Key for flexible keyboard

• US 5,666,112 A
• Filed: 08/18/1995
• Issued: 09/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Research Transfer Enterprise, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Donald N. Halgren, Robert J. Crowley
• Inventors: Halgren, Donald N., Crowley, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/447,116
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20-22, 341/34, 345/168, 345/169, 364/708.1, 200/5 A, 200/512-517, 400/491.3, 400/491.1, 400/491, 29/622, 235/145 R
• 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 key arranged to permit the entering of data into a data entry panel, said key comprising:

a molded layer of flexible material formed to be distorted to provide a full keystroke when pressed;

a reduced wall thickness of said flexible material comprising the periphery of said key, to permit said distortion thereat;

said key having an upper keytop portion which is stiffer and relatively hard with respect to said walls thereof; and

said key having a trace of conductive material disposed on said reduced thickness wall from which to create a signal in said data entry panel.

2. The key arranged to permit the entering of data as recited in claim 1, wherein said data entry panel has a first layer of flexible material which comprises said molded layer of said key.

3. The key arranged to permit the entering of data as recited in claim 2, wherein said data entry panel has a second layer of flexible material beneath said first layer of flexible material and being joined at their peripheries to form an inflatable chamber therebetween.

4. The key arranged to permit the entering of data as recited in claim 3, wherein said second layer of material has a corresponding conductive trace thereon which is arranged to contact said conductive trace on said first layer of flexible material, completing a circuit when said contact is made during distortion of said key.

5. The key arranged to permit the entering of data as recited in claim 3, wherein said conductive trace of material on said first layer, is comprised of a piezoelectric material.

6. The key arranged to permit the entering of data as recited in claim 1 wherein said reduced thickness wall permits a tactile response when said key is depressed.

7. A key arranged to permit the entering of data into a data entry panel, said key comprising:

a molded layer of flexible material formed to be distorted to provide a full keystroke when pressed;

a wall of reduced material stiffness which wall comprises the periphery of said key, to permit distortion of said reduced stiffness wall;

said distorted wall of reduced material stiffness arranged to permit a tactile response when said key is depressed by the bending of the material thereat; and

said wall having a conductive trace material thereon, said conductive trace of material arranged to complete an electrical circuit when said key is distorted, for the entry of data through said panel to a further electrical device.