Thin keyboard having torsion bar keyswitch hinge members

Details Thin keyboard having torsion bar keyswitch hinge members Thin keyboard having torsion bar keyswitch hinge members

1997-11-24

1999-12-21

Friedhofer, Michael

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Electric switch details

Actuators

200517, H01H 1352, H01H 1370

Patent

active

060052090

ABSTRACT:
A keyboard apparatus is provided for small and lightweight computers and the like. Keyswitches and a keyboard assembly comprise a sheet member having a plurality of key faces fixed thereon in a conventional keyboard arrangement. A plurality of cutouts are provided in the sheet member, partially surrounding each key face. A living hinge member is provided in the sheet member at one side of each key face. Each living hinge member includes a base section, an intermediate section, and a key face section. The former two and the latter two sections each interface at a living hinge. Depressing the key face causes the key face section to pivot about the living hinges to operate a corresponding set of electrical contacts, indicating operation of the key. A conventional rubber spring may transmit the pivot motion of the key face to the electrical contacts. The living hinges are made to have a greater resilience and flexibility than those of the sections, such as by scoring, scribing, perforation, or other suitable treatment. Accordingly, the intermediate section is able to serve as a torsion bar, advantageously limiting the key's freedom to twist under the user's finger pressulr.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4032729 (1977-06-01), Koistenen
patent: 4620075 (1986-10-01), La Belle et al.
patent: 4689455 (1987-08-01), Watanabe
patent: 5131308 (1992-07-01), Katsuta
patent: 5278372 (1994-01-01), Takagi et al.
patent: 5280147 (1994-01-01), Mochizuki et al.
patent: 5329079 (1994-07-01), English et al.
patent: 5329084 (1994-07-01), Watanabe et al.
patent: 5382762 (1995-01-01), Mochizuki
patent: 5457453 (1995-10-01), Chiu et al.
patent: 5481074 (1996-01-01), English

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Thin keyboard having torsion bar keyswitch hinge members does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Thin keyboard having torsion bar keyswitch hinge members, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thin keyboard having torsion bar keyswitch hinge members will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-507245