Importance

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Abstract

An illuminated dome type switch for use on a control panel having a support base and suitable circuitry for interconnecting various components making up the panel is disclosed herein. This switch includes a light source and a dome, both of which are supported on the base of the panel and the latter of which is resiliently movable between a biased OFF position and a depressed ON position. The switch also includes a keycap having an upper portion through which at least some light can pass, and a bottom outer periphery including a dome actuator. The keycap is supported directly over the light source and to one side of the dome for movement between a biased OFF position so as not to depress the dome and a depressed ON position for causing the actuator to depress the dome in order to move the latter to its on position, whereby to turn on the light source by means of circuitry forming part of the control panel and a suitable source of power and thereby illuminate the upper portion of the keycap. In the embodiments disclosed herein, the bottom outer periphery of the keycap also includes one or more fulcrums to aid the actuator in depressing the dome.

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First Claim