US4430531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snap disc keyboard
Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1982-03-15
•
Granted: 1984-02-07
•
Expires: 2002-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A metal snap disc type keyboard is disclosed having a plurality of snap discs each with a central domed portion and a peripheral foot portion. The discs are fastened together in strips to a common mounting strap having locating holes to facilitate assembly. The strips of snap discs are mounted to a printed circuit board that has corresponding conductors, and a resilient sheet is placed over this assembly. The resilient sheet provides additional key travel and cushions the harshness of the snap of the snap discs. These components are fastened into a top case in which keys are hingedly mounted for actuating the individual snap domes.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen J. Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/7006; H01H2205/00; H01H2205/016; H01H2205/024; H01H2205/026; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/024; H01H2229/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A keyboard for an electronic device comprising: an insulative substrate; a plurality of first conductors supported on the substrate; a plurality of second conductors supported on the substrate; a plurality of metal discs each having a central domed portion and a peripheral foot portion formed at an acute angle to the adjacent surface of the domed portion, each metal disc being arranged in a facing relationship with one of the first conductors and the foot portion of each metal disc being supported on the substrate by one of the second conductors; a strap having tab means for attaching two or more of the metal discs to the strap, each disc being attached to a single strap; a sheet of resilient material overlaying the plurality of metal discs; a plurality of keys, each key supported over one of the metal discs for applying force to the disc through the resilient sheet when the key is depressed by a user, wherein the disc snaps and makes contact with the corresponding first conductor in response to applied force, the resilient sheet is compressed by the key and cushions the snap action of the disc for better tactile feel, and the disc snaps back to its original shape when the applied force is removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A keyboard for an electronic device comprising: an insulative substrate; a plurality of first conductors supported on the substrate; a plurality of second conductors supported on the substrate; a plurality of metal discs each having a central domed portion and a peripheral foot portion formed at an acute angle to the adjacent surface of the domed portion, each metal disc being arranged in a facing relationship with one of the first conductors and the foot portion of each metal disc being supported on the substrate by one of the second conductors; a strap having tab means for attaching two or more of the metal discs to the strap, each disc being attached to a single strap; a sheet of resilient material overlaying the plurality of metal discs; a plurality of keys, each key supported over one of the metal discs for applying force to the disc through the resilient sheet when the key is depressed by a user, wherein the disc snaps and makes contact with the corresponding first conductor in response to applied force, the resilient sheet is compressed by the key and cushions the snap action of the disc for better tactile feel, and the disc snaps back to its original shape when the applied force is removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A keyboard as in claim 1 wherein the discs are arranged in rows and a plurality of the discs in a row are attached to the same strap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A keyboard as in claim 1 wherein the foot portion of each disc is in the shape of a section of a cone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A keyboard as in claim 1 further comprising a housing member wherein each of the keys includes a hinge portion retained in a hinge portion of the housing member and the substrate is attached to the housing member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A keyboard as in claim 4 wherein each key applies force to the center portion of the corresponding metal disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A keyboard as in claim 5 wherein: the housing member has a plurality of mounting pins; each strap has a plurality of holes engaging corresponding mounting pins on the housing member; the resilient sheet and the substrate each having holes corresponding to and engaging the mounting pins; and the straps, the resilient sheet and the substrate are fastened to the housing member on the mounting pins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A keyboard as in claim 6 wherein: the substrate comprises a printed circuit board, each of the first conductors comprises a printed circuit pad and a plated through hole in the printed circuit board; and each of the second conductors comprises an annular printed circuit conductor, the diameter of the annulus corresponding to the diameter of the foot portion of the corresponding metal disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A keyboard as in claim 7 wherein each of the mounting pins is heat staked to the substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A keyboard as in claim 8 wherein each key has an actuating pin for contacting the center portion of the corresponding metal disc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
A keyboard as in claim 5 wherein: the housing member has a plurality of mounting pins; each strap has a plurality of holes engaging corresponding mounting pins on the housing member; the resilient sheet and the substrate each having holes corresponding to and engaging the mounting pins; and the straps, the resilient sheet and the substrate are located in the housing member by the mounting pins.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A keyboard as in claim 10 wherein the metal discs are held to the substrate by an overlying flexible, adhesive layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
210 words
A keyboard for an electronic device comprising: an insulative substrate; a plurality of first conductors supported on the substrate; a plurality of second conductors supported on the substrate; a plurality of metal discs each having a central domed portion and a peripheral foot portion, the peripheral foot portion being formed by an annular crease in the disc, each metal disc being arranged in a facing relationship with one of the first conductors and the foot portion of each metal disc being supported on the substrate by one of the second conductors; a strap having tab means for attaching two or more of the metal discs to the strap, each disc being attached to a single strap; a sheet of resilient material overlaying the plurality of metal discs; a plurality of keys, each key supported over one of the metal discs for applying force to the disc through the resilient sheet when the key is depressed by a user, wherein the disc snaps and makes contact with the corresponding first conductor in response to applied force, the resilient sheet is compressed by the key and cushions the snap action of the disc for better tactile feel, and the disc snaps back to its original shape when the applied force is removed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
210 words
A keyboard for an electronic device comprising: an insulative substrate; a plurality of first conductors supported on the substrate; a plurality of second conductors supported on the substrate; a plurality of metal discs each having a central domed portion and a peripheral foot portion, the peripheral foot portion being formed by an annular crease in the disc, each metal disc being arranged in a facing relationship with one of the first conductors and the foot portion of each metal disc being supported on the substrate by one of the second conductors; a strap having tab means for attaching two or more of the metal discs to the strap, each disc being attached to a single strap; a sheet of resilient material overlaying the plurality of metal discs; a plurality of keys, each key supported over one of the metal discs for applying force to the disc through the resilient sheet when the key is depressed by a user, wherein the disc snaps and makes contact with the corresponding first conductor in response to applied force, the resilient sheet is compressed by the key and cushions the snap action of the disc for better tactile feel, and the disc snaps back to its original shape when the applied force is removed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A keyboard as in claim 12 wherein the discs are arranged in rows and a plurality of the discs in a row are attached to the same strap.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A keyboard as in claim 12 wherein the foot portion of each disc is in the shape of a section of a cone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A keyboard as in claim 12 further comprising a housing member wherein each of the keys includes a hinge portion retained in a hinge portion of the housing member and the substrate is attached to the housing member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A keyboard as in claim 15 wherein each key applies force to the center portion of the corresponding metal disc.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
A keyboard as in claim 16 wherein: the housing member has a plurality of mounting pins; each strap has a plurality of holes engaging corresponding mounting pins on the housing member; the resilient sheet and the substrate each having holes corresponding to and engaging the mounting pins; and the straps, the resilient sheet and the substrate are fastened to the housing member on the mounting pins.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
A keyboard as in claim 17 wherein: the substrate comprises a printed circuit board; each of the first conductors comprises a printed circuit pad and a plated through hole in the printed circuit board; and each of the second conductors comprises an annular printed circuit conductor, the diameter of the annulus corresponding to the diameter of the foot portion of the corresponding metal disc.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A keyboard as in claim 18 wherein each of the mounting pins is heat staked to the substrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A keyboard as in claim 19 wherein each key has an actuating pin for contacting the center portion of the corresponding metal disc.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3941953A
Cited
US3819882A
Cited
US3916135A
Cited
US4096364A
Cited
US4254309A
Cited
US4195210A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-02-06 | 1987-08-08 | 1988-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-06 | 1991-08-08 | 1992-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-06 | 1995-08-08 | 1996-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |