US3789167A - Multi-output level keyboard switch assembly with improved operator and contact structure - Google Patents
Multi-output level keyboard switch assembly with improved operator and contact structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3789167A US3789167A US00316656A US3789167DA US3789167A US 3789167 A US3789167 A US 3789167A US 00316656 A US00316656 A US 00316656A US 3789167D A US3789167D A US 3789167DA US 3789167 A US3789167 A US 3789167A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- segments
- pathways
- windows
- electrical
- insulator
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 claims description 27
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 9
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 9
- 229920002799 BoPET Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000005041 Mylar™ Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001342 Bakelite® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004637 bakelite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920005669 high impact polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004797 high-impact polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 description 1
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2207/00—Connections
- H01H2207/012—Connections via underside of substrate
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2209/00—Layers
- H01H2209/068—Properties of the membrane
- H01H2209/078—Conductive rubber
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2223/00—Casings
- H01H2223/034—Bezel
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
- H01H2229/024—Packing between substrate and membrane
- H01H2229/026—Riveting
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
- H01H2229/044—Injection moulding
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
- H01H2239/044—High voltage application
Definitions
- ABSTRACT A structure which includes a circuit board having a conductive pattern thereon and supporting a resilient [52] us 200/5 200/159 200/166 C conductive layer by way of an insulator layerhaving a [51] [11L Cl. H0111 13/52 plurality of windows therethrough in alignment i [58] of SearchZOO/ 1 5 5 16 A, 159 portions of the conductive pattern, the resilient layer 200/166 C divided into at least two sections held electrically apart by pins coupled to a frame member in which the [56] References Cted board and layers are packaged.
- each of the keyboard output terminals provided the same output voltage level to represent respective key depression or switch closure. This was quite adequate as long as a single output level was all that was needed to drive digital logic circuitry or the like. But as time went on there grew the need for a keyboard to supply not only the signals for logic circuits but also some signals at much higher voltage levels to control operative or analog devices such as a servomechanism.
- the keyboard of the present invention provides mul tiple voltage level outputs from different terminals thereof by using a multi-segrnent conductive layer or pad positioned on an insulator layer having a plurality of windows therethrough in alignment with portions of a conductive pattern, the segments of the conductive layer being electrically separated from each other by retaining means and in the preferred embodiment being coupled to different input or supply signal terminals.
- Key or switch-like members of the keyboard are depressible to force the conductive segments through selected ones of the windows of the insulator layer against portions of the conductive pattern in order to provide output signalsat keyboard output terminals coupled to different portions of the conductive pattern.
- FIG. 1 is a top view of a keyboard of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a bottom view with the parts cut away of the keyboard
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view broken'at the center and taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2.
- FIGS. 1 to 4 Reference should now be had to FIGS. 1 to 4 for a description of the preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
- the keyboard comprises a frame 10 preferably of insulator material more preferably of plastic such as A.B.S a high impact polystyrene or may be constructed of other type plastics such as polypropylene.
- the frame is provided with a plurality of divider members 11 which form thewalls of windows 12 extending through frame.
- the underside of the divider members 12 includes a plurality of rods 13 (preferably formed at the same time as the frame i.e., by molding [see FIG.2]) which extend downwardly as shown in FIG. 4.
- the rods 13 are preferably of the same plastic material as the frame 10 and preferably may be softened by heat to form the head 13a to hold the keyboard assembly together as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively the rods may be threaded and nuts may then be used to hold the keyboard assembly together.
- a thin plastic insulator layer 14 e.g., of Mylar which has indicia applied thereto.
- the indicia may be marked thereon using inks or may be applied thereto using other conventional techniques.
- the layer 14 is provided with a plurality of holes 14a through which the rods 13 extend to locate it within the confines of the frame.
- a conductive plastic layer 15 Positioned directly below the layer 14 is a conductive plastic layer 15 which is divided into at least two segments 15a and 15b.
- the conductive layer is preferably of a resilient material such as plastic e.g., silicone rubber filled with 10 to percent by volume of silver flakes. Rubber is defined as a plastic for the purposes of this invention.
- the segments 15a and 15b are electrically isolated from each other, lie in substantially the same plane, and are preferably held isolated by at least two of the rods 13 extending through holes l5aa formed in each of the segments 15a and 15b. 1
- the segments 15a and 15b are positioned over an insulator plastic layer 16 e.g., of Mylar having a plurality of windows extending therethrough in line with windows 12.
- the rods 13 also extend through holes 16b in layer 16 to locate the layer 16 within the frame 10.
- a typical circuit board 17 tag of Bakelite having a plurality of conductive electrical v contacts or pathways 18 formed thereon. See the aforementioned application for typical circuit patterns or pathways.
- the circuit pattern may be formed conventionally from copper which is etched or by the spraying of conductive paint.
- the electrical pathways are at least in part aligned with the windows so that the application of a presence (by a finger) to the force applying layer 14 can push portions of the conductive layer segments through the Windows 160 against the pathways 18. In this manner electrical contact is made between the conductive segments and the pathways 18.
- the resiliency of the conductive layer causes it to withdraw and spring back from the conductive layer and break contact.
- the rods 13 extend through holes 170 in the board to hold the assembly together.
- Electrical conductor pins 20 and 23 are electrically coupled directly to segments 15a and 15b respectively so that different input voltage levels may be applied to the segments e.g., 6v to pin 23 and segment 15b and 30v to pin 20 and segment 15a.
- the pins 20 and 23 are preferably embedded in the segments 15a and 15b and extend through holes 16b formed in the layer 16.
- FIG. 3 represents the keyboard under the indicia marking X and the right side of FIG. 3 represents the keyboard under the indicia marking O with the parts below the other indicia broken away.
- a keyboard or the like which includes an insulator board having circuit pathways thereon, insulator means having a plurality of windows therethrough in alignment with selected portions of said pathways, a resilient electrically conductive layer means positioned on said insulator and divided into at least two segments that are spaced apart and electrically isolated from each other and lie in part in substantially the same plane, each of said segments covering at least one of said windows of said insulator layer, first means for pcsitioning and holding said segments in electrical isolation from each other, second means for applying force to push portions of said segments through said windows they overlie in order to make contact with said pathways, third means for providing electrical input signals to generate output signals represent of a force applied to said segments, a plurality of electrical signal output pins coupled to different ones of said pathways and in which the third means comprises electrical signal input pins, a different one of which is electrically coupled to each of said segments. 4
- said first means comprises a frame which has a plurality of rods extending therefrom, at least two of said rods extending through each of said segments to locate said segments with respect to each other.
- said frame is formed with a plurality of divider members de-- fining windows in at least partial alignment with said windows of said insulator layer and in which said second means comprises an indicia layer of insulator material positioned between said frame and said segments, said indicia layer having a plurality of markings thereon which may be seen through said windows in said frame.
- a keyboard or the like comprising electrical conductive layer means divided into at least two segments electrically isolated from each other,
Abstract
Description
Claims (6)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US31665672A | 1972-12-20 | 1972-12-20 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3789167A true US3789167A (en) | 1974-01-29 |
Family
ID=23230042
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US00316656A Expired - Lifetime US3789167A (en) | 1972-12-20 | 1972-12-20 | Multi-output level keyboard switch assembly with improved operator and contact structure |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3789167A (en) |
Cited By (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3862381A (en) * | 1973-10-29 | 1975-01-21 | Chomerics Inc | Keyboard switch assembly with multilayer, coextensive contactor means |
US3930083A (en) * | 1974-07-26 | 1975-12-30 | Litton Systems Inc | Keyboard panel for an electric switch contact |
JPS518972A (en) * | 1974-07-10 | 1976-01-24 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | |
US3973099A (en) * | 1974-11-11 | 1976-08-03 | American Micro-Systems, Inc. | Push button switch for electronic watch |
US4071718A (en) * | 1976-10-22 | 1978-01-31 | Bowmar Instrument Corporation | Flat keyboard assembly having cover type membrane with protrusions to align switch components |
US4128744A (en) * | 1977-02-22 | 1978-12-05 | Chomerics, Inc. | Keyboard with concave and convex domes |
US4145584A (en) * | 1976-04-28 | 1979-03-20 | Otterlei Jon L | Flexible keyboard switch with integral spacer protrusions |
JPS5471189U (en) * | 1977-10-28 | 1979-05-21 | ||
US4158115A (en) * | 1978-06-26 | 1979-06-12 | W. H. Brady Co. | Internally connecting flexible switch |
US4194099A (en) * | 1977-10-25 | 1980-03-18 | W. H. Brady Co. | Control panel overlay |
US4243861A (en) * | 1977-06-24 | 1981-01-06 | The Cornelius Company | Touch switch and contactor therefor |
US4250495A (en) * | 1979-11-16 | 1981-02-10 | The Singer Company | Touch sensitive control panel and a method of manufacture thereof |
US4258096A (en) * | 1978-11-09 | 1981-03-24 | Sheldahl, Inc. | Composite top membrane for flat panel switch arrays |
US4368369A (en) * | 1980-03-14 | 1983-01-11 | Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. | Electrical switch |
US4390758A (en) * | 1981-01-16 | 1983-06-28 | Hendrickson Max S | Key-actuated electrical lock |
US4441097A (en) * | 1979-01-29 | 1984-04-03 | Antroy Enterprises, Inc. | Device for controlling a circuit |
US4440999A (en) * | 1982-08-13 | 1984-04-03 | Press On, Inc. | Membrane switch |
US4471177A (en) * | 1982-08-13 | 1984-09-11 | Press On, Inc. | Enlarged switch area membrane switch and method |
US5510783A (en) * | 1992-07-13 | 1996-04-23 | Interlink Electronics, Inc. | Adaptive keypad |
US20070046646A1 (en) * | 2005-08-24 | 2007-03-01 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Mobile communications terminal having a touch input unit and controlling method thereof |
US20070105604A1 (en) * | 2005-08-30 | 2007-05-10 | Zhi-Min Choo | Mobile terminal with back-lighted directional keys |
US20070103453A1 (en) * | 2005-08-30 | 2007-05-10 | Zhi-Min Choo | Touch key assembly for a mobile terminal |
US20080017491A1 (en) * | 2005-12-05 | 2008-01-24 | Farzad Azizi | Electrical switch |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3699294A (en) * | 1971-05-18 | 1972-10-17 | Flex Key Corp | Keyboard, digital coding, switch for digital logic, and low power detector switches |
US3705276A (en) * | 1971-05-20 | 1972-12-05 | Chomerics Inc | Keyboard switch assembly with conductive plastic contactor and actuator spring sleeve biasing means |
US3721778A (en) * | 1971-06-21 | 1973-03-20 | Chomerics Inc | Keyboard switch assembly with improved operator and contact structure |
-
1972
- 1972-12-20 US US00316656A patent/US3789167A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3699294A (en) * | 1971-05-18 | 1972-10-17 | Flex Key Corp | Keyboard, digital coding, switch for digital logic, and low power detector switches |
US3705276A (en) * | 1971-05-20 | 1972-12-05 | Chomerics Inc | Keyboard switch assembly with conductive plastic contactor and actuator spring sleeve biasing means |
US3721778A (en) * | 1971-06-21 | 1973-03-20 | Chomerics Inc | Keyboard switch assembly with improved operator and contact structure |
Cited By (29)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3862381A (en) * | 1973-10-29 | 1975-01-21 | Chomerics Inc | Keyboard switch assembly with multilayer, coextensive contactor means |
JPS518972A (en) * | 1974-07-10 | 1976-01-24 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | |
US3930083A (en) * | 1974-07-26 | 1975-12-30 | Litton Systems Inc | Keyboard panel for an electric switch contact |
US3973099A (en) * | 1974-11-11 | 1976-08-03 | American Micro-Systems, Inc. | Push button switch for electronic watch |
US4145584A (en) * | 1976-04-28 | 1979-03-20 | Otterlei Jon L | Flexible keyboard switch with integral spacer protrusions |
US4071718A (en) * | 1976-10-22 | 1978-01-31 | Bowmar Instrument Corporation | Flat keyboard assembly having cover type membrane with protrusions to align switch components |
US4128744A (en) * | 1977-02-22 | 1978-12-05 | Chomerics, Inc. | Keyboard with concave and convex domes |
US4243861A (en) * | 1977-06-24 | 1981-01-06 | The Cornelius Company | Touch switch and contactor therefor |
US4194099A (en) * | 1977-10-25 | 1980-03-18 | W. H. Brady Co. | Control panel overlay |
JPS5729479Y2 (en) * | 1977-10-28 | 1982-06-28 | ||
JPS5471189U (en) * | 1977-10-28 | 1979-05-21 | ||
FR2430077A1 (en) * | 1978-06-26 | 1980-01-25 | Brady Co W H | FLEXIBLE SWITCH WITH INTERNAL CONNECTIONS |
US4158115A (en) * | 1978-06-26 | 1979-06-12 | W. H. Brady Co. | Internally connecting flexible switch |
US4258096A (en) * | 1978-11-09 | 1981-03-24 | Sheldahl, Inc. | Composite top membrane for flat panel switch arrays |
US4441097A (en) * | 1979-01-29 | 1984-04-03 | Antroy Enterprises, Inc. | Device for controlling a circuit |
US4250495A (en) * | 1979-11-16 | 1981-02-10 | The Singer Company | Touch sensitive control panel and a method of manufacture thereof |
US4368369A (en) * | 1980-03-14 | 1983-01-11 | Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. | Electrical switch |
US4390758A (en) * | 1981-01-16 | 1983-06-28 | Hendrickson Max S | Key-actuated electrical lock |
US4440999A (en) * | 1982-08-13 | 1984-04-03 | Press On, Inc. | Membrane switch |
US4471177A (en) * | 1982-08-13 | 1984-09-11 | Press On, Inc. | Enlarged switch area membrane switch and method |
US5510783A (en) * | 1992-07-13 | 1996-04-23 | Interlink Electronics, Inc. | Adaptive keypad |
US20070046646A1 (en) * | 2005-08-24 | 2007-03-01 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Mobile communications terminal having a touch input unit and controlling method thereof |
US9244602B2 (en) | 2005-08-24 | 2016-01-26 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Mobile communications terminal having a touch input unit and controlling method thereof |
US20070105604A1 (en) * | 2005-08-30 | 2007-05-10 | Zhi-Min Choo | Mobile terminal with back-lighted directional keys |
US20070103453A1 (en) * | 2005-08-30 | 2007-05-10 | Zhi-Min Choo | Touch key assembly for a mobile terminal |
US7982718B2 (en) * | 2005-08-30 | 2011-07-19 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Mobile terminal with back-lighted directional keys |
US8049728B2 (en) * | 2005-08-30 | 2011-11-01 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Touch key assembly for a mobile terminal |
US20080017491A1 (en) * | 2005-12-05 | 2008-01-24 | Farzad Azizi | Electrical switch |
US7507923B2 (en) | 2005-12-05 | 2009-03-24 | Omron Dualtec Automotive Electronics Inc. | Electrical switch |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AMP INCORPORATED, HARRISBURG, PA., 17105, A CORP. Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CHOMERICS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:003854/0523 Effective date: 19810511 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AMP KEYBOARD TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A WHOLLY OWNED SU Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:AMP INCORPORATED;REEL/FRAME:005258/0518 Effective date: 19890418 Owner name: LUCAS DURALITH AKT CORPORATION Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:AMP KEYBOARD TECHNOLOGIES INC.;REEL/FRAME:005258/0527 Effective date: 19890428 |