Independently positionable and programmable key switches

• US 7,157,651 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2004
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ergodex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ergodex Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Preston D., Summit, Scott W., Kelly, Larry J., Canepa, Tim L., Rix, Scott M., Roberts, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A
• Application Number:
  US10/804,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20050000787A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5.A, 200341-345, 200/517, 200/520, 340/10.6, 340/572.5, 340/870.28, 341 22- 28, 345168-172, 361680-686, 379/368, 400490-496
• US Class Current: 200/5.00A
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0224 Key guide holders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/0018 for allowing different operating parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/705 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/048 Inductive or infrared coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/026 Guiding or lubricating nylon
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/03 Stoppers for on or off position
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/034 Coded keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/066 replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/042 Snap coupling; Snap mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/01 combined with other elements on the same substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/024 with inductive switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/032 using RFID technology in switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Abstract

An independently positionable key switch including a key base having a key cap receiving opening and at least one gripping feature operative to facilitate gripping of the key base. An actuatable key cap is arranged in the key receiving opening of the key base. The key cap is actuatable between an unactuated position and an actuated position.

Claims

1. An independently positionable key switch, comprising:

a key base including a key cap receiving opening and at least one gripping feature operative to facilitate gripping of the key base, wherein at least one portion of a side wall of the key base has a lower height than all other portions of all other side walls of the key base; and

an actuatable key cap arranged in the key receiving opening of the key base, the key cap being actuatable between an unactuated position and an actuated position.

2. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gripping feature comprises at least one of a side scoop, surface texture and surface contour.

3. The key switch according to claim 2, wherein the surface contour comprises at least one of grooves and ridges and the surface texture comprises at least one of bumps and depressions.

4. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gripping feature comprises at least one side scoop, wherein the side scoop does not extend to the key cap receiving opening.

5. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gripping feature comprises two side scoops arranged on opposite sides of the key base.

6. The key switch according to claim 5, wherein the side scoops do not extend to the key cap receiving opening.

7. The key switch according to claim 5, further comprising:

a key base extension arranged between the side scoops and the key cap receiving opening.

8. The key switch according to claim 5, wherein the side scoops have a size sufficient to permit gripping of the key base and removal of the key base from a surface without gripping the key cap.

9. The key switch according to claim 5, wherein a distance between the side scoops and the key cap receiving opening is sufficient to prevent gripping of the key cap when the side scoops are gripped to remove the key switch from or place the key switch on a surface.

10. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gripping feature comprises at least one side scoop and at least gripping feature on a surface of the side scoop.

11. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein two opposite portions of the side walls of the key base have a lower height.

12. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the lowered portion of the side wall of the key base has a height sufficient to minimize engagement with the key base as the key cap is actuated.

13. The key switch according to claim 1, further comprising;

a key dome arranged within the key cap and the key base, the key dome comprising a flexible operative to bias the key cap in an unactuated position.

14. The key switch according to claim 1, further comprising:

guiding elements operative to guide the key cap as it is actuated.

15. The key switch according to claim 14, wherein the guiding elements comprise a post on one of the key base and the key cap and a post receiving collar on another of the key base and the key cap.

16. The key switch according to claim 14, wherein the guiding elements comprise at least one tab on at least one of the key base and the key cap and at least one tab receiving recess including a tab stop on another of the key base and the key cap.

17. The key switch according to claim 1, further comprising:

an adhesive on a bottom surface of the key base, the adhesive operative to secure the key base on a surface.

18. The key switch according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one label on at least one of the key base and the key cap, the at least one label indicating at least one of key identity and key function.

19. The key switch according to claim 18, wherein the at least one label comprises an electronic display.

20. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the key cap and the key base are connectable without additional attached parts.

21. The key switch according to claim 1, further comprising:

an RF circuit coil.

22. The key switch according to claim 21, wherein the RF circuit coil is arranged in the key base.

23. The key switch according to claim 1, further comprising:

a printed circuit board comprising an RF circuit coil, a switch and an integrated circuit; and

a switch closing element operative to close the switch.

24. The key switch according to claim 23, wherein the switch closing element is arranged on the key cap.

25. The key switch according to claim 23, further comprising;

a key dome arranged within the key cap and the key base, the key dome comprising a flexible operative to bias the key cap in an unactuated position, wherein the switch closing element is arranged on the key dome.

26. An independently positionable key switch, comprising:

a key base including a key cap receiving opening and at least one gripping feature operative to facilitate gripping of the key base;

an actuatable key cap arranged in the key receiving opening of the key base, the key cap being actuatable between an unactuated position and an actuated position; and

at least one label on at least one of the key base and the key cap, the at least one label indicating at least one of key identity and key function, wherein the at least one label is remotely modifiable.

27. An independently positionable key switch, comprising:

a key base including a key cap receiving opening and at least one gripping feature operative to facilitate gripping of the key base;

an actuatable key cap arranged in the key receiving opening of the key base, the key cap being actuatable between an unactuated position and an actuated position;

an RF circuit coil; and

a resonant switch arranged on the key cap and operative to affect the inductance or capacitance of the RF circuit coil as the key cap is actuated, wherein when the key cap is in an unactuated position it does not affect the inductance or capacitance of the RF circuit coil.

28. An independently positionable key switch, comprising:

a key base including a key cap receiving opening and at least one gripping feature operative to facilitate gripping of the key base; and

an actuatable key cap arranged in the key receiving opening of the key base, the key cap being actuatable between an unactuated position and an actuated position;

wherein programming and testing of functioning of the key switch are carried out by assembling the key switch.

29. A method for assembling, programming and testing a key switch, the key switch comprising a key base including a key cap receiving opening, an actuatable key cap arranged in the key receiving opening, and an inductive resonant circuit, the method comprising:

placing the key base in functional proximity to a reader;

assembling the key cap and the key base; and

actuating resonant circuit during the assembly step.