Selective call receiver including a right angle elastomeric control switch

Claim 2

A switch, comprising: elastomeric actuating means having an actuating portion and a contact portion; and first means for retaining said elastomeric actuating means, said contact portion deforming in a first direction in response to a force exerted on said actuating portion in a second, substantially different direction, wherein said first means comprises a rigid member in contact with a side of said elastomeric actuating means opposite said actuating portion on which said force is exerted.

Claim 3

A switch according to claim 1 wherein said first direction and said second, substantially different direction are substantially orthogonal.

Claim 4

A switch according to claim 1 further comprising a cavity within said elastomeric actuating means to enhance the deforming of said contact portion.

Claim 5

A switch according to claim 3 wherein said cavity is a tubular opening.

Claim 6

A switch according to claim 4 wherein said tubular opening is cylindrical.

Claim 7

A switch according to claim 4 wherein said tubular opening is rectangular.

Claim 8

A switch, comprising: a deformable, elastomeric actuating member including a contact portion and a user accessible actuating portion; and first means for retaining said actuating member, said contact portion deforming in a first direction in response to a force exerted on said actuating portion in a second direction substantially orthogonal to said first direction, wherein said first means comprises a rigid member in contact with a side of said deformable, elastomeric actuating member opposite said actuating portion on which said force is exerted.

Claim 9

A switch, comprising: a deformable, elastomeric actuating member including a contact portion and a user accessible actuating portion; and first means for retaining said actuating member, said contact portion deforming in a first direction in response to a force exerted on said actuating portion in a second direction substantially orthogonal to said first direction, wherein said first means comprises a rigid member in contact with a side of said deformable, elastomeric actuating member opposite said actuating portion on which said force is exerted.

Claim 10

A switch according to claim 7 further comprising a cavity within said deformable, elastomeric actuating member to enhance the deforming of said contact portion.

Claim 11

A switch according to claim 8 wherein said cavity is a tubular opening.

Claim 12

A switch according to claim 9 wherein said tubular opening is cylindrical.

Claim 13

A switch according to claim 9 wherein said tubular opening is rectangular.

Claim 14

An electronic device, comprising: a housing having at least one aperture therein; a printed circuit board having a major surface within said housing and having at least a first electrical contact thereon; a deformable, elastomeric actuating member including a deformable portion positioned proximate said first electrical contact and including a user accessible actuating portion extending through said at least one aperture; and a second electrical contact disposed on said deformable portion, said deformable portion deforming in a first direction toward said first electrical contact in response to a force exerted on said actuating portion in a second direction substantially orthogonal to said first direction, wherein said housing comprises a rigid member in contact with a side of said deformable, elastomeric actuating member opposite said actuating portion on which said force is exerted, and wherein said major surface of said printed circuit board lies in a plane substantially parallel to said second direction.

Claim 15

An electronic device, comprising: a housing having at least one aperture therein; a printed circuit board having a major surface within said housing and having at least a first electrical contact thereon; a deformable, elastomeric actuating member including a deformable portion positioned proximate said first electrical contact and including a user accessible actuating portion extending through said at least one aperture; and a second electrical contact disposed on said deformable portion, said deformable portion deforming in a first direction toward said first electrical contact in response to a force exerted on said actuating portion in a second direction substantially orthogonal to said first direction, wherein said housing comprises a rigid member in contact with a side of said deformable, elastomeric actuating member opposite said actuating portion on which said force is exerted, and wherein said major surface of said printed circuit board lies in a plane substantially parallel to said second direction.

Claim 16

A selective call receiver of the type which includes electronic circuitry for receiving messages and alerting a user that a message has been received, and which further includes at least one control element accessible by a user from the exterior of said housing, comprising: a housing having at least one aperture therein; a printed circuit board having a major surface and having said electronic circuitry disposed thereon and including at least a first electrical contact thereon; a deformable, elastomeric actuating member including a deformable portion positioned proximate said first electrical contact and a user accessible actuating portion extending through said at least one aperture; and a second electrical contact disposed on said deformable portion, said deformable portion deforming in a first direction toward said first electrical contact in response to a force exerted on said actuating portion in a second direction substantially orthogonal to said first direction, wherein said housing comprises a rigid member in contact with a side of said deformable, elastomeric actuating member opposite said actuating portion on which said force is exerted, and wherein said major surface of said printed circuit board lies in a plane substantially parallel to said second direction.

Claim 17

A selective call receiver of the type which includes electronic circuitry for receiving messages and alerting a user that a message has been received, and which further includes at least one control element accessible by a user from the exterior of said housing, comprising: a housing having at least one aperture therein; a printed circuit board having a major surface and having said electronic circuitry disposed thereon and including at least a first electrical contact thereon; a deformable, elastomeric actuating member including a deformable portion positioned proximate said first electrical contact and a user accessible actuating portion extending through said at least one aperture; and a second electrical contact disposed on said deformable portion, said deformable portion deforming in a first direction toward said first electrical contact in response to a force exerted on said actuating portion in a second direction substantially orthogonal to said first direction, wherein said housing comprises a rigid member in contact with a side of said deformable, elastomeric actuating member opposite said actuating portion on which said force is exerted, and wherein said major surface of said printed circuit board lies in a plane substantially parallel to said second direction.