EP0267541A2 - Un clavier - Google Patents

Un clavier Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0267541A2
EP0267541A2 EP87116320A EP87116320A EP0267541A2 EP 0267541 A2 EP0267541 A2 EP 0267541A2 EP 87116320 A EP87116320 A EP 87116320A EP 87116320 A EP87116320 A EP 87116320A EP 0267541 A2 EP0267541 A2 EP 0267541A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
key
stem
keyboard
key top
keys
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP87116320A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0267541A3 (en
EP0267541B1 (fr
Inventor
Haruo Yoshida
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SMK Corp
Original Assignee
SMK Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SMK Corp filed Critical SMK Corp
Publication of EP0267541A2 publication Critical patent/EP0267541A2/fr
Publication of EP0267541A3 publication Critical patent/EP0267541A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0267541B1 publication Critical patent/EP0267541B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
    • H01H3/12—Push-buttons
    • H01H3/122—Push-buttons with enlarged actuating area, e.g. of the elongated bar-type; Stabilising means therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H01H13/705—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
    • H01H11/0006—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches for converting electric switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/056—Modular conception
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2233/00—Key modules
    • H01H2233/03—Key modules mounted on support plate or frame
    • H01H2233/034—Snap coupling
    • H01H2233/036—Snap coupling with limited freedom

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a keyboard to be used as an input device for the computer and other various electronic equipments.
  • a number of membranes or mechanical switches are installed on its lower board at a specified pitch, whereas pluran number of keys are instal­led on its upper board disposed above the key section so as to be able to move both upward and downward freely.
  • Depress­ing the key top of any one of said keys causes the correspon­ding switch to be opened or closed through the key stem as an integral part of the key.
  • the key top of a standard key is a square with the sides of about 18mm, but the key tops of the keys for highly frequent and special uses have rectan­gular forms or sized to integral-number times the unit size of the standard key.
  • the special-form key such as a rectangular key 1 is provided with only a key stem 10 that extends from about the center of its bottom just above a corresponding switch 9 as shown in Fig. 6, a front view of a key, and Fig.7, a side view of a key.
  • This arrangement prevents each key from being replaced with the keys 1 of different forms and different switches. It is necessary for any special-form key to be depressed evenly irrespective of the point of depression on the key top 3.
  • a crank-form interlocking rod 4 is incorporated so that even when the key is depressed at the point on the right-side end of the key top indicated with an arrow, the other end of the key top 3 can be dpressed simultaneously by means of the interclocking rod 4, thereby preventing the key from being depressed unevenly as described with the dotted line.
  • the upper board refers to number 5; the lower board to number 6; and the interlocking rod to number 7.
  • the first object of the present invention is to provide what is called a general-purpose keyboard capable of flexi­bly meeting the needs such as the alterations of the size and layout of the keys so that even the keyboards of differ­ent equipments may be used commonly.
  • the second object of the present invention is to provide the kind of keyboard that permits the alterations of the lo­cations and sizes of keys by simply replacing the keys con­cerned.
  • the third object of the present invention is to reduce the number of parts as far as possible by increasing the number of common parts.
  • the upper board refers to the number 5, and the lower board to the number 6.
  • Said upper board 5 is provided with plural number of key stem guide holes 8 at equal distances in both the directions of X-axis and Y-axis.
  • Four rectangular slip stopper guide holes 9 are provided around each key stem guide hole 8 symmetrically thereto at a right angle to each other. That is, for example, in the case shown in Fig.1, the 1st hole 9a, the second hole 9b, the 3rd hole 9c and the 4th hole 9d named in clockwise order are of the same size, though the lst and 3rd holes are disposed as sideways rectangular holes, and the 2nd and 4th holes are vertically rectangular holes.
  • Figs.3, 4 and 5 show another embodiment concering the key.
  • Fig.3 shows a key whose key top 3 is a square with the sides of a (mm) long.
  • Fig. 4 shows a key whose key top is a rectangle with shorter sides of a (mm) long an longer sides of 2a (mm) long and the area of 2 times that of the square key top.
  • Fig.5 shows a key whose key top is a with the sides of 2a (mm) long and the area of 4 times that of the unit-size square key top.
  • the sizes and forms of the key tops other than that of the unit-size square key top such as the long-form, L-form or U-­form key tops according to the present invention feature to be determined as integral times a (mm) depending on the indi­vidual purposes.
  • the unit-size key 1 shown in Fig.3 is pro­vided with a key stem 10 extending from the bottom of key top 3.
  • a coil spring 11 for opening or closing the switch 2 on the lower board 6 is forced into the central hole of said key stem 10 as exemplified by the key stem 10 shown on the left in Fig.2, and another coil spring 12 for pushing up the key 1 is provided around the key stem 10 as exemplified by the key stem 10 on the right in Fig.2.
  • Slip stoppers 13 and 13 with projections 14 and 14 are provided under the key top 3, symmetrically with respect to the key stem 10 at 180° to each other.
  • columnar members 15 and 15 are erected on another set of positions which are also symmetrical with respect to the key stem at 180° to each other, but said mem­bers may be omitted.
  • the unit-size key 1 composed in the man­ner described above is inserted into the key stem guide hole 8 and the slip stopper guide hole 9. The direction of inser­tion can be changed at the intervals of 90°.
  • the key 1 shown in Fig.4 has a rectangular key top whose area is 2 times that of the unit-size key as explained pre­ viously. Said key is provided with two key stems 10 and 10 at a distance equal to that of the key stem guide holes 8 and 8. Of said two key stems 10 and 10, one which is not required to press the switch 2 has the diamter smaller than that of the other so that said key stems can move up and down smooth severelyly even when there is slight difference between the distance of key stem guide holes 8 and 8 and that of the key stems 10 and 10.
  • the key 1 shown in Fig.4 whose area is 2 times that of the unit-size key has two slip stoppers 13 provided for each of its key stems 10, symmetrically with respect to said key stem at 180° to each other, and the columnar members shown in Fig.3 are not provided.
  • the key 1 shown in Fig.5 has a square key top whose area is 4 times that of the unit-­size key top. Said key is provided with four key stems 10, and on slip stopper 13 is provided for each key stem 10. Of said four key stems 10, the two key stems 10 and 10 dis­tanced at 180° to each other provided with the coil springs 11 and 12 respectively.
  • the keys having rectangular from, L-form, U-form and other forms are also composed in the manner similar to those of the keys described above.
  • the keys 1 of various forms can be inserted into the corresponding key stem guide hole 8 and slip stopper guide hole 9 so that said keys can be installed through the engagement between the slip stopper 13 and the slip stopper guide hole 9.
  • the key stem guide holes on the upper board are pitched at equal distances in both X-axis and Y-axis directions, and both the shorter sides and longer sides of the keys are determined maintaining integral ratios with respect to the unit length so that the layout of the keys can be set freely.
  • the keyboard accord­ing to the present invention permits the location of the keys which have once been installed to be altered without disas­sembling the keyboard by simply replacing the keys from above the keyboard.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
EP87116320A 1986-11-12 1987-11-05 Un clavier Expired - Lifetime EP0267541B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP173716/86 1986-11-12
JP1986173716U JPH0341380Y2 (fr) 1986-11-12 1986-11-12

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0267541A2 true EP0267541A2 (fr) 1988-05-18
EP0267541A3 EP0267541A3 (en) 1990-03-21
EP0267541B1 EP0267541B1 (fr) 1994-06-01

Family

ID=15965812

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87116320A Expired - Lifetime EP0267541B1 (fr) 1986-11-12 1987-11-05 Un clavier

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0267541B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH0341380Y2 (fr)
KR (1) KR930002227Y1 (fr)
DE (1) DE3789936T2 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0368081A1 (fr) * 1988-11-11 1990-05-16 Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft Clavier alphanumérique
EP0412033A1 (fr) * 1989-06-26 1991-02-06 Lexmark International, Inc. Stabilisateur pour touches longues
EP0478991A2 (fr) * 1990-10-01 1992-04-08 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Support pour touches d'un clavier d'appareils électriques
EP0613161A2 (fr) * 1993-02-26 1994-08-31 Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft Clavier avec au moins une touche double
US5396038A (en) * 1992-06-15 1995-03-07 Smk Co., Ltd. Thin keyboard switch
US5516996A (en) * 1993-07-02 1996-05-14 Btc Corporation Keyboard apparatus
US6399909B1 (en) * 1999-12-09 2002-06-04 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Keyswitch for keyboard
EP1768142A1 (fr) * 2005-09-21 2007-03-28 Micro Pneumatic Logic Inc. Interrupteur à grande surface d'activation
JP2014182973A (ja) * 2013-03-21 2014-09-29 Toto Ltd 操作入力装置

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5038108B2 (ja) * 2007-11-26 2012-10-03 大成建設株式会社 照明用スイッチ装置

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3310313A1 (de) * 1983-03-22 1984-09-27 Sachsse Brigitte Drucktaste
US4492838A (en) * 1983-02-24 1985-01-08 Amp Incorporated Key switch having an actuator integral with the return spring
DE3405652A1 (de) * 1984-02-17 1985-08-22 Brown, Boveri & Cie Ag, 6800 Mannheim Betaetigungsvorrichtung fuer schaltungseinrichtungen
EP0178452A2 (fr) * 1984-09-14 1986-04-23 PREH, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf. GmbH & Co. Bouton-poussoir
EP0087369B1 (fr) * 1982-02-24 1986-04-30 Digital Equipment Corporation Clavier électronique amélioré

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0087369B1 (fr) * 1982-02-24 1986-04-30 Digital Equipment Corporation Clavier électronique amélioré
US4492838A (en) * 1983-02-24 1985-01-08 Amp Incorporated Key switch having an actuator integral with the return spring
DE3310313A1 (de) * 1983-03-22 1984-09-27 Sachsse Brigitte Drucktaste
DE3405652A1 (de) * 1984-02-17 1985-08-22 Brown, Boveri & Cie Ag, 6800 Mannheim Betaetigungsvorrichtung fuer schaltungseinrichtungen
EP0178452A2 (fr) * 1984-09-14 1986-04-23 PREH, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf. GmbH & Co. Bouton-poussoir

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0368081A1 (fr) * 1988-11-11 1990-05-16 Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft Clavier alphanumérique
WO1990005372A1 (fr) * 1988-11-11 1990-05-17 Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Ag Clavier alphanumerique
US5204511A (en) * 1988-11-11 1993-04-20 Siemans Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG Alphanumeric keyboard
EP0412033A1 (fr) * 1989-06-26 1991-02-06 Lexmark International, Inc. Stabilisateur pour touches longues
US5003140A (en) * 1989-06-26 1991-03-26 International Business Machines Corporation Long keybutton stabilizer
EP0478991A2 (fr) * 1990-10-01 1992-04-08 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Support pour touches d'un clavier d'appareils électriques
EP0478991A3 (en) * 1990-10-01 1992-10-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Holder for keys of a keyboard for electrical apparatus
US5396038A (en) * 1992-06-15 1995-03-07 Smk Co., Ltd. Thin keyboard switch
EP0613161A3 (fr) * 1993-02-26 1995-01-04 Siemens Nixdorf Inf Syst Clavier avec au moins une touche double.
EP0613161A2 (fr) * 1993-02-26 1994-08-31 Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft Clavier avec au moins une touche double
US5516996A (en) * 1993-07-02 1996-05-14 Btc Corporation Keyboard apparatus
US6399909B1 (en) * 1999-12-09 2002-06-04 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Keyswitch for keyboard
EP1768142A1 (fr) * 2005-09-21 2007-03-28 Micro Pneumatic Logic Inc. Interrupteur à grande surface d'activation
US7250579B2 (en) 2005-09-21 2007-07-31 Micro Pneumatic Logic, Inc. Large actuation area switching device
CN101188165B (zh) * 2005-09-21 2011-12-28 微气动逻辑有限公司 大致动区开关装置
JP2014182973A (ja) * 2013-03-21 2014-09-29 Toto Ltd 操作入力装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0267541A3 (en) 1990-03-21
DE3789936T2 (de) 1994-09-08
EP0267541B1 (fr) 1994-06-01
JPH0341380Y2 (fr) 1991-08-30
KR930002227Y1 (ko) 1993-04-26
JPS6379019U (fr) 1988-05-25
KR880010350U (ko) 1988-07-27
DE3789936D1 (de) 1994-07-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5668358A (en) Reconfigurable keyboard
EP0267541A2 (fr) Un clavier
EP1422733B1 (fr) Ensemble de boutons poussoir
EP0966009B1 (fr) Interrupteur à bouton poussoir et dispositif d'entrée utilisant l'interrupteur
DE60128308T2 (de) Schiebeschalter
US5345051A (en) Push-button switch
US7173200B2 (en) Key switch
US4786766A (en) Keyboard apparatus
US10840037B1 (en) Keyboard device
US3916150A (en) Data machine keyboard assembly with elongated key cap for actuating an electric switch
US10586662B2 (en) Keyboard device
JP2013004526A (ja) キー
JP2005302018A (ja) 上昇キーを備えたキーボード
KR102176433B1 (ko) 키 스위치 장치
US10509482B1 (en) Keyboard device
US5274217A (en) Keyboard having keys with different heights
US6791480B1 (en) Method of preventing and/or alleviating repetitive use injury to electronic computer keyboard operator
US4830526A (en) Keyboard switch
US4935591A (en) Push button switch
US10886079B1 (en) Keyboard device
US4292517A (en) Photo-optical keyboard providing tactile feel
US6284992B1 (en) Key for a keyboard
US11776774B2 (en) Keyboard
US4354074A (en) Alternate action mechanism
US11189436B2 (en) Scissor-type connecting assembly of key structure

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19900821

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19920402

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Effective date: 19940601

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19940601

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3789936

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19940707

EN Fr: translation not filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 19961024

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19961230

Year of fee payment: 10

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19971105

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19971105

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19980801