Abstract:
A pushbutton switch comprising a main body and a contact member supported by thin radial flanges. The main body is integrally molded of synthetic resin and composed of a plurality of switch buttons with cavities and open bottoms, thin flexible portions provided in communication with the peripheries of the switch buttons, and a base plate provided in communication with the peripheries of the flexible portions for supporting the switch buttons via the flexible portions. The contact member is made of conductive material at least at its bottom and is inserted into the cavity of the switch button. The thin flanges project from the contact member and are pressed onto the inner surface of the switch button so as to support the contact member to be movable in the axial direction of the switch button. The thin flanges can absorb vibration generated when the switch button is pressed hard and prevent the contact member from vibrating and chattering. When the button switch is obliquely pressed, the relative angle between the contact member and the switch button is changed so that the contact member comes in perfect contact with the contact points. In addition, the manufacturing operation to insert the contact member into the cavity of the switch button is remarkably simple.
Abstract:
Keyboard for the control box (11) of an electric apparatus comprising a sheet (1) which forms a plurality of contactors (2) each projecting from the sheet through a blister (3) which is elastically deformable and which acts as a spring, the contactors (2) being provided with bearing keys (8) and contact pads (5) intended to come into contact with a printed circuit (12) arranged under the sheet (1) of contactors when a pressure is exerted on the keys. This keyboard is remarkable in that at least certain of the contactors (2) are provided with stubs (4) arranged opposite the contact pads (5) and which are intended to be force fitted into corresponding housings provided in the bearing keys (8).
Abstract:
A conductive elastomeric ink is described comprised of very fine nickel particles admixed in a silicone binder. The ink has utility in elastomeric switch control devices, printed circuits and the like.
Abstract:
A keyboard encoding device which directly develops a digital, valid and reliable output signal without electronic encoding circuitry. The preferred device has a plurality of juxtaposed, flexible conductive strands or wires each having a number of axially spaced impact zones which are either insulated or conductive; corresponding zones on the separate wires are aligned to cooperatively define a series of spaced impact zone sets each made of a unique pattern of conductive and insulated zones. An electrically conductive, rubber-like resilient pad having a series of ridge-like elongated members respectively aligned with corresponding impact zone sets is oriented for shifting of the members into momentary contact with the associated zone sets, whereby electrical contact is made between the ridge members and the conductive impact zones of the set. This directly generates a momentary unique, digitalized output signal. The device is particularly suited for use in impact-type keyboards.
Abstract:
A key-top panel constructed of an electrically non-conductive, resilient material and formed with closed-loop grooves each of which has a closed-loop cross section, each of the closed-loop grooves being deep in the direction of thickness of the key-top panel and having a land portion surrounded by the groove; key-top portions each constituted by the land portion; concavities which are open at the inner face of the key-top panel and which are in registry in cross section with the key-top portions, respectively; and skirt portions each formed between each of the closed-loop grooves and each of the concavities so that the key-top portion surrounded by each closed-loop groove is bridged to an inner wall portion of the key-top panel through each of the skirt portions. The key-top panel may form part of a keyboard structure which may further comprise movable contact elements respectively positioned within the concavities and each fixedly attached to the aforesaid inner end surface portion of each key-top portion.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a pushbutton-type switch such as used on the keyboard of a small-size electronic computer. The switch includes a main member carrying a movable contact and one or more projections or posts of lesser height than the movable contact. Upon application of finger pressure to the main member, the movable contact is brought into uniform contact with a fixed contact therebelow without chattering, by virtue of the supporting action of the posts.
Abstract:
Keyboard having contactors and contacts which are selectively urged against one another by depression causing engagement of one by the other, the keyboard having at least contactors or contacts or both which are constructed of a conductive polymeric composition such that upon engagement of a contactor with a contact there is exhibited substantially reduced bounce after repeated closure of contactor against contact even at micro ampere current levels.
Abstract:
An improved data terminal utilizing tactile switch assemblies with specialized sound apertures provide reduced panel space requirements and indirect sound paths for miniature electronic apparatus. A maximum number of switches can be accommodated on the instrument panel with no separate speaker/microphone grille required. Non-aligned sound apertures provide maximal weather protection for speaker and microphone mounted behind the switch assembly panel. The switch assembly design seals off the remainder of the unit from weather or dust damage.
Abstract:
A tactile switch plate for a keyboard member has a planar body portion provided with a plurality of outwardly deformed carrier portions corresponding in number and spacing to the number and spacing of the keys of the keyboard. Each of the carrier portions is resiliently flexible for movement toward the plane of the body and each carrier portion carries a preferably elastomeric switching member that is adapted to bridge the conductors and establish an electrical circuit between the conductors. The plate and switching members are produced by a molding process and the elastomeric switching members are cured by heat.
Abstract:
Keyboards for use in calculators, control equipment and the like, and which include a circuit board supporting electrical pathways, an insulator separator having openings registerable with portions of the pathways, a non-conductive elastomeric layer supporting a plurality of non-selfsupporting flexible conductive members or pathways and contactors thereon, said flexible conductive circuit contactors registerable with said openings whereby pressure applied to said elastomeric layer causes one or more of said contactors to extend through one or more openings to make electrical contact with portions of one or more circuit pathways supported by said board.