Reconfigurable keyboard

Details Reconfigurable keyboard Reconfigurable keyboard

1996-07-15

1997-09-16

Gellner, Michael L.

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Multiple circuit control

Multiple switch

200345, H01H 1370

Patent

active

056683588

ABSTRACT:
A reconfigurable keyboard includes at least two key switches which each has a plunger housing projecting from a top surface thereof, and a multi-switch key cap engageable with the key switch and having at least one dimension that is sufficient to span the at least two key switches. The key cap includes one active switch post to which a plunger is attached, the plunger being reciprocally movable in the plunger housing of one key switch for actuating the key switch when the key cap is depressed, and at least one passive switch post which is also reciprocally movable in the plunger housing of another key switch without actuating the switch when the key cap is depressed. The key cap is selectively positionable anywhere on the keyboard in either a horizontal or a vertical direction. Each key switch further includes four openings each of which are located in a corner of the top surface of the key switch. The openings are symmetric with respect to a diagonal line intersecting opposite corners of the key switch surface and accommodate the selective vertical or horizontal engagement of a clip in two key switch surfaces for retaining a key leveling torsion bar connected to the multi-switch key cap, corresponding to the selective orientation of the key cap on the keyboard.

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