US3737898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Console for random access filing equipment or the like having push button display
Assignee: Microsize Inc
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Filing: 1970-10-05
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1990-10-05
Abstract
Abstract An operator''s console for such apparatus as random access filing equipment includes a readily interchangeable, back-lighted view panel marked off into individually illuminable signal selection areas. The panel is imperforate but flexible. In back of it is a bank of light-transmitting bars, one behind each area. Any one of the bars is depressible by finger pressure exerted against the corresponding, overlying area, to cause the bar to operate a switch that illuminates an associated lamp the light from which is transmitted through the bar to visibly indicate the selected area. The switches also actuate signal generating devices, so that when certain areas have been selected and illuminated as a visible indication of their selection, the signals corresponding thereto will be transmitted to the associated apparatus. If for example said apparatus is random access filing equipment, the transmitted signals may be operable to produce a coded, randomly filed card or cards corresponding to the selection made by the user.
Inventors
- 👤 L Cross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/60; H04M3/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
335 words
A console for use with signal utilizing apparatus, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a view panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas each having a signal selection marking; c. normally de-energized electric lamps individual to the several areas; d. normally inactive signal generating circuit means for the several areas; and e. light-transmitting bars individual to the several areas for simultaneously energizing the lamp and signal generating circuit means associated with a selected area, responsive to the exertion of pressure against the bar individual to said area, said support structure including a partition assembly having 1. a main, vertically disposed, opaque partition spaced rearwardly from and generally parallel to the view panel to define a main light box therebetween disposed in back of substantially the entire area of said panel and containing constantly energized illuminating devices for backlighting the view panel over substantially its entire area, and 2. a plurality of auxiliary partitions extending from the main partition normally thereto and disposed wholly rearwardly of and outside the main light box to define behind the main light box a plurality of secondary light boxes each of which contains at least one lamp, said bars extending through each secondary light box and the main light box and adapted to pipe light from each lamp to its associated signal selection area, said bars having rear ends terminating within the secondary light boxes in close proximity to their associated lamps and having intermediate portions mounted in the main partition for axial sliding movement in response to the exertion of pressure by a user on the view panel against the front ends of the bars; and f. electrical switches operated by the depressed bars to energize said lamps and activate said signal generating circuit means, each lamp, bar, signal selection marking, and switch associated with a given area being aligned in a straight line extending between the view panel and lamp, said bars being axially slidable along said lines when pressure is exerted thereon by a user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
335 words
A console for use with signal utilizing apparatus, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a view panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas each having a signal selection marking; c. normally de-energized electric lamps individual to the several areas; d. normally inactive signal generating circuit means for the several areas; and e. light-transmitting bars individual to the several areas for simultaneously energizing the lamp and signal generating circuit means associated with a selected area, responsive to the exertion of pressure against the bar individual to said area, said support structure including a partition assembly having 1. a main, vertically disposed, opaque partition spaced rearwardly from and generally parallel to the view panel to define a main light box therebetween disposed in back of substantially the entire area of said panel and containing constantly energized illuminating devices for backlighting the view panel over substantially its entire area, and 2. a plurality of auxiliary partitions extending from the main partition normally thereto and disposed wholly rearwardly of and outside the main light box to define behind the main light box a plurality of secondary light boxes each of which contains at least one lamp, said bars extending through each secondary light box and the main light box and adapted to pipe light from each lamp to its associated signal selection area, said bars having rear ends terminating within the secondary light boxes in close proximity to their associated lamps and having intermediate portions mounted in the main partition for axial sliding movement in response to the exertion of pressure by a user on the view panel against the front ends of the bars; and f. electrical switches operated by the depressed bars to energize said lamps and activate said signal generating circuit means, each lamp, bar, signal selection marking, and switch associated with a given area being aligned in a straight line extending between the view panel and lamp, said bars being axially slidable along said lines when pressure is exerted thereon by a user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
185 words
a plurality of auxiliary partitions extending from the main partition normally thereto and disposed wholly rearwardly of and outside the main light box to define behind the main light box a plurality of secondary light boxes each of which contains at least one lamp, said bars extending through each secondary light box and the main light box and adapted to pipe light from each lamp to its associated signal selection area, said bars having rear ends terminating within the secondary light boxes in close proximity to their associated lamps and having intermediate portions mounted in the main partition for axial sliding movement in response to the exertion of pressure by a user on the view panel against the front ends of the bars; and f. electrical switches operated by the depressed bars to energize said lamps and activate said signal generating circuit means, each lamp, bar, signal selection marking, and switch associated with a given area being aligned in a straight line extending between the view panel and lamp, said bars being axially slidable along said lines when pressure is exerted thereon by a user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
185 words
a plurality of auxiliary partitions extending from the main partition normally thereto and disposed wholly rearwardly of and outside the main light box to define behind the main light box a plurality of secondary light boxes each of which contains at least one lamp, said bars extending through each secondary light box and the main light box and adapted to pipe light from each lamp to its associated signal selection area, said bars having rear ends terminating within the secondary light boxes in close proximity to their associated lamps and having intermediate portions mounted in the main partition for axial sliding movement in response to the exertion of pressure by a user on the view panel against the front ends of the bars; and f. electrical switches operated by the depressed bars to energize said lamps and activate said signal generating circuit means, each lamp, bar, signal selection marking, and switch associated with a given area being aligned in a straight line extending between the view panel and lamp, said bars being axially slidable along said lines when pressure is exerted thereon by a user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A console as in claim 1 wherein said switches include stationary switch contacts mounted on the main partition and movable switch contacts shiftable by the depressed bars into engagement with the stationary contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A console as in claim 2 wherein the main partition is a printed circuit board on which the several stationary contacts are part of a printed circuit in which is incorporated a bus-type common connection of all the stationary contacts to one side of an electrical power circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A console as in claim 3 wherein the several auxiliary partitions comprise printed circuit boards, each having printed circuit connections extending from said movable switch contacts to the lamps controlled thereby.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
A console as in claim 4 wherein the partition assembly further includes a series of terminal blocks mounted upon the main partition and detachably engaging the respective auxiliary partitions so as to facilitate interchange of said auxiliary partitions at the option of a user, at least one contact of each of said switches being connected electrically through the medium of the terminal block and the printed circuit connections of the auxiliary partition engaged by the block, with its associated lamp and signal generating circuit means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
220 words
A console for use with signal utilizing equipment, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a viewing panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas each having an illuminable marking corresponding to a selectable electrical signal; c. a series of lamps, one to illuminate the marking of each of said areas, mounted rearwardly of the viewing panel in spaced relation to and substantially in alignment with their associated markings, d. a series of signal generating circuit means paired with said lamps so as to be energized simultaneously therewith; e. a series of switches individual to the several lamps and markings, each switch being disposed intermediate its associated lamp and marking substantially in alignment therewith, in circuit with and controlling the energization of the respective lamps and signal generating circuit means; and f. means responding to selection of an area by a user for operating the switch associated with the selected area, said switch-operating means comprising a series of light-transmitting switch-actuating bars movably mounted upon said support structure in position to be moved to a switch-closing position by finger pressure exerted by a user on the viewing panel, said bars extending rectilinearly from said lamps past the switches to said markings and being axially movable to their switch-closing positions, so as to illuminate said markings when their associated lamps are energized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
220 words
A console for use with signal utilizing equipment, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a viewing panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas each having an illuminable marking corresponding to a selectable electrical signal; c. a series of lamps, one to illuminate the marking of each of said areas, mounted rearwardly of the viewing panel in spaced relation to and substantially in alignment with their associated markings, d. a series of signal generating circuit means paired with said lamps so as to be energized simultaneously therewith; e. a series of switches individual to the several lamps and markings, each switch being disposed intermediate its associated lamp and marking substantially in alignment therewith, in circuit with and controlling the energization of the respective lamps and signal generating circuit means; and f. means responding to selection of an area by a user for operating the switch associated with the selected area, said switch-operating means comprising a series of light-transmitting switch-actuating bars movably mounted upon said support structure in position to be moved to a switch-closing position by finger pressure exerted by a user on the viewing panel, said bars extending rectilinearly from said lamps past the switches to said markings and being axially movable to their switch-closing positions, so as to illuminate said markings when their associated lamps are energized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A console as in claim 6 wherein the support structure includes a view panel support assembly against which the view panel is positioned, said assembly having openings in which the several bars are mounted for axial sliding movement, said bars having one end projecting forwardly to receive said finger pressure exerted by the user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A console as in claim 7 wherein the view panel comprises an imperforate sheet overlying the projecting ends of the bars and having said markings in registration with the bars to provide illuminable locations against which the pressure is to be exerted by the user.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
253 words
