DE10357649A1 - Keypad with actuating keys e.g. for cash dispensers, has recess in which symbol body is fixed - Google Patents

Abstract

A keypad with keys (3-6) which are let into recesses (2) of a front plate (1), in which each key consists of a key body (7) in the surface of which is arranged a graphical symbol and at least one color- or relief-type sensory marking (9). The key body has at least one recess (14) in which at least one symbol (8) is fixed which forms the color marking and the sensory marking (9).

Description

The The invention relates to a keypad with operation keys according to the preamble of claim 1.

One such keypad with operation buttons becomes especially for the keyboard at ATMs or other public entry terminals uses.

In Typically, a stainless steel front panel is used in the a series of recesses are arranged. In these recesses keys are inserted, which reach through the front panel and switch located underneath. Such a keyboard must because of the many interplay and unfavorable operating conditions highly wear-resistant be.

The Keys are assigned a specific symbol content. For this purpose, it is provided that the function keys (eg Enter key, Delete key or Confirm key) both a colored label field and a feel marker assigned.

So far it was only known that the surfaces of the function keys different places both a colored check box as also a feel marker was arranged. For example, it is known the colored marking as an elongated, rectangular beam in the form of a recessed recess - z. B. in the lower part - to arrange in the key body and the feel marker on the outer right Form side of the key body surface.

in the With regard to the formation of the feel mark, it is further known that the feel marker as increased symbol surface Relieved in relief from the material of the key body and material-integral with the material of the key body connected is. This resulted in a high abrasion resistance and a high wear resistance guaranteed.

disadvantage the well-known training of the function keys, however, that at making the feel mark and the colored keypad at different places on the surface of the key body can be arranged so that no uniform appearance and a uniform functional surface is given are.

In order to is at different input terminals (for example at a domestic or a foreign one ATM) no functionally identical operation of the respective individual key possible.

Of the Invention is therefore the object of a front panel with To develop keys and recessed therein Tastkörpern so that always the same functional picture in terms of color marking and sensing mark on the surface of the key body is reached.

to solution the object is the invention characterized in that that the key body carries at least one label and at least one recess, anchored in the at least one symbol body which is both the color marker and the feel marker formed.

With The given technical teaching has the advantage that a always the same appearance of the function keys is achieved because According to the invention, the surface of the key body only at least one label, which varies from country to country can be different. It is important, however, that always at the same place of the key body at least one recess is arranged, in which a symbol body embedded is.

by virtue of the fact that the symbol body both the color mark and the feel mark is formed is now always for it taken care of that symbol body anchored at only a single location on the surface of the key body is. The according is now guaranteed that when operating a such keyboard - regardless of the type of labeling - always the symbol body is in the same place.

This was in the previously known key bodies where the Fühlmarkierungen arranged at different locations with respect to the color marks were not guaranteed.

by virtue of the fact that a symbol body in a recess in the key body is admitted, there is the further advantage that you have a variety similar key body can produce "blank", so to speak. The raw keyboard body are without inscription and contribute to the inclusion of the symbol body only said recess.

In order to It is only when mounting the front panel with the arranged there Keys possible, assign their symbol content to the individual function keys by: the different symbol bodies be introduced into the respective associated recess in the probe body.

The increase in wear resistance and Protection against vandalism is important. This is achieved according to a first embodiment of the invention in that the symbol body has on its lower side locking tabs which engage under the edges of the recess in the key body. With the impressions of the symbol body in the recess thus the locking tabs are elastically bent inwards and then snap behind the peripheral edges of the recess in the key body and lie there inextricably fixed.

In another embodiment provides that the symbol body in the recess glued or otherwise fixed.

In order to There is the advantage that no longer a variety of different Function keys with different feel marks integrated on them have to be produced but that is possible for the first time is to make a single key body, the only carries a recess and that then anchored the corresponding symbol body in this recess becomes.

In order to the manufacturing costs are reduced and the interchangeability The individual keys are improved because the storage is reduced can.

Of the Subject of the present invention does not arise only from the subject matter of the individual claims, but also from the combination the individual claims among themselves.

All in the documents, including Summary of information and features, in particular the spatial training shown in the drawings as claimed essential to the invention, as far as they individually or in Combination opposite the prior art are new.

in the Below, the invention will be described with reference to only one embodiment illustrative drawings closer explained. Here are more from the drawings and their description Essential to the invention features and advantages of the invention.

In the previous description it was explained that the symbol body 8th preferably from the front into the recess 14 or the recesses 14 / 20 is introduced. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, it may be provided that the symbol body from behind into the respectively associated recess 14 respectively. 14 / 20 is inserted and fixed there in such a way that he can not fall out to the front.

It should also be noted that the symbol body is made of a plastic material, with a single-color plastic material being preferred. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The plastic material may also be formed multicolored and so that the material of the symbol body of a first color and the material of the molded thereon, relief-like feel marker 9 made of a different colored plastic material.

As well Is it possible, the symbol body as a whole also to make more than two colors.

In a development of the invention, it is not only intended that the symbol body is formed of a plastic material. Rather, too Metal materials be essential to the invention. In particular, the Symbol body from a stainless steel plate exist, whose visible side is colored with the appropriate color and the feel marker as an imprint wearing.

In a second embodiment is the symbol body as a metal plate formed of a sintered metal, the visible side is in turn colored and the feel marker formed in the sintered material as a raised surface.

In a third embodiment is the symbol body as a deep-drawn part, preferably from a deep-drawn stainless steel sheet, formed, the visible side is colored and the feel marker is formed as a raised structure in the deep drawing tool.

In a fourth embodiment is the symbol body from a metal plate formed, the visible side is colored and the feel marker as countersink in the surface is formed on the visible side.

at all versions can the feel marker differently colored than the color of the visible surface formed comparatively be.

Especially can the feel marker blackened by laser beam be.

Incidentally, is the invention is not limited to the rectangular or square shape of a icon body limited. It can all Shapes for one Symbol body be used, such as. B. rectangular, oval, polygonal or elliptical shapes.

It demonstrate:

1 a perspective view of a keyboard field

2 a cut through a button

3 - 6 : the top view on various symbolic bodies

7 schematically shows a section through a second embodiment of the invention

In 1 is generally a front panel 1 shown, which preferably consists of a stainless steel material or other abrasion and wear-resistant material. In the front panel 1 are a series of mutually parallel recesses 2 arranged, in the - in a conventional manner - keys 3 - 6 are admitted.

The button's 3 - 6 are springy in the recesses 2 stored and act on switches, not shown, below the buttons 3 - 6 are arranged.

According to the invention, there is every key 3 - 6 from a key body 7 , which preferably consists of a metal material and in particular of a stainless steel material.

The However, the invention is not limited thereto. The key body can also consist of other materials, such. As plastic, a plastic-metal composite and like.

According to 2 is the key body 7 formed in two parts and consists of a lower, approximately rectangular support plate 10 , which is preferably also formed of a metal material. In the surface of this carrier plate 10 are a series of spaced studs 12 molded, made of the material of the carrier plate 10 are formed out.

The spacer knobs 12 lie with their upper side against the underside of the key body 7 at.

As stated above, the key body consists 7 of a metal material, preferably of a high-strength, abrasion-resistant stainless steel material and has at least one recess 14 on.

The connection between the spacer knobs 12 and the underside of the key body 7 takes place via welds 13 with which the spacer knobs 12 at the bottom of the key body 7 are fixed.

Instead of such welds 13 It is also possible to use splices or other mechanical fasteners.

In a further embodiment, it may also be provided that the connection between the key body 7 and the carrier plate 10 is formed material integral.

A symbol body 8th preferably consists of a different colored plastic material as compared to the material of the key body 7 , He is about cube-shaped.

At the surface of the symbol body 8th are a series of feel marks 9 arranged in the form of the feel marks 9a - 9d in the 3 to 6 are shown schematically.

It is important now that for the identification of the respective key 3 - 6 different symbol bodies 8th in the respective associated recess 14 can be pressed from the front and then with the associated locking tabs 15 on the inside of the circumference of the recess 14 invest. This is the symbol body 8th insoluble in the recess 14 anchored. He can only by damaging the symbol body 8th be removed again.

On the surface of the symbol body 8th are the different feel marks 9a - 9d arranged. For the functionally different training of each key 3 - 6 becomes each a symbol body with a different color and a different feel marker 9a - 9d used.

On the key body 7 Therefore, no further changes must be made.

This leads to, that the surface of the key body only in a known manner carries a label and the previously distributed on the key body arranged orientation color and spatially separated from it Symbols are now summarized in the form of a single unitary symbol body, in the key body is included.

For completeness, it is still shown that from the surface of the carrier plate 10 one or more downwardly directed actuating knobs are formed against the non-illustrated switching elements on the underside of the front panel 1 Act.

It should be noted that the invention is not limited to a two-part construction of the keys 3 - 6 consisting of an upper key body 7 and a spacer plate disposed thereunder 10 must exist. In another embodiment, it may also be provided that the key body 7 directly at its bottom the Betätigungsnoppe 11 carries and the symbol body 8th in the material of the key body 7 from the front insoluble introduced.

The two-part education after 2 only serves the purpose that between the two parts 7 . 10 a distance 16 is formed, as a receiving space for the locking tabs 15 of the symbol body 8th serves.

However, it can be provided in another embodiment that the receiving space for the locking tabs directly in the region of the circumference of the recess 14 into the key body 7 is incorporated.

The 7 schematically shows a section through a second embodiment of the invention. Here is shown that in the front panel 1 in the region of the recess 2 a button 21 is arranged, consisting of a key body 18 consists. The key body 18 preferably consists of a thin deep-drawn stainless steel material, which is profiled cup-shaped and with lateral projections 19 the recess 2 in the front panel 1 engages below.

The key body 18 carries in the manner described above at least one recess 14 for receiving the symbol body 8th ,

In contrast to the aforementioned embodiment, the key body 18 however, designed so that it is firmly in its interior with a packing 17 is connected, which consists of a plastic material and to the underside of the key body 18 For example, glued or pressed.

The filler 17 carries on its underside the Betätigungsnoppe 11 for confirmation of a switch not shown.

The in the surface of the key body 18 arranged recess 14 is in alignment in the form of another recess 20 in the packing 17 continued. In this common recess 14 . 20 is the symbol body 8th pressed in and lies down there with the previously described locking tabs 15 in the area of undercuts 22 in the region of the recess 20 at. He is therefore also from the front into the recess 14 . 20 inserted and pushed in, so that the locking tabs 15 insoluble in the undercuts 22 in the packing 17 establish.

The embodiment shown here 7 has the advantage that it can be produced more cheaply because of bulky metal materials for the key body 7 can be omitted and the key body 18 only consists of a relatively thin, inexpensive to produce deformed stainless steel sheet.

1

front panel

2

recesses

3

button

4

button

5

button

6

button

7

key bodies

8th

Symbol body

9

sensing mark 9a - 9d

10

support plate

11

Betätigungsnoppe

12

Abstandsnoppe

13

weld

14

recess

15

snap tab

16

distance

17

packing

18

key bodies

19

approaches

20

recess

21

button

22

undercut

Claims (14)

Keypad with buttons ( 3 - 6 ) in recesses ( 2 ) a front panel ( 1 ) are immersed recessed, each key from a key body ( 7 ), in the surface of which a label and at least one color and one relief-type feeler mark ( 9a - 9d ) are arranged, characterized in that the key body ( 7 . 18 ) at least one recess ( 14 . 20 ), in which at least one symbol body ( 8th ), which includes both the color marking and the feeler mark ( 9 ) trains. Keypad according to claim 1, characterized in that the symbol bodies ( 8th ) with the key body ( 7 . 18 ) are permanently connected. Keypad according to claim 2, characterized in that the symbol bodies ( 8th ) from the front into the recess ( 14 . 20 ) of the key body ( 7 . 18 ) are introduced. Keypad according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the symbol body ( 8th ) in the recess ( 14 . 20 ) are locked. Keypad according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the symbol body ( 8th ) consists of plastic. Keypad according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the key body ( 7 ) is formed in two parts and from a lower, approximately rectangular support plate ( 10 ), which is off stable with the key body ( 7 ) connected is. Keypad according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that key body ( 18 ) consists of a deep-drawn, cup-shaped profiled stainless steel material, with lateral extensions ( 19 ) the recess ( 2 ) in the front panel ( 1 ). Keypad according to claim 7, characterized in that the key body ( 18 ) in its interior firmly with a filler 17 connected to the underside of the key body 18 is attached. Keypad according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in the surface of the key body ( 18 ) arranged recess ( 14 ) in the form of a further recess ( 20 ) in the packing ( 17 ) into which the symbol body continues 8th is pressed in and there with the previously described locking tabs ( 15 ) in the area of undercuts ( 22 ) in the region of the recess ( 20 ) applies. Keypad according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized that the symbol body out a stainless steel plate whose visible side is colored with the corresponding color and the feel marker as an imprint wearing. Keypad according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized that the symbol body as a metal plate is formed of a sintered metal, the visible side colored and the feeling mark formed in the sintered material as a raised surface. Keypad according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized that the symbol body as a deep-drawn part, preferably from a deep-drawn stainless steel sheet, consists of whose visible side is colored and the feel marker is designed as a raised structure in the thermoforming tool. Keypad according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized that the symbol body out a metal plate consists of whose visible side is colored and the feel marker as a cutout in the surface is introduced on the visible side. Keypad according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized that the feel marker blackened by laser beam is.