EP0481193A1 - Miniature keyboard for electrical equipment - Google Patents

Miniature keyboard for electrical equipment Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0481193A1
EP0481193A1 EP91114141A EP91114141A EP0481193A1 EP 0481193 A1 EP0481193 A1 EP 0481193A1 EP 91114141 A EP91114141 A EP 91114141A EP 91114141 A EP91114141 A EP 91114141A EP 0481193 A1 EP0481193 A1 EP 0481193A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
buttons
rows
keys
row
keyboard according
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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
EP91114141A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0481193B1 (en
Inventor
Karl-Ludwig Kilian
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Fritz Hartmann Geratebau & Co KG GmbH
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Fritz Hartmann Geratebau & Co KG GmbH
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Application filed by Fritz Hartmann Geratebau & Co KG GmbH filed Critical Fritz Hartmann Geratebau & Co KG GmbH
Publication of EP0481193A1 publication Critical patent/EP0481193A1/en
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    • 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
    • H01H13/84—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 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
    • H01H2217/042—Higher keytops

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a finger-operated small keyboard for electrical or electronic devices with the features of the preamble of claim 1.
  • control keyboards In the course of increasing miniaturization of electrical or electronic devices, there is an inevitable demand for miniaturization of the control keyboards.
  • Such control keyboards mainly have 10 control keys, which are identified by the numbers 0 to 9 according to the decimal system. In most cases, additional control buttons for special functions are required. Therefore, standard types of such keyboards with 12 or 16 operating keys have arisen, which are lined up in 3 rows of keys arranged parallel to one another in the 12-keyboards and in 4 rows of keys parallel to one another in the 16-keyboards.
  • the positioning of the operating keys of the individual rows of keys is carried out in such a way that an operating key of a row of keys is arranged on a straight line at right angles to the direction of the row of keys with an operating key of the neighboring row of keys.
  • the arrangement of the operating keys forming a keyboard is such that one operating key is located at the intersection of the invisible straight lines of a uniform grid.
  • the invention has for its object to design such small keyboards so that, despite the small distance between the rows of keys from one another, a certain key can also be pressed with the finger of the operating hand of an operator, that is to say the unwanted pressing of keys arranged adjacent to one another or in particular the simultaneous contacting of contacts connected to them is avoided.
  • This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1.
  • the operating finger can be aligned so that the fingertip does not normally act on the touch surface of the control button in the direction of displacement of the control button, but at an angle from the outside, to a middle one Row of keys is turned away.
  • the fingertip of the operating finger can be placed normal to the button press area in the direction of displacement of the operating button.
  • the 12-key keyboard according to FIG. 1 has 12 control buttons 1.
  • the control buttons 1 are arranged in three parallel rows of buttons 2-4.
  • the rows of keys 2-4 run parallel to each other at the same distance. They protrude from a flat front plate 5 approximately perpendicular to its surface.
  • the printing areas 6 of the control buttons 1 are provided with symbols which facilitate their selection, including the numbers "0" to "9".
  • the operating keys 1 with the operating numbers "2" and “8” are shown in the unpressed position and the operating keys 1 with the operating symbols "5" and "0" are shown in the depressed position. In the unpressed position, there is no contact between contacts 7, 8 or 9, 10, which are switched by operating buttons 1.
  • the unpressed control buttons 1 assigned to a row of buttons 2-4 are at approximately the same protruding height 11 beyond the level of the front plate 5.
  • the protrusion height 11 of the control keys 1 of the middle row of keys 2 is greater than the protrusion height 11 of the control keys 1 of the two outer rows of keys 3, 4.
  • the distance 12 between the adjacent rows of keys 2-4 is smaller than the distance 13 between adjacent control buttons 1 in the same row of buttons 2, 3 or 4.
  • the control buttons 1 of adjacent buttons Rows 2-4 are positioned next to each other on a straight line 14 running at right angles to the row of keys 11.
  • the rows of keys 2-4 form a grid with the straightening lines 14, the distance 12 between adjacent rows of keys 2-4 being approximately 70% to 80% of the distance 13 between adjacent straight lines 14.
  • the height difference 15 between the protruding heights 11 of a middle row of keys 2 and an outer row of keys 3 or 4 is at least about 0.5 mm.
  • the distance 12 of adjacent rows of keys 2-4 is 4.7 mm with a diameter 16 of the cylindrical control keys of 3 mm.
  • the distance 13 between adjacent control buttons 1 of a row of buttons 2-4 is 6 mm.

Abstract

A miniature keyboard, which can be operated by the fingers, for electrical equipment has operating keys (1), which are arranged side-by-side in a plurality of key rows (2-4) aligned parallel to one another, and which project out of a flat front panel (5). In this case, the projection height above the front panel (5) of the operating keys (1) which have not been pressed and are allocated to one key row (2-4) is always the same. The projection heights (11) of the operating keys (1) in adjacent key rows (2, 3 and 2, 4) are of different sizes. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine fingerbedienbare Klein-Tastatur für elektrische oder elektronische Geräte mit den Merkmalen des Oberbegriffs des Anspruches 1.The invention relates to a finger-operated small keyboard for electrical or electronic devices with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Im Zuge zunehmender Miniaturisierung von elektrischen oder elektronischen Geräten ergibt sich zwangsläufig die Forderung nach einer Miniaturisierung auch der Bedienungstastaturen. Solche Bedienungstastaturen weisen hauptsächlich 10 Bedienungstasten auf, die nach dem Dezimalsystem mit den Ziffern 0 bis 9 gekennzeichnet sind. Meistenteils werden noch zusätzliche Bedientasten für Sonderfunktionen benötigt. Daher haben sich Standardtypen solcher Tastaturen mit 12 oder 16 Bedienungstasten ergeben, die bei den 12er-Tastaturen in 3 parallel nebeneinander angeordneten Tastenreihen und bei 16er-Tastaturen in 4 zueinander parallelen Tastenreihen nebeneinander aufgereiht sind. Dabei ist die Positionierung der Bedienungstasten der einzelnen Tastenreihen so vorgenommen, daß jeweils eine Bedienungstaste einer Tastenreihe auf einer rechtwinklig zur Tastenreihenrichtung verlaufenden Richtgeraden mit einer Bedienungstaste der benachbarten Tastenreihe angeordnet ist. Die Anordnung der eine Tastatur bildenden Bedienungstasten ist dabei so vorgenommen, daß gewissermaßen jeweils eine Bedienungstaste im Schnittpunkt der unsichtbaren Geraden eines gleichmäßigen Rasterfeldes liegt.In the course of increasing miniaturization of electrical or electronic devices, there is an inevitable demand for miniaturization of the control keyboards. Such control keyboards mainly have 10 control keys, which are identified by the numbers 0 to 9 according to the decimal system. In most cases, additional control buttons for special functions are required. Therefore, standard types of such keyboards with 12 or 16 operating keys have arisen, which are lined up in 3 rows of keys arranged parallel to one another in the 12-keyboards and in 4 rows of keys parallel to one another in the 16-keyboards. The positioning of the operating keys of the individual rows of keys is carried out in such a way that an operating key of a row of keys is arranged on a straight line at right angles to the direction of the row of keys with an operating key of the neighboring row of keys. The arrangement of the operating keys forming a keyboard is such that one operating key is located at the intersection of the invisible straight lines of a uniform grid.

Der Trend zur zunehmdenden Miniaturisierung auch solcher Tastaturen beeinträchtigt deren Bedienungssicherheit, da die Finger einer Bedienungshand nicht in gleicher Weise miniaturisierbar sind, sondern den natürlichen Gegebenheiten entsprechend gleich groß bleiben.The trend towards increasing miniaturization of such keyboards also affects their operating safety, since the fingers of an operating hand cannot be miniaturized in the same way, but remain the same size according to the natural conditions.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, derartige Klein-Tastaturen so auszubilden, daß trotz geringen Abstandes der Tastenreihen voneinander zielsicher auch mit dem Finger der Bedienungshand einer Bedienungsperson eine bestimmte Taste gedrückt werden kann, daß also das ungewollte Drücken von zueinander benachbart angeordneten Tasten bzw. insbesondere das gleichzeitige Kontaktieren von mit ihnen verbundenen Kontakten vermieden wird. Diese Aufgabe wird durch die kennzeichnenden Merkmale des Anspruches 1 gelöst.The invention has for its object to design such small keyboards so that, despite the small distance between the rows of keys from one another, a certain key can also be pressed with the finger of the operating hand of an operator, that is to say the unwanted pressing of keys arranged adjacent to one another or in particular the simultaneous contacting of contacts connected to them is avoided. This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

Besonders überzeugend läßt sich die Aufgabenstellung durch die Merkmale des Anspruches 2 lösen. Um mit Sicherheit nur eine Bedienungstaste einer äußeren Tastenreihe zur Kontaktierung des mit ihr verbundenen Kontaktes zu beaufschlagen, kann der Bedienfinger so ausgerichtet werden, daß die Fingerkuppe die Tastoberfläche des Bedienungstasters nicht normal in Verschieberichtung der Bedienungstaste, sondern schräg von der Außenseite beaufschlagt, die einer mittleren Tastenreihe abgewandt ist. Beim Drücken einer Bedienungstaste, die einer mittleren Tastenreihe zugeordnet ist, kann die Fingerkuppe des Bedienfingers normal zur Tastendruckfläche in Verschieberichtung der Bedenungstaste aufgesetzt werden. Durch die größere Vorstehhöhe der einer mittleren Tastenreihe zugeordneten Bedienungstaste erreicht diese ihre Kontaktierungsstellung in einem Höhenniveau, in welchem die Fingerkuppe des Bedienungsfingers eine benachbarte, einer äußeren Tastenreihe zugeordnete Bedienungstaste noch nicht beaufschlagt oder jedenfalls nicht in einer Weise verschiebt, daß auch dort eine unerwünschte Kontaktierung erfolgt.The task can be solved particularly convincingly by the features of claim 2. In order to ensure that only one control button on an outer row of buttons is used to make contact with the contact connected to it, the operating finger can be aligned so that the fingertip does not normally act on the touch surface of the control button in the direction of displacement of the control button, but at an angle from the outside, to a middle one Row of keys is turned away. When pressing an operating button that is assigned to a middle row of buttons, the fingertip of the operating finger can be placed normal to the button press area in the direction of displacement of the operating button. Due to the greater protrusion height of the control key assigned to a middle row of keys, this reaches its contacting position at a height level at which the fingertip of the operating finger has not yet acted upon an adjacent control key assigned to an outer row of keys, or in any case has not shifted in such a way that undesired contacting also takes place there .

Der Gegenstand der Erfindung wird anhand von in den Figuren dargestellten Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

  • Fig. 1 eine Draufsicht auf eine 12er-Tastatur,
  • Fig. 2 eine Seitenansicht der Tastatur entsprechend Pfeil 11 in Fig. 1,
  • Fig. 3 einen Längsschnitt entsprechend der Linie 111-111 in Fig. 1, wobei mehrere Artender durch die Bedienungstasten bewirkbaren Kontaktgabe dargestellt sind,
  • Fig. 4 eine Seitenansicht der Tastatur entsprechend Pfeil IV in Fig. 1,
  • Fig. 5 die Darstellung einer 16er-Tastatur mit 4 Tastenreihen in der Betrachtungsrichtung von Fig. 2.
The object of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Show it:
  • 1 is a plan view of a 12-key keyboard,
  • 2 is a side view of the keyboard according to arrow 11 in Fig. 1,
  • Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section along the line 111-111 in Fig. 1, showing several types of contacting which can be effected by the operating buttons,
  • 4 is a side view of the keyboard according to arrow IV in Fig. 1,
  • 5 shows the representation of a 16-key keyboard with 4 rows of keys in the viewing direction of FIG. 2.

Die 12er-Tastatur gemäß Fig. 1 weist 12 Bedienungstasten 1 auf. Die Bedienungstasten 1 sind in drei parallel zueinander ausgerichteten Tastenreihen 2-4 angeordnet. Die Tastenreihen 2-4 verlaufen in gleichem Abstand parallel zueinander. Siestehen aus einer ebenen Frontplatte 5 etwa lotrecht zu deren Oberfläche vor.The 12-key keyboard according to FIG. 1 has 12 control buttons 1. The control buttons 1 are arranged in three parallel rows of buttons 2-4. The rows of keys 2-4 run parallel to each other at the same distance. They protrude from a flat front plate 5 approximately perpendicular to its surface.

Die Druckflächen 6 der Bedienungstasten 1 sind mit ihre Auswählbarkeit erleichternden Symbolen, darunter die Ziffern "0" bis "9", versehen. In Fig. 3 sind die mit den Bedienungsziffern "2" und "8" versehenen Bedienungstasten 1 in ungedrückter und die mit den Bediensymbolen "5" und "0" versehenen Bedienungstasten 1 in gedrückter Stellung dargestellt. In ungedrückter Stellung liegt keine Kontaktgabe zwischen den Kontakten 7,8 bzw. 9,10 vor, die durch die Bedienungstasten 1 geschaltet werden.The printing areas 6 of the control buttons 1 are provided with symbols which facilitate their selection, including the numbers "0" to "9". In Fig. 3, the operating keys 1 with the operating numbers "2" and "8" are shown in the unpressed position and the operating keys 1 with the operating symbols "5" and "0" are shown in the depressed position. In the unpressed position, there is no contact between contacts 7, 8 or 9, 10, which are switched by operating buttons 1.

Die einer Tastenreihe 2-4 zugeordneten, ungedrückten Bedientasten 1 stehen mit etwa gleicher Vorstehhöhe 11 über die Ebene der Frontplatte 5 hinaus. Die Vorstehhöhe 11 der Bedienungstasten 1 der mittleren Tastenreihe 2 ist größer als die Vorstehhöhe 11 der Bedienungstasten 1 der beiden äußeren Tastenreihen 3,4.The unpressed control buttons 1 assigned to a row of buttons 2-4 are at approximately the same protruding height 11 beyond the level of the front plate 5. The protrusion height 11 of the control keys 1 of the middle row of keys 2 is greater than the protrusion height 11 of the control keys 1 of the two outer rows of keys 3, 4.

Der Abstand 12 der benachbarten Tastenreihen 2-4 voneinander ist kleiner als der Abstand 13 benachbarter Bedienungstasten 1 in derselben Tastenreihe 2,3 oder 4.The distance 12 between the adjacent rows of keys 2-4 is smaller than the distance 13 between adjacent control buttons 1 in the same row of buttons 2, 3 or 4.

Die Bedienungstasten 1 benachbarter Tastenreihen 2-4 sind auf rechtwinklig zur Tastenreihenrichtung 11 verlaufenden Richtgeraden 14 nebeneinander positioniert. Die Tastenreihen 2-4 bilden mit den Richtgeraden 14 ein Rasterfeld, wobei der Abstand 12 benachbarter Tastenreihen 2-4 ca. 70% bis 80% des Abstandes 13 benachbarter Richtgeraden 14 beträgt.The control buttons 1 of adjacent buttons Rows 2-4 are positioned next to each other on a straight line 14 running at right angles to the row of keys 11. The rows of keys 2-4 form a grid with the straightening lines 14, the distance 12 between adjacent rows of keys 2-4 being approximately 70% to 80% of the distance 13 between adjacent straight lines 14.

Der Höhenunterschied 15 zwischenden Vorstehhöhen 11 einer mittleren Tastenreihe 2 und einer äußeren Tastenreihe 3 bzw. 4 beträgt mindestens etwa 0,5 mm.The height difference 15 between the protruding heights 11 of a middle row of keys 2 and an outer row of keys 3 or 4 is at least about 0.5 mm.

Bei dem dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel beträgt der Abstand 12 benachbarter Tastenreihen 2-4 4,7 mm bei einem Durchmesser 16 der zylinderförmigen Bedienungstasten von 3 mm. Der Abstand 13 zwischen benachbarten Bedienungstasten 1 einer Tastenreihe 2-4 beträgt demgegenüber 6 mm.In the illustrated embodiment, the distance 12 of adjacent rows of keys 2-4 is 4.7 mm with a diameter 16 of the cylindrical control keys of 3 mm. In contrast, the distance 13 between adjacent control buttons 1 of a row of buttons 2-4 is 6 mm.

Claims (20)

BezugszeichenlisteReference symbol list 1 Bedienungstaste1 control button 2-4 Tastenreihe2-4 row of buttons 5 Frontplatte5 front panel 6 Druckfläche6 printing area 7,8,9,10 Kontakt7,8,9,10 contact 11 Vorstehhöhe11 headroom 12,13 Abstand12.13 distance 14 Richtgerade14 straightening line 15 Höhenunterschied15 difference in height 16 Durchmesser16 diameters 1. Fingerbedienbare Klein-Tastatur für elektrische oder elektronische Geräte, deren zur Bewirkung einer Kontaktgabe bestimmte Bedienungstasten (1) in mindestens zwei insbesondere parallel zueinander ausgerichteten Tastenreihen (2-4) nebeneinander angeordnet aus einer Frontplatte (5) vorstehen, wobei die ungedrückten Bedienungstasten (1) einer Tastenreihe (2-4) mit gleicher Vorstehhöhe (11) über die Frontplatte (5) hinausstehen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die ungedrückten Bedienungstasten (1) einer äußeren Tastenreihe (2-4) eine geringere Vorstehhöhe (11) aufweisen als die ungedrückten Bedienungstasten (1) einer anderen Tastenreihe (2-4).1.Finger-operated small keyboard for electrical or electronic devices, the control buttons (1) of which are intended to bring about contact and which are arranged next to one another in at least two rows of buttons (2-4), in particular aligned parallel to one another, protrude from a front panel (5), the unpressed control buttons ( 1) a row of buttons (2-4) with the same projection height (11) protrude from the front panel (5),
characterized,
that the unpressed control buttons (1) of an outer row of buttons (2-4) have a lower projection height (11) than the unpressed control buttons (1) of another row of buttons (2-4). 2. Tastatur nach Anspruch 1 mit mindestens drei nebeneinander angeordneten Tastenreihen (2-4),
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die ungedrückten Bedienungstasten (1) der beiden äußeren Tastenreihen (3,4) eine geringere Vorstehhöhe (11) über die Frontplatte (5) aufweisen als die Bedienungstasten (1) einer oder zweier zwischen ihnen verlaufenden Tastenreihen (2).2. Keyboard according to claim 1 with at least three rows of keys arranged next to one another (2-4),
characterized,
that the unpressed control buttons (1) of the two outer rows of buttons (3, 4) have a lower projection height (11) over the front panel (5) than the control buttons (1) of one or two rows of buttons (2) running between them. 3. Tastatur nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
gekennzeichnet durch
jeweils vier Bedienungstasten (1) in drei zueinander parallelen Tastenreihen (2-4).3. Keyboard according to claim 1 or 2,
marked by
Four operating buttons (1) each in three mutually parallel rows of buttons (2-4). 4. Tastatur nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
gekennzeichnet durch
eine 16er-Tastatur mit jeweils vier Bedienungstasten (1) in vier zueinander parallelen Tastenreihen (2-4).4. Keyboard according to claim 1 or 2,
marked by
a 16-key keyboard, each with four operating keys (1) in four mutually parallel rows of keys (2-4). 5. Tastatur nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Abstand (12) benachbarter Tastenreihen (2-4) voneinander kleiner ist als der Abstand (13) benachbarter Bedienungstasten (1) in einer Tastenreihe (2,3 oder 4).5. Keyboard according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the distance (12) between adjacent rows of keys (2-4) is smaller than the distance (13) between adjacent operating buttons (1) in a row of buttons (2, 3 or 4). 6. Tastatur nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Bedienungstasten (1) benachbarter Tastenreihen (2-4) auf rechtwinklig zur Tastenreihenrichtung 11 verlaufenden Richtgeraden (14) nebeneinander positioniert sind.6. Keyboard according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the control buttons (1) of adjacent rows of buttons (2-4) are positioned next to each other on a straight line (14) running at right angles to the row of buttons 11. 7. Tastatur nach Anspruch 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Abstand (12) benachbarter Tastenreihen (2-4) ca. 70% bis 80% des Abstandes (13) benachbarter Richtgeraden (14) beträgt.7. Keyboard according to claim 6,
characterized,
that the distance (12) between adjacent rows of keys (2-4) is approximately 70% to 80% of the distance (13) between adjacent straightening lines (14). 8. Tastatur nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
gekennzeichnet durch
einen Höhenunterschied (15) der unterschiedlichen Vorstehhöhen (11) von mindestens 0,5 mm.8. Keyboard according to one or more of the preceding claims,
marked by
a height difference (15) of the different projection heights (11) of at least 0.5 mm. 9. Tastatur nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
gekennzeichnet durch
eine ebene Frontplatte (5)9. Keyboard according to one or more of the preceding claims,
marked by
a flat front panel (5)
EP91114141A 1990-10-16 1991-08-23 Miniature keyboard for electrical equipment Expired - Lifetime EP0481193B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9014472U DE9014472U1 (en) 1990-10-16 1990-10-16
DE9014472U 1990-10-16

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0481193A1 true EP0481193A1 (en) 1992-04-22
EP0481193B1 EP0481193B1 (en) 1993-10-13

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US (1) US5274217A (en)
EP (1) EP0481193B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH05144346A (en)
DE (2) DE9014472U1 (en)

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JPH05144346A (en) 1993-06-11
DE59100486D1 (en) 1993-11-18
US5274217A (en) 1993-12-28
DE9014472U1 (en) 1991-01-24
EP0481193B1 (en) 1993-10-13

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