A console for use with signal utilizing equipment, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a viewing panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas each having an illuminable marking corresponding to a selectable electrical signal; c. a series of lamps, one to illuminate the marking of each of said areas, mounted rearwardly of the viewing panel; d. a series of signal generating circuit means paired with said lamps so as to be energized simultaneously therewith; e. a series of switches controlling the energization of the respective lamps and signal generating circuit means; and f. means responding to selection of an area by a user for operating the switch associated with the selected area, said switching-operating means comprising a series of light-transmitting switch-actuating bars movably mounted upon said support structure in position to be moved to a switch-closing position by finger pressure exerted by a user on the viewing panel, said bars extending from said lamps to said markings so as to illuminate said markings when their associated lamps are energized, said support structure including a view panel support assembly against which the view panel is positioned, said assembly having openings in which the several bars are mounted for axial sliding movement, said bars having one end projecting forwardly to receive said finger pressure exerted by the user, said sheet being of a material flexible at said locations when pressure is exerted thereagainst so as to transmit said pressure to the adjacent bar ends directly through the imperforate, selected areas of the sheet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
253 words
A console for use with signal utilizing equipment, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a viewing panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas each having an illuminable marking corresponding to a selectable electrical signal; c. a series of lamps, one to illuminate the marking of each of said areas, mounted rearwardly of the viewing panel; d. a series of signal generating circuit means paired with said lamps so as to be energized simultaneously therewith; e. a series of switches controlling the energization of the respective lamps and signal generating circuit means; and f. means responding to selection of an area by a user for operating the switch associated with the selected area, said switching-operating means comprising a series of light-transmitting switch-actuating bars movably mounted upon said support structure in position to be moved to a switch-closing position by finger pressure exerted by a user on the viewing panel, said bars extending from said lamps to said markings so as to illuminate said markings when their associated lamps are energized, said support structure including a view panel support assembly against which the view panel is positioned, said assembly having openings in which the several bars are mounted for axial sliding movement, said bars having one end projecting forwardly to receive said finger pressure exerted by the user, said sheet being of a material flexible at said locations when pressure is exerted thereagainst so as to transmit said pressure to the adjacent bar ends directly through the imperforate, selected areas of the sheet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A console as in claim 9 wherein said view panel support assembly includes retaining grooves at its sides loosely detachably engaging the view panel at opposite sides thereof without inhibiting flexibility of the selected, pressure-receiving areas thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
A console as in claim 10 in which each of said switches includes a spring arm constituting one of the contacts of the switch and tensioned to yieldably, resiliently bias the associated switch-actuating bar forwardly into a pressure-receiving position proximate the view panel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
226 words
A console for use with signal utilizing apparatus, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a view panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas; c. illumination means for the several areas comprising lamps individual to said areas; d. signal generating circuit means for the several areas; and e. means for actuating thE illumination means and the signal generating circuit means of a given area to generate a signal available for transmission to an associated signal utilizing apparatus simultaneously with visibly indicating said area, responsive to the exertion of pressure by a user against the panel in said area, comprising a series of straight, rigid, light-transmitting push bars, there being one bar for each area mounted in the support structure for reciprocating motion and having one end contiguous to said panel to receive said pressure, the other end of each of said bars being disposed adjacent an associated lamp for transmission of light from said lamp through the bar to illuminate at least a part of the view panel area associated therewith, said actuating means further including stationary and movable switch contacts electrically controlling the respective illumination and signal generating means, each stationary contact being mounted alongside its associated push bar with its associated movable switch contact in the path of and shiftable by a projection on the moved bar into engagement with the stationary contact.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
226 words
A console for use with signal utilizing apparatus, comprising: a. a support structure; b. a view panel thereon having a multiplicity of signal selection areas; c. illumination means for the several areas comprising lamps individual to said areas; d. signal generating circuit means for the several areas; and e. means for actuating thE illumination means and the signal generating circuit means of a given area to generate a signal available for transmission to an associated signal utilizing apparatus simultaneously with visibly indicating said area, responsive to the exertion of pressure by a user against the panel in said area, comprising a series of straight, rigid, light-transmitting push bars, there being one bar for each area mounted in the support structure for reciprocating motion and having one end contiguous to said panel to receive said pressure, the other end of each of said bars being disposed adjacent an associated lamp for transmission of light from said lamp through the bar to illuminate at least a part of the view panel area associated therewith, said actuating means further including stationary and movable switch contacts electrically controlling the respective illumination and signal generating means, each stationary contact being mounted alongside its associated push bar with its associated movable switch contact in the path of and shiftable by a projection on the moved bar into engagement with the stationary contact.
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) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |