Patent US4950093A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4950093A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Support mechanism for multiple-key units
Assignee: ZF Electronics GmbH
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Filing: 1989-07-17
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Granted: 1990-08-21
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Expires: 2009-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A multiple-key unit is provided that includes a top portion, a base portion and a support mechanism. The support mechanism is provided with a body portion and a substantially U-shaped wire. The U-shaped wire includes a cross-part and two free ends that are inwardly bent and are parallel to the cross-part of the wire. The cross-part of the U-shaped wire is rotatably supported in a bearing in an eccentric manner at the key top and is parallel to the central, longitudinal axis of the key top. An assembly stop extends from the bearing and maintains the U-shaped wire, during assembly, in an oblique assembly position. Moreover, wire guides are provided in the cross-sides of the key base to vertically receive the free ends of the U-shaped wire during assembly, and in which wire guides the free ends are horizontally displaceable when the key is actuated.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Ertl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:09
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G1/00; G05G1/02; H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/12; H01H3/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A multiple-key unit comprising a top portion, a base portion and a support mechanism; said top portion including means for attaching said top portion to said base portion and said support mechanism; said support mechanism comprising a body portion and a substantially U-shaped wire; said body portion including means for attaching said body portion to said top portion; bearing means for pivotably holding said substantially U-shaped wire; and means for maintaining said substantially U-shaped wire at an oblique position during assembly; and said substantially U-shaped wire including two free ends and a cross-part connected to said free ends, said free ends being inwardly bent and parallel to said cross-part; and said base portion including a guide fixture forming a channel for receiving said free ends of said substantially U-shaped wire, and a guide shoulder spaced from said guide fixture by a distance substantially greater than the diameter of said wire, whereby said free ends of said substantially U-shaped wire are substantially horizontally displaceable in said guide fixture during actuation of the multiple-key unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A multiple-key unit comprising a top portion, a base portion and a support mechanism; said top portion including means for attaching said top portion to said base portion and said support mechanism; said support mechanism comprising a body portion and a substantially U-shaped wire; said body portion including means for attaching said body portion to said top portion; bearing means for pivotably holding said substantially U-shaped wire; and means for maintaining said substantially U-shaped wire at an oblique position during assembly; and said substantially U-shaped wire including two free ends and a cross-part connected to said free ends, said free ends being inwardly bent and parallel to said cross-part; and said base portion including a guide fixture forming a channel for receiving said free ends of said substantially U-shaped wire, and a guide shoulder spaced from said guide fixture by a distance substantially greater than the diameter of said wire, whereby said free ends of said substantially U-shaped wire are substantially horizontally displaceable in said guide fixture during actuation of the multiple-key unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The multiple-key unit according to claim 1, wherein said support mechanism further includes means for ensuring horizontal alignment of said substantially U-shaped wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The multiple-key wire according to claim 1, wherein said cross-part of said substantially U-shaped wire has a length that is substantially equal to that of said body portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The multiple-key unit according to claim 2, wherein said cross-part of said substantially U-shaped wire has a length that is substantially equal to that of the body portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The multiple-key unit according to claim 4, wherein said means for ensuring horizontal alignment of said substantially U-shaped wire comprises a guide rib.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The multiple-key unit according to claim 1, wherein said means in the top portion for attaching said support mechanism include sockets, and said support mechanism includes protrusions that are adapted to fit into said sockets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The multiple-key unit according to claim 1, wherein said base portion includes a bottom edge; and said guide fixture forming said channel includes an inside guide shoulder forming an end portion of said channel, and an elongated leg positioned substantially parallel to said bottom edge forming the width of said channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The multiple-key unit according to claim 7, wherein said inside guide shoulder and said elongated leg are attached to each other, and the width of the channel formed by said guide fixture is slightly greater than the width of the wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The multiple key unit according to claim 5, wherein said guide rib extends from said body portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The multiple-key unit according to claim 1, wherein said means for maintaining said substantially U-shaped wire at an oblique position comprises at least one assembly stop extending from said body portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
178 words
A multiple-key unit comprising a top portion, a base portion and a support mechanism; said top portion including mean for attaching said top portion to said base portion and said support mechanism; said support mechanism comprising a body portion and a substantially U-shaped wire; said body portion including means for attaching said body portion to said top portion; bearing means for pivotably holding said substantially U-shaped wire; and means for maintaining said substantially U-shaped wire at an oblique position during assembly; said substantially U-shaped wire including two free ends and a cross-part connected to said free ends, said free ends being inwardly bent and parallel to said cross-part; said base portion including a guide fixture forming a channel for receiving said free ends of said substantially U-shaped wire, and a guide shoulder spaced from said guide fixture, wherein said free ends of said substantially U-shaped wire are substantially horizontally displaceable in said guide fixture during actuation of the multiple-key unit; and a guide rib extending from said body portion to ensure horizontal alignment of said substantially U-shaped wire.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
178 words
A multiple-key unit comprising a top portion, a base portion and a support mechanism; said top portion including mean for attaching said top portion to said base portion and said support mechanism; said support mechanism comprising a body portion and a substantially U-shaped wire; said body portion including means for attaching said body portion to said top portion; bearing means for pivotably holding said substantially U-shaped wire; and means for maintaining said substantially U-shaped wire at an oblique position during assembly; said substantially U-shaped wire including two free ends and a cross-part connected to said free ends, said free ends being inwardly bent and parallel to said cross-part; said base portion including a guide fixture forming a channel for receiving said free ends of said substantially U-shaped wire, and a guide shoulder spaced from said guide fixture, wherein said free ends of said substantially U-shaped wire are substantially horizontally displaceable in said guide fixture during actuation of the multiple-key unit; and a guide rib extending from said body portion to ensure horizontal alignment of said substantially U-shaped wire.
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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) | 1993-08-20 | 1994-02-19 | 1994-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-20 | 1998-02-19 | 1998-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-20 | 2002-02-19 | 2002-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |