Connecting device for inputting informational signals

• US 6,297,806 B1
• Filed: 06/22/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nassko Telecom AB
• Original Assignee: Nassko Telecom AB
• Inventors: Skoog, Jonas
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US09/308,885
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 345/160, 345/169, 345/157, 345/168, 345/172, 341/22, 341/23, 200/5.A, 200/5.R, 200/341, 273/148.B, 463/37
• US Class Current: 345/160
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

The invention concerns a connecting device which is intended to replace a keypad of a hand-held electronic device, such as e.g. a mobile telephone or a remote control device. A connecting disc (1) forming part of the device is tiltable about its center in different directions from a neutral position in order to bring electrical contact means (6, 10, 11) together for the purpose of generating electrical information signals. On one of its sides the connecting disc (1) is provided with alternating crests (4) and dales (5) departing radially from the center of the disc (1). A contact field (6) is provided on each crest (4). A printed circuit card (7) cooperating with the connecting disc (1) is formed with alternating crests (8) and dales (9). Each dale (9) is in this case provided with at least one pair of contacts (10, 11). The connecting disc (1) is arranged, by being tilted in any direction, to slide by means of a crest (4) into a dale (9) in the circuit card (7) to close the circuit between the contact field (6) on said crest (4) and the pair of contacts (10, 11) on said dale (9).

Claims

1. A connecting device comprising a resiliently mounted connecting disc (1) which is made from an electrically non-conductive material and which is tiltable about its centre in different directions from a neutral position, in order to bring electrical contact means (6, 10, 11) together for the purpose of generating electrical information signals, characterised in that on one of its sides the connecting disc (1) is provided with or formed with alternating crests (4) and dales (5) departing radially from the centre of the disc (1), a contact field (6) being provided on each crest (4), and in that a printed circuit card (7) is disposed in facing relationship to said disc side, said circuit card (7) likewise being made from an electrically non-conductive material and like the disc (1) formed with alternating crests (8) and dales (9), each dale (9) being provided with at least one pair of contact means (10, 11), and in that the connecting disc (1) is arranged in such a manner that in response to tilting of said disc (1) in any direction, a crest (4) thereon slides into a dale (9) in the circuit card (7) to close the circuit between the contact field (6) on said crest (4) and the pair of contact means (10, 11) on said dale (9).

2. A connecting device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that on its opposite side said connecting disc (1) is provided with or formed with a depression (12) configured for engagement with the thumb.

3. A connecting device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the connecting disc (1) is connected to or formed integrally with a flexible membrane (2) extending peripherally around the connecting disc (1) and being attached to a rim (3) extending peripherally around the membrane (2).

4. A connecting device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the connecting disc (1) is connected to or formed integrally with a flexible membrane (2) extending peripherally around the connecting disc (1) and being attached to a rim (3) extending peripherally around the membrane (2).