Membrane keyboard apparatus with tactile feedback
First Claim
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1. A keyboard apparatus comprising:
- support means having a plurality of recessed portions each defining a key portion;
a first flexible support member mounted on said support means having first designated key portions, each in registration with one of said recessed portions;
a second flexible support member mounted on said support means and spaced from said first flexible support member, said second support member having second designated key portions each in registration with an associated one of said first key portion and spaced therefrom;
a first electrical conducting means secured to the inner surface of said first key portion;
and a second electrical conducting means secured to a surface of said second key portions adjacent said first conducting means and spaced therefrom whereby upon depression of a selected one of said first designated key portions, said first and second support members together with their associated electrical conducting means move toward said support member to provide an electrical contact between adjacent electrical conducting means and are further moved into the recessed portion of said support means a distance to provide a tactile feedback with respect to the operation of the key portions.
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Abstract
There is disclosed a membrane-type keyboard comprising a support member, a pair of spaced-apart sheets of flexible insulating material having designated key portions positioned adjacent to and spaced from said support member and a pair of electrical conductors each attached to adjacent inner surfaces of said key portions. The depression of a key portion of the top sheet forces the adjacent electrical conductors into contact. Further depression of the key portion of the top sheet moves both electrical conductors and the key portions of the spaced-apart sheets a distance sufficient to provide a positive degree of tactile feedback to the operator.
46 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A keyboard apparatus comprising:
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support means having a plurality of recessed portions each defining a key portion; a first flexible support member mounted on said support means having first designated key portions, each in registration with one of said recessed portions; a second flexible support member mounted on said support means and spaced from said first flexible support member, said second support member having second designated key portions each in registration with an associated one of said first key portion and spaced therefrom; a first electrical conducting means secured to the inner surface of said first key portion; and a second electrical conducting means secured to a surface of said second key portions adjacent said first conducting means and spaced therefrom whereby upon depression of a selected one of said first designated key portions, said first and second support members together with their associated electrical conducting means move toward said support member to provide an electrical contact between adjacent electrical conducting means and are further moved into the recessed portion of said support means a distance to provide a tactile feedback with respect to the operation of the key portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A manually-actuable keyboard apparatus comprising:
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a non-conductive substrate having a plurality of recessed portions formed therein whose width defines a key portion; a first sheet of flexible material positioned on said substrate having a plurality of first key portions formed integral with said flexible material each in registration with one of said recessed portions; a second sheet of flexible material spaced a predetermined distance from said first sheet and having a plurality of second key portions formed integral with said flexible material, each key portion spaced from said substrate to allow movement of said second key portions toward said substrate, said second key portions being in registration with a corresponding first key portion; a rigid sheet member mounted between said first and second sheets of flexible material, said rigid sheet member having a plurality of apertures formed therein wherein each aperture is in registration with a corresponding first and second key portion of said flexible sheet; a first flexible electrical conductor secured to one side of the first key portion of said first flexible sheet; a second flexible electrical conductor secured to the side of said second key portion adjacent said first electrical conductor; and circuit means connected to said first and second electrical conductors whereby depression of one of said first key portions moves said first electrical conductor into contact with the second electrical conductor of an adjacent second key portion to generate an electrical signal over said circuit means and where further depression of said first key portion results in the movement of said first and second key portions together with the engaged first and second electrical conductors to a position within said recessed portions in said support means to provide a tactile feedback with respect to said depression. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A manually-operable keyboard apparatus comprising:
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a non-conductive substrate having a top surface with a plurality of apertures located therein whose width define the width of a key portion; a first sheet of flexible polyester material disposed on said substrate having a plurality of first key portions formed integral therein each in registry with one of said apertures; a second sheet of flexible polyester material disposed on said substrate having a plurality of second key portions formed integral therein each in registry with an associated first key portion; a rigid sheet of polyester material disposed between said first and second sheets of polyester material, said rigid sheet having a plurality of apertures formed therein wherein each aperture is in registration with a corresponding first and second key portions of said flexible polyester sheets; a first flexible electrical conducting coating secured to one side of the first key portion of said first flexible polyester sheet; a second flexible electrical conducting coating secured to the side of said second key portion adjacent said first electrical conducting coating; and circuit means connected to said first and second electrical conducting coating whereby depression of one of said first key portions moves said first electrical coating into contact with the electrical coating of an adjacent second key portions to generate an electrical signal over said circuit means and where further depression of said first key portion results in the movement of said first and second key portions together with the engaged electrical conducting coatings to a position within the apertures in said support means to provide a tactile feedback with respect to said movement. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification