Keyboard switch assembly

Claim 2

A key switch unit comprising a key guide member of synthetic resinous material having flange portions closely contacting the top surface of a flat board, a pendent body extending downwardly therefrom, an elongated hole formed through said flange portions and body, and a switch holding portion provided on said body; means for securing said key guide member to said board; a key having a stem longitudinally slidable in said elongated hole, a push button affixed to the upper end of said stem, and a magnet affixed to the lower portion of said stem; and a magnetically operated switch held at said swiTch holding portion to be actuated by said magnet in response to movement of said stem.

Claim 3

The unit according to claim 1 wherein said magnetically operated switch comprises a glass capsule enclosing reed contacts of conductive magnetic material and lead wires for connecting said reed contacts to external circuits, and said switch holding portion comprises a pair of receptacles to hold said glass capsule and lead wires disposed therebetween for arranging said switch at a predetermined position so that said reed contacts open and close in response to movement of said magnet of said key.

Claim 4

A key switch unit comprising a key guide member of synthetic resinous material having flange portions closely contacting the top surface of a flat board, a pendent body extending downwardly therefrom, an elongated hole formed through said flange portions and body, and a pair of elastic projections formed on a vertical side wall of said body and disposed below said flange portion at a space equal to the thickness of said board, said key guide member being secured to said board so as to insert the board between said flange portions and said projections when said body is fully inserted into an aperture in said board against the elasticity of said projections; a key having a stem longitudinally slidable in said elongated hole, and a push button affixed to the upper end of said stem, and a switch arranged to be actuated in response to movement of said stem caused by the operation of said push button.

Claim 5

A key switch unit comprising a key guide member of synthetic resinous material having flange portions closely contacting the top surface of a flat board, a pendent body extending downwardly therefrom, an elongated hole formed through said flange portions and body, and a pair of elastic projections formed on a vertical side wall of said body and disposed below said flange portion at a space equal to the thickness of said board, said key guide member being secured to said board so as to insert the board between said flange portions and said projections when said body is fully inserted into an aperture in said board against the elasticity of said projections; a key having a stem longitudinally slidable in said elongated hole, and a push button affixed to the upper end of said stem, and a switch arranged to be actuated in response to movement of said stem caused by the operation of said push button.

Claim 6

The unit according to claim 3 wherein said elastic projection is a wedge-shaped tab in normal condition and easily inserted into said aperture together with said body in folded condition, and the horizontal upper side thereof closely contacts the undersurface of said board when said body is fully inserted into said aperture.

Claim 7

The unit according to claim 3 wherein said key guide member further has a switch holding portion provided on said body, said key further has a magnet affixed to the lower portion of said stem, and said switch is held at said switch holding portion and arranged to be actuated by said magnet in response to movement of said stem.

Claim 8

The unit according to claim 5 wherein said switch comprises a glass capsule enclosing reed contacts of conductive magnetic material and lead wires for connecting said reed contacts to external circuits, and said switch holding portion comprises a pair of receptacles to hold said glass capsule and lead wires disposed therebetween for arranging said switch at a predetermined position so that said reed contacts open and close in response to movement of said magnet on said stem.

Claim 9

A key switch unit comprising a key guide member perforated with an elongated hole and inserted into an aperture in a flat board and secured to said board; a key having a stem longitudinally slidable in said elongated hole, a push button affixed to the upper end of said stem, and a magnet affixed to the lower portion of said stem; spring means for holding said key at an upper rest position; an elastic pad fitted to the upper surface of said magnet so that said upper surface thereof does not directly strike said board when said key returns to said rest position; and a magnetically operated switch arranged to be actuated in response to movement of said key caused by the operation of said push button.

Claim 10

A key switch unit comprising a key guide member perforated with an elongated hole and inserted into an aperture in a flat board and secured to said board; a key having a stem longitudinally slidable in said elongated hole, a push button affixed to the upper end of said stem, and a magnet affixed to the lower portion of said stem; spring means for holding said key at an upper rest position; an elastic pad fitted to the upper surface of said magnet so that said upper surface thereof does not directly strike said board when said key returns to said rest position; and a magnetically operated switch arranged to be actuated in response to movement of said key caused by the operation of said push button.

Claim 11

A keyboard switch assembly comprising a printed circuit board having a plurality of apertures and printed key input circuits; a plurality of key guide members, each inserted into the aperture and secured to said board; a plurality of keys, each having a stem longitudinally slidable in said key guide member and a push button affixed to the upper end of said stem; and a plurality of switches, each arranged to be actuated in response to movement of said stem caused by the operation of the corresponding push button and connected to the printed key input circuits.

Claim 12

A keyboard switch assembly comprising a printed circuit board having a plurality of apertures and printed key input circuits; a plurality of key guide members, each inserted into the aperture and secured to said board; a plurality of keys, each having a stem longitudinally slidable in said key guide member and a push button affixed to the upper end of said stem; and a plurality of switches, each arranged to be actuated in response to movement of said stem caused by the operation of the corresponding push button and connected to the printed key input circuits.

Claim 13

The assembly according to claim 8 wherein said key guide member of synthetic resinous material has a switch holding portion and an elongated hole, said stem further has a magnet disposed below said push button, and said switch comprises magnetically operated switch elements and lead wires for connecting said elements to said printed key input circuits, said switch elements being held at said switch holding portion to be actuated by said magnet in response to movement of said stem.