Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Electric switch details – Indicators
Patent
1977-12-30
1979-08-07
Ross, Herbert F.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Electric switch details
Indicators
40546, 362 32, H01H 918
Patent
active
041638832
ABSTRACT:
A keyboard for use in an automotive control panel or the like has a pattern of switches on a base and has a key member overlying the switches, the key member having a frame mounting the member relative to the base and having a plurality of keys each comprising a button integrally joined to the frame by a self-hinge portion of the key so that the keys overly the respective switches and are individually movable for selectively actuating the switches. The key member is molded of a light transmitting material and an opaque escutcheon is fitted over the key member to permit the key buttons to extend through openings in the escutcheon. Light source means are arranged to direct light into the frame part of the key member so that the light is directed through the frame and along the lengths of the self-hinge portions of the keys into the button portions of the keys at least partly by internal reflection of light within the light-transmitting material of the key member, thereby to illuminate the buttons of the keys in a compact, economical keyboard structure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2737744 (1956-03-01), Sturges
patent: 3043038 (1962-07-01), Marble
patent: 3205754 (1965-09-01), Becwar
patent: 3584174 (1971-06-01), Speands
patent: 4017700 (1977-04-01), West
patent: 4056701 (1977-11-01), Weber
patent: 4124879 (1978-11-01), Schaermer
patent: 4128298 (1978-12-01), McMillan
Haug John A.
McAndrews James P.
Ross Herbert F.
Texas Instruments Incorporated
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