Abstract:
A push-button switch having a plurality of depressable push buttons includes a resilient metal plate provided beneath each push button which is bent in a snapping manner thereby depressing a movable contact provided on a first printed circuit sheet toward a contact assembly provided on a second printed circuit sheet. Upon closure of the movable contact and the contact assembly, another movable contact provided on the rear side of the second printed circuit sheet is depressed toward another contact assembly provided on a printed circuit base board thereby closing the contact assembly.
Abstract:
A mechanically operated keyboard with key stations having a multiplicity of electrical switch contacts for providing an encoded electrical data output signal corresponding to and uniquely identifying individual key stations includes an array of movable contacts each corresponding to an individual key station and which are formed in a sheet of conducting material mounted above a corresponding array of fixed contacts to form multiple contact electrical switches for each key station of the keyboard. Each movable contact has a central member suspended to the sheet of conducting material in cantilevered fashion and includes a plurality of peripherally spaced contact fingers joined to the central member such that the contact fingers adjacent the junction of the central member to the conducting sheet will contact associated fixed contacts of a key station only after the remaining contact fingers have come into contact with their associated fixed contacts. An electrical circuit coupled to the contact fingers provides a strobe output signal only when all of the electrical switch contacts associated with a given key station have been actuated as indicated by the closure between the contact finger adjacent the junction of the central member to the conducting sheet and its associated fixed contact.
Abstract:
A monolithic keyboard constructed in layers with inexpensive materials and which has no conventional moving parts is disclosed. In one embodiment, the layers include a bottom or first layer of conductive material, a second layer of spongy material with holes cut therein, and a third layer of flexible printed circuit. This flexible printed circuit includes a sheet of insulating material with conductive pads placed thereunder in registration with the holes in the spongy material. Key symbols are etched on or printed over the conductive pads thereby indicating the placement of the keys. Depressing the key causes contact to be made between the respective pad and the first layer of conductive material. The spongy material gives the operator the ''''touch'''' of a standard typewriter keyboard.
Abstract:
Multiple switches produced as a flat panel embodying the basic principle of laminates of electrical conductors in desired patterns assembled as stratifications in close proximity but separated by spacers and covered by resilient material facilitating momentary pushbutton operation of companion switch elements thereof, the separators isolating companion switch elements of the stratified laminates within switching zones identified by indicia or pushbutton pads on the resilient cover.