US3860771A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard switch assembly with dome shaped actuator having associated underlying contactor means
Assignee: LUCAS DURALITH AKT Corp
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Filing: 1973-10-29
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard device utilizing a conductive plastic material layer which contacts circuit elements or pathways, the improvement of snapable plastic means raised on a pedestal through which it snaps through center to provide a feel of completion of circuit contact to the user.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Lynn
- 👤 Richard E Seeger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; H01H1/00; H01H1/02; H01H1/021; H01H1/029; H01H13/702; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/026; H01H2201/032; H01H2205/00; H01H2205/002; H01H2207/00; H01H2207/012; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/002; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/002; H01H2215/004; H01H2215/006; H01H2215/008; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/028; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/034; H01H2223/036; H01H2227/00; H01H2227/002; H01H2227/012; H01H2227/022; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/024; H01H2229/026; H01H2229/032; H01H2229/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A keyboard assembly comprising first means for supporting an electrically conductive contact means, electrically conductive contactor means positioned over but out of electrical contact with said contact means, support means for positioning said conductive contact or means over but out of electrical contact with said contact means a flexible and resilient plastic sheet means positioned above said conductive contactor means and having formed therein a plurality of raised protrusions positioned at the center thereof farthest from said conductive contact means, said protrusions each comprising a pedestal and a curved surface capping said pedestal, said curved surface being depressable at its center under pressure below the pedestal to push said conductive contactor means against said contact means and snapping through the center upon depression sufficient to cause electrical contact between said conductive contactor means and said contact means, and said curved surface recovering back through the center after pressure is withdrawn therefrom and a snap through layer positioned between said sheet means and said conductive contact or means, said snap through layer haVing a plurality of openings therethrough in register with said protrusions, said protrusions extending into said openings upon depression through center sufficient to cause contact between said contactor means and contact means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A keyboard assembly comprising first means for supporting an electrically conductive contact means, electrically conductive contactor means positioned over but out of electrical contact with said contact means, support means for positioning said conductive contact or means over but out of electrical contact with said contact means a flexible and resilient plastic sheet means positioned above said conductive contactor means and having formed therein a plurality of raised protrusions positioned at the center thereof farthest from said conductive contact means, said protrusions each comprising a pedestal and a curved surface capping said pedestal, said curved surface being depressable at its center under pressure below the pedestal to push said conductive contactor means against said contact means and snapping through the center upon depression sufficient to cause electrical contact between said conductive contactor means and said contact means, and said curved surface recovering back through the center after pressure is withdrawn therefrom and a snap through layer positioned between said sheet means and said conductive contact or means, said snap through layer haVing a plurality of openings therethrough in register with said protrusions, said protrusions extending into said openings upon depression through center sufficient to cause contact between said contactor means and contact means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A keyboard according to claim 1, in which said support means comprises a separator layer is positioned between said contactor means and contact means, said separator layer having a plurality of openings each in register with a different one of said protrusions and each in exposing portions of said contact means for contact with said contactor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A keyboard according to claim 2 in which said snap through layer which is positioned between said contactor means and said sheet means has its plurality of openings each in register with a different one of said protrusions and with a different one of said openings of said separator layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A keyboard according to claim 3 in which a spring loaded button assembly comprising a plurality of buttons is provided to depress said protrusions, a different one of said buttons positioned to depress a different one of said protrusions, and wherein means is provided for supporting said button assembly over said sheet means and its protrusions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard according to claim 4 in which the conductive contactor means comprises an elastomeric conductive layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard according to claim 3 in which the conductive contactor means comprises an elastomeric conductive layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 in which the conductive contactor means comprises a flexible plastic conductive layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 in which the pedestal is cylindrical in shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 in which the curved surface is a portion of a sphere.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A keyboard according to claim 9 in which the pedestal is cylindrical in shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a keyboard according to claim 1 including a plurality of spring loaded buttons for depressing said protrusions, and means for supporting said buttons over said protrusions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
144 words
A keyboard assembly comprising first means for supporting an electrically conductive contact means, electrically conductive contactor means positioned above but out of electrical contact with said electrically conductive contact means, a plastic sheet means positioned above said conductive contactor means and having formed therein a plurality of raised flexible and resilient protrusions positioned farthest at their centers from said conductive contact means, said protrusions each comprising a pedestal and a curved surface capping said pedestal, said curved surface being depressable under pressure below said pedestal to push said conductive contactor means against said contact means and snapping through center upon depression sufficient to cause electrical contact between said conductive contactor means and said contact means, and said curved surface recovering back through the center after pressure is withdrawn therefrom and said electrically conductive contactor means supported on the under surface of said curved surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
144 words
A keyboard assembly comprising first means for supporting an electrically conductive contact means, electrically conductive contactor means positioned above but out of electrical contact with said electrically conductive contact means, a plastic sheet means positioned above said conductive contactor means and having formed therein a plurality of raised flexible and resilient protrusions positioned farthest at their centers from said conductive contact means, said protrusions each comprising a pedestal and a curved surface capping said pedestal, said curved surface being depressable under pressure below said pedestal to push said conductive contactor means against said contact means and snapping through center upon depression sufficient to cause electrical contact between said conductive contactor means and said contact means, and said curved surface recovering back through the center after pressure is withdrawn therefrom and said electrically conductive contactor means supported on the under surface of said curved surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 12 in which a snap through layer is positioned between said sheet means and said conductive contact means, said snap through layer having a plurality of openings therethrough in register with said protrusions, said protrusions extending into said openings upon depression sufficient to cause contact between said contactor and contact means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A keyboard according to claim 13 in which a spring loaded button assembly comprising a plurality of buttons is provided to depress said protrusions, a different one of said protrusions by a different one of said buttons, and means for supporting said button assembly over said sheet and its protrusions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 13 in which the conductive contactor means extends over the sheet means and is supported thereby for movement with the under surface of the pedestal and the curved surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
A keyboard assembly According to claim 13 in which the conductive contactor means is in the shape of a circuit pattern supported by the sheet means with portions thereof extending into the protrusions and supported by the under surface of the pedestal and the curved surface for movement therewith.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
A keyboard according to claim 12 in which a spring loaded button assembly comprising a plurality of buttons is provided to depress said protrusions, a different one of said buttons positioned to depress a different one of said protrusions, and means for supporting said button assembly over said sheet and its protrusions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 12 in which the flexible plastic conductive layer is confined to the under surface of said curved surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 12 including indicia formed in, on, or supported by said protrusion curved surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
141 words
A keyboard assembly comprising first means for supporting an electrically conductive contact means, electrically conductive contactor means positioned above but out of electrical contact with said contact means a plastic sheet means positioned above said conductive contactor means and having therein a plurality of flexible and resilient raised protrusions positioned farthest from said conductive contact means said protrusions each comprising a curved surface which at its uppermost point is farthest from said contact means said curved surface being depressable under pressure to push said conductive contactor means against said contact means and snapping through the center and inverting upon depression sufficient to cause electrical contact between said conductive contactor means and said contact means, said surved surface recovering back through the center after pressure is withdrawn therefrom, said electrically conductive contact means supported on the under surface of said curved surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
141 words
A keyboard assembly comprising first means for supporting an electrically conductive contact means, electrically conductive contactor means positioned above but out of electrical contact with said contact means a plastic sheet means positioned above said conductive contactor means and having therein a plurality of flexible and resilient raised protrusions positioned farthest from said conductive contact means said protrusions each comprising a curved surface which at its uppermost point is farthest from said contact means said curved surface being depressable under pressure to push said conductive contactor means against said contact means and snapping through the center and inverting upon depression sufficient to cause electrical contact between said conductive contactor means and said contact means, said surved surface recovering back through the center after pressure is withdrawn therefrom, said electrically conductive contact means supported on the under surface of said curved surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 20 in which a snap through layer is positioned between said sheet means and said conductive contact means, said snap through layer having a plurality of openings therethrough in register with said protrusions, said protrusions extending into said openings upon depression sufficient to cause contact between said contactor and contact means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A keyboard according to claim 21 in which said protrusions also include a substantially cylindrical pedestal which supports said curved surface on the top thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
A keyboard according to claim 22 in which a spring loaded button assembly comprising a plurality of buttons is provided to depress said protrusions, a different one of said buttons positioned to depress a different one of said protrusions, and means for supporting said button assembly above said protrusions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A keyboard according to claim 22 in which the conductive contactor means comprises a flexible insulator filled with electrically conductive particles.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A keyboard according to claim 20 in which said protrusions also include a substantially cylindrical pedestal which supports said curved surface on the top thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A keyboard according to claim 20 in which the conductive contactor comprises an elastomeric insulator material filled with electrically conductive particles.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
A keyboard according to claim 20 in which the conductive contactor comprises a flexible plastic insulator material filled with electrically conductive particles.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard according to claim 20 in which the curved portion is a portion of a sphere.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a keyboard according to claim 20 including a plurality of spring loaded buttons for depressing said protrusions and means for supporting said buttons over said protrusions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
134 words
A keyboard assembly comprising a circuit board for supporting an electrically conductive circuit having contact means, electrically conductive contactor means positioned above but out of electrical contact with said contact means, a sheet means of insulator plastic material positioned above said conductive contactOr means and having therein a plurality of raised protrusions positioned farthest from said conductive contact means, said protrusions each comprising a curved surface, said curved surface being depressable under pressure to push said conductive contactor means against said contact means and snapping through the center and inverting upon depression sufficient to cause electrical contact between said conductive contactor means and said contact means, and said curved surface recovering back through the center after pressure is withdrawn therefrom, said electrically conductive contactor means supported on the under surface of said curved surface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
134 words
A keyboard assembly comprising a circuit board for supporting an electrically conductive circuit having contact means, electrically conductive contactor means positioned above but out of electrical contact with said contact means, a sheet means of insulator plastic material positioned above said conductive contactOr means and having therein a plurality of raised protrusions positioned farthest from said conductive contact means, said protrusions each comprising a curved surface, said curved surface being depressable under pressure to push said conductive contactor means against said contact means and snapping through the center and inverting upon depression sufficient to cause electrical contact between said conductive contactor means and said contact means, and said curved surface recovering back through the center after pressure is withdrawn therefrom, said electrically conductive contactor means supported on the under surface of said curved surface.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
55 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 30 in which a snap through layer is positioned between said sheet means and said conductive contact means, said layer having a plurality of openings therethrough in register with said protrusions, said protrusions extending into said openings upon depression sufficient to cause contact between said contactor and contact means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
A keyboard according to claim 31 in which a spring loaded button assembly comprising a plurality of buttons is provided to depress said protrusions, a different one of said protrusions by a different one of said buttons, and means for supporting said buttons over said protrusions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
48 words
A keyboard according to claim 30 in which a spring loaded button assembly comprising a plurality of buttons is provided to depress said protrusions, a different one of said buttons positioned to depress a different one of said protrusions, and means for supporting said buttons over said protrusions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 30 in which the contactor means comprises a flexible plastic conductive material which extends over the sheet means and is supported thereby on the under surface thereof.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 30 in which the contactor means comprises flexible plastic conductive material confined to the curved surface.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 30 in which the contactor means comprises flexible plastic conductive material in the shape of a circuit pattern is supported by the under surface of the sheet means with portions thereof supported by the curved surface for movement therewith.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 30 including indicia formed in, on, or supported by said protrusion curved surface.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
138 words
A keyboard assembly comprising first means for supporting electrically conductive contact means, an insulator spacer having a plurality of openings in register with selected portions of said contact means, electrically conductive contactor means positioned over said insulator spacer, a snap through insulator material layer positioned over said electrically conductive contactor means and having openings therethrough in register with the opening of said spacer, and a sheet means of insulator plastic material positioned over said snap through layer and having a plurality of raised protrusions in register with the openings of the snap through layer and comprising a curved surface, said curved surface being depressable and inverting under pressure to extend through the openings of said snap through layer to engage said contactor means to force same through said openings of the spacer to electrically contact the contact means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
138 words
A keyboard assembly comprising first means for supporting electrically conductive contact means, an insulator spacer having a plurality of openings in register with selected portions of said contact means, electrically conductive contactor means positioned over said insulator spacer, a snap through insulator material layer positioned over said electrically conductive contactor means and having openings therethrough in register with the opening of said spacer, and a sheet means of insulator plastic material positioned over said snap through layer and having a plurality of raised protrusions in register with the openings of the snap through layer and comprising a curved surface, said curved surface being depressable and inverting under pressure to extend through the openings of said snap through layer to engage said contactor means to force same through said openings of the spacer to electrically contact the contact means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
47 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 38 in which a spring loaded button assembly comprising a plurality of buttons is provided to depress said protrusions, a different one of said protrusions by a different one of said buttons, and means for supporting said buttons over said protrusions.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
190 words
A keyboard assembly comprising support means, electrically conductive contact means supported by said support means, an insulator material snap through layer having one side thereof positioned over said conductive contact means, said snap through layer having a plurality of openings therethrough in register with portions of said electrically conductive contact means, a sheet of fleXible and resilient insulator plastic material positioned on the opposite side of said snap through layer, said sheet having formed therein a plurality of raised protrusions which extend above said sheet and away from said snap through layer, each of said protrusions comprising a curved surface and each of said protrusions in register with a different one of said openings of said snap through layer, electrically conductive circuit pattern means adhered to the side of the sheet closest to said snap through layer and having portions thereof extending into the protrusions and adhering to the under surface of the curved surface and providing contactor means so that upon depression of said protrusions said protrusions snap through center and invert into said openings of said snap through layer and position said contactor means against said contact means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
190 words
A keyboard assembly comprising support means, electrically conductive contact means supported by said support means, an insulator material snap through layer having one side thereof positioned over said conductive contact means, said snap through layer having a plurality of openings therethrough in register with portions of said electrically conductive contact means, a sheet of fleXible and resilient insulator plastic material positioned on the opposite side of said snap through layer, said sheet having formed therein a plurality of raised protrusions which extend above said sheet and away from said snap through layer, each of said protrusions comprising a curved surface and each of said protrusions in register with a different one of said openings of said snap through layer, electrically conductive circuit pattern means adhered to the side of the sheet closest to said snap through layer and having portions thereof extending into the protrusions and adhering to the under surface of the curved surface and providing contactor means so that upon depression of said protrusions said protrusions snap through center and invert into said openings of said snap through layer and position said contactor means against said contact means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 40 in which said protrusions each comprises a pedestal supporting said curved surface on the top thereof and in which the circuit pattern means also adheres to the under surface of the pedestal.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 41 in which said circuit pattern is of a flexible conductive plastic material.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
44 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 42 in which there is provided a plurality of buttons for depressing said curved surface, and in which there is provided means for supporting said buttons over different ones of said protrusions to depress said curved surface thereof.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 40 in which said circuit pattern is of a flexible conductive plastic material.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
44 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 44 in which there is provided a plurality of buttons for depressing said curved surface, and in which there is provided means for supporting said buttons over different ones of said protrusions to depress said curved surface thereof.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
A keyboard assembly according to claim 1 including indicia formed in, on, or supported by said protrusion curved surface.
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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) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |