US3554348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Key lock shift mechanism
Assignee: Singer Co
•
Filing: 1967-11-01
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1987-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A key lock mechanism for a keyboard wherein a shift key lever and a key lock lever are mutually coupled by bridging members spanning intermediate key levers to latch and unlatch the shift key lever for deriving a compact, shallow keyboard.
Inventors
- 👤 John F Herrmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:37
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J5/00; B41J5/08; B41J5/18; B41J5/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A key lock mechanism for a keyboard having a plurality of key levers including a shift key lever which is movable between a normally unshifted position and a shifted position, said key lock mechanism comprising: a. a key lock lever mounted in spaced relationship to said shift key lever for movement between corresponding normally unshifted and shifted positions; b. a fixed bar; c. locking means including a spring biased locking member pivotally mounted on said key lock lever for latching said key lock lever in said corresponding shifted position when moved thereto; d. a first bridging means mounted on said key lock lever and coupled to said shift key lever for urging said shift key lever to said shifted position; and e. second bridging means mounted on said shift key lever and coupled to said locking member for decoupling said locking member from said fixed bar when said shift key lever is shifted before said key lock lever.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A key lock mechanism for a keyboard having a plurality of key levers including a shift key lever which is movable between a normally unshifted position and a shifted position, said key lock mechanism comprising: a. a key lock lever mounted in spaced relationship to said shift key lever for movement between corresponding normally unshifted and shifted positions; b. a fixed bar; c. locking means including a spring biased locking member pivotally mounted on said key lock lever for latching said key lock lever in said corresponding shifted position when moved thereto; d. a first bridging means mounted on said key lock lever and coupled to said shift key lever for urging said shift key lever to said shifted position; and e. second bridging means mounted on said shift key lever and coupled to said locking member for decoupling said locking member from said fixed bar when said shift key lever is shifted before said key lock lever.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said key lock lever is spaced from said shift key lever by at least one key lever.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said key lock lever is spaced from said shift key lever by at least one key lever and said first and second bridging means span said one key lever.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention defined in claim 1 further including a lock button on said key lock lever for operating said key lock lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said first bridging means includes a substantially horizontal tab portion and said shift key lever being responsive to the displacement of said tab portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention defined In claim 1 wherein said locking member is pivotally disposed on a pivot pin fixed to said key lock lever.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |