US5595449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable keyboard
Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1995-12-21
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Granted: 1997-01-21
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Expires: 2015-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard for data entry has a rigid portion containing a pump and a flexible inflatable portion including inflatable keys. A flexible circuit has a pair of contacts for each key which are bridged by key operation and extends through both portions to carry key operation signals to a processor in the rigid portion. A release valve permits deflation to a small size for storage and the pump effects inflation to its full size for operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Lev M. Vitkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/0221; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H13/703; H01H2211/00; H01H2211/002; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/046; H01H2223/052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An inflatable keyboard comprising: a housing having a rigid portion and a flexible portion; the flexible portion having a chamber coupled to the rigid portion and extending substantially over the area of the keyboard; a pump in the rigid portion for inflating the chamber to afford a firm keyboard base; a valve in the housing for releasing pressure from the chamber to deflate the flexible portion for storage; a flexible circuit extending along the area of the keyboard and carrying a plurality of conductors; and a flexible array of keys adjacent the flexible circuit for selectively contacting the conductors to signal key actuation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An inflatable keyboard comprising: a housing having a rigid portion and a flexible portion; the flexible portion having a chamber coupled to the rigid portion and extending substantially over the area of the keyboard; a pump in the rigid portion for inflating the chamber to afford a firm keyboard base; a valve in the housing for releasing pressure from the chamber to deflate the flexible portion for storage; a flexible circuit extending along the area of the keyboard and carrying a plurality of conductors; and a flexible array of keys adjacent the flexible circuit for selectively contacting the conductors to signal key actuation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible array of keys includes a membrane spaced from the flexible circuit and carrying conductive means for bridging a pair of conductors upon key actuation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible array of keys includes: a membrane spaced from the flexible circuit and carrying conductive means for each key for bridging a pair of conductors upon key actuation; a molded key matrix covering the membrane for defining key positions and responsive to manual actuation for urging the membrane against the flexible circuit in local regions corresponding to the key positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible array of keys includes: a membrane spaced from the flexible circuit and carrying conductive means for each key for bridging a pair of conductors upon key actuation; a molded key matrix covering the membrane and comprising a plurality of pads for manual actuation, each pad defining a key position; and each pad having a periphery engaging a portion of the membrane to define an enclosed air cell such that depression of a pad causes the membrane portion to bulge against the corresponding pair of conductors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein: passages in the flexible circuit connect one side of each membrane portion to the chamber; each membrane portion has a valve for admitting air to the air cell upon inflation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein: passages in the flexible circuit connect one side of each membrane portion to the chamber; each membrane portion has a key valve for admitting air from the chamber to the cell upon inflation of the flexible portion; and an aperture for bleeding air from each cell to the chamber upon deflation of the flexible portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein each key valve is a flap valve covering a hole in the membrane, and the air bleed aperture is in the flap valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the pump includes a manually operable actuator for operating the pump.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible circuit carries electronic circuitry in the rigid portion for processing signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible array of keys includes a membrane spaced from the flexible circuit and carrying conductive means for bridging a pair of conductors upon key actuation, and a molded key matrix covering the membrane for defining key positions; slots in the flexible circuit and the membrane adjacent each key position; and legs depending from the molded key matrix and extending through the slots for connecting the key matrix and the membrane to the flexible circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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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) | 2000-01-21 | 2000-07-22 | 2001-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-21 | 2004-07-22 | 2005-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-21 | 2008-07-22 | 2009-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |