David Justin Demoss

US Patent:

60464208, Apr 4, 2000

Filed:

Dec 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/216010

Inventors:

David M. DeMoss - Redwood City CA

Assignee:

Electronics for Imaging, Inc. - Foster City CA

International Classification:

H01H 1314
H01H 114

US Classification:

200534

Abstract:

A silicon switch is provided. A silicon member biases a contact into abutment with an opposing contact located on a substrate such that a normally closed switch is provided. A plunger is provided which has an axis that extends along the axis of the two contacts. The plunger is secured by the silicon member in such a way that pressure on the plunger causes the switch contacts to open. When pressure is released, the bias built into the silicon member pushes the contacts back together. The switch is intended for use in a pen, for example in a white board application, where pressure of the pen to a marking surface forces the plunger upwardly into the pen and thus opens the switch contacts.