US4099037A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Key board switch assembly having canti-levered leaf spring contact assembly on common conductive frame
Assignee: National Semiconductor Corp
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Filing: 1976-06-21
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Granted: 1978-07-04
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Expires: 1996-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A push button panel having twelve push buttons arranged in three columns of four push buttons per column. A push button panel of the type described wherein a common signal is connected to the unique combination of two out of seven circuit paths when a given push button is depressed. The panel has a minimum number of individual parts and employs lead frame techniques to facilitate fabrication of the parts in a rapid manner according to well understood procedures. A push button panel arranged to optimize the spring characteristics of the members so as to minimize the likelihood of false signals without requiring excessive force to operate the push buttons.
Inventors
- 👤 Earnest D. Hartzler
- 👤 Paul D. Levesque
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/7013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
308 words
A push button keyboard switch assembly having at least first and second push button bodies for effecting selective momentary circuit closures comprising: an insulative substrate, a plurality of conductive circuit paths on said substrate forming first and second spaced apart fixed contacts, first and second elongate conductive spring members, each said conductive spring member having a distal and a proximal end, means for securing the respective proximal ends on said substrate at oppositely disposed points so that the elongate spring members reside in mutually parallel relation and span respective fixed contacts in opposite directions with the proximal end of said first conductive spring member adjacent the distal end of said second conductive spring member, each said spring member adjacent the proximal end thereof being bent upward so that the majority of the respective spring members diverge upward from the substrate toward the respective distal ends, each said spring member intermediate the ends thereof having at least one contact point in alignment with said fixed contact points, means for constraining said push button bodies for movement toward and away from said substrate along paths aligned with the distal ends of respective said conductive spring members, said first push button body having a wall defining a first bearing surface for bearing on the distal end of said first conductive spring member and a second push button body having a wall defining a second bearing surface for bearing on the distal end of said second conductive spring member, said walls being laterally offset from one another so that said bearing surfaces bear on respective said conductive spring members, said push button bodies being aligned with one another in a direction longitudinally of said conductive spring members, said walls further defining stop members for limiting the movement of said push buttons toward said substrate by contact of said walls with said substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
308 words
A push button keyboard switch assembly having at least first and second push button bodies for effecting selective momentary circuit closures comprising: an insulative substrate, a plurality of conductive circuit paths on said substrate forming first and second spaced apart fixed contacts, first and second elongate conductive spring members, each said conductive spring member having a distal and a proximal end, means for securing the respective proximal ends on said substrate at oppositely disposed points so that the elongate spring members reside in mutually parallel relation and span respective fixed contacts in opposite directions with the proximal end of said first conductive spring member adjacent the distal end of said second conductive spring member, each said spring member adjacent the proximal end thereof being bent upward so that the majority of the respective spring members diverge upward from the substrate toward the respective distal ends, each said spring member intermediate the ends thereof having at least one contact point in alignment with said fixed contact points, means for constraining said push button bodies for movement toward and away from said substrate along paths aligned with the distal ends of respective said conductive spring members, said first push button body having a wall defining a first bearing surface for bearing on the distal end of said first conductive spring member and a second push button body having a wall defining a second bearing surface for bearing on the distal end of said second conductive spring member, said walls being laterally offset from one another so that said bearing surfaces bear on respective said conductive spring members, said push button bodies being aligned with one another in a direction longitudinally of said conductive spring members, said walls further defining stop members for limiting the movement of said push buttons toward said substrate by contact of said walls with said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A push button keyboard switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein: each conductive spring member having first and second laterally spaced contact points, each of said fixed contacts comprising laterally spaced apart fixed contact pairs, said contact pairs being aligned with the respective contact point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The push button keyboard switch assembly according to claim 2 further including: an insulative layer overlying said conductive circuit paths and defining first and second apertures for exposing respective fixed contact pairs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The push button keyboard switch assembly according to claim 2 wherein: said push button comprises an insulative body having an externally accessible surface, said push button body including a side wall normal to said externally accessible surface, said side wall defining a central cavity, said wall defining said second bearing surface residing within said cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The push button keyboard switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein: said movable contacts are spaced from said proximal end by a distance approximately one-third the distance of said proximal end to said distal end so that the portion of said spring contact member distally of said movable contacts moves toward said substrate in response to a force from said push button before said movable contact moves toward said substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The push button keyboard switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein: said proximal end includes securing means comprising a rivet extending through said substrate, said insulative layer and said proximal end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
The push button keyboard switch assembly according to claim 1 further comprising: a column of at least four push buttons disposed in uniformally spaced apart relation along a straight line comprising first and second pairs of push buttons, first and second pairs of parallelly spaced apart spring contact members secured on said substrate and symmetrically disposed relative said straight line, each of said spring contact members being associated with a discrete one of said push buttons.
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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) | 1981-07-03 | 1982-01-02 | 1982-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-03 | 1986-01-02 | 1986-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-03 | 1990-01-02 | 1990-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |