US4559427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard system and module therefor
Assignee: Veeder Industries Inc
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Filing: 1983-10-19
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Granted: 1985-12-17
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Expires: 2003-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard system comprises a circuit board having a matrix of contact switches. A module comprises a matrix of keys in actuating correspondence with the contact switches. The keys are of a resilient elongated form having at the terminus an upwardly projecting contact button and a pair of downwardly projecting pegs. One peg contacts a contact switch for actuation thereof. The other peg is receivable in a recess in the circuit board for maintaining alignment of the key. The module also forms a support for an overlying membrane wherein manual depressing of selective locations of the membrane actuates a corresponding contact switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard G. Dolson
- 👤 William R. Brophy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/03; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/018; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/014; H01H2219/036; H01H2219/04; H01H2219/054; H01H2219/064; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/002; H01H2221/004; H01H2221/008; H01H2221/016; H01H2221/024; H01H2221/026; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A keyboard system for an electronic voting machine or the like comprising: a circuit board having a matrix of contact switches of a type employing a spring contact, each of said switches being associated with a corresponding alignment recess in said circuit board; a matrix module mounted to said circuit board, said matrix module comprising a base, an upper support frame, and a matrix of keys, each key being associated with a corresponding contact switch and comprising an elongated resilient structure extending substantially parallel to the circuit board, said key including an upper contact button, a vertically extending alignment peg received in a corresponding alignment recess, and a vertically extending contact peg, the end of which is depressable against a corresponding spring contact of a contact switch; and a membrane overlying said support frame wherein depressing of a selected location of said membrane results in the actuation of a corresponding contact switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A keyboard system for an electronic voting machine or the like comprising: a circuit board having a matrix of contact switches of a type employing a spring contact, each of said switches being associated with a corresponding alignment recess in said circuit board; a matrix module mounted to said circuit board, said matrix module comprising a base, an upper support frame, and a matrix of keys, each key being associated with a corresponding contact switch and comprising an elongated resilient structure extending substantially parallel to the circuit board, said key including an upper contact button, a vertically extending alignment peg received in a corresponding alignment recess, and a vertically extending contact peg, the end of which is depressable against a corresponding spring contact of a contact switch; and a membrane overlying said support frame wherein depressing of a selected location of said membrane results in the actuation of a corresponding contact switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The keyboard system of claim 1 wherein the upper contact button of the matrix module projects slightly above the support frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The keyboard system of claim 1 wherein a light emitting diode is associated with at least one contact switch and the matrix module further includes a substantially cylindrical pod for receiving each light emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The keyboard system of claim 1 wherein said keys have a bifurcated prong structure adjacent a portion of the support frame which connects with the key.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The keyboard system of claim 1 wherein said keys further include a transverse support rib.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The keyboard system of claim 1 wherein the matrix module is secured to the circuit board by means of resilient clips projecting from the base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The keyboard system of claim 1 wherein the matrix module is an integral molded structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
A keyboard system for an electronic voting machine or the like comprising: a circuit board having a matrix of contact switches; a module generally positioned above said circuit board, said module comprising a matrix of key means to actuate a corresponding contact switch and support means to support an overlying membrane; said key means comprising a resilient structure projecting generally parallel to said circuit board, a contact means for actuating the contact switch in response to a manual depression of a selective location of the membrane, and an alignment means comprising a peg adapted to be received in an alignment recess in the circuit board to maintain the alignment of the contact means with a corresponding contact switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
118 words
A keyboard system for an electronic voting machine or the like comprising: a circuit board having a matrix of contact switches; a module generally positioned above said circuit board, said module comprising a matrix of key means to actuate a corresponding contact switch and support means to support an overlying membrane; said key means comprising a resilient structure projecting generally parallel to said circuit board, a contact means for actuating the contact switch in response to a manual depression of a selective location of the membrane, and an alignment means comprising a peg adapted to be received in an alignment recess in the circuit board to maintain the alignment of the contact means with a corresponding contact switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The keyboard system of claim 8 wherein the module is an integral molded structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The keyboard system of claim 8 wherein the contact means includes a contact button which projects upwardly slightly above the support means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The keyboard system of claim 8 wherein the contact means includes a contact peg which is actuable for generally vertical movement relative to the circuit board to contact against a contact switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The keyboard system of claim 11 wherein said contact peg terminates in a rounded surface substantially shaped like the surface of a portion of a cylinder.
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) | 1988-12-16 | 1989-06-17 | 1989-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-16 | 1993-06-17 | 1993-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-16 | 1997-06-17 | 1997-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |