GB2066575A - Illuminated keyboard - Google Patents

Illuminated keyboard Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2066575A
GB2066575A GB7038143A GB8038143A GB2066575A GB 2066575 A GB2066575 A GB 2066575A GB 7038143 A GB7038143 A GB 7038143A GB 8038143 A GB8038143 A GB 8038143A GB 2066575 A GB2066575 A GB 2066575A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
key
keyboard
boss
lamp
telltale
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
GB7038143A
Other versions
GB2066575B (en
Original Assignee
Jaeger
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 Jaeger filed Critical Jaeger
Publication of GB2066575A publication Critical patent/GB2066575A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2066575B publication Critical patent/GB2066575B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • H01H13/83—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 legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H01H2219/014—LED
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/028—Printed information
    • H01H2219/03—Printed information in transparent keyboard
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/054—Optical elements
    • H01H2219/056—Diffuser; Uneven surface
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/054—Optical elements
    • H01H2219/06—Reflector

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A keyboard comprises at least one key 10 having a portion 11, offset from the point of application of finger pressure to the key, for deforming a boss 7 of a sheet 6 to effect electrical contact between a contact 8 on the underside of the boss and a contact 9 on the upper side of a plate 3 supporting sheet 6. A telltale lamp 1 energised when the associated key has been depressed is housed in an aperture 12 in plate 3 and is visible through a window 13 in the front panel 14 of the keyboard. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Keyboard The present relates to a keyboard comprising at least one key for effecting control of an electrical circuit.
Our British patent application 80.20740 describes a keyboard comprising a deformable foil or sheet of insulating material impressed with generally hemispherical bosses on the lower faces pf which there are disposed respective electrical contacts connected to appropriate circuits and cooperating, by deformation of the bosses, with other respective contacts carried on the upper face of an insulating plate disposed below the first and carrying second electrical circuits with which the first are to be connected. The deformation of each boss is carried out by a key, the manipulating point of which is offset in relation to a portion of the key operating with its boss. This arrangement permits illumination, for example a diffuse and general lighting, of all the keys of the keyboard from below, in order to ensure that these can be located in the dark.When each key represents control of a function, for example, a symbol representing this function may be affixed to this key: but the arrangement does not provide any indication of which keys have been depressed and therefore which of the available functions have been initiated and are still in force.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a keyboard, comprising at least one key provided with a portion offset in relation to a manipulating point of the key, which portion cooperates with a boss formed in a deformable sheet which sheet is provided on the lower face of the boss, with an electric contact itself cooperating, upon deformation of the boss, by said key portion, with another contact carried on the upper face of an insulating plate, the or at least one of the keys having at least one telltale lamp associated therewith, the or each lamp being disposed in an aperture formed through said insulating plate and facing a transparent or translucent window formed in a front panel of the keyboard, the or each telltale lamp being electrically connected to a circuit controlled by manipulation of the associated key.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 of which are sections respectively through a first keyboard and through a modification thereof.
preferring to Figure 1, a transparent or translucent insulating plate 3 supports deformable sheet or foil 6 of electrically insulating material, in which bosses 7 are formed. A contact comprising a conductor layer 8 is disposed on the lower face of each boss 7. A second contact comprising a conducting layer 9 is disposed facing the first, on the upper face of the plate 3. A finger portion 11, rigidly integral with a key 10, acts on the boss 7, when the key is depressed, to deform the boss and effect contact between the conducting layers 8 and 9.Since the contact-effecting portion 11 is off-centre in relation to the manipulating point of the key 10 (i.e. the area of the key to which finger pressure is applied) a light source 2 placed below the plate 3 illuminates the whole portion of said key which is visible from above, the key itself being transparent or translucent in the example shown.
A telltale lamp 1 , for example an electro-luminescent diode having a moulded, transparent plastics housing, is disposed in the vicinity of the key 10; it is engaged in an aperture 12 formed for this purpose through the plate 3 and its beam of light is directed through a transparent or translucent window 13 provided through a front panel 14 of the keyboard, through which panel the key 10 is accessible. Electric leads 15 of the telltale lamp 1 are plugged into a plate 1 6 which may be a printed circuit board including elements for a general lighting 2 and may likewise carry a circuit connecting said telltale lamp to the circuit controlled by the key 10.When the telltale lamp 1 is mounted in the manner which has just been described it does not in any way hamper the propagation of the general or diffuse lighting 2 and the lamp 1 is itself extinguished, the diffuse light is visible through the window 13 and one thus has a reminder of the location of each telltale lamp.
If it is desired to avoid this effect, it is sufficient to add (Figure 2) a tubular element 4 plugged into the aperture 17 in the plate 3, element 4 being of a height equal to the distance between the front panel 14 of the keyboard and the printed circuit board 1 6 carrying the illuminating elements. The telltale lamp 1 is in turn disposed with the tubular element 4, the external surface of which is preferably reflecting so as not to hamper the propagation of the diffuse lighting.
Each telltale lamp may be colourless or coloured. In the latter case, the colouring may be provided either by the window 13 or by the telltale lamp 1 itself. Each lamp indicates, according to whether it is energised or lot, whether the associated key has been depressed and its function initiated.
1. A keyboard, comprising at least one key provided with a portion offset in relation to a manipulating point of the key, which portion cooperates with a boss formed in a deformable sheet which sheet is provided, on the lower face of the boss with an electric contact itself cooperating, upon deformation of the boss by said key portion, with another contact carried on the upper face of an insulating plate, the or at least one of the keys having at least one telltale lamp associated therewith, the or each lamp being disposed in an aperture formed through said insulating plate and facing a transparent or translucent window formed in a front panel of the keyboard, the or each telltale lamp being electrically connected to a circuit controlled by manipulation of the associated key.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Keyboard The present relates to a keyboard comprising at least one key for effecting control of an electrical circuit. Our British patent application 80.20740 describes a keyboard comprising a deformable foil or sheet of insulating material impressed with generally hemispherical bosses on the lower faces pf which there are disposed respective electrical contacts connected to appropriate circuits and cooperating, by deformation of the bosses, with other respective contacts carried on the upper face of an insulating plate disposed below the first and carrying second electrical circuits with which the first are to be connected. The deformation of each boss is carried out by a key, the manipulating point of which is offset in relation to a portion of the key operating with its boss. This arrangement permits illumination, for example a diffuse and general lighting, of all the keys of the keyboard from below, in order to ensure that these can be located in the dark.When each key represents control of a function, for example, a symbol representing this function may be affixed to this key: but the arrangement does not provide any indication of which keys have been depressed and therefore which of the available functions have been initiated and are still in force. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a keyboard, comprising at least one key provided with a portion offset in relation to a manipulating point of the key, which portion cooperates with a boss formed in a deformable sheet which sheet is provided on the lower face of the boss, with an electric contact itself cooperating, upon deformation of the boss, by said key portion, with another contact carried on the upper face of an insulating plate, the or at least one of the keys having at least one telltale lamp associated therewith, the or each lamp being disposed in an aperture formed through said insulating plate and facing a transparent or translucent window formed in a front panel of the keyboard, the or each telltale lamp being electrically connected to a circuit controlled by manipulation of the associated key. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 of which are sections respectively through a first keyboard and through a modification thereof. preferring to Figure 1, a transparent or translucent insulating plate 3 supports deformable sheet or foil 6 of electrically insulating material, in which bosses 7 are formed. A contact comprising a conductor layer 8 is disposed on the lower face of each boss 7. A second contact comprising a conducting layer 9 is disposed facing the first, on the upper face of the plate 3. A finger portion 11, rigidly integral with a key 10, acts on the boss 7, when the key is depressed, to deform the boss and effect contact between the conducting layers 8 and 9.Since the contact-effecting portion 11 is off-centre in relation to the manipulating point of the key 10 (i.e. the area of the key to which finger pressure is applied) a light source 2 placed below the plate 3 illuminates the whole portion of said key which is visible from above, the key itself being transparent or translucent in the example shown. A telltale lamp 1 , for example an electro-luminescent diode having a moulded, transparent plastics housing, is disposed in the vicinity of the key 10; it is engaged in an aperture 12 formed for this purpose through the plate 3 and its beam of light is directed through a transparent or translucent window 13 provided through a front panel 14 of the keyboard, through which panel the key 10 is accessible. Electric leads 15 of the telltale lamp 1 are plugged into a plate 1 6 which may be a printed circuit board including elements for a general lighting 2 and may likewise carry a circuit connecting said telltale lamp to the circuit controlled by the key 10.When the telltale lamp 1 is mounted in the manner which has just been described it does not in any way hamper the propagation of the general or diffuse lighting 2 and the lamp 1 is itself extinguished, the diffuse light is visible through the window 13 and one thus has a reminder of the location of each telltale lamp. If it is desired to avoid this effect, it is sufficient to add (Figure 2) a tubular element 4 plugged into the aperture 17 in the plate 3, element 4 being of a height equal to the distance between the front panel 14 of the keyboard and the printed circuit board 1 6 carrying the illuminating elements. The telltale lamp 1 is in turn disposed with the tubular element 4, the external surface of which is preferably reflecting so as not to hamper the propagation of the diffuse lighting. Each telltale lamp may be colourless or coloured. In the latter case, the colouring may be provided either by the window 13 or by the telltale lamp 1 itself. Each lamp indicates, according to whether it is energised or lot, whether the associated key has been depressed and its function initiated. CLAIMS
1. A keyboard, comprising at least one key provided with a portion offset in relation to a manipulating point of the key, which portion cooperates with a boss formed in a deformable sheet which sheet is provided, on the lower face of the boss with an electric contact itself cooperating, upon deformation of the boss by said key portion, with another contact carried on the upper face of an insulating plate, the or at least one of the keys having at least one telltale lamp associated therewith, the or each lamp being disposed in an aperture formed through said insulating plate and facing a transparent or translucent window formed in a front panel of the keyboard, the or each telltale lamp being electrically connected to a circuit controlled by manipulation of the associated key.
2. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1, in which the or each telltale lamp is housed within a tubular element of a height equal to a gap existing between the front panel of the keyboard and a board providing a general lighting source of said keyboard.
3. A keyboard as claimed in claim 2, in which the external surface of the tubular element reflects light rays from the general lighting source.
4. A keyboard substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 or 2 of the accompanying drawings.
GB7038143A 1979-12-21 1980-11-27 Illuminated keyboard Expired GB2066575B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7931549A FR2472138A2 (en) 1979-12-21 1979-12-21 LIGHTING DEVICE FOR KEYBOARDS

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2066575A true GB2066575A (en) 1981-07-08
GB2066575B GB2066575B (en) 1983-09-21

Family

ID=9233114

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB7038143A Expired GB2066575B (en) 1979-12-21 1980-11-27 Illuminated keyboard

Country Status (7)

Country Link
AR (1) AR221667A1 (en)
DE (1) DE8032982U1 (en)
ES (1) ES8204524A2 (en)
FR (1) FR2472138A2 (en)
GB (1) GB2066575B (en)
IT (1) IT1134744B (en)
MX (1) MX148414A (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2511941A1 (en) * 1981-09-01 1983-03-04 Telemecanique Electrique MODULAR, WATERPROOF, TOUCH-EFFECT KEYBOARD
US4531033A (en) * 1983-02-01 1985-07-23 Hand Widmaier Fabrik Fur Apparate Der Fernmelde-und Feinwerktechnik Keyboard for initiating switching operations or switching signals associated with respective symbols on the surfaces of the keys
US4683359A (en) * 1986-03-13 1987-07-28 Eaton Corporation Illuminated switch assembly with combined light and light shield
EP0235880A1 (en) * 1986-02-03 1987-09-09 General Motors Corporation Rocker switch assembly
EP0242843A1 (en) * 1986-04-23 1987-10-28 Alcatel Business Systems Overlay with windows for a control device equipped with luminous indicating means
GB2266186A (en) * 1992-04-14 1993-10-20 Motorola Gmbh A keyboard.
GB2364275A (en) * 2000-07-05 2002-01-23 Behavior Tech Computer Corp Backlit keyboard with a push button(s) having an illuminator(s) thereunder which is operable on movement of the button between first and second positions
GB2419021A (en) * 2004-10-05 2006-04-12 Lear Corp Control panel with back-lit graphic
US7038152B2 (en) * 2001-05-14 2006-05-02 Nec Corporation Portable communication unit

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3133779A1 (en) * 1981-08-26 1983-03-10 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt Film push-button switch
IT8322174V0 (en) * 1983-06-21 1983-06-21 Cavis Cavetti Isolati Spa CONTROL UNIT, APPLICABLE ON INSTRUMENT PANELS OR DASHBOARDS, PARTICULARLY DESIGNED FOR THE ADJUSTMENT AND CONTROL OF AIR CONDITIONING, INSIDE MOTOR VEHICLES.
US4772769A (en) * 1987-02-06 1988-09-20 Burr-Brown Corporation Apparatus for selective backlighting of keys of a keyboard
DE4124748C2 (en) * 1991-07-25 1995-12-14 Reitberger Gmbh Keypad, especially for a control panel
DE10357649B4 (en) * 2003-12-10 2014-07-31 Demmel Ag Keypad with operation buttons

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3811025A (en) * 1973-05-17 1974-05-14 Lockheed Electronics Co Touch panel switch assembly
GB1496640A (en) * 1976-10-12 1977-12-30 Pye Ltd Actuator for an electric switch
US4160886A (en) * 1977-07-21 1979-07-10 Clare-Pendar Co. Keyboards and methods of making keyboards

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2511941A1 (en) * 1981-09-01 1983-03-04 Telemecanique Electrique MODULAR, WATERPROOF, TOUCH-EFFECT KEYBOARD
EP0074315A2 (en) * 1981-09-01 1983-03-16 Telemecanique Hermetically sealed, modular, tactile keyboard
EP0074315A3 (en) * 1981-09-01 1983-10-05 La Telemecanique Electrique Hermetically sealed, modular, tactile keyboard
US4531033A (en) * 1983-02-01 1985-07-23 Hand Widmaier Fabrik Fur Apparate Der Fernmelde-und Feinwerktechnik Keyboard for initiating switching operations or switching signals associated with respective symbols on the surfaces of the keys
US4649246A (en) * 1983-02-01 1987-03-10 Hand Widmaier Fabrik Fur Apparate Der Fernmelde -Und Feinwerktechnik Keyboard for initiating switching operations or switching signals associated with respective symbols on the surfaces of the keys
EP0235880A1 (en) * 1986-02-03 1987-09-09 General Motors Corporation Rocker switch assembly
US4683359A (en) * 1986-03-13 1987-07-28 Eaton Corporation Illuminated switch assembly with combined light and light shield
EP0242843A1 (en) * 1986-04-23 1987-10-28 Alcatel Business Systems Overlay with windows for a control device equipped with luminous indicating means
FR2598015A1 (en) * 1986-04-23 1987-10-30 Telephonie Ind Commerciale LED PLASTER FOR CONTROL DEVICE HAVING LIGHT SIGNALING
GB2266186A (en) * 1992-04-14 1993-10-20 Motorola Gmbh A keyboard.
GB2266186B (en) * 1992-04-14 1995-09-20 Motorola Gmbh A keyboard
GB2364275A (en) * 2000-07-05 2002-01-23 Behavior Tech Computer Corp Backlit keyboard with a push button(s) having an illuminator(s) thereunder which is operable on movement of the button between first and second positions
US7038152B2 (en) * 2001-05-14 2006-05-02 Nec Corporation Portable communication unit
GB2419021A (en) * 2004-10-05 2006-04-12 Lear Corp Control panel with back-lit graphic
GB2419021B (en) * 2004-10-05 2006-12-13 Lear Corp Graphic illumination for contact-less control

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2066575B (en) 1983-09-21
DE8032982U1 (en) 1981-04-02
IT8026684A0 (en) 1980-12-16
FR2472138A2 (en) 1981-06-26
ES498199A0 (en) 1982-05-01
AR221667A1 (en) 1981-02-27
ES8204524A2 (en) 1982-05-01
MX148414A (en) 1983-04-18
IT1134744B (en) 1986-08-13

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee