US3842229A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard pushbutton switch
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1973-07-05
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1993-07-05
Abstract
Abstract A desktop keyboard for data encoders, calculators and the like comprises an electrically insulative board having a plurality of contact members and mounting clusters of key switches to provide electrical engagement between pairs of contact members. An electrically conductive bridge member is captured within a key switch housing and slides and pivots in continuous engagement with one contact member of a pair and moves into and out of engagement with the second contact member of a pair upon predetermined movement of the respective key. A single spring member provides both pretravel and overtravel of each key as well as providing the contact force. A plurality of multiposition point switches are also mounted on the board and comprise a contact element slidably movable to any one of a plurality of contact members to provide a selected mode of operation.
Inventors
- 👤 H Boulanger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/12; H01H13/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A keyboard switch comprising: an electrically insulative base having opposed first and second surfaces, and having a plurality of apertures extending from the first to the second surfaCes; a pair of electrically conductive U-shaped members, each member having two legs joined by a bight portion, each of the legs received in a respective aperture in the base with the bight portion disposed on the first surface; a keybody having a force receiving end and a force transmitting end; a housing disposed over the pair of U-shaped members, the housing having guide means aligned with the U-shaped members, the keybody received in the guide means and movable toward and away from the U-shaped members; means normally biasing the keybody away from the U-shaped member; a movable electrically conductive bridge member in continuous pivotal contact with the bight portion of one U-shaped member and pivotably movable into and out of engagement with the bight portion of the other U-shaped member; and means operatively connecting the keybody and the conductive bridge member so that the bridge member moves into engagement with the bight portion of the other U-shaped member when the keybody moves toward the U-shaped member and moves out of engagement with the bight portion of the other U-shaped member when the keybody moves away from the U-shaped member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A keyboard switch comprising: an electrically insulative base having opposed first and second surfaces, and having a plurality of apertures extending from the first to the second surfaCes; a pair of electrically conductive U-shaped members, each member having two legs joined by a bight portion, each of the legs received in a respective aperture in the base with the bight portion disposed on the first surface; a keybody having a force receiving end and a force transmitting end; a housing disposed over the pair of U-shaped members, the housing having guide means aligned with the U-shaped members, the keybody received in the guide means and movable toward and away from the U-shaped members; means normally biasing the keybody away from the U-shaped member; a movable electrically conductive bridge member in continuous pivotal contact with the bight portion of one U-shaped member and pivotably movable into and out of engagement with the bight portion of the other U-shaped member; and means operatively connecting the keybody and the conductive bridge member so that the bridge member moves into engagement with the bight portion of the other U-shaped member when the keybody moves toward the U-shaped member and moves out of engagement with the bight portion of the other U-shaped member when the keybody moves away from the U-shaped member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A keyboard switch according to claim 1 in which the conductive bridge member has a first free distal end, the keybody has a portion extending laterally therefrom, the keybody portion formed with a surface adapted to contact the distal end of the conductive bridge member to force the conductive bridge member out of engagement with the bight portion of the other U-shaped member when the keybody is moved away from the U-shaped members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A keyboard switch according to claim 2 in which the conductive member has an upwardly extending intermediate portion and the means biasing the keybody includes a helical spring which extends from the keybody to the conductive bridge member with the intermediate portion extending into the space defined by the spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A keyboard switch according to claim 2 in which the portion of the keybody extending laterally therefrom is generally U-shaped having two legs integral with the keybody and a bight portion forming the surface adapted to contact the first distal end of the conductive bridge member, an opening being defined between the U-shaped portion and the remainder of the keybody, the first distal end received in the opening and disposed in engagement with the bight surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard switch according to claim 4 in which the bight surface of the keybody is beveled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
167 words
A keybody switch comprising: an electrically insulative base; a pair of spaced stationary electrical contact members supported on the base; a keybody having a force receiving end and a force transmitting end; a housing disposed over the pair of contact members, the housing having guide means aligned with the contact members, the keybody received in the guide means and movable therein toward and away from the contact members; means normally biasing the keybody away from the contact members; a movable relatively stiff inflexible electrically conductive bridge member in continuous pivotal contact with one stationary contact member of the pair and pivotably movable into and out of engagement with the other stationary contact member of the pair; and means operatively connecting the keybody and the conductive bridge member so that the bridge member moves into engagement with the other contact member when the keybody moves toward the contact members and moves out of engagement with the other contact member when the keybody moves away from the contact members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
167 words
A keybody switch comprising: an electrically insulative base; a pair of spaced stationary electrical contact members supported on the base; a keybody having a force receiving end and a force transmitting end; a housing disposed over the pair of contact members, the housing having guide means aligned with the contact members, the keybody received in the guide means and movable therein toward and away from the contact members; means normally biasing the keybody away from the contact members; a movable relatively stiff inflexible electrically conductive bridge member in continuous pivotal contact with one stationary contact member of the pair and pivotably movable into and out of engagement with the other stationary contact member of the pair; and means operatively connecting the keybody and the conductive bridge member so that the bridge member moves into engagement with the other contact member when the keybody moves toward the contact members and moves out of engagement with the other contact member when the keybody moves away from the contact members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
A keyboard switch according to claim 6 in which the movable conductive bridge member has a first free distal end, the keybody has a portion extending laterally therefrom, the keybody portion is formed with a surface adapted to contact the distal end of the movable conductive bridge member to force the movable conductive bridge member out of engagement with the other stationary contact member of the pair when the keybody is moved away from the stationary contact members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A keyboard switch according to claim 7 in which the movable conductive bridge member has an upwardly extending intermediate portion and the means biasing the keybody includes a helical spring hich extends from the keybody to the movable conductive bridge member with the intermediate portion extending into the space defined by the spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
A keyboard switch according to claim 7 in which the portion of the keybody extending laterally therefrom is generally U-shaped having two legs integral with the keybody and a bight portion forming the surface adapted to contact the first distal end of the movable conductive bridge member, and opening being defined between the U-shaped portion and the remainder of the keybody, the first distal end received in the opening and disposed in engagement with the bight surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard switch according to claim 9 in which the bight surface of the keybody is beveled.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |