US4264477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard
Assignee: LUCAS DURALITH AKT Corp
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Filing: 1978-02-21
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Granted: 1981-04-28
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Expires: 1998-02-21
Abstract
Abstract Keyboard having contactors and contacts which are selectively urged against one another by depression causing engagement of one by the other, the keyboard having at least contactors or contacts or both which are constructed of a conductive polymeric composition such that upon engagement of a contactor with a contact there is exhibited substantially reduced bounce after repeated closure of contactor against contact even at micro ampere current levels.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Seeger
- 👤 Vincent Squitieri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; H01B; H01B1/00; H01B1/20; H01B1/22; H01B1/24; H01C; H01C10/00; H01C10/10; H01C10/106; H01H1/00; H01H1/02; H01H1/021; H01H1/029; H01H13/702; H01H13/80; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/002; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/032; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/004; H01H2215/008; H01H2227/00; H01H2227/002; H01H2227/012; H01H2227/014; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/002; H01H2229/004; H01H2229/038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Keyboard comprising top and bottom non-conductive sheet means, said sheet means having a plurality of contacts, said top sheet means having a plurality of contactors, each of said contactors in register with a different one of said contacts and each pair forming at least a portion of a switch, said contactors normally spaced apart from said contacts and depressible to engage said contacts, at least one of said contactors or contacts comprising a dry, electrically conductive ink of electrically conductive metal particles, a polymeric binder and about 0.5 to about 12.5% by weight, of carbon black particles based on the total weight of the carbon black, metal particles and binder, said binder comprising about 6 to 30% by weight of the ink based on the total weight of binder, metal particles and carbon black and said metal particles comprising about 60 to 90% by weight of the ink based on the total weight of binder, metal particles and carbon black.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
Keyboard comprising top and bottom non-conductive sheet means, said sheet means having a plurality of contacts, said top sheet means having a plurality of contactors, each of said contactors in register with a different one of said contacts and each pair forming at least a portion of a switch, said contactors normally spaced apart from said contacts and depressible to engage said contacts, at least one of said contactors or contacts comprising a dry, electrically conductive ink of electrically conductive metal particles, a polymeric binder and about 0.5 to about 12.5% by weight, of carbon black particles based on the total weight of the carbon black, metal particles and binder, said binder comprising about 6 to 30% by weight of the ink based on the total weight of binder, metal particles and carbon black and said metal particles comprising about 60 to 90% by weight of the ink based on the total weight of binder, metal particles and carbon black.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The keyboard of claim 1 in which both the contactors and contacts comprise said ink.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The keyboard of claim 2 in which the top and bottom sheet means form a single larger unitary sheet means which has a portion folded over another portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The keyboard of claim 3 in which circuit lines of said ink are selectively coupled to said contacts and contactors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The keyboard of claim 2 in which the carbon black comprises 0.5 to 5% of the dried ink.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The keyboard of claim 5 in which the metal particles comprise silver, nickel or a combination of same.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The keyboard of claim 5 in which the carbon black comprises about 1.0 to about 5% by weight of the ink.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The keyboard of claim 1 in which the contactors are supported on the underside of a snappable dome formed in the top sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A switch comprising a contact and a contactor for engagement therewith, at least the contactor or contact comprising a dry, electrically conductive ink containing a polymeric binder and electrically conductive metal particles, the improvement of said dry ink also containing about 0.5 to about 12.5% by weight of carbon black particles based on the total weight of the carbon black, metal particles and binder, said ink comprises by weight about 6 to about 30% of binder and about 0.5 to about 12.5% by weight of carbon black particles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
A switch comprising a contact and a contactor for engagement therewith, at least the contactor or contact comprising a dry, electrically conductive ink containing a polymeric binder and electrically conductive metal particles, the improvement of said dry ink also containing about 0.5 to about 12.5% by weight of carbon black particles based on the total weight of the carbon black, metal particles and binder, said ink comprises by weight about 6 to about 30% of binder and about 0.5 to about 12.5% by weight of carbon black particles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The switch of claim 9 in which both the contactor and contact are made of said dry ink.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switch of claim 10 in which said ink comprises about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of carbon black particles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The keyboard of claim 6 in which the binder is polyester.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The switch of claim 11 in which the metal particles are silver, nickel or a combination of both.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The switch of claim 13 in which the binder is polyester.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-04-27 | 1984-10-27 | 1985-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-27 | 1988-10-27 | 1989-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-27 | 1992-10-27 | 1993-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |