Flexible pressure sensitive switch actuator module adaptable to a keyboard surface having fixed contact array

Claim 1

A unitary, self-biasing, flexible switching element constructed for mounting on a flat surface, said element comprising: (1) a substantially planar, transparent, flexible and electrically non-conductive substrate; (2) ink layer means formed directly on said substrate; (3) a plurality of discrete, spaced and electrically conductive contact area means carried on the side of said ink layer means opposite the substrate; and (4) insulating and bonding means bonded to the same side of said ink layer means as the contact area means and in surrounding relationship with each of said contact area means for cooperation in electrically insulating said contact area means from each other and for bonding said switching element to a surface, said insulating and bonding means including: (a) a central, flexible, and non-conductive layer, (b) a pair of adhesive layers, one on each side of said central layer, one of said adhesive layers for bonding to said ink layer means and the other of said adhesive layers for bonding to a flat surface, and (c) a plurality of apertures of substantially the same size and shape as each of the contact area means formed in the insulating and bonding means so that the contact area means are exposed by the apertures; said ink layer means including indicia aligned with and in overlying relationship to each of said contact area means for indicating a circuit that will be closed by flexing said substrate from an initial non-contacting position to a second contacting position, and opened by releasing the substrate and permitting it to move from said contacting position to said non-contacting position.