US3761944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Binary code generator
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-01-14
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1992-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A binary code generator for generating a plural bit binary code from keyboard input data comprises a printed circuit including a plurality of conductive lead groupings arranged in registration with a plurality of pushbuttons on a keyboard frame. The circuit board includes a plurality of electrical terminals one of which is operatively electrically connected to a voltage source and the others of which are selectively operatively electrically connected to the lead patterns forming the conductive lead groupings in accordance with the binary code to be generated. Upon actuation of the pushbutton switch all of the lead patterns in the conductive lead grouping associated with that pushbutton are electrically connected together whereby selected ones of the output terminals are electrically connected to the voltage source thereby to produce a binary output code. The keyboard is formed of a single integral sheet of resilient material and includes a plurality of conductive resilient contacts normally spaced from the conductive lead groupings on the circuit board. In a preferred embodiment each of the lead patterns in a lead grouping comprises a plurality of radially extending branches and the contact member is formed with a contact surface in the form of a continuous generally circular rim adapted upon depression of its associated pushbutton to bridge a sufficient number of lead branches in the associated lead grouping to provide effective and reliable switching under all conditions. The contacts are electrically and structurally separated from each other by raised strips formed integral on the resilient keyboard sheet and secured by appropriate means to the circuit board, those strips being effective to reliably maintain independent actuation of individual pushbuttons.
Inventors
- 👤 T Shimojo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; H01H13/702; H03; H03M; H03M11/00; H03M11/22; H01H13/703; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/032; H01H2203/00; H01H2203/002; H01H2203/018; H01H2203/02; H01H2203/022; H01H2207/00; H01H2207/012; H01H2207/016; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/006; H01H2211/00; H01H2211/026; H01H2211/03; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/01; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/024; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/034; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/024; H01H2229/028; H01H2229/034
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
A binary code generator for generating a plural bit binary code, comprising a circuit board, a plurality of electrical terminals on said circuit board, one of said terminals being adapted to be connected to a voltage source, a plurality of conductive lead groupings on said circuit board, each grouping comprising a plurality of closely spaced interlaced lead patterns, one of said lead patterns being operatively electrically connected to said one electrical terminal, others of said lead patterns being connected to a selected one or more of said other terminals in accordance with a binary code, and switch means associated with each lead grouping adapted when actuated to provide operative electrical engagement between said plurality of lead patterns in said lead grouping, thereby to electrically connect said selected one or more terminals to said voltage source, wherein said switch means comprises a movable electrical contact adapted when said switch means is actuated to move into electrical engagement with said conductive lead grouping, wherein said switch means is a pushbutton switch comprising a depressible pushbutton member manually engageable on one side, said contact member being secured to its other side facing and normally spaced from said conductive lead grouping on said circuit board and having a contact surface movable into engagement with the lead patterns of said conductive lead grouping when said pushbutton is depressed, and wherein said conductive lead patterns each include a plurality Of radially extending branches, and wherein said contact surface is defined by a substantially circular rim extending in a direction toward said circuit board, said circular rim being adapted to conductively bridge all of said radially extending branches when said pushbutton member is depressed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
A binary code generator for generating a plural bit binary code, comprising a circuit board, a plurality of electrical terminals on said circuit board, one of said terminals being adapted to be connected to a voltage source, a plurality of conductive lead groupings on said circuit board, each grouping comprising a plurality of closely spaced interlaced lead patterns, one of said lead patterns being operatively electrically connected to said one electrical terminal, others of said lead patterns being connected to a selected one or more of said other terminals in accordance with a binary code, and switch means associated with each lead grouping adapted when actuated to provide operative electrical engagement between said plurality of lead patterns in said lead grouping, thereby to electrically connect said selected one or more terminals to said voltage source, wherein said switch means comprises a movable electrical contact adapted when said switch means is actuated to move into electrical engagement with said conductive lead grouping, wherein said switch means is a pushbutton switch comprising a depressible pushbutton member manually engageable on one side, said contact member being secured to its other side facing and normally spaced from said conductive lead grouping on said circuit board and having a contact surface movable into engagement with the lead patterns of said conductive lead grouping when said pushbutton is depressed, and wherein said conductive lead patterns each include a plurality Of radially extending branches, and wherein said contact surface is defined by a substantially circular rim extending in a direction toward said circuit board, said circular rim being adapted to conductively bridge all of said radially extending branches when said pushbutton member is depressed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
321 words
A binary code generator for generating a plural bit binary code, comprising a circuit board, a plurality of electrical terminals on said circuit board, one of said terminals being adapted to be connected to a voltage source, a plurality of conductive lead groupings on said circuit board, each grouping comprising a plurality of closely spaced interlaced lead patterns, one of said lead patterns being operatively electrically connected to said one electrical terminal, others of said lead patterns being connected to a selected one or more of said other terminals in accordance with a binary code, and switch means associated with each lead grouping adapted when actuated to provide operative electrical engagement between said plurality of lead patterns in said lead grouping, thereby to electrically connect said selected one or more terminals to said voltage source, wherein said switch means comprises a movable electrical contact adapted when said switch means is actuated to move into electrical engagement with said conductive lead grouping, wherein said switch means is a pushbutton switch comprising a depressible push-button member manually engageable on one side, said contact member being secured to its other side facing and normally spaced from said conductive lead grouping on said circuit board and having a contact surface movable into engagement with the lead patterns of said conductive lead grouping when said pushbutton member is depressed, wherein said depressible pushbutton members are all formed integrally on a single sheet of resilient insulating material, and means securing said sheet of resilient insulating material to said circuit board with said pushbutton members spaced and said contacts spaced from said circuit board, and wherein said conductive lead patterns each include a plurality of radially extending branches, and wherein said contact surface is defined by a substantially circular rim extending in a direction toward said circuit board, said circular rim being adapted to conductively bridge all of said radially extending branches when said pushbutton member is depressed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
321 words
A binary code generator for generating a plural bit binary code, comprising a circuit board, a plurality of electrical terminals on said circuit board, one of said terminals being adapted to be connected to a voltage source, a plurality of conductive lead groupings on said circuit board, each grouping comprising a plurality of closely spaced interlaced lead patterns, one of said lead patterns being operatively electrically connected to said one electrical terminal, others of said lead patterns being connected to a selected one or more of said other terminals in accordance with a binary code, and switch means associated with each lead grouping adapted when actuated to provide operative electrical engagement between said plurality of lead patterns in said lead grouping, thereby to electrically connect said selected one or more terminals to said voltage source, wherein said switch means comprises a movable electrical contact adapted when said switch means is actuated to move into electrical engagement with said conductive lead grouping, wherein said switch means is a pushbutton switch comprising a depressible push-button member manually engageable on one side, said contact member being secured to its other side facing and normally spaced from said conductive lead grouping on said circuit board and having a contact surface movable into engagement with the lead patterns of said conductive lead grouping when said pushbutton member is depressed, wherein said depressible pushbutton members are all formed integrally on a single sheet of resilient insulating material, and means securing said sheet of resilient insulating material to said circuit board with said pushbutton members spaced and said contacts spaced from said circuit board, and wherein said conductive lead patterns each include a plurality of radially extending branches, and wherein said contact surface is defined by a substantially circular rim extending in a direction toward said circuit board, said circular rim being adapted to conductively bridge all of said radially extending branches when said pushbutton member is depressed.
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) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |