US3780237A - Keyboard switch assembly with multi-sectional key actuator - Google Patents
Keyboard switch assembly with multi-sectional key actuator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3780237A US3780237A US00297721A US3780237DA US3780237A US 3780237 A US3780237 A US 3780237A US 00297721 A US00297721 A US 00297721A US 3780237D A US3780237D A US 3780237DA US 3780237 A US3780237 A US 3780237A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- plunger
- conductive layer
- contact
- external
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920002799 BoPET Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000005041 Mylar™ Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920001342 Bakelite® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241001251094 Formica Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004637 bakelite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012799 electrically-conductive coating Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000002105 tongue Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
- H01H13/705—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
Definitions
- a keyboard array including a board having a conductive pattern thereon, a resilient conductive layer, a first or external plunger supported in a housing and slidable therein, a second or internal plunger supported in the external plunger and first resilient biasing means urging the first plunger towards the housing and away from the conductive layer and'a second resilient biasing means urging the second plunger away from the first plunger and towards the conductive layer.
- This invention is directed to a new and improved keyboard key or switch construction and is more particularly directed to a new and improved switch or key actuator for causing a conductive layer to engage an electrically conductive pathway upon depression thereof.
- the actuating means of this invention is useable in place of the switch actuating means disclosed in copending US. Pat. applications, Ser. No. 145,212 filed May 20, 1971 by Richard E. Seeger,.lr. and George T. Hodgson,Ir. now US. Pat. No. 3,705,276 and Ser. No. 154,752 filed June 12, 1971 by Richard E. Seeger,Jr. and William J. Lynn now US. Pat. No. 3,721,778.
- the entire disclosure of these patent applications being incorporated herein by reference hereto.
- the actuating means of the present invention permits the construction of a simple and highly reliable keyboard at low cost.
- the actuating means is adapted to be constructed of primarily molded parts which when placed together form a modular unit.
- the modular units may then be individually mounted on a circuit board construction,as shown in the foregoing mentioned applications, in any number required by the application intended.
- the keyboard array of this invention includes a printed circuit board having circuit pathways or contacts thereon, a mask having a window therethrough in alignment with a portion of one or more of the circuit pathways, a conductive layer positioned over the mask and adapted to extend through the hole into engagement with at least one of the electrical pathways upon the application of a force thereto and also adapted to spring back from the electrical pathways out of electrical contact upon removal of the force and at least one actuator modular unit adapted to be coupled to the board and having an internal plunger member slidably housed with exterior plunger member and adapted to apply a force against the conductive layer, the exterior plunger member supported in a housing coupled to the board, first resilient biasing means urging the external plunger away from the conductive layer and second resilient biasing means urging the internal plunger towards the conductive layer and allowing the internal plunger to retract into the external plunger to prevent the application of an excess force against the conductive layer.
- snap means forming part of the external plunger for retaining part of the internal plunger within a bore of the external plunger and an insulator layer positioned on the conductive layer and having a window therethrough to permit the internal plunger to contact the conductive layer, the housing and first resilient biasing means resting upon this insulator layer in the preferred embodiment.
- FIG. 1 is a top view of a keyboard with parts cutaway showing the invention
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 with the switch in the actuated position
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of the internal plunger.
- FIGS. 1-5 there is shown a keyboard which includes an outer decorative frame 10 in which there is positioned the operating parts of the keyboard. See US. Pat. No. 3,705,276 for an illustration of suitable frame mounting.
- the operating parts include an insulator board 11 (c.g., Bakelite, Formica) of the conventional type used in printed circuit applications and having a plurality of mounting holes 111: formed therethrough.
- Various circuit patterns are shown in the aforementioned patent applications which are incorporated herein.
- an insulator layer for example of plastic such as sold under the trademark Mylar and having a window 13a extending therethrough in line with at least a portion of the electrical contact means
- a resilient electrically conductive layer or sheet is shown at 14 and is of a type of a material which may be forced through the window 13a into contact with the contact means 12 with the application of a force thereto (see FIG. 3) and then spring back to the position shown in FIG. 2 when the force applied thereto is removed.
- conductive layer As set forth in the aforementioned referred to applications with the preferred material being a conductive plastic preferably formed of silicone rubber (rubber is defined as a plastic in the context used herein) filled with silver flakes, i.e., between 10 to percent by volume.
- silicone rubber rubber is defined as a plastic in the context used herein
- the pad 15 is provided with a window l5atherethrough in alignment with at least a portion of the window 13a.
- Each of the layers 13, 14 and 15 are also provided with mounting holes 13b, 14b and 15b respectively, positioned in alignment with hole 11a formed in the board 11.
- a plurality of modular key units or actuating units adapted to be individually mounted on the board 11.
- Each of the units 20 comprises a key portion 21 upon which indicia e.g., numbers or letters (see FIG. 1) may be applied.
- the key portion 21 is mounted on a first or external plunger or actuating member 22 which includes a bore 22a having resilient snap members 22b at the bore 22a opening.
- the plunger 22 is positioned for slidable movement within a housing 25 and is preferably prevented from rotating by guide means such as tongues 22e positioned in channels 25d.
- the upper limit of movement of the plunger 22 within the housing 25 is 3 determined by a shoulder 25a formed within the housmg.
- the housing 25 is provided with mounting members 25b which extend through layer ll,l3,l4 and holes 11b, 13b, 14b and 15b respectively, and are provided with retaining heads 25c.
- the housing 22 is constructed of plastic with the members 25b being initially rods.
- the plastic used for housing is selected of a plastic material e.g., polypropylene, nylon, which may be softened and shaped to form the retaining heads after the assembly is formed.
- Nuts may also be used to mount the units on the board 11 by forming threads at the end of the members b.
- a second or internal plunger or actuating member which includes portion 26a slidably movable within the bore 22a and retained therein by the snap members 22b.
- the snap members 22b are bendable backward to permit entry of the portion 26a,- and the portion 26a is provided with tapered slots 26aa to facilitateentry of the member 26a into the bore 22a (see FIG. 6).
- the portion 260 In order to permit slidable movement of the portion 260 within the bore 22a without excessive force there is provided air vents or exit channels 25d in the bore.
- a shaft member 26b Extending from the plunger portion 26a is a shaft member 26b which supports a pusher portion 26c.
- the pusher portion 260 is provided with a tip which is adapted to push the conductive layer 14 through the window 13a to make contact with the contact 12 (see FIG. 3).
- resilient biasing means or springs 27 and 28 biases the first plunger 22 against the housing shoulder 25a and away from the conductive layer and is positioned at one end on the pad 15 and is located by the interior of the member 22.
- Spring 28 is positioned between the first plunger 22 bottom and the pusher portion 26c and urges the plunger 26 towards the conductive layer and is located at its ends about a cylindrical tier 22d formed on the plunger 22 and a cylindrical tier 26d.
- the spring 28 acts as an overload spring to permit the member 26 to move rearwardly if an overload force is applied to the key 21. This is accomplished by selecting the spring 28 so that after member 26 has bottomed additional force applied to the key and the first plunger causes the plunger 26 to overcome the force applied by the spring 28.
- the bore is made longer than the member 26a so that rearward motion is possible.
- the key 21 is pressed to cause the first plunger 22 to move the second plunger 26 therewith to cause the conductive layer to make contact with the contact 12. If the conductive layer is grounded as disclosed in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,721,778 and the contact is high then a circuit will be completed and the current will flow.
- the electrical contact 12 may be segmented as shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,705,276 and 3,721,778 and electrical contact may then be made between the segments to complete a circuit.
- pins or connectors are employed as shown in the aforementioned patent applications.
- a keyboard array including an insulator board supporting a circuit having at least one electrically conductive contact provided on one surface of said board, a resilient conductive layer means positioned to make contact with said contact upon application of a force thereto, and means separating said conductive layer means from said contact and having a window therethrough which said conductive layer may extend to make contact with said electrical contact, the improvement comprising an external plunger having a bore, an internal plunger slidably movable within a bore formed in an external plunger, a housing slidably supporting said external plunger, means coupling said housing to said board, first resilient biasing means biasing said external plunger away from said conductive layer means, second resilient biasing means biasing said internal plunger towards said conductive layer, said internal plunger positioned to apply a force against said conductive layer means to make electrical contact with said contact upon the application of a force applied to said external plunger, a key mounted on said external plunger and snap members provided on said external plunger to confine a portion of said internal plunger within said bore thereofv
- vent channels are provided to facilitate movement of said internal plunger in said bore.
- a keyboard array including an insulator board supporting a circuit having at least one electrically conductive contact provided on one surface of said board, a resilient conductive layer means positioned to make contact with said contact upon application of a force thereto, and means separating said conductive layer means from said contact arid having a window therethrough which said conductive layer may extend to make contact with said electrical contact, the improvement comprising an external plunger, an internal plunger slidably movable within a bore formed in an external plunger, a housing slidably supporting said external plunger, means coupling said housing to said board, first resilient biasing means biasing said external plunger away from said conductive layer means, second resilient biasing means biasing said internal plunger towards said conductive layer, said internal plunger positioned to apply a force against said conductive layer means to make electrical contact with said contact upon application of a force applied to said within said housing and having a key attached -thereto, a second plunger having a portion slidably movable within a portion of said first plunger,
Landscapes
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (8)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US29772172A | 1972-10-16 | 1972-10-16 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3780237A true US3780237A (en) | 1973-12-18 |
Family
ID=23147467
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US00297721A Expired - Lifetime US3780237A (en) | 1972-10-16 | 1972-10-16 | Keyboard switch assembly with multi-sectional key actuator |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3780237A (en) |
Cited By (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3862381A (en) * | 1973-10-29 | 1975-01-21 | Chomerics Inc | Keyboard switch assembly with multilayer, coextensive contactor means |
US3862382A (en) * | 1973-10-29 | 1975-01-21 | Chomerics Inc | Keyboards switch assembly with multilayer pattern contact means |
US3917917A (en) * | 1973-08-23 | 1975-11-04 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Keyboard pushbutton switch assembly having multilayer contact and circuit structure |
US4129758A (en) * | 1977-06-10 | 1978-12-12 | Telaris Telecommunications, Inc. | Keyboard switch assembly having flexible contact carrying member between contact carrying substrate and flexible, resilient, key-depressible bubble protrusions |
US4251697A (en) * | 1978-01-27 | 1981-02-17 | Amper, S.A. | Keypad for telephones |
DE3013115A1 (en) * | 1980-04-03 | 1981-10-08 | Schoeller & Co Elektrotechnische Fabrik Gmbh & Co, 6000 Frankfurt | ELECTRIC KEY SWITCH |
US4341934A (en) * | 1980-11-21 | 1982-07-27 | The Keyboard Company | Actuator for keyboard switches |
US4376239A (en) * | 1980-10-03 | 1983-03-08 | Allen-Bradley Company | Industrial membrane switch |
US4392037A (en) * | 1980-06-07 | 1983-07-05 | Burroughs Corporation | Stabilized button for an electrical keyboard |
US4418257A (en) * | 1981-11-23 | 1983-11-29 | The Keyboard Company | Keyboard switch |
US4439646A (en) * | 1981-04-22 | 1984-03-27 | Societe De Telecommunications Electronique Aeronautique Et Maritime T.E.A.M. | Keyboard switch assembly |
US4440992A (en) * | 1982-03-03 | 1984-04-03 | Amp Incorporated | Low profile keyboard switch actuating assembly |
US4440999A (en) * | 1982-08-13 | 1984-04-03 | Press On, Inc. | Membrane switch |
US4453198A (en) * | 1982-09-15 | 1984-06-05 | General Instrument Corporation | Linear feel keyswitch with hysteresis |
US4454562A (en) * | 1982-09-15 | 1984-06-12 | General Instrument Corporation | Keyswitch with telescoping plunger |
US4471177A (en) * | 1982-08-13 | 1984-09-11 | Press On, Inc. | Enlarged switch area membrane switch and method |
US4496803A (en) * | 1983-05-04 | 1985-01-29 | Key Concepts, Incorporated | Data entry switch |
US4515999A (en) * | 1983-01-24 | 1985-05-07 | Rogers Corporation | Full travel keyboard |
US4678880A (en) * | 1984-04-18 | 1987-07-07 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. | Keyboard switch |
FR2669767A1 (en) * | 1990-11-23 | 1992-05-29 | Philips Electronics Nv | Contactor for a control keyboard, and audiovisual apparatus including such a contactor |
US5120923A (en) * | 1989-10-06 | 1992-06-09 | Takafumi Kato | Push button switch |
US20170301488A1 (en) * | 2014-09-18 | 2017-10-19 | Wenyu ZHANG | Key Switch, Key Unit and Computer Keyboard |
DE102022204491A1 (en) | 2022-05-06 | 2023-11-09 | Robert Bosch Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Actuating device for actuating a pressure contact |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3300600A (en) * | 1961-02-23 | 1967-01-24 | Arthur G Blomquist | Miniature interlock switch |
US3408464A (en) * | 1967-05-10 | 1968-10-29 | Stewart Warner Corp | Brake switch |
US3493705A (en) * | 1966-12-14 | 1970-02-03 | Schoeller & Co Elektrotech | Pushbutton switch |
-
1972
- 1972-10-16 US US00297721A patent/US3780237A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3300600A (en) * | 1961-02-23 | 1967-01-24 | Arthur G Blomquist | Miniature interlock switch |
US3493705A (en) * | 1966-12-14 | 1970-02-03 | Schoeller & Co Elektrotech | Pushbutton switch |
US3408464A (en) * | 1967-05-10 | 1968-10-29 | Stewart Warner Corp | Brake switch |
Cited By (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3917917A (en) * | 1973-08-23 | 1975-11-04 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Keyboard pushbutton switch assembly having multilayer contact and circuit structure |
US3862381A (en) * | 1973-10-29 | 1975-01-21 | Chomerics Inc | Keyboard switch assembly with multilayer, coextensive contactor means |
US3862382A (en) * | 1973-10-29 | 1975-01-21 | Chomerics Inc | Keyboards switch assembly with multilayer pattern contact means |
US4129758A (en) * | 1977-06-10 | 1978-12-12 | Telaris Telecommunications, Inc. | Keyboard switch assembly having flexible contact carrying member between contact carrying substrate and flexible, resilient, key-depressible bubble protrusions |
US4251697A (en) * | 1978-01-27 | 1981-02-17 | Amper, S.A. | Keypad for telephones |
DE3013115A1 (en) * | 1980-04-03 | 1981-10-08 | Schoeller & Co Elektrotechnische Fabrik Gmbh & Co, 6000 Frankfurt | ELECTRIC KEY SWITCH |
US4392037A (en) * | 1980-06-07 | 1983-07-05 | Burroughs Corporation | Stabilized button for an electrical keyboard |
US4376239A (en) * | 1980-10-03 | 1983-03-08 | Allen-Bradley Company | Industrial membrane switch |
US4341934A (en) * | 1980-11-21 | 1982-07-27 | The Keyboard Company | Actuator for keyboard switches |
US4439646A (en) * | 1981-04-22 | 1984-03-27 | Societe De Telecommunications Electronique Aeronautique Et Maritime T.E.A.M. | Keyboard switch assembly |
US4418257A (en) * | 1981-11-23 | 1983-11-29 | The Keyboard Company | Keyboard switch |
US4440992A (en) * | 1982-03-03 | 1984-04-03 | Amp Incorporated | Low profile keyboard switch actuating assembly |
US4440999A (en) * | 1982-08-13 | 1984-04-03 | Press On, Inc. | Membrane switch |
US4471177A (en) * | 1982-08-13 | 1984-09-11 | Press On, Inc. | Enlarged switch area membrane switch and method |
US4453198A (en) * | 1982-09-15 | 1984-06-05 | General Instrument Corporation | Linear feel keyswitch with hysteresis |
US4454562A (en) * | 1982-09-15 | 1984-06-12 | General Instrument Corporation | Keyswitch with telescoping plunger |
US4515999A (en) * | 1983-01-24 | 1985-05-07 | Rogers Corporation | Full travel keyboard |
US4496803A (en) * | 1983-05-04 | 1985-01-29 | Key Concepts, Incorporated | Data entry switch |
US4678880A (en) * | 1984-04-18 | 1987-07-07 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. | Keyboard switch |
US5120923A (en) * | 1989-10-06 | 1992-06-09 | Takafumi Kato | Push button switch |
FR2669767A1 (en) * | 1990-11-23 | 1992-05-29 | Philips Electronics Nv | Contactor for a control keyboard, and audiovisual apparatus including such a contactor |
US20170301488A1 (en) * | 2014-09-18 | 2017-10-19 | Wenyu ZHANG | Key Switch, Key Unit and Computer Keyboard |
DE102022204491A1 (en) | 2022-05-06 | 2023-11-09 | Robert Bosch Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Actuating device for actuating a pressure contact |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AMP INCORPORATED, HARRISBURG, PA., 17105, A CORP. Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CHOMERICS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:003854/0523 Effective date: 19810511 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED FILE - (OLD CASE ADDED FOR FILE TRACKING PURPOSES) |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LUCAS DURALITH AKT CORPORATION Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:AMP KEYBOARD TECHNOLOGIES INC.;REEL/FRAME:005258/0527 Effective date: 19890428 Owner name: AMP KEYBOARD TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A WHOLLY OWNED SU Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:AMP INCORPORATED;REEL/FRAME:005258/0518 Effective date: 19890418 |