ELECTRIC TYPEWRITER KEY AND KEYBOARD ARRANGEMENT

• US 3,633,724 A
• Filed: 01/22/1970
• Issued: 01/11/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ronald A. Samuel
• Original Assignee: Ronald A. Samuel
• Inventors: Samuel, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pulfrey, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US05/005,064
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 41J/510 197/98-104,7,9,11
• US Class Current: 400/485
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/16 Mounting or connecting key buttons on or to key levers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/28 Multiple-action keys, e.g. keys depressed by two or more amounts or movable in two or more directions to effect different functions or selections

Abstract

A keyboard arrangement for use with a standard electric typewriter in which the conventional complement of standard keys are replaced by eight polygonal-shaped key members, each of the eight key members being operable to actuate five adjacent levers of the typewriter. Each of the eight key members is movable both axially and pivotally on the arcuate edges of a respective foursided key support member to selectively depress one of five upstanding, symmetrically arranged key lever actuating posts positioned at the center and each corner, of the respective key member. Indicia on the face of each key member at each corner and the center thereof designate which key lever will be actuated upon depressing or pivoting the key member.

Claims

1. A keyboard for an electrical typewriter including a plurality of key levers for actuating a like number of type bars having characters of indicia on the faces thereof, said keyboard comprising, a plurality of substantially polygonal-shaped key support members overlying said key levers, each key support member being positioned next adjacent another in lineal orientation one with each other each key support member overlying one set respectively of five adjacent key levers, each key lever having an upstanding key-lever-actuating post affixed thereto, each set of key levers including five actuating posts, four of said posts being disposed respectively adjacent each corner of each said support member and a fifth post disposed proximate the center of each said support member, a plurality of key members corresponding in number to said key support members, means to movably retain said key members above each respective key support member in contact with said actuating posts, and means to bias said key members out of contact with said actuating posts whereby said key members can be depressed selectively to actuate each of said key-lever-actuating posts to effect the typewriting operation.

2. A keyboard as defined in claim 1 in which said key support members are eight in number.

3. A keyboard as defined in claim 1 in which each key support member comprises four upstanding wall portions, each wall portion being joined to the next adjacent wall portion by a reduced-dimension member, and each wall portion having a substantially arcuate-shaped upper edge.

4. A keyboard as defined in claim 3 in which said means to bias said key members comprise an upstanding spring member retained on the upper edge of each said wall portion proximate the center thereof.

5. A keyboard as defined in claim 1 in which each said key member is of substantially polygonal-shaped configuration having a peripheral flange extending about the lower edge thereof, said flange being of substantially the same outer dimension as that of each said key support member, and a keyboard cover having apertures corresponding in number and disposition with said key members, said cover being disposed over said key members such that each said key member extends through said apertures and is retained therein by said peripheral flange.

6. A keyboard as defined in claim 5 in which each key support member comprises four upstanding wall portions, each said wall portion having a substantially arcuate-shaped upper edge, and said means to bias said key members comprise an upstandIng spring member retained on the upper edge of each said wall portion proximate the center thereof, the upper extremities of said spring members lying in a common plane which is coincidental with the lower surface of said flange.

7. A keyboard as defined in claim 6 in which each said key member is operable selectively to depress any one of said four posts disposed adjacent each corner of said support member by pivoting said key member on the arcuate upper edges of said wall portions.

8. A keyboard as defined in claim 6 in which the upper extremities of each said key-lever-actuating post lie in a common plane below the plane defined by the crests of the arcuate edges of said upstanding wall portions. 9. A keyboard as defined in claim 8 in which there are two sets of catercornered posts disposed adjacent each corner of said support member, each post of the first set comprising a planar nondeformed member, each post of the second set being a mirror image of the other and comprising a first upstanding portion affixed to a respective actuating lever, a second portion deformed normal to said first portion, a third upstanding portion deformed normal to said second portion, a fourth substantially L-shaped portion deformed normal to said third portion, and a fifth upstanding portion disposed normal to said fourth portion but lying in a plane parallel to the plane of said first portion.

10. A keyboard as defined in claim 8 in which said fifth post is of substantially rectangular configuration with parallel side edges and an arcuate-shaped upper edge joining said side edges.

11. An electric typewriter key construction for actuating a set of five adjacent typewriter key levers and associated type bars having characters of indicia on the faces thereof, said key construction comprising, a polygonal-shaped key support member adapted to be mounted overlying said set of key levers, each key lever having an upstanding key-lever-actuating post affixed thereto, four of said posts being disposed respectively adjacent each corner of said support member and a fifth post disposed proximate the center of said support member, a key member, means to movably retain said key member above said key support member in contact with said actuating posts, and means to bias said key member out of contact with said actuating posts whereby said key member can be depressed selectively to actuate each of said key-lever-actuating posts to effect the typewriting operation.

12. A key construction as defined in claim 11 in which said key support member comprises four upstanding wall portions, each wall portion being joined to the next adjacent wall portion by a reduced-dimension member, and each wall portion having a substantially arcuate-shaped upper edge.

13. A key construction as defined in claim 12 in which said means to bias said key member comprise an upstanding spring member retained on the upper edge of each said wall portion proximate the center thereof.

14. A key construction as defined in claim 11 in which said key support member comprises four upstanding wall portions, each said wall portion having a substantially arcuate-shaped upper edge, and said means to bias said key member comprise an upstanding spring member retained on the upper edge of each said wall portion proximate the center thereof.

15. A Key construction as defined in claim 11 in which there are two sets of catercornered posts disposed adjacent each corner of said support member, each post of the first set comprising a planer nondeformed member, each post of the second set being a mirror image of the other and comprising a first upstanding portion affixed to a respective actuating lever, a second portion deformed normal to said first portion, a third upstanding portion deformed normal to said second portion, a fourth substantially L-shaped portion deformed normal to said third portion, and a fifth upstanding portion disposed normal to said fourth portion but lying in a plane parallel to the plane of saId first portion.

16. A key construction as defined in claim 15 in which said fifth post is of substantially rectangular configuration with parallel side edges and an arcuate-shaped upper edge joining said side edges.