EP0201259A2
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EP
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Variable keystroke pressure apparatus
Assignee: A&K Macfarlane Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1986-04-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard which is capable of varying the pressure required for the keystroke is provided and comprises an inflatable means (10) being a variable pressure bladder (11) which fits over the keyboard between the base plate (12) and the keys (13). The operator may vary the pressure delivered to the system as desired and may also preset a cycle of time intervals with pressure <<on>> and pressure <<off>>. <??>Alternatively, the pressure supply may be linked to a number of keyboards and a programmed variable pressure cycle will be delivered to all the keyboards.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Robert Macfarlane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:52
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J5/00; B41J5/08; B41J5/26; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/84; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/046; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/044; H01H2227/00; H01H2227/032; H01H2227/034
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
A keyboard characterised in that variable pressure means are provided to vary the pressure necessary to successfully depress a key.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
A keyboard characterised in that variable pressure means are provided to vary the pressure necessary to successfully depress a key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The keyboard of claim 1 characterised in that said variable pressure means comprises means to vary the pressure with time in a cyclical manner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The keyboard of claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the means to vary the pressure comprises an inflatable plastics bladder in communication with means to inflate or deflate the bladder through a pressure range which results in a required keystroke force to achieve a successful keystroke, from a negligible pressure to one requiring a substantial keystroke force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The keyboard of claim 1 or 2 characterised in that said pressure can be varied from 0 to 10 kPa in a stepwise or continuous manner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A variable keystroke pressure apparatus characterised in that an inflatable means is adapted to be disposed between at least some of the keys of a keyboard and the keyboard base in such a manner that the pressure inside said inflatable means can be varied to vary the pressure necessary to successfully depress a key.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A variable keystroke pressure apparatus characterised in that an inflatable means is adapted to be disposed between at least some of the keys of a keyboard and the keyboard base in such a manner that the pressure inside said inflatable means can be varied to vary the pressure necessary to successfully depress a key.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 4 characterised in that the inflatable means comprises an inflatable plastics bladder in communication with means to inflate or deflate the bladder through a pressure range which results in a required keystroke force to achieve a successful keystroke, from a negligible pressure to one requiring a substantial keystroke force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 5 characterised in that the pressure is from 0.5 kPa to 8kPa.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 or 7 characterised in that the means to inflate the bladder also comprises means to vary the pressure with time over predetermined cycles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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