Patent US3757068A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3757068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sms keyboard actuating mechanism with particular feel and contact mechani
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-15
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1991-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of plates and springs are formed in a strip of metal with the springs suspending the plates from the strip. The strip is supported by an insulating support structure which acts as a guide for a plurality of shafts, each shaft being attached to a key. When a key is depressed, the shaft attached to that key displaces a corresponding plate toward one of a plurality of circuit elements on a printed circuit board, which is also fastened to the support structure. An additional shaft is also attached to each key and is guided by the support structure. When a key is depressed the additional shaft deflects a resilient member which exhibits a sudden change in resilience in response to being deflected. This sudden change in resilience provides a tactile signal to the user indicating that the key has been depressed.
Inventors
- 👤 B Musch
- 👤 D Lobdell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; G; G06; G06C; G06C7/00; G06C7/02; H01H13/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An actuating mechanism comprising: a key; a first and a second shaft attached to the key, the second shaft being parallel to the first shaft and having a notch in one side; guiding means for guiding the movement of the first and second shafts; switch means for coacting with the first shaft to give a signal in response to depression of the key by a user; and resilient means for coacting with the second shaft for exhibiting a sudden change in resilience in response to the movement of the second shaft, the resilient means including cantilever spring means having a first spring rate when deflected in a first direction and a second spring rate when deflected in a second direction and extending into the notch when said key is depressed, thereby providing tactile feedback to the user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An actuating mechanism comprising: a key; a first and a second shaft attached to the key, the second shaft being parallel to the first shaft and having a notch in one side; guiding means for guiding the movement of the first and second shafts; switch means for coacting with the first shaft to give a signal in response to depression of the key by a user; and resilient means for coacting with the second shaft for exhibiting a sudden change in resilience in response to the movement of the second shaft, the resilient means including cantilever spring means having a first spring rate when deflected in a first direction and a second spring rate when deflected in a second direction and extending into the notch when said key is depressed, thereby providing tactile feedback to the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
An actuating mechanism as in claim 1 wherein the switch means comprises: a conductive element, a spring and a support member formed from a single piece of material, the conductive element being suspended by the spring from the support member, the conductive element being positioned in line with the first shaft, and the support member being attached to the guiding means; and a circuit element supported in line with the first shaft and the conductive element; whereby depression of the key causes the first shaft to displace the conductive element with respect to the circuit element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An actuating mechanism as in claim 1 wherein the cantilever spring means comprises a first and a second overlapping cantilever spring, the first spring having a lower spring rate than the second spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An actuating mechanism as in claim 1 comprising a plurality of said keys, first and second shafts, switch means, and resilient means for providing an array of key switches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
An actuating mechanism as in claim 4 wherein the switch means comprises: a plurality of conductive elements and springs and a suPport member formed from a single piece of material; each conductive element being suspended by a spring from the support member, each conductive element being positioned in line with a first shaft and the support member being attached to the guiding means; and a plurality of circuit elements, each supported in line with a first shaft and corresponding conductive elements, whereby depression of a key causes a first shaft to displace a corresponding conductive element with respect to a corresponding circuit element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
An actuating mechanism comprising: a key; a first and second shaft attached to the key, the first shaft being hollow and having a hole through it running transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the second shaft being supported within the first shaft; guiding means for guiding the movement of the first and second shafts; switch means for coacting with the first shaft to give a signal in response to depression of the key by a user; and resilient means for coacting with the second shaft for exhibiting a sudden change in resilience in response to movement of the second shaft, the resilient means including a buckled spring running through the transverse hole in the first shaft and a triangular element fastened to the buckled spring in line with the second shaft, thereby providing tactile feedback to the user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
An actuating mechanism comprising: a key; a first and second shaft attached to the key, the first shaft being hollow and having a hole through it running transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the second shaft being supported within the first shaft; guiding means for guiding the movement of the first and second shafts; switch means for coacting with the first shaft to give a signal in response to depression of the key by a user; and resilient means for coacting with the second shaft for exhibiting a sudden change in resilience in response to movement of the second shaft, the resilient means including a buckled spring running through the transverse hole in the first shaft and a triangular element fastened to the buckled spring in line with the second shaft, thereby providing tactile feedback to the user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
An actuating mechanism as in claim 6 wherein the switch means comprises: a conductive element, a spring and a support member formed from a single piece of material, the conductive element being suspended by the spring from the support member, the conductive element being positioned in line with the first shaft, and the support member being attached to the guiding means; and a circuit element supported in line with the first shaft and the conductive element, whereby depression of the key causes the first shaft to displace the conductive element with respect to the circuit element.
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) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |