Inflatable keyboard

• US 5,459,461 A
• Filed: 07/29/1993
• Issued: 10/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Research Transfer Enterprise, LLC
• Original Assignee: Donald N. Halgren, Robert J. Crowley
• Inventors: Halgren, Donald N., Crowley, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/098,851
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5 A, 235/145 R, 400/472, 400/87, 400/479.1, 400/481, 400/491, 400/491.1, 400/, 345/168, 345/169, 341/20-22, 341/34, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04892 Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/02 Piezo element
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/006 Force isolators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/03 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/052 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/074 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/002 Fluid or inflatable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/052 piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/034 Support for hands or arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/011 with integrated photo- or thermovoltaic cell as power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/002 integral with membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/038 Fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/042 : Foam
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/084 : made at least partly of elastic foam
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 : reductible in size, e.g. for transportation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/002 : superimposed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/018 : Consecutive operations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/034 : Regulation of operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/05 : Forming; Half-punching
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/01 : Toy
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/012 : Decoding impedances
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/052 : Strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/964 : Piezoelectric touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 : Switch making

Abstract

The present invention includes a flexible, pressurizable keyboard made of resilient layers of plastic material, with molded keys which are deformable when pressed so as to send a signal to an electrical device. The keys are arranged with a flexible electrical circuit thereattached, which when depressed, establish a proper complete circuit.

Claims

1. A keyboard for generating electrical signals from a plurality of keys thereon, comprising:

a first layer of flexible material having said plurality of keys formed thereon;

a second layer of flexible material; and

a conductive circuit arranged between said first and second layers of flexible material;

wherein

an electrical conduit and an inflation conduit are arranged in communication with said keyboard to permit the inflation of said keyboard and to provide electrical communication with an external electrical device attached to said keyboard.

2. A keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said conductive circuit comprises a conductive trace arranged on the bottom side of said first layer.

3. A keyboard as recited in claim 2, wherein said conductive circuit comprises a conductive trace arranged on the upper side of said second layer.

4. A keyboard is recited in claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of keys is flexible so as to permit contact between said conductive traces in said first and second layers of flexible material when said keys have been moved with respect to the second layer of material.

5. A keyboard as recited in claim 3, wherein said first and second layers have common peripheries where they are joined.

6. A keyboard as recited in claim 3, wherein an insulative flexible spacer layer is disposed between said first and second layers of flexible material.

7. A keyboard as recited in claim 6, wherein said insulative spacer layer has gaps thereacross between adjacent keys to define fluid pressure channels.

8. A keyboard as recited in claim 1, where a valve is arranged in communication with said inflation conduit, to permit said keyboard to stay inflated during use without constant repressurization.

9. A keyboard as recited in claim 8, wherein said valve is arranged in a socket attached to said keyboard.

10. A keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said conductive circuit comprises an arrangement of piezoelectric material on said flexible material, said piezoelectric material generating a signal when a key on said flexible material which said piezoelectric material is attached, when that particular is distorted or pressed.

11. A keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said flexible layers are arranged to form a cavity filled with a non-conducting foam.

12. A keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said keys on said keyboard has a flexible, annular wall portion which is thinner than the rest of said at least one key, so that when one of said at least one keys has an external force applied thereto, the annular wall portion associated with that key yields, causing corresponding motion of said conductive circuit, thereby causing energization of said conductive circuit.

13. A keyboard as recited in claim 12, wherein said conductive circuit comprises conductive traces arranged circumferentially adjacent said thinner annular wall portions on said first layer of flexible material on which said keys are formed.

14. A keyboard as recited in claim 13, wherein said conductive traces are also disposed on said second layer, arranged to be in electrical contact with said conductive traces on said first layer when said keys are depressed and said first layer is flexed to accommodate digit pressure thereon.

15. A keyboard as recited in claim 14, wherein when one of said at least one keys is subject to digit pressure, corresponding deformation of the wall portion associated with that key provides a tactile response to a user.

16. A method of transmitting an electrical signal to an electrical device from an inflated device, comprising the steps of:

arranging a pair of flexible layers adjacent one another in an overlapping relationship;

providing an electrical circuit on one of said flexible layers;

sealing together the edges of said flexible layers so as to form a cavity therebetween;

inflating said cavity between said flexible layers with a pressurized fluid so as to spread apart said flexible layers and provide a spaced relationship therebetween thus forming the inflated device; and

pressing a key projecting from one of said layers so as to deform said key and cause said electrical circuit on one of said layers to generate a particular desired electrical signal for subsequent transmission to the electrical device.

17. The method of transmitting an electrical signal as recited in claim 16, including the step of:

deflating said fluid filled cavity so as to minimize the volume said inflated device utilizes.

18. A flexible keyboard for generating electrical signals for transmission to an electrical device for control thereof, comprising:

a first layer of flexible material comprising a plurality of flexible keys formed thereon;

a second layer of flexible material comprising a base of said keyboard, said first and second layers being arranged to define a cavity therebetween;

an arrangement of conductive material juxtaposed with respect to said first layer so as to establish an electrical signal within that conductive material for transmission to said electrical device to be controlled when a key of said first layer of flexible material is depressed; and

said cavity being arranged to receive inflation fluid injected under pressure between said first and second layers of said flexible material defining said cavity to inflate said keyboard so as to keep said keys thereon erect, yet permit their deformation when depressed by a user thereof.

19. A keyboard as recited in claim 18, wherein said conductive material comprises piezoelectric material which generates an electrical signal when a particular key is depressed wherein said conductive material and said first layer of material are distorted and flexed simultaneously.

20. A keyboard as recited in claim 18, including an elongated wrist rest bag inflatably attached to an edge of said keyboard.

21. A keyboard as recited in claim 20, wherein said elongated bag is in fluid communication with said keyboard.