US3711685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard switch actuator
Assignee: Cherry Corp
•
Filing: 1971-12-27
•
Granted: 1973-01-16
•
Expires: 1991-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard switch actuator in the form of a so-called spacer bar commonly utilized in data processing machines, computers, and electric typewriters, all of which require the actuation of an associated electrical switch. The actuator in this application is a spacer bar normally rectangular in shape and of a size greater than other keys associated with the apparatus. This type of actuator must be constructed so as to maintain longitudinal stability during its operational movement by equally distributing the operating force thereon throughout its longitudinal length so as to prevent tilting, cocking, and oscillatory binding while preserving the operational characteristic of a highly sensitive, light operating force.
Inventors
- 👤 R Castle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/12; H01H3/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An electrical keyboard switch actuator assembly adapted to be operatively mounted upon a keyboard and operated by an externally moving force applied thereto, comprising a. an elongated key bar mounted above the keyboard and movable reciprocally through a plane perpendicular thereto, b. an electrical switch assembly carried beneath the keyboard including a movable plunger actuator connected to and supporting said key bar above the keyboard, c. stabilizing means beneath the keyboard extending in a plane normal to the longitudinal plane of said key bar and tiltable about an axis parallel thereto in unison with movement of said key bar so as to uniformly distribute the moving force upon the key bar throughout its longitudinal length, d. means carried by said key bar providing a pivotal connection between said stabilizing means and said key bar, and e. means providing points of pivotal connection between said stabilizing means and the keyboard.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An electrical keyboard switch actuator assembly adapted to be operatively mounted upon a keyboard and operated by an externally moving force applied thereto, comprising a. an elongated key bar mounted above the keyboard and movable reciprocally through a plane perpendicular thereto, b. an electrical switch assembly carried beneath the keyboard including a movable plunger actuator connected to and supporting said key bar above the keyboard, c. stabilizing means beneath the keyboard extending in a plane normal to the longitudinal plane of said key bar and tiltable about an axis parallel thereto in unison with movement of said key bar so as to uniformly distribute the moving force upon the key bar throughout its longitudinal length, d. means carried by said key bar providing a pivotal connection between said stabilizing means and said key bar, and e. means providing points of pivotal connection between said stabilizing means and the keyboard.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
An electrical keyboard switch actuator assembly as defined by claim 1, wherein said means carried by said key bar for providing a pivotal connection to said stabilizing means comprise a pair of depending stabilizing plungers connected to the underside of said key bar to either side and equidistant from the movable plunger actuator of said electrical switch assembly and extending to a predetermined plane beneath the keyboard, said stabilizer plungers providing means for receiving one edge of said stabilizing means so as to move the same through a predetermined path when said key bar is moved through a plane perpendicular to the keyboard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
An electrical keyboard switch actuator assembly as defined by claim 1, wherein said stabilizing means comprises a substantially flat, generally rectangularly shaped plate extending beneath said key bar in a substantially parallel longitudinal plane with respect thereto, with saiD plate having its opposite longitudinal edges pivotally connected to said connecting means between said key bar and said plate and the connecting means between the stabilizing plate and the keyboard.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electrical keyboard switch actuator assembly as defined by claim 3, wherein said means carried by said key bar for providing a pivotal connection to said plate comprise a pair of depending stabilizing plungers connected to the underside of said key bar to either side and equidistant from the movable plunger actuator of said electrical switch assembly and extending to a predetermined plane beneath the keyboard, said stabilizer plungers providing means for receiving one edge of said plate so as to move the same through a predetermined path when said key bar is moved through a plane perpendicular to the keyboard.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
An electrical keyboard switch actuator assembly as defined by claim 3, wherein said means providing points of pivotal connection between said plate and the keyboard comprise a pair of pivotal bearings carried by the keyboard at points equidistant from the movable plunger of said electrical switch assembly and outboard of the pivotal connecting means between said plate and said key bar, said pivotal bearings adapted to receive an edge of said plate so as to provide an axis about which said plate may be tilted in unison with movement of said key bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
An electrical keyboard switch actuator assembly as defined by claim 5, wherein said means carried by said key bar for providing a pivotal connection to said plate comprise a pair of depending stabilizing plungers connected to the underside of said key bar to either side and equidistant from the movable plunger actuator of said electrical switch assembly and extending to a predetermined plane beneath the keyboard, said stabilizer plungers providing means for receiving the other edge of said plate so as to move the same through a predetermined path when said key bar is moved through a plane perpendicular to the keyboard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electrical keyboard switch actuator assembly as defined by claim 1, wherein said means providing points of pivotal connection between said stabilizing means and the keyboard comprise a pair of pivotal bearings carried by the keyboard at points equidistant from the movable plunger of said electrical switch assembly and outboard of the pivotal connecting means between said stabilizing means and said key bar, said pivotal bearings adapted to receive an edge of said stabilizing means so as to provide an axis about which said stabilizing means may be tilted in unison with movement of said key bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
An electrical keyboard switch actuator assembly as defined by claim 7, wherein said means carried by said key bar for providing a pivotal connection to said stabilizing means comprise a pair of depending stabilizing plungers connected to the underside of said key bar to either side and equidistant from the movable plunger actuator of said electrical switch assembly and extending to a predetermined plane beneath the keyboard, said stabilizing plungers providing means for receiving the other edge of said stabilizing means so as to move the same through a predetermined path when said key bar is moved through a plane perpendicular to the keyboard.
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) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |