring material layers may be conjoined by utilizing a switchdome bond ( 3 ) to create an integrated bonded composite spring sheet material ( 7 ). Various forming processes ( 8 ) may be employed in performing the varying embodiments of a method of switchdome component ( 4 ) forming. The varying forming processes ( 8 ) may improve the physical properties of the tactile switchdome component ( 4 ). The varying processes, spring materials, and switchdome bond types may be optimized for a particular application.

Claims (25)

1 . A method of providing an integrated compound spring switchdome action apparatus comprising steps of:

establishing a first layer of a spring material;

establishing at least a second layer of an arciform spring material;

switchdome bonding said first layer of said spring material with said at least second layer of said arciform spring material to establish an integrated bonded composite spring sheet material; and

compositely forming an integrated, multi-springed, multilayered spring switchdome from said integrated bonded composite spring sheet material;

wherein said step of switchdome bonding comprises a step of interstice switchdome bonding;

wherein said step of switchdome bonding comprises a step of switchdome bonding prior to forming a domed shape; and

wherein said step of switchdome bonding comprises a step of bonding with a cure material having an elastic modulus within a range of two tenths to six tenths of a percent of an elastic modulus of said first layer of spring material or said second layer of said arciform spring material.

2 . The method of providing an integrated compound spring switchdome action apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said step of switchdome bonding comprises steps of:

pre-curing a switchdome bond prior to forming a dome component; and

pre-establishing said switchdome bond prior to forming said dome component.

3 . The method of providing an integrated compound spring switchdome action apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said step of switchdome bonding comprises a step of elastically bonding at at least some locale.

4 . The method of providing an integrated compound spring switchdome action apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said step of switchdome bonding comprises a step of establishing at least some nonorthographic elasticity bond.

5 . The method of providing an integrated compound spring switchdome action apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first layer of said spring material and said at least said second layer of said arciform spring material comprises an unformed sheet switchdome spring material, and further comprising a step of forming said unformed sheet switchdome spring material after accomplishing said step of switchdome bonding.

6 . The method of providing an integrated compound spring switchdome action apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said steps of establishing said first layer of said spring material and establishing said at least said second layer of said arciform spring material comprise a step of establishing compositionally homologous spring materials.

7 . The method of providing an integrated compound spring switchdome action apparatus as described in claim 1 further comprising a step of fully allowing flexure throughout a switchdome bond.

8 . The method of providing an integrated compound spring switchdome action apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said steps of establishing said first layer of said spring material and establishing said at least said second layer sheet of said arciform spring material comprise steps of:

utilizing said first layer of said spring material;

utilizing said at least said second layer of said arciform spring material,

and further comprising a step of domiforming said first layer of said spring material and said at least said second layer of said arciform spring material after accomplishing said step of switchdome bonding.

9 . The method of providing an integrated compound spring switchdome action apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said step of establishing said first layer of said spring material comprises a step of utilizing a first dome,

wherein said step of establishing said at least said second layer of said arciform spring material comprises a step of utilizing a second dome, and

wherein said step of switchdome bonding said first layer of said spring material with said at least said second layer of said arciform spring material comprises a step of switchdome bonding said first dome to said second dome to create a conjoined integrated dome composite.

10 . The method of providing an integrated compound spring switchdome action apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said switchdome comprises a differential flexure switchdome component.

11 . The method of providing an integrated compound spring switchdome action apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said step of switchdome bonding comprises a step of central axis-perimeter antipodal rigidity switchdome bonding.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 24, 2022
From: HANSON, JEFFREY M.; GOODRICH, WALTER; ALBERTSEN, KEVIN N.; STANDIFORD, PETER J.; BUTLER, DAVID P.
To: SNAPTRON, INC.
Reel/Frame 061312/0537 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62939440 · Nov 22, 2019
Related Publication 20220415591A1 · Dec 29, 2022
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