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A torsional or rocker switch actuator is described that uses the torsional moment of a buckling compression spring column to rock the actuator member on a pivot. A catastrophically buckling compression column spring is used and the reaction moment which occurs as the spring buckles is applied to rock an actuator back and forth between open and closed positions with cooperating contacts beneath the actuator. A non-teasible, snap action, tactile feedback, key mechanism of extreme mechanical simplicity and high reliability is achieved.

Inventor: Richard Hunter Harris
Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
Current U.S. Classification: 200/408
International Classification: H01H 1328

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Citations

Cited PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US2810031Oct 28, 1955Oct 15, 1957ELECTRIC SWITCH
US3491218Jan 5, 1968Jan 20, 1970PUSHBUTTON SWITCH WITH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ACTUATOR
US3699296May 21, 1971Oct 1, 1972CATASTROPHICALLY BUCKLING COMPRESSION COLUMN SWITCH AND ACTUATOR BACKGROUND
US3731030Jun 11, 19711973PUSHBUTTON SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH
US3842229Jul 5, 19731974KEYBOARD PUSHBUTTON SWITCH
US3863040Feb 14, 19741975SWITCH MECHANISM
US3899648Mar 13, 1974Aug 1, 1975NOD ALLY OPERATED PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US4274752Apr 2, 1979Jun 23, 1981International Business Machines CorporationKeyboard multiple switch assembly
US4528431Oct 3, 1983Jul 9, 1985International Business Machines CorporationRocking switch actuator for a low force membrane contact switch
US4543562Aug 23, 1982Sep 24, 1985RCA CorporationMechanically-actuated touchbars and touchplates using multiple-closure switches
US4543563Aug 23, 1982Sep 24, 1985RCA CorporationMechanically-actuated transparent touchbars and touchplates
US4605828May 29, 1984Aug 12, 1986International Business Machines CorporationMembrane keyboard switch mounting
US4640998Jul 9, 1985Feb 3, 1987Carlingswitch, Inc.Push button switch with compound contact lever action
US4859820Mar 31, 1988Aug 22, 1989American Telephone and Telegraph Company;
AT&T Information Systems Inc.		Quiet key switch
US4931606Apr 28, 1989Jun 5, 1990International Business Machines CorporationKey switch mechanism and membrane actuator
US5012055Nov 9, 1989Apr 30, 1991Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Spring loaded push-button switch having predictable switching time despite varying spring characteristics
US5268545Dec 18, 1992Dec 7, 1993Lexmark International, Inc.Low profile tactile keyswitch
US5349281Sep 28, 1992Sep 20, 1994HM Electronics, Inc.Battery charging system and method of using same
US5380972Nov 19, 1993Jan 10, 1995Motorola, Inc.Rocker switch
US6570106Jul 10, 2000May 27, 2003Movable electric switches that move to reveal underlying control areas
US7731444Nov 30, 2001Jun 8, 2010Renault S.A.S.Device for coupling a plastic part and a body shell structure

Claims

1. In an electrical key actuating mechanism having a key top, a housing having means for slidably receiving said key top for vertical motion thereof, a pivoting rocker type electrical actuating means in said housing opposite said key top, electrical means for actuation by said electrical actuating means, and also having a buckling compression spring means under precompression and mounted between said key top and said pivoting rocker type electrical actuating means, the improvements comprising:

lateral deflection offset spring mounting means within said housing bearing against said buckling compression spring and displacing the central portion thereof relative to its ends in a first chosen direction for promoting buckling of said buckling compression spring in said first chosen direction;
mounting means on said key top for pivotally mounting the proximal end of said buckling compression spring; and
mounting means on said rocker for mounting the distal end of said buckling compression spring with an edge of said spring colinear with said pivot of said rocker.

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein:

said lateral deflection offset spring mounting means comprises an angled mounting surface on said mounting means for said proximal end of said buckling spring, said angled mounting surface deflecting the portion of said spring at a point along said spring intermediate said distal and proximal ends laterally in said first chosen direction.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 2 and further comprising:

said angled mounting surface for said proximal end of said spring means pivotally supports the edge of said spring on the side thereof facing in said first chosen direction.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein:

the pivot point of said pivoting rocker type electrical actuating means is colinear with an edge of said buckling compression spring means.

Drawings