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US4366355A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Keyboard
Assignee: Preh GmbH
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Filing: 1981-03-24
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Granted: 1982-12-28
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Expires: 2001-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard comprises a base plate having conductor paths and contact areasrovided thereon, a plurality of keys associated with said contact areas, said keys consisting each of an elastically deformable snap member, the contact element thereof being adapted to be brought into contact with said contact areas by deformation upon actuation of an actuating button and being positioned above said contact areas in spaced relationship thereto. A metal frame is provided as mounting support for the snap members, said metal frame having a number, which corresponds to the number of snap members, of protrusions protruding therefrom in a direction toward the actuating buttons. Each protrusion has an opening therein, in which the snap member is held.
Inventors
- 👤 Jurgen Oelsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H13/705; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/01; H01H2213/00; H01H2213/01; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/004; H01H2215/012; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/044; H01H2229/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A keyboard comprising a base plate having conductor paths and contact areas provided thereon, a plurality of keys associated with said contact areas, said keys consisting each of an elastically deformable snap member, the contact element thereof being adapted to be brought into contact with said contact areas by deformation upon actuation of an actuating button and being positioned above said contact areas in spaced relationship thereto, characterized in that a metal frame (7, 17) is provided as mounting support for the snap members (5, 15), said metal frame having protrusions (8) embossed therefrom in a direction toward the actuating buttons (14, 24, 25), the number of protrusions corresponding to the number of snap members, and in that each protrusion has an opening (9) therein, in which the snap member (5, 15) is held.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A keyboard comprising a base plate having conductor paths and contact areas provided thereon, a plurality of keys associated with said contact areas, said keys consisting each of an elastically deformable snap member, the contact element thereof being adapted to be brought into contact with said contact areas by deformation upon actuation of an actuating button and being positioned above said contact areas in spaced relationship thereto, characterized in that a metal frame (7, 17) is provided as mounting support for the snap members (5, 15), said metal frame having protrusions (8) embossed therefrom in a direction toward the actuating buttons (14, 24, 25), the number of protrusions corresponding to the number of snap members, and in that each protrusion has an opening (9) therein, in which the snap member (5, 15) is held.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The keyboard as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the edge of the opening (9) is embraced by an edge portion of the snap member (15).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The keyboard as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the edge of the opening (9) has a circular chamfer (10) on both sides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The keyboard as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the snap member (5, 15) is made from a rubber-elastic material, especially silicon rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The keyboard as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the snap members (5, 15) are mounted in the metal frame by injection molding in a single operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The keyboard as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the metal frame (7, 17) has grooves (11) in the face opposite to the base plate (1), which interconnect the protrusions (8) to provide equalization of pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The keyboard as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the metal frame (7, 17) is common to all snap members (5, 15).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The keyboard as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an actuating button (14, 24, 25), which may be provided with symbols on its upper face, is positioned above each snap member (5, 15).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | 1986-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-27 | 1990-06-28 | 1990-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-27 | 1994-06-28 | 1994-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |