Patent EP0091284A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0091284A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Contact keyboard and method of its manufacture
Assignee: Olivetti SpA
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Filing: 1983-03-31
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A contact keyboard comprising a plurality of keys (10) each having an actuator (11) movable axially in opposition to the action of an elastic element (22) to effect the connection of parts (23-25) of an electric circuit. The actuators (11) are slidable in guide recesses (12) formed by moulding in a single block (15) of plastics material. Assembly of the actuators, the guide block, the elastic elements and the electric circuit on a supporting plate (16) can be effected automatically. Assembly takes place with the block (15) upside down, on the plate (16). The actuators (12) are moulded in one piece with connecting sprues and are inserted in one operation. The sprues are then removed, the elastic elements (22) are put in place and then a printed circuit board (26) is fitted.
Inventors
- 👤 Mario Maquignaz
- 👤 Eugenio Bassetti
- 👤 Orlando Spinoni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/004; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/062; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/018; H01H2229/034; H01H2229/044; H01H2233/00; H01H2233/002; H01H2233/004; H01H2233/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A contact keyboard for a typewriter or other office machine, comprising a plurality of keys (10) each having an actuator (11) movable axially in opposition to the action of an elastic element (22) to effect the completion of an electric circuit, and in which each actuator is slidable in a corresponding guide recess (12), characterised in that a plurality of the guide recesses (12) is formed in a single support block (15).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A contact keyboard for a typewriter or other office machine, comprising a plurality of keys (10) each having an actuator (11) movable axially in opposition to the action of an elastic element (22) to effect the completion of an electric circuit, and in which each actuator is slidable in a corresponding guide recess (12), characterised in that a plurality of the guide recesses (12) is formed in a single support block (15).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A contact keyboard according to claim 1, characterised in that the said block (15) is of plastics material moulded to produce the guide recesses (12).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A contact keyboard according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the actuators (11) are of plastics material, produced as a single moulding with the actuators interconnected by removable sprues (30), and disposed so as to be positionable opposite the guide recesses (12).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A contact keyboard according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of the elastic elements (22) is of an elastomer and is shaped in the form of a dome inside which is fixed a conductive pad (23) for short-circuiting electric circuit parts (24,25).
Claim 6
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of manufacturing a contact keyboard according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the steps of: a) moulding a support block with guide recesses for the actuators; b) producing the actuators by moulding in such manner that they are positionable opposite the guide recesses and are joined by removable sprues; c) inserting the actuators in the corresponding guide recesses and removing the sprues; d) inserting the elastic elements to correspond with the actuators; and e) mounting the electric circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 5, characterised in that, before fixing the circuit to the block, a test apparatus is arranged to test each key of the keyboard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 5, characterised in that the block is mounted on a base plate with the interposition of a layer of sound-absorbing material.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of manufacturing a contact keyboard of the type comprising an electric circuit provided with a set of fixed contacts, a corresponding set of contacts movable axially in opposition to the action of elastic elements, a set of actuating sliders for actuating the movable contacts and a corresponding set of guide and stop elements for the sliders, characterised by the following steps: a) positioning the set of guide elements according to the desired distribution of the keyboard; b) disposing the set of guide elements on a base, these being inverted with respect to the normal working arrangement; c) producing the movable sliders and arranging the set on a support, the sliders being inverted with respect to the normal arrangement in the same arrangement as the guide elements; d) producing the set of movable contacts and arranging them on a support, these being inverted and in the same arrangement as the guide elements; e) inserting the sliders in the corresponding guide elements; f) superposing the movable contacts on the sliders; g) superposing the electric circuit with the fixed contacts on the movable contacts; and h) fixing the guide elements together with the electric circuit.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of manufacturing a contact keyboard of the type comprising an electric circuit provided with a set of fixed contacts, a corresponding set of contacts movable axially in opposition to the action of elastic elements, a set of actuating sliders for actuating the movable contacts and a corresponding set of guide and stop elements for the sliders, characterised by the following steps: a) positioning the set of guide elements according to the desired distribution of the keyboard; b) disposing the set of guide elements on a base, these being inverted with respect to the normal working arrangement; c) producing the movable sliders and arranging the set on a support, the sliders being inverted with respect to the normal arrangement in the same arrangement as the guide elements; d) producing the set of movable contacts and arranging them on a support, these being inverted and in the same arrangement as the guide elements; e) inserting the sliders in the corresponding guide elements; f) superposing the movable contacts on the sliders; g) superposing the electric circuit with the fixed contacts on the movable contacts; and h) fixing the guide elements together with the electric circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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