Keyswitch with telescoping plunger
First Claim
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1. An actuator assembly for a low profile keyswitch comprising:
- a housing;
an outer plunger;
a channel in said housing through which said outer plunger can slide from a first position to a second position;
means for spring loading said outer plunger into said first position;
an inner plunger slidably mounted within one end of said outer plunger for telescopic extension therefrom;
means for floatably retaining one end of said inner plunger within said outer plunger, thereby defining the maximum extension of said inner plunger from said outer plunger;
means for spring loading said inner plunger into its fully extended position; and
actuator means at the other end of said inner plunger for actuating a switching element mounted thereunder when said outer plunger is moved from said first to said second position, said actuator having a perimeter smaller than that of the adjacent portions of said housing to enable the actuator to float freely within said housing;
whereby said actuator is self-leveling to provide uniform contact with a switching element actuated thereby.
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Abstract
A low profile keyswitch utilizes a telescoping plunger assembly. A linear feel and overtravel are achieved. The telescoping plunger assembly includes an outer plunger shaft and an inner plunger shaft slideably mounted therewithin for telescopic extension therefrom. A retaining member locks one end of the inner plunger shaft within the outer plunger shaft, thereby defining the maximum extension of the inner plunger. A spring biases the inner plunger into its fully extended position.
20 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An actuator assembly for a low profile keyswitch comprising:
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a housing; an outer plunger; a channel in said housing through which said outer plunger can slide from a first position to a second position; means for spring loading said outer plunger into said first position; an inner plunger slidably mounted within one end of said outer plunger for telescopic extension therefrom; means for floatably retaining one end of said inner plunger within said outer plunger, thereby defining the maximum extension of said inner plunger from said outer plunger; means for spring loading said inner plunger into its fully extended position; and actuator means at the other end of said inner plunger for actuating a switching element mounted thereunder when said outer plunger is moved from said first to said second position, said actuator having a perimeter smaller than that of the adjacent portions of said housing to enable the actuator to float freely within said housing; whereby said actuator is self-leveling to provide uniform contact with a switching element actuated thereby. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A telescoping plunger assembly for use in a low profile keyswitch comprising:
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an outer plunger shaft; an inner plunger shaft slidably mounted within one end of said outer plunger shaft for telescopic extension therefrom; means for retaining one end of said inner plunger shaft within said outer plunger shaft;
thereby defining the maximum extension of said inner plunger;a switch actuator at the other end of said inner plunger shaft; and a substantially flat piece of spring material sandwiched between said one end of said outer plunger shaft and said switch actuator and having a plurality of spring fingers cut therefrom with portions of said fingers protruding beyond the flat surface of said piece for spring loading said inner plunger shaft into its fully extended position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification