Registers – Keyboards – With total transfer to keyboard or the like
Patent
1991-06-10
1993-04-20
Gellner, Michael L.
Registers
Keyboards
With total transfer to keyboard or the like
235145A, 200 5A, G06C 702, H01H 926
Patent
active
052045110
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention concerns an alphanumeric keyboard including a plurality of switches operable by keys and a cover frame covering the switches and having guide bosses for key rams, which key rams are connected with a key head overlying the guide bosses.
In a keyboard of this type known from DE-C2-33 25 409 the possibility exists for constructing different keyboards using the same cover frame while different groups of guide bosses are equipped with keys. The unused guide bosses are closed by caps. This indeed permits variation possibilities in the manufacture of keyboards. The functions of the once manufactured keyboard can above all no longer be changed.
A keyboard is known from European Patent Application 0 267 541 in which a keyboard is connected with a plurality of rams. The rams however are not independently adjustable from the key head. The same applies to the key arrangement described by IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, June 1988, pages 47 to 49.
European Patent Application 0 282 817 shows a rotary selector switch inside of which are arranged four key operated switches. This arrangement does not however provide a key head on which a number of rams are so arranged that the rams can be made to operate either in common or independently of one another on the switches.
The invention has as its object the provision of a keyboard of the previously mentioned type wherein while keeping the same keyboard construction an operational change of the keyboard functions is permitted.
The solution of this object as proposed in accordance with the invention is that at least one compound key is associated with at least two switches with the compound key having at least one key head overlying at least two guide bosses, and that at least one ram of this compound key is supported on the key head for adjustment parallel to the keying direction.
With the solution provided by the invention the possibility exists of actuating switches individually or in combination with other switches. Depending on the number of rams and switches associated with one compound key head a selection can also be made between different combinations. In this way the functions of the keyboard can be expanded without having to increase the number of switches and keys.
According to a first embodiment at least one adjustable ram is connected with a compound key head and so supported on the key head that it by means of a push on the key head is moveable to effect a switch actuation in common with the one or more other rams and is also moveable independently of the one or more other rams by a pressing of its key button to effect a switch actuation. That is, the keys combined in a common or compound key head are actuatable either individually or in common.
In a further embodiment the at least one adjustable ram is selectively adjustable relative to the compound key head between an effective position, in which it upon a pressing down of the key head operates the associated switch, and an ineffective position, in which it upon a pressing down of the key head does not operate the associated switch. This produces the possibility upon the pressing down of a key head of selectively actuating all of the associated switches or only a given combination of switches or also only a single switch. To assure a reliable actuation of the switch the adjustable ram is preferably detained in its effective and/or its ineffective position.
To make possible an operative adjustment of the ram without disassembly of the keys as heretofore necessary, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the adjustable ram be guided in a nipple connected with the key head and be biased to its ineffective position and that a positioning element be moveably arranged on the key head which positioning element works on the end of the ram remote from the switch and is operable from the upper side of the key head. The actuation can take place in different ways. In a very simple to manufacture and reliable embodiment the positioning element is arranged for radial movement relative to the ram
REFERENCES:
patent: 3523184 (1970-08-01), Vogel
patent: 4760221 (1988-07-01), Yoshida et al.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 31 No. 1 Jun. 1988 "Triangular Toggle keys for Touch Tone Phone" pp. 47-48.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 21 No. 12 May 1979, "Digital Joystick Switch" pp. 4962-4964.
Baitz Gunter
Burchart Joachim
Gellner Michael L.
Lee Eddie C.
Siemans Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG
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