KEYBOARD SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED MOVABLE CONTACT

• US 3,742,157 A
• Filed: 04/16/1971
• Issued: 06/26/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wayne V. Leposavic
• Inventors: Leposavic, Wayne V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, J. R.
• Application Number:
  US05/134,715
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5A,159B,166BH,6R,8A,16D,1R
• US Class Current: 200/5.00A
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/12 Construction of key buttons
• 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 13/80 characterised by the manner of cooperation of the contacts, e.g. with both contacts movable or with bounceless contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/004 Wiping action
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/014 Conductive gas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/026 non precious
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/018 binary coded
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/022 Helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/032 Several contacts formed in one plate or layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/022 Plug
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/01 Increasing rigidity; Anti-creep
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/03 Ridges on layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/05 Force concentrator; Actuating dimple
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/002 sealed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/008 Die stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/016 Selective etching
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/028 Adhesive

Abstract

A multiple switch construction for a keyboard or the like produced as a flat panel embodying laminates of electrical conductors in desired patterns, assembled as stratifications in close proximity and separated by spacers. Individual depressible means operating through resilient members urge movable switch elements into contact with fixed electrical conductors with a rotary, wiping action to insure positive electrical contact.

Claims

1. In a multiple switch construction in which stratified laminates superimposed in spaced relation and in close proximity one upon another comprise in combination:

1. an electrically non-conductive base panel having one surface thereof divided into a plurality of switching areas;

2. a fixed electrically conductive switch element fixed upon said surface of said base panel within each of said switching areas thereon;

3. depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon;

4. a flexible electrically conductive switching element having frame-like portions thereof conforming to and supported in spaced relation to said base panel with said depressible means for rotary flexing movement by the latter into electrical contact with the particular fixed electrically conductive switch element within the switching area into which said depressible means is selectively depressed; and

5. a spring laminate of resilient material interposed between said depressible means and said flexible switching element, said spring laminate including a plurality of spring stampings corresponding in number and location to each of said plurality of switching areas providing a positive spring return for each of said depressible means.

2. a plurality of spider-like legs extending spirally inwardly of each of said frame-like portions and having inwardly bowed ends terminating in a common central ring.

3. depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon;

4. a plurality of push buttons supported for linear movement into each of said independent switching zones.

5. a spring laminate of resilient material interposed between said depressible means and said flexible switching element, said spring laminate including a plurality of spring stampings corresponding in number and location to each of said plurality of switching areas providing a positive spring return for each of said depressible means.

6. a conductive switching panel supported in spaced relation to said base panel on said spacers and said push buttons, said panel having a plurality of flexible, movable switch elements formed therein, each said switch element movable spirally downwardly by said push buttons against said fixed element within each defined switching area.

7. The multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 2 wherein said spring laminate further includes a plurality of legs having base ends thereof integrally connected to said common central ring, extending spirally and radially inwardly therefrom and commonly terminating at their opposite ends to form a seat for said depending central projection on said depressible means.

8. an array of pushbuttons supported for linear movement within a guide plate, said pushbuttons corresponding in location and number to each of said plurality of switching areas, said push-buttons being depressible within any one of said switch areas to move said flexible switch element into contact with said fixed switch element to thereby selectively close an electrical circuit.

9. In a keyboard assembly for controlling electrical circuits the combination comprising:

10. In a multiple switch construction in which stratified laminates superimposed in spaced relation and in close proximity one upon another comprise in combination:

11. A keyboard assembly for controlling electrical circuits comprising:

12. A keyboard assembly for selectively controlling electrical circuits comprising:

13. The keyboard assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said electrically conductive switching elements comprise;

14. The keyboard assembly as claimed in clAim 12 wherein said spring laminate comprises:

15. In a multiple switch construction having movable switching elements formed in a panel divided into a plurality of framelike portions, said elements suspended in said frame for rotary and flexing movement toward a fixed contact, said elements within each frame comprising:

a central movable switching element having a plurality of radially extending contact fingers thereon;

a plurality of equally spaced flexible legs extending outwardly from said switching elements, said legs turning at an acute angle at a distance away from said element and extending along the sides of said frame through at least the greatest part of the length of said side to an adjacent side for integral connection therewith, said legs forming a hinge-like connection between said frame and said element whereby the distance between the ends of said legs and their connection with said frame changes relative to the vertical as said element is depressed resulting in a spiralling rotating descent of said elements and said contact fingers toward said fixed contacts for rotary wiping contact therewith.

16. The multiple switch construction of claim 15 in which said contact fingers extend radially inwardly from said central element.

17. The multiple switch construction of claim 15 in which said contact fingers extend radially outwardly from said central element.

18. The multiple switch construction of claim 17 in which the outermost ends of said radially outwardly extending contact fingers are bifurcated.