Data machine keyboard assembly with elongated key cap for actuating an electric switch

Claim 2

In an electrically operated data machine keyboard assembly, a printed circuit board, an electric switch rigidly mounted thereon, said switch being provided with an actuating plunger extending outwardly away from said board, a spring normally urging the plunger in a direction away from the board, a bushing rigidly mounted on the board beside said switch and extending through the board, a guide post slidably mounted in the bushing parallel to said plunger, and a finger-actuated elongated key cap overlying the post and plunger in engagement with the plunger, said cap being rigidly mounted on the outer end of the post, whereby when either end of the key cap is depressed to actuate said switch the cap will be guided by said post and the plunger will not bind in the switch, said guide post extending through the bushing, and the free end of the post being provided with means limiting the distance said cap can move away from the bushing.

Claim 3

In a keyboard assembly according to claim 1, the free end of the post being provided with laterally projecting spring teeth normally overlying the adjoining end of the bushing to limit the distance said cap can move away from the bushing, and said teeth being movable toward the axis of the guide post to permit initial insertion of the post in the bushing from the opposite end of the bushing.

Claim 4

In an electrically operated data machine keyboard assembly, a printed circuit board, an electric switch rigidly mounted thereon, said switch being provided with an actuating plunger extending outwardly away from said board, a spring normally urging the plunger in a direction away from the board, a bushing rigidly mounted on the board beside said switch, a guide post slidably mounted in the bushing parallel to said plunger, and a finger-actuated elongated key cap overlying the post and plunger in engagement with the plunger, said cap being rigidly mounted on the outer end of the post, said bushing and guide post being made of a plastic and the bushing extending through said printed circuit board and being provided with an integral flange engaging the side of said board opposite said cap, said assembly including a plastic washer encircling the bushing at the other side of the printed circuit board in engagement with the board and secured to the bushing so that the bushing is held in said board by said flange and washer, whereby when either end of the key cap is depressed to actuate said switch the cap will be guided by said post and the plunger will not bind in the switch.

Claim 5

In an electrically operated data machine keyboard assembly, a printed circuit board, an electric switch rigidly mounted thereon, said switch being provided with an actuating plunger extending outwardly away from said board, a spring normally urging the plunger in a direction away from the board, a bushing rigidly mounted on the board beside said switch, a guide post slidably mounted in the bushing parallel to said plunger, and a finger-actuated elongated key cap overlying the post and plunger in engagement with the plunger, said cap being rigidly mounted on the outer end of the post, said bushing and guide post being made of a plastic and the bushing extending through said printed circuit board and being provided with an integral flange engaging the side of said board opposite said cap, said assembly including a plastic washer encircling the bushing at the other side of the printed circuit board in engagement with the board and secured to the bushing so that the bushing is held in said board by said flange and washer, whereby when either end of the key cap is depressed to actuate said switch the cap will be guided by said post and the plunger will not bind in the switch.