Abstract:
The invention is directed to a membrane switch comprising a first layer 30 of flexible insulating material and a second layer 50 having relatively inflexible characteristics, each layer 30, 50 having an array of conductors 40, 54 disposed thereon and defining a plurality of switch point areas over a substantial portion of the respective layers. The first sheet is transparent and carries visible symbols on the inner surface thereof formed by a first layer 36 of inks printed thereon and further includes a barrier coating over such symbols to provide contrast therefore. The first array 40 of conductors is printed on the barrier coating. The second array 54 of conductors is printed on the inflexible layer. The first and second arrays 40, 54 of conductors are connected to respective voltage sources, preferably by further arrays of conductors 42, 56 disposed over at least portions of the first and second arrays, 40, 54 the further arrays 42, 56 being of a material having a higher conductivity than the material used for the first and second arrays 40, 54. Spacer means 58 for the switch is formed by printing an array of spaced apart dots of a dielectric and insulating coating on top of at least one of the arrays of conductors in the defined switch point areas to hold the switch point areas normally apart until pressure is placed thereupon to deform the first sheet 30 and effect a switch closure between corresponding switch point areas of the arrays 40, 54. A method for making the switch is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A key-touch sensor has an electric circuit formed on a first electrically insulating substrate covered with a carbon electrode, an electric circuit formed on a second electrically insulating substrate covered with a carbon electrode which is opposed to the electric circuit on the first substrate across a gap, and a pressure-sensitive electroconductive layer deposited to at least one of the first or second substrates and disposed to fill the gap.
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.
Abstract:
Relates generally to the production of electrical signals from a keyboard, each key of which is individually operatively associated with a switching device whose activation to electrical conductive condition is controlled by the displacement of the key. These switches are hermetically sealed from the atmosphere and are electrically scanned in succession at relatively high speeds and at a repetitious rate such that several scanning cycles occur during the normal activation of a selected key. The keyboard mechanism also includes a shift register having one more bit position than the number of switch devices and into which a bit is introduced into the "one" position at the instant the scan encounters a closed switch of the keyboard. This bit is then shifted through the register in timed relation to the scan of the remaining key switches and unloaded into the last bit position of the register. A detector senses the presence of a bit in both the "one" position and the last position of the shift register and upon detection of a bit solely in the one position it delivers a signal indicative of the character represented by the actuated key and upon detecting bits in the two extreme positions of the shift register it nullifies the delivery of such a signal.
Abstract:
Different from conventional push-button switches with which an electric circuit is closed and opened as the button top is pushed with a finger tip and as the finger tip is withdrawn from the button top, respectively, the inventive push-button switch operates in a unique manner that the electric circuit is opened already as the pushing force by the finger tip is still on the way of increasing. The inventive push-button switches utilize the delicate snap back action taking place as the strain in the snap spring portion in the diaphragm covering of the switch exceeds a certain critical point so as to spontaneously pull apart the movable contact member on the inward surface of the covering from the fixed contact points on the base plate while the button top is still under pushing with a finger tip. The inventive push-button switch is advantageous because of the absence of the transient disturbances in the circuit such as chattering and bouncing.
Abstract:
A composite top membrane designed for use with membrane-type switch arrays which is substantially smooth and ripple free. The composite membrane comprises:(1) a layer of plastic foam which is coated on each side with a pressure sensitive adhesive;(2) a decorative cover layer formed from plastic and having graphic indicia on one or both surfaces and which is adhesively affixed to one side of the aforementioned layer of plastic foam; and(3) a sheet of plastic having a significant memory property having its first surface adhesively affixed to the other side of the foam layer and a pattern of conductive metallization on its second surface.The layer of foam material provides a flat, resilient interface between the decorative cover layer and the relatively convoluted surface of the flexible printed circuit top membrane. As such, the decorative layer remains flat and free from optical irregularities which would detract from its aesthetic impression.
Abstract:
In an electronic calculator essentially comprising a multidigit display, a keyboard and a data processor unit, a multidigit liquid crystal display is deposited together with integral key actuators of the keyboard of a flexible circuit film which carries electrical conductor leaves in a desired pattern. The conductor leaves to be in contact with terminals of the liquid crystal display are formed to extend in the direction of length of the liquid crystal display to thereby establish room for a battery compartment.
Abstract:
A price board selection switch assembly for facilitating the operation of selectively setting and of changing the various prices at which a plurality of respective merchandising machine delivery units will dispense articles of merchandise in which a plurality of sliding contacts are mounted for movement along respective first printed product line conductors on the undersurface of an upper board and for movement of spring fingers on the contacts over lines of holes in a detent board for selective engagement with second printed price line conductors carried by the upper surface of a lower board and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to that of the first conductors.
Abstract:
A key operated diaphragm type switch comprising a printed circuit board base having conductors thereon, a flexible sheet of non-conductive material supported in taut condition over the base and having an opening therein aligned with adjacent terminal portions of certain of the conductors, and a layer of unwoven matted metal fibers on the order of .10 in. thick overlying the sheet. Upon depression of the key, the underlying portion of the metal fiber layer and the flexible sheet are pressed toward the base. The portion of the metal fiber layer underlying the key is deformed through the opening in the flexible sheet and into bridging contact with the conductors to close the switch.
Abstract:
A switch having a transparent area and suitable for placing over a video display without obscuring the information displayed beneath the switch. The switch comprises an elastically bendable conducting strip which, when a top transparent member of the switch is pushed, is forced into contact with a conducting area on the top transparent member. The natural elasticity in the bendable strip serves to break the contact between the conducting area and the bendable strip when the switch is released.