US3996428A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pushbutton keyboard assembly with over center diaphragm contact
Assignee: Siemens Corporate Research and Support Inc
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Filing: 1975-03-17
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Granted: 1976-12-07
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Expires: 1995-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A switch assembly having a plurality of movable elements for connection with underlying fixed contact elements carried by a base member, the movable insulative support sheet mounted on the base member. Each movable element is spaced by an electrically insulative sheet carried by the support sheet, and has a pair of opposed tines extending through the support sheet received in base member apertures. The movable elements may be dome shaped, partially cylindrical in shape, and span a plurality of the fixed contact elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Danilo P. Buan
- 👤 Richard F. Kingsbury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/7006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A keyboard assembly comprising: an electrically insulative member having a plurality of fixed electrically conductive contact elements arranged in a predetermined pattern, each fixed contact element having a portion projecting in a first direction from said base member, said base member further including a plurality of contact regions; an electrically insulative support sheet carried by said base member and having a plurality of apertures for receiving said projecting portions; an electrically insulative apertured spacer member carried by said support sheet; a plurality of movable snap action diaphragm contact elements supported by said support sheet, said diaphragm contact elements each having a pair of opposed tines extending through said support sheet and connected to said contact regions of said base member; a plurality of actuatable pushbuttons overlying said diaphragm contact elements, each said pushbutton having a central spindle extending in a direction generally opposite said first direction and adapted to be coupled to one of said diaphragm contact elements; said apertured spacer member enabling the coupling between said spindles and said diaphragm contact elements and a top cover member having a plurality of apertures for receiving said pushbuttons.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A keyboard assembly comprising: an electrically insulative member having a plurality of fixed electrically conductive contact elements arranged in a predetermined pattern, each fixed contact element having a portion projecting in a first direction from said base member, said base member further including a plurality of contact regions; an electrically insulative support sheet carried by said base member and having a plurality of apertures for receiving said projecting portions; an electrically insulative apertured spacer member carried by said support sheet; a plurality of movable snap action diaphragm contact elements supported by said support sheet, said diaphragm contact elements each having a pair of opposed tines extending through said support sheet and connected to said contact regions of said base member; a plurality of actuatable pushbuttons overlying said diaphragm contact elements, each said pushbutton having a central spindle extending in a direction generally opposite said first direction and adapted to be coupled to one of said diaphragm contact elements; said apertured spacer member enabling the coupling between said spindles and said diaphragm contact elements and a top cover member having a plurality of apertures for receiving said pushbuttons.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said spacer member comprises a bounded wall portion of said top cover member, said wall portion projecting in the direction of said base member and extending peripherally of said pushbutton apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said spacer member comprises a sheet having a plurality of apertures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said apertures correspond in number to said support sheet apertures, said spacer sheet apertures being arranged in registry with said support sheet apertures and dimensioned to receive associated ones of said diaphragm contact elements in order to provide lateral restraint therefor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm contact elements are dome shaped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm contact elements are partially cylindrical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said diaphragm contact elements are provided with crimped portions along the supporting edges thereof for enhancing the snap action thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said diaphragm contact elements are equal in number to the number of fixed contact elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said base member contact regions comprise a plurality of apertures, and said tines are received in said base member apertures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1 further including a flexible protective sheet overlying said spacer member and said diaphragm contact elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
146 words
A keyboard assembly comprising: an electrically insulative base member having a plurality of fixed electrically conductive contact elements arranged in a predetermined pattern and adapted to be electrically coupled to associated circuit elements, each fixed contact element having a portion projecting in a first direction from said base member, said base member further including a plurality of contact regions; a plurality of snap action diaphragm contact elements overlying said fixed contact elements, each said diaphragm contact element having a pair of opposed tines extending in a direction generally opposite said first direction to said base member and coupled to said contact regions; electrical insulative means coupled to said base member for supporting said diaphragm contact elements and for limiting lateral movement thereof; and means for flexing said diaphragm contact elements to enable contact with one of said fixed contact elements to provide an electrical switching function.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
146 words
A keyboard assembly comprising: an electrically insulative base member having a plurality of fixed electrically conductive contact elements arranged in a predetermined pattern and adapted to be electrically coupled to associated circuit elements, each fixed contact element having a portion projecting in a first direction from said base member, said base member further including a plurality of contact regions; a plurality of snap action diaphragm contact elements overlying said fixed contact elements, each said diaphragm contact element having a pair of opposed tines extending in a direction generally opposite said first direction to said base member and coupled to said contact regions; electrical insulative means coupled to said base member for supporting said diaphragm contact elements and for limiting lateral movement thereof; and means for flexing said diaphragm contact elements to enable contact with one of said fixed contact elements to provide an electrical switching function.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
90 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said electrically insulative means includes a first support sheet carried by said base member and having a plurality of apertures for receiving said projecting portions of said fixed contact elements, and a retaining sheet carried by said support sheet and having a plurality of apertures corresponding in number to said support sheet apertures, said retaining sheet apertures being arranged in registry with said support sheet apertures and dimensioned to receive associated ones of said diaphragm contact elements in order to provide lateral restraint therefor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said flexing means includes a plurality of actuatable pushbuttons overlying said diaphragm contact elements, each said pushbutton having a central spindle extending in a direction generally opposite said first direction and engageable with one of said diaphragm contact elements, and a top member having a plurality of apertures for receiving said pushbuttons.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said diaphragm contact elements are dome shaped.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said diaphragm contact elements are partially cylindrical.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 15 wherein said diaphragm contact elements are provided with crimped portions along the supporting edges thereof for enhancing the snap action thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 15 wherein said diaphragm contact elements are equal in number to the number of fixed contact elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said base member contact regions comprise a plurality of apertures and said tines are received in said base member apertures.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 11 further including a flexible protective sheet overlying said diaphragm contact elements and said electrical insulative means.
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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) | 1979-12-07 | 1980-06-07 | 1980-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-07 | 1984-06-07 | 1984-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-07 | 1988-06-07 | 1988-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |