A keypad for entering a complete set of alphanumeric characters (including symbols)
into telephonic equipment comprises a housing containing a telephone set compatible
array of manually operated actuator elements, each actuator element selectably
coding for four or more alphanumeric characters upon a single actuation of the
element. The manually operated actuator elements each comprises a push button assembly
and a switch assembly. The switch assembly further comprises two or three switches.
In a two-way switch assembly, the push button assembly is manually operable to
selectably close either switch individually and both switches together. In a three-way
switch, the push button assembly is manually operable to selectably close any one
of the three switches individually. The push button assembly includes a push button
cover that has an upper surface that serves as a user interface, which is configured
to facilitate a user's operation of the actuator elements (keys) to selectively
enter discrete alphanumeric selections into the keypad.