Patent US3591749A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3591749A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printed circuit keyboard
Assignee: Singer Co
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Filing: 1969-05-12
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A printed circuit keyboard having contacts thereon with leads from the contacts passing through the board and connected to conductors on the underside of the board. A ground plane in the form of a conductive sheet is positioned above the contacts and biased out of contact therefrom. This sheet could be Mylar plated with nickel. The Mylar sheet is positioned over an apertured member aligned with the contacts to provide the biasing. The Mylar is sufficiently taut so that only one contact can be positioned against the depressed Mylar sheet at one time. A cellophane or other member can be placed over the Mylar and aligned with the apertures to provide numeric indicators for the keyboard.
Inventors
- 👤 James Martin Comstock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; H01H13/702; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/23; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/026; H01H2203/00; H01H2203/032; H01H2205/00; H01H2205/006; H01H2207/00; H01H2207/01; H01H2207/012; H01H2207/022; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/014; H01H2209/016; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/012; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/05; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/034; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/024; H01H2229/032; H01H2229/034
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
17 words
The keyboard assembly of claim 1 further including a transparent protective sheet disposed above said indicator sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second apertures have substantially identical dimensions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
THe apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second apertures are dimensioned to receive an actuating member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base member further includes a connector portion, a plurality of conductor paths mounted on the underside of said base member, with individual ones of said conductive paths connected at a first end to individual ones of said contact members, the second end of each of said conductor paths terminating at said connector portion, and a common conductive terminal positioned on the upper side of said base member along said connector portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
262 words
A manually actuatable keyboard assembly comprising: a base member having a plurality of spaced contact members thereon; a grid member positioned adjacent said base member and having a plurality of apertures, with individual ones of said apertures aligned with individual ones of said contact members; a plurality of manually actuatable key members positioned adjacent said grid member for reciprocable motion in the direction of said base member, with individual ones of said key members aligned with individual ones of said apertures, each of said key members having a projection extending in said direction and adapted to enter its associated aperture in response to an actuating force; a plurality of spring members associated with said key members, individual ones of said spring members mounted between said grid member and a selected portion of said associated key member to provide an upward force biasing said associated key member in a nonactuated position; a cover member positioned adjacent said grid member and having a plurality of apertures aligned with said grid apertures, individual ones of said cover apertures adapted to slidably receive individual ones of said key members; and at least one resilient conductive strip disposed between said grid member and said cover member and across selected ones of said grid apertures for contacting said aligned contact members in response to the actuation of said aligned key members and corresponding motion of said projections in said direction; said conductive strip including interlock means preventing contact with more than one of said contact members when more than one of said aligned key members has been actuated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The keyboard assembly of claim 6, wherein said grid apertures are arranged in a plurality of rows, and wherein each of said rows is provided with an associated conductive strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said base member further includes a connector portion, a plurality of conductor paths mounted on the underside of said base member, with individual ones of said conductive paths connected at a first end to individual ones of said contact members, the second end of each of said conductor paths terminating at said connector portion, and a common conductive terminal positioned on the upper side of said base member along said connector portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |