US4454562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyswitch with telescoping plunger
Assignee: Arris Technology Inc
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Filing: 1982-09-15
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Granted: 1984-06-12
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Expires: 2002-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A low profile keyswitch utilizes a telescoping plunger assembly. A linear feel and overtravel are achieved. The telescoping plunger assembly includes an outer plunger shaft and an inner plunger shaft slideably mounted therewithin for telescopic extension therefrom. A retaining member locks one end of the inner plunger shaft within the outer plunger shaft, thereby defining the maximum extension of the inner plunger. A spring biases the inner plunger into its fully extended position.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Bush
- 👤 Dean S. Cowles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/80; H01H13/702; H01H13/705; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/975; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/006; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/02; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/024; H01H2221/026; H01H2221/028; H01H2227/00; H01H2227/036; H01H2233/00; H01H2233/07; H01H2233/086; H01H2233/09; H01H2233/094; H01H2233/096; H01H2239/00; H01H2239/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An actuator assembly for a low profile keyswitch comprising: a housing; an outer plunger; a channel in said housing through which said outer plunger can slide from a first position to a second position; means for spring loading said outer plunger into said first position; an inner plunger slidably mounted within one end of said outer plunger for telescopic extension therefrom; means for floatably retaining one end of said inner plunger within said outer plunger, thereby defining the maximum extension of said inner plunger from said outer plunger; means for spring loading said inner plunger into its fully extended position; and actuator means at the other end of said inner plunger for actuating a switching element mounted thereunder when said outer plunger is moved from said first to said second position, said actuator having a perimeter smaller than that of the adjacent portions of said housing to enable the actuator to float freely within said housing; whereby said actuator is self-leveling to provide uniform contact with a switching element actuated thereby.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
An actuator assembly for a low profile keyswitch comprising: a housing; an outer plunger; a channel in said housing through which said outer plunger can slide from a first position to a second position; means for spring loading said outer plunger into said first position; an inner plunger slidably mounted within one end of said outer plunger for telescopic extension therefrom; means for floatably retaining one end of said inner plunger within said outer plunger, thereby defining the maximum extension of said inner plunger from said outer plunger; means for spring loading said inner plunger into its fully extended position; and actuator means at the other end of said inner plunger for actuating a switching element mounted thereunder when said outer plunger is moved from said first to said second position, said actuator having a perimeter smaller than that of the adjacent portions of said housing to enable the actuator to float freely within said housing; whereby said actuator is self-leveling to provide uniform contact with a switching element actuated thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said outer plunger comprises a plurality of ribs and grooves which mesh with a plurality of corresponding grooves and ribs in said channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for spring loading said inner plunger comprises a substantially flat piece of spring material sandwiched between said one end of said outer plunger and said actuator means and having a plurality of spring fingers cut therefrom with portions of said fingers protruding beyond the flat surface of said piece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising actuator means at the other end of said inner plunger for actuating a switching element mounted thereunder when said outer plunger is moved from said first to said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a rigid retaining plate having a foam pad assembly mounted thereto, said foam pad assembly comprising a plate which is snapped into and retained by said rigid retaining plate, a foam pad mounted to the surface of said plate, and a metalized foil secured to the foam pad for actuation of a capacitive type switching element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a keytop mounted to the other end of said outer plunger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for spring loading said outer plunger into said first position comprises a spiral spring having a first end which bears against a flange extending from the other end of said outer plunger and a second end which bears against a portion of said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said inner plunger comprises a pair of spaced, free-standing arms which terminate to form a pair of tapered tabs, and said retaining means comprises a shoulder extending partially across said one end of said outer plunger over which said tapered tabs are snapped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
A telescoping plunger assembly for use in a low profile keyswitch comprising: an outer plunger shaft; an inner plunger shaft slidably mounted within one end of said outer plunger shaft for telescopic extension therefrom; means for retaining one end of said inner plunger shaft within said outer plunger shaft; thereby defining the maximum extension of said inner plunger; a switch actuator at the other end of said inner plunger shaft; and a substantially flat piece of spring material sandwiched between said one end of said outer plunger shaft and said switch actuator and having a plurality of spring fingers cut therefrom with portions of said fingers protruding beyond the flat surface of said piece for spring loading said inner plunger shaft into its fully extended position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
A telescoping plunger assembly for use in a low profile keyswitch comprising: an outer plunger shaft; an inner plunger shaft slidably mounted within one end of said outer plunger shaft for telescopic extension therefrom; means for retaining one end of said inner plunger shaft within said outer plunger shaft; thereby defining the maximum extension of said inner plunger; a switch actuator at the other end of said inner plunger shaft; and a substantially flat piece of spring material sandwiched between said one end of said outer plunger shaft and said switch actuator and having a plurality of spring fingers cut therefrom with portions of said fingers protruding beyond the flat surface of said piece for spring loading said inner plunger shaft into its fully extended position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of tapered resilient tabs extending from said inner plunger shaft which snap over a shoulder extending partially across said one end of said outer plunger shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 9 further comprising means at the other end of said outer plunger shaft for accomodating a keytop.
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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) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-12-12 | 1988-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-12 | 1991-12-12 | 1992-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-12 | 1995-12-12 | 1996-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |