Keyboard apparatus
First Claim
1. Keyboard apparatus having a plurality of switching stations comprising a substrate having a top surface, a plurality of spaced stationary electrical contacts disposed on the substrate, a plurality of snap-acting electrically conductive disc elements disposed on the substrate overlying the stationary contacts, each disc element disposed at a switching station, each disc element adapted to move into and out of engagement with a stationary contact, means to connect the disc elements and the contacts to an electrical source, a thin cover having a flat top surface mounted on the substrate overlying the top surface and spaced therefrom, the cover having indicia to identify the location of the switching stations, and tactile feedback means disposed intermediate each disc and the flat cover, the tactile feedback means comprising a separate rigid plate like member for each switching station having a protrusion extending therefrom, the protrusion generally aligned with and extends toward the center of a respective snap acting disc whereby upon depression of the cover at a switching station by an operator'"'"'s finger the feel of the sudden snapping of the disc from an unactuated position in which the disc element is out of engagement with any stationary contact to an actuated position in which the disc element is in engagement with a stationary contact is transmitted to the operator'"'"'s finger.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low profile keyboard having a flat cover to enhance appearance and facilitate cleaning. Tactile feedback of switch actuation is provided by using snap acting discs for the switches and tactile feedback members interposed between the discs and the cover. Feedback members of several forms are shown including a discrete member for each disc as well as a member for several discs.
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Citations
12 Claims
- 1. Keyboard apparatus having a plurality of switching stations comprising a substrate having a top surface, a plurality of spaced stationary electrical contacts disposed on the substrate, a plurality of snap-acting electrically conductive disc elements disposed on the substrate overlying the stationary contacts, each disc element disposed at a switching station, each disc element adapted to move into and out of engagement with a stationary contact, means to connect the disc elements and the contacts to an electrical source, a thin cover having a flat top surface mounted on the substrate overlying the top surface and spaced therefrom, the cover having indicia to identify the location of the switching stations, and tactile feedback means disposed intermediate each disc and the flat cover, the tactile feedback means comprising a separate rigid plate like member for each switching station having a protrusion extending therefrom, the protrusion generally aligned with and extends toward the center of a respective snap acting disc whereby upon depression of the cover at a switching station by an operator'"'"'s finger the feel of the sudden snapping of the disc from an unactuated position in which the disc element is out of engagement with any stationary contact to an actuated position in which the disc element is in engagement with a stationary contact is transmitted to the operator'"'"'s finger.
- 8. Keyboard apparatus having a plurality of switching stations comprising a substrate having a top surface, a plurality of spaced stationary electrical contacts disposed on the substrate, a plurality of flexible electrically conductive elements disposed on the substrate overlying the stationary contacts, each flexible element disposed at a switching station, each flexible element adapted to move into and out of engagement with a stationary contact, means to connect the flexible elements and the contacts to an electrical source, a thin cover having a flat top surface mounted on the substrate overlying the top surface and spaced therefrom, the cover having indicia thereon to identify the location of the switching stations, and force transmitting means comprising a sheet of material having a protrusion aligned generally with the center of each flexible element and ribs formed in the sheet extending from the protrusion to stiffen the sheet near the protrusion, the force transmitting means disposed intermediate each flexible element and the flat cover whereby force depressing the cover at a switching station by an operator'"'"'s finger will be transmitted to the center of the respective flexible element to facilitate movement of the flexible element from an unactuated position in which the flexible element is out of engagement with any stationary contact to an actuated position in which the flexible element is in engagement with a stationary contact.
Specification