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US3644855A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Keyboard reed switch
Assignee: Cherry Corp
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Filing: 1970-07-10
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Granted: 1972-02-22
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Expires: 1990-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A pushbutton keyboard switch embodying an enclosed reed contact element mounted on a base portion of a switch in close proximity to a permanent magnet that is movably supported between a pair of opposing spring members, a slidable actuator being in contact with one of the spring members so as to compress the same against the magnet to increase its kinetic force until it overcomes the resistance of the opposing spring to effect longitudinal switching movement of the magnet relative to the reed contact element and to create a tactile feel in the movement of the actuator.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter L Cherry
- 👤 Raymond G Castle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H5/00; H01H5/02; H01H36/00; H01H36/0006; H01H36/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A keyboard pushbutton switch assembly comprising a housing for a sealed reed switch including switch elements movably responsive to a magnetic field, wherein the improvement comprises a. an actuator depressible into the switch housing, b. a magnet within the housing spaced from the reed switch so as not to magnetically attract the switch elements thereof, c. a compressible member yieldably supporting said magnet within the housing relative to the reed switch, d. a spring between said actuator and said magnet and compressible thereagainst to move the same within the housing against the force of said compressible member and into a position to magnetically actuate the switch elements of the reed switch, e. and a metallic ring fixedly carried within the housing and having an attractive magnetic force between it and said magnet which yieldably resists the moving force of said spring as it is pressed against said magnet by movement of said actuator into the housing until such moving force assists said actuator in overcoming the magnetic attraction so as to move said magnet against said compressible member and into switch actuation position, said ring so positioned within the housing so that said spring projects therethrough and against said magnet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A keyboard pushbutton switch assembly comprising a housing for a sealed reed switch including switch elements movably responsive to a magnetic field, wherein the improvement comprises a. an actuator depressible into the switch housing, b. a magnet within the housing spaced from the reed switch so as not to magnetically attract the switch elements thereof, c. a compressible member yieldably supporting said magnet within the housing relative to the reed switch, d. a spring between said actuator and said magnet and compressible thereagainst to move the same within the housing against the force of said compressible member and into a position to magnetically actuate the switch elements of the reed switch, e. and a metallic ring fixedly carried within the housing and having an attractive magnetic force between it and said magnet which yieldably resists the moving force of said spring as it is pressed against said magnet by movement of said actuator into the housing until such moving force assists said actuator in overcoming the magnetic attraction so as to move said magnet against said compressible member and into switch actuation position, said ring so positioned within the housing so that said spring projects therethrough and against said magnet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
A keyboard pushbutton switch as defined by claim 1, wherein the housing includes a split sleeve insertable into the housing and in which said compressible member and said magnet are carried and about which is mounted in parallel relation the sealed reed switch, and means cooperating with said split sleeve for frictionally holding the sealed reed switch in a predetermined relation with respect to the path of movement of said magnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A keyboard pushbutton switch as defined by claim 2 wherein there is included means provided by the housing for guiding said actuator in the path of movement axially of said compressible member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A keyboard pushbutton switch as defined by claim 1, wherein said ring is adapted to be press-fitted into a seat provided within the housing in axial alignment with said magnet and said spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A keyboard pushbutton switch as defined by claim 4, wherein said ring is adapted to be press-fitted into a seat provided within the housing in axial alignment with said magnet and said spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
177 words
A keyboard pushbutton switch assembly comprising a sealed reed switch including switch elements movably responsive to a magnetic field, a magnet within said switch assembly and a compressible member yieldably supporting the magnet in a position relative to the reed switch, wherein the improvement comprises a. a sealed housing for the reed switch and the magnet and its compressible supporting member, b. said housing providing an internal split sleeve which freely embraces the magnet and its compressible supporting member, c. an actuator for the switch assembly having a bifurcated end, portions of which are adapted to reciprocally move between the confronting walls of said internal split sleeve, d. means on said actuator between its bifurcated end portions for moving the magnet through said split sleeve against its compressible supporting member and into switch actuating position, and e. means provided by said housing and cooperating with said split sleeve for frictionally holding the reed switch in spaced parallel relation to the magnet and its compressible supporting member and out of the path of reciprocal movement of said actuator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
177 words
A keyboard pushbutton switch assembly comprising a sealed reed switch including switch elements movably responsive to a magnetic field, a magnet within said switch assembly and a compressible member yieldably supporting the magnet in a position relative to the reed switch, wherein the improvement comprises a. a sealed housing for the reed switch and the magnet and its compressible supporting member, b. said housing providing an internal split sleeve which freely embraces the magnet and its compressible supporting member, c. an actuator for the switch assembly having a bifurcated end, portions of which are adapted to reciprocally move between the confronting walls of said internal split sleeve, d. means on said actuator between its bifurcated end portions for moving the magnet through said split sleeve against its compressible supporting member and into switch actuating position, and e. means provided by said housing and cooperating with said split sleeve for frictionally holding the reed switch in spaced parallel relation to the magnet and its compressible supporting member and out of the path of reciprocal movement of said actuator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A keyboard pushbutton switch assembly as defined by claim 6 wherein said means that cooperate with said sleeve for frictionally holding the reed switch in a predetermined position comprise an angled corner post spaced from said split sleeve and cooperating therewith to frictionally hold said reed switch in a predetermined position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A keyboard pushbutton switch assembly as defined by claim 6 wherein said sealed housing provides means for guiding said actuator as it is reciprocally moved between the confronting walls of said split sleeve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |