Pushbutton keyboard system

Claim 2

A selectively energizable keyboard system comprising an electrically insulating support member having a generally planar first surface on which a plurality of conductive paths are disposed arranged in a preselected pattern adapted to transmit electrical information in response to selective interconnection of portions of said paths, a plurality of spaced apart sets of conductive support members arranged in a preselected configuration at a second opposite surface of said support member in electrical communication with first preselected portions of said paths, conductive contact members associated with each of said plurality of sets of conductive support members, said contact members being arranged at said second surface of said support member eaCh in electrically isolated relationship with its associated conductive support member and in electrical communication with second preselected portions of said paths, and a plurality of selectively actuatable conductive elements adjacent said second surface, one of said elements being supported by and maintained in continuous electrical contact with each of said sets of conductive support members and in selective disengagement with said conductive contact member, said conductive elements being adapted to be deflected into a position of engagement with said conductive contact member so as to establish an electrical connection between said first and said second preselected portions of said paths in response to the application of a preselected deflecting force to said conductive element.

Claim 3

A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein means are provided for applying the preselected deflecting force to said conductive elements, including a plurality of pushbutton members adapted to be manually actuated to apply the deflecting force to said conductive elements to effect deflection thereof into a position of engagement with said conductive contact member, each of said pushbutton members having a force applying surface in registration with a conductive element and another surface adapted to be symbolized in a manner indicative of the electrical information transmitted in response to the establishment of the electrical connection between said first and said second preselected portions of said paths.

Claim 4

A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said sets of conductive support members include a plurality of spaced first metallic members arranged to define at least a partially enclosed area at said second surface of said insulating support member, said first metallic members extending through said insulating support member and terminating in electrical contact with said first preselected portions of said conductive paths.

Claim 5

A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said conductive contact members each comprise a second metallic member arranged generally centrally within said partially enclosed area at said second surface of said insulating support member, said second metallic member extending through said insulating support member and terminating in electrical contact with said second preselected portions of said conductive paths.

Claim 6

A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first metallic members project outwardly a first preselected distance from said second surface of said insulating support member to define a generally planar support for said conductive element.

Claim 7

A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said second metallic members project outwardly a second preselected distance less than said first preselected distance from said second surface of said insulating support member so as to remain spaced from said conductive element until said conductive element is deflected into engagement therewith so as to establish the bridging electrical connection between the set of conductive support members and the associated conductive contact member.

Claim 8

A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said conductive elements are each of a generally circular configuration having marginal edge portions supported on the generally planar support defined by said first metallic members and a generally central portion maintained in selective disengagement with and adapted to be deflected into engagement with said conductive contact member, said conductive elements each having a convex surface of curvature adapted to receive the preselected deflecting force in registration with an associated conductive contact member, said convex surface being adapted to be deflected into a concave configuration in engagement with said conductive contact member in response to the application of the preselected force.

Claim 9

A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein a relatively thin flexible insulating, force-transmitting overlayer is secured to said insulating support boarD in overlying relationship with respect to said conductive elements so as to maintain said conductive elements in a position supported by said first metallic members.

Claim 10

A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said first metallic members each comprise a generally U-shaped member including a pair of legs extending through apertures in said insulating support member and being rigidly crimped into position at said first surface of said insulating support member in electrical contact with said first preselected portions of said conductive paths and an integral body member joining said legs, said body being supported at said second surface of said insulating support member and projecting outwardly therefrom said first preselected distance, and said second metallic members each comprise a generally U-shaped member including a pair of legs extending through apertures in said insulating support member and being rigidly crimped into position at said first surface of said insulating support member in electrical contact with said second preselected portions of said conductive paths and an integral body member joining said legs, said body being supported at said second surface of said insulating support member and projecting outwardly therefrom said second preselected distance.

Claim 11

A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first metallic members comprise a pair of staples secured to said insulating support member, each of said sets of conductive support members including said pair of staples separated by a preselected distance to define the generally planar support for said conductive elements, and said second metallic member comprises another staple secured to said insulating support member intermediate said pair of staples.

Claim 12

A system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said conductive elements are each of a generally circular configuration having opposed marginal potions supported on said pair of staples and having a generally central portion spaced from and maintained in selective disengagement with said another staple and adapted to be deflected into engagement with said another staple in response to the application of the preselected deflecting force to said conductive element thereby establishing a bridging electrical contact between said pair of staples and said another staple so as to effect an electrical connection between said first and second preselected portions of said conductive paths.

Claim 13

A system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said first metallic members each include a shank extending through an aperture in said insulating support member and having an annular collar at one end of a greater diameter than the aperture to preclude complete passage of said shank through the aperture, said collar abutting said second surface of said insulating support member and defining a portion of the planar support for one of said conductive elements, the opposite end of said shank being crimped against said first surface of said insulating support member to effect rigid emplacement of said first metallic member, and said second metallic member each include a shank extending through an aperture in said insulating support member and having a head at one end of a greater diameter than the aperture to preclude complete passage of the shank therethrough, said head abutting said second surface of said insulating support member, the opposite end of said shank being cramped against said first surface of said insulating support member to effect rigid emplacement of said second metallic member.

Claim 14

A system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said first metallic members comprise collared rivets secured to said insulating support member, each of said sets of conductive support members including a plurality of collared rivets spaced to accommodate said conductive elements in supporting relationship on said annular collars, and said second metallic member comprises a headed rivet generally centrally located with respect to said set of collared rivets.

Claim 15

A syStem in accordance with claim 13 wherein said conductive elements are each of a generally circular configuration having a marginal boundary supported on said annular collars of said collared rivets and having a generally central portion spaced from and maintained in selective disengagement with said headed rivet and adapted to be deflected into engagement therewith in response to the application of the preselected deflecting force to said conductive element thereby establishing a bridging electrical contact between said set of collared rivets and said headed rivet so as to effect an electrical connection between said first and second preselected portions of said conductive paths.

Claim 16

A selectively energizable keyboard system comprising an electrically insulating support board having a first surface carrying a plurality of conductive paths arranged in a preselected pattern and adapted to transmit electrical information in response to selective interconnection of portions thereof, a plurality of spaced sets of conductive staples arranged in a preselected configuration at a second opposite surface of said support board to define a plurality of generally planar support areas the ends of each of said staples extending through apertures in said support board and terminating in electrical contact with first preselected portions of said conductive paths, a plurality of associated conductive staples at said second surface, one of said associated staples being arranged intermediate the staples in each of said sets and electrically isolated therefrom, the ends of each of said associated staples extending through apertures in said support board and terminating in electrical contact with second preselected portions of said conductive paths, a plurality of selectively actuatable, generally circular, conductive discs adapted to undergo flexing movement in response to the application of a preselected deflecting force thereto respectively disposed on said planar support areas with marginal portions thereof supported by and maintained in substantially stationary electrical contact with said sets of conductive staples and the central portion thereof is selective disengagement with said associated conductive staples, the central portions of said conductive discs being adapted to be deflected into a position of engagement with said associated conductive staples so as to establish a bridging electrical contact between a set of conductive staples and its associated conductive staple, thereby electrically connecting said first and second preselected portions of said conductive paths in response to the application of a preselected deflecting force to said conductive element, an overlayer of insulating material supported at said second surface of said support board, said overlayer including a plurality of apertures exposing said sets of conductive staples and said associated staples, said apertures being adapted to accommodate said conductive discs to restrain lateral movement thereof while permitting deflection thereof, and means for applying the preselected deflecting force to said conductive discs including a plurality of pushbutton members adapted to be manually actuated to apply the preselected deflecting force to said conductive discs to effect deflection of the central portion thereof into a position of engagement with said associated conductive staple, each of said pushbutton members having a force applying surface in registration with a conductive disc and an exposed surface adapted to be symbolized in a manner indicative of the electrical information transmitted in response to the establishment of the electrical connection between said first and second portions of said conductive paths.

Claim 17

A selectively energizable keyboard system comprising an electrically insulating support board having a first surface carrying a plurality of conductive paths arranged in a preselected pattern and adapted to transmit electrical information in response to selective interconnection of portions thereof, a plurality of spaced sets of conductive staples arranged in a preselected configuration at a second opposite surface of said support board to define a plurality of generally planar support areas the ends of each of said staples extending through apertures in said support board and terminating in electrical contact with first preselected portions of said conductive paths, a plurality of associated conductive staples at said second surface, one of said associated staples being arranged intermediate the staples in each of said sets and electrically isolated therefrom, the ends of each of said associated staples extending through apertures in said support board and terminating in electrical contact with second preselected portions of said conductive paths, a plurality of selectively actuatable, generally circular, conductive discs adapted to undergo flexing movement in response to the application of a preselected deflecting force thereto respectively disposed on said planar support areas with marginal portions thereof supported by and maintained in substantially stationary electrical contact with said sets of conductive staples and the central portion thereof is selective disengagement with said associated conductive staples, the central portions of said conductive discs being adapted to be deflected into a position of engagement with said associated conductive staples so as to establish a bridging electrical contact between a set of conductive staples and its associated conductive staple, thereby electrically connecting said first and second preselected portions of said conductive paths in response to the application of a preselected deflecting force to said conductive element, an overlayer of insulating material supported at said second surface of said support board, said overlayer including a plurality of apertures exposing said sets of conductive staples and said associated staples, said apertures being adapted to accommodate said conductive discs to restrain lateral movement thereof while permitting deflection thereof, and means for applying the preselected deflecting force to said conductive discs including a plurality of pushbutton members adapted to be manually actuated to apply the preselected deflecting force to said conductive discs to effect deflection of the central portion thereof into a position of engagement with said associated conductive staple, each of said pushbutton members having a force applying surface in registration with a conductive disc and an exposed surface adapted to be symbolized in a manner indicative of the electrical information transmitted in response to the establishment of the electrical connection between said first and second portions of said conductive paths.

Claim 18

In an electronic calculator; a pushbutton keyboard system adapted to enter electrical information in response to actuation, said keyboard system including an insulating support board having a first surface on which a plurality of conductive paths are arranged in a presElected pattern and adapted to transmit electrical information in response to energization thereof, a plurality of spaced sets of conductive support members arranged in a preselected configuration at a second opposite surface of said insulating support board to define a plurality of support areas spaced from said second surface and in electrical communication with first preselected portions of said conductive paths, a plurality of conductive contact members associated with said plurality of support members one of said contact members being arranged within the area defined by each of said sets of contact members and in electrical communication with second preselected portions of said conductive paths, a plurality of selectively actuatable, generally circular, conductive discs respectively disposed on said support areas with marginal portions thereof supported by and maintained in substantially stationary electrical contact with said support members the central portions thereof being in selective disengagement with said associated contact members and being adapted to be deflected into a position of engagement with said associated contact member in response to the application thereto of a preselected deflecting force so as to establish a bridging electrical connection between a set of conductive support members and its associated conductive contact member, thereby electrically connecting said first and said second preselected portions of said conductive paths, means disposed adjacent said second surface for restraining movement of said conductive discs other than flexing movement thereof, and means for applying the preselected deflecting force to said conductive elements including a plurality of pushbutton members adapted to be actuated to apply the preselected deflecting force to said conductive discs to effect deflection of the central portion thereof into a position of engagement with the associated conductive contact member, each of said pushbutton members having a force applying surface adjacent a conductive disc and an exposed surface adapted to be symbolized in a manner indicative of the electrical information to be transmitted by the establishment of the bridging electrical connection between said first and second portions of said first and second conductive paths.

Claim 19

In an electronic calculator; a pushbutton keyboard system adapted to enter electrical information in response to actuation, said keyboard system including an insulating support board having a first surface on which a plurality of conductive paths are arranged in a presElected pattern and adapted to transmit electrical information in response to energization thereof, a plurality of spaced sets of conductive support members arranged in a preselected configuration at a second opposite surface of said insulating support board to define a plurality of support areas spaced from said second surface and in electrical communication with first preselected portions of said conductive paths, a plurality of conductive contact members associated with said plurality of support members one of said contact members being arranged within the area defined by each of said sets of contact members and in electrical communication with second preselected portions of said conductive paths, a plurality of selectively actuatable, generally circular, conductive discs respectively disposed on said support areas with marginal portions thereof supported by and maintained in substantially stationary electrical contact with said support members the central portions thereof being in selective disengagement with said associated contact members and being adapted to be deflected into a position of engagement with said associated contact member in response to the application thereto of a preselected deflecting force so as to establish a bridging electrical connection between a set of conductive support members and its associated conductive contact member, thereby electrically connecting said first and said second preselected portions of said conductive paths, means disposed adjacent said second surface for restraining movement of said conductive discs other than flexing movement thereof, and means for applying the preselected deflecting force to said conductive elements including a plurality of pushbutton members adapted to be actuated to apply the preselected deflecting force to said conductive discs to effect deflection of the central portion thereof into a position of engagement with the associated conductive contact member, each of said pushbutton members having a force applying surface adjacent a conductive disc and an exposed surface adapted to be symbolized in a manner indicative of the electrical information to be transmitted by the establishment of the bridging electrical connection between said first and second portions of said first and second conductive paths.

Claim 20

A selectively energizable keyboard system comprising an electrically insulating support member having a generally planar first surface on which a plurality of conductive paths are disposed arranged in a preselected pattern adapted to transmit electrical information in response to selective interconnection of portions of said paths, a plurality of spaced apart generally U-shaped first conductive members arranged in a preselected configuration at a second opposite surface of said support member, the ends of each first member extending through apertures in the support member and terminating in electrical communication with first preselected portions of said paths, a plurality of generally U-shaped second conductive members, a second member associated with each of said first conductive members, said second conductive members being arranged at said second surface of said support member each in electrically isolated relationship with its associated first conductive member, the ends of each second member extending through apertures in the support member and terminating in electrical communication with second preselected portions of said paths, a plurality of selectively actuatable conductive elements, and means mounting said conductive elements adjacent said second surface, a respective element being mounted contiguous to each second conductive member and its associated first conductive member, said conductive elements being adapted to be deflected into a position of engagement with their respective first and second conductive contact members so as to establish an electrical connection between said first and said second preselected portions of said paths in response to the application of a preselected deflecting force to said conductive elements.

Claim 21

A selectively energizable keyboard system comprising an electrically insulating support member having a generally planar first surface on which a plurality of conductive paths are disposed arranged in a preselected pattern adapted to transmit electrical information in response to selective interconnection of portions of said paths, a plurality of spaced apart generally U-shaped first conductive members arranged in a preselected configuration at a second opposite surface of said support member, the ends of each first member extending through apertures in the support member and terminating in electrical communication with first preselected portions of said paths, a plurality of generally U-shaped second conductive members, a second member associated with each of said first conductive members, said second conductive members being arranged at said second surface of said support member each in electrically isolated relationship with its associated first conductive member, the ends of each second member extending through apertures in the support member and terminating in electrical communication with second preselected portions of said paths, a plurality of selectively actuatable conductive elements, and means mounting said conductive elements adjacent said second surface, a respective element being mounted contiguous to each second conductive member and its associated first conductive member, said conductive elements being adapted to be deflected into a position of engagement with their respective first and second conductive contact members so as to establish an electrical connection between said first and said second preselected portions of said paths in response to the application of a preselected deflecting force to said conductive elements.