Flat input keyboard for data processing machines or the like and process for producing the same
First Claim
1. Flat input keyboard for data processing machines or the like, which, starting on the side facing away from the operation side, has a supporting layer (10), an electric switching system (12, 16, 20) with electric contact spots corresponding to a keyboard pattern and a flexible elastic covering layer (26) having a keyboard pattern and provided on the operation side facing away from the electric switching system wherein the supporting layer (10), the multi layer electric switching system (12, 16, 20) and the covering layer (26) are interconnected at least along their circumference, wherein the electric switching system (12, 16, 20) is provided with desired bending lines, which are formed through segmentation (17) of individual or several sheet layers of the electric switching system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flat input keyboard for data processing machines or the like has the following successive layers, starting from the side facing away from the operation side: a supporting layer (10), an electric switching system (12, 16, 20) with electric contact spots that correspond to a keyboard pattern, a buffer layer (24) and a flexible elastic covering layer (26) provided on the operation side facing away from the electric switching system with a keyboard pattern (28). The supporting layer, the electric switching system, the buffer layer and the covering layer are interconnected at least along their circumference. The flat input keyboard is characterized in that the switching system is permanently flexible around roll axes as it is made up of segments (17) of at least one sheet, and is provided with a seamless casing (48) in a single piece since the supporting layer and the buffer layer are interconnected at their edges; the switching system is provided with flow openings (19) and the buffer layer and covering layer are interconnected over their whole surface. Also disclosed is a process for producing such a flat input keyboard.
151 Citations
51 Claims
- 1. Flat input keyboard for data processing machines or the like, which, starting on the side facing away from the operation side, has a supporting layer (10), an electric switching system (12, 16, 20) with electric contact spots corresponding to a keyboard pattern and a flexible elastic covering layer (26) having a keyboard pattern and provided on the operation side facing away from the electric switching system wherein the supporting layer (10), the multi layer electric switching system (12, 16, 20) and the covering layer (26) are interconnected at least along their circumference, wherein the electric switching system (12, 16, 20) is provided with desired bending lines, which are formed through segmentation (17) of individual or several sheet layers of the electric switching system.
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39. A method for manufacturing a flat input keyboard comprising the steps off;
casting an electric switching system in plastic material, forming the supporting layer the buffer layer, the covering layer and a continuous circumferential edge web of the casing, and joining the supporting layer, buffer layer, and covering layer to a single piece by the continuous circumferential edge web. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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42. The method according to 39 claim further including the steps of using an electric switching system that has a multiplicity of openings both on the side where the supporting layer is to be provided as well as on the side where the covering layer and the buffer layer are to be provided;
- and casting the casting material into these openings, curing the material for obtaining an elastic, single-piece, spatial matrix consisting of the supporting layer, the covering layer, the buffer layer, the circumferential edge web, the casing and joining webs for penetrating the electric switching system and fixing its function elements in spatially defined relative positions, joining the supporting layer, the covering layer, the buffer layer and the circumferential edge web through the openings in the electric switching system.
Specification