EP0267541B1 - Un clavier - Google Patents

Un clavier Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0267541B1
EP0267541B1 EP87116320A EP87116320A EP0267541B1 EP 0267541 B1 EP0267541 B1 EP 0267541B1 EP 87116320 A EP87116320 A EP 87116320A EP 87116320 A EP87116320 A EP 87116320A EP 0267541 B1 EP0267541 B1 EP 0267541B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
key
guide holes
stem
slip stopper
keyboard
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP87116320A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0267541A3 (en
EP0267541A2 (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

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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 a computer and other electronic equipment.
  • a number of membranes or mechanical switches are installed on a lower board at a specified pitch, whereas a number of keys are installed on an 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 square with a side length of about 18mm, but the key tops of keys for highly frequent and special use have rectangular forms or sizes, which are an integral-number times the unit size of the standard key.
  • a special key such as a rectangular key 1 is provided with only one key stem 10 that extends from about the center of its bottom just above a corresponding switch 2 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 by keys 1 of different forms and different switches. It is necessary for any such 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 a point on the right end of the key top indicated with an arrow, the other end of the key top 3 can be depressed 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 is indictated as number 5; the lower board as number 6; and the interlocking rod as number 4.
  • EP-A-0 087 369 discloses an electronic keyboard having a base, a flexible circuit defining a plurality of switches and a plurality of key means.
  • the base member of the electric keyboard comprises a surface having a plurality of faces, where at least one face is oriented in a different plane from, but intersecting another face.
  • the flexible circuit is disposed on the surface faces at different levels and the keys means are disposed on the flexible circuit.
  • the German laid-open publication DE-A-33 10 313 discloses a keyboard for increasing flexibility when the same or different sized key heads are employed.
  • the individual keys comprise a key head with resilient elements, a guide or contact pin 3 as well as a key displacement stop and a key base for one or more keys made of drawn plastic foil.
  • the key head is uniformly connected to the key base 5 by means of the displacement stop projection.
  • Contact elements associated with the key heads are arranged in the key base.
  • 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 equipment may be used.
  • the second object of the present invention is to provide a 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.
  • a keyboard which fulfills the above goals, is provided as defined in claim 1.
  • the upper board is indicated as the number 5, and the lower board as number 6.
  • Said upper board 5 is provided with a 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 and are provided 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 in clockwise direction are of the same size, though the 1st and 3rd holes are provided as sideways disposed rectangular holes, and the 2nd and 4th holes as vertically disposed 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 a side length of a (mm).
  • Fig.4 shows a key whose key top is a rectangle with shorter sides having a length of a (mm) and the longer sides having a length of 2a (mm). The area is 2 times that of the square key top.
  • Fig.5 shows a key whose key top has side lengths of 2a (mm) and the area is 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, are to be determined as integral times a (mm) depending oh 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.
  • 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 with projections 14 are provided under the key top 3, symmetrically with respect to the key stem 10 at 180° to each other.
  • column members 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 orientation direction of insertion can be changed at 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 previously. Said key is provided with two key stems 10 at a distance equal to that of the key stem guide holes 8 and 8. Of said two key stems 10, one which is not required to press the switch 2 has a diamter smaller than that of the other, so that said key stems can move up and down smoothly even when there is slight difference between the distance of key stem guide holes 8 and that of the key stems 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.
  • the stoppers 13 are provided symmetrically with respect to said key stem at 180° to each other, and the column 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 one slip stopper 13 is provided for each key stem 10. Of said four key stems 10, two key stems 10 distanced at 180° to each other provided with the coil springs 11 and 12 respectively.
  • the keys having rectangular form, 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 the lengths of both the shorter sides and longer sides of the keys are maintained at integral ratios with respect to the unit length, so that the layout of the keys can be set freely. Furthermore, the keyboard according to the present invention permits the location of the keys already 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)

Claims (4)

  1. Clavier, dans lequel les touches (1) sont installées de telle sorte qu'une pression sur le corps (3) de la touche de l'une quelconque des touches (1) peut provoquer l'ouverture ou la fermeture de l'interrupteur correspondant (2) sur une plaquette inférieure (6) par l'intermédiaire d'une tige de touche (10) d'un seul tenant avec la touche (1), dans lequel des trous de guidage (8) des tiges de touche sont prévus à intervalles égaux à la fois dans les directions de l'axe X et de l'axe Y, dans lequel des trous de guidage de butées glissantes (9) sont prévus symétriquement de part et d'autre de chaque trou de guidage de tige de touche (8) et dans lequel des butées glissantes (13) s'étendent depuis la base du corps de touche (3) symétriquement par rapport à la tige de touche (10) en étant disposées à 180° l'une de l'autre, de telle sorte que la butée glissante (13) peut coopérer avec les trous de guidage (9) des butées glissantes,
    caractérisé en ce que
    - les touches (1) sont installées sur une plaque supérieure (5), et
    - les trous de guidage (8) des tiges de touche et les trous de guidage (9) des butées glissantes sont tous prévus sur cette plaque supérieure (5) dans laquelle
    - quatre trous de guidage (9) des butées glissantes sont prévus symétriquement par rapport à chaque trou de guidage de tige de touche (8), de sorte que chaque trou de guidage de butée glissante (9) forme respectivement le coin d'un rectangle ou carré imaginaire.
  2. Clavier selon la revendication 1, dans lequel un corps de touche carré (3), dont chaque côté définit une longueur unitaire, est prévu avec une seule tige de touche (10) partant du centre de la base du corps de touche (3) et dans lequel deux butées glissantes (13) sont prévues autour de la circonférence de la tige de touche (10).
  3. Clavier selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le corps de touche (3) de chaque touche (1) équipée d'une seule tige de touche (10) définit une surface unitaire, dans lequel chaque corps de touche (3), dont la surface est égale à n fois cette surface unitaire, est équipé de n tiges de touche (10), qui partent de la base du corps de touche (3) et sont disposées à des distances égales à celles des trous de guidage (8) des tiges de touche, dans lequel n est un nombre entier et dans lequel les diamètres des tiges de touche (10) qui ne sont pas prévues pour presser un interrupteur (2) sont chacun légèrement inférieur à celui de la tige de touche prévue pour presser un interrupteur (2).
  4. Clavier selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel tous les trous de guidage (9) des butées glissantes sont chacun rectangulaires et de mêmes dimensions et dans lequel ces trous (9) sont disposés autour de chaque trou de guidage de tige de touche (8), de telle sorte que la ligne reliant les premier et troisième trous de guidage (9a,9c) des butées glissantes est perpendiculaire à la ligne reliant les deuxième et quatrième trous de guidage (9b,9d) des butées glissantes.
EP87116320A 1986-11-12 1987-11-05 Un clavier Expired - Lifetime EP0267541B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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

Publications (3)

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

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3838362C1 (fr) * 1988-11-11 1990-01-11 Nixdorf Computer Ag, 4790 Paderborn, De
US5003140A (en) * 1989-06-26 1991-03-26 International Business Machines Corporation Long keybutton stabilizer
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
DE4306046C1 (de) * 1993-02-26 1994-04-21 Siemens Nixdorf Inf Syst Tastatur mit wenigstens einer Doppeltaste
KR970004399B1 (en) * 1993-07-02 1997-03-27 B T C Korea Co Ltd Keyboard
JP2001167657A (ja) * 1999-12-09 2001-06-22 Brother Ind Ltd キースイッチ、およびそのキースイッチを含むキーボード、およびそのキーボードを備えた電子機器
US7250579B2 (en) * 2005-09-21 2007-07-31 Micro Pneumatic Logic, Inc. Large actuation area switching device
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
JP5630522B2 (ja) * 2013-03-21 2014-11-26 Toto株式会社 操作入力装置

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4467150A (en) * 1982-02-24 1984-08-21 Digital Equipment Corporation Electronic keyboard
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
DE3433743A1 (de) * 1984-09-14 1986-03-27 Preh, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf. Gmbh & Co, 8740 Bad Neustadt Drucktaste

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3789936D1 (de) 1994-07-07
JPS6379019U (fr) 1988-05-25
EP0267541A3 (en) 1990-03-21
JPH0341380Y2 (fr) 1991-08-30
KR930002227Y1 (ko) 1993-04-26
KR880010350U (ko) 1988-07-27
EP0267541A2 (fr) 1988-05-18
DE3789936T2 (de) 1994-09-08

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