GB2213647A - Push-button key switches - Google Patents
Push-button key switches Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2213647A GB2213647A GB8900387A GB8900387A GB2213647A GB 2213647 A GB2213647 A GB 2213647A GB 8900387 A GB8900387 A GB 8900387A GB 8900387 A GB8900387 A GB 8900387A GB 2213647 A GB2213647 A GB 2213647A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- push
- button key
- key switch
- button
- accordance
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
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
- H01H13/78—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 the contacts or the contact sites
- H01H13/785—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 the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
-
- 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
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2201/00—Contacts
- H01H2201/022—Material
- H01H2201/032—Conductive polymer; Rubber
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2205/00—Movable contacts
- H01H2205/002—Movable contacts fixed to operating part
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2207/00—Connections
- H01H2207/02—Solder
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
- H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
- H01H2215/012—Positioning of individual dome
-
- 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
- H01H2223/00—Casings
- H01H2223/03—Separate key housing
-
- 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
Description
2 2 13 5 4 7 Push-button key switches SCS/3343 The present invention
relates to push-button key switches.
According to one aspect of the present invention a push-button key switch comprises a member of resilient electrically insulating material which is profiled to form a single raised push-button key and which is arranged to fit closely around the edge of a substantially rigid support plate, said support plate being provided with conductors forming fixed contacts which are arranged to cooperate with a moving contact secured to the underside of said member of electrically insulating material and means to make external connections to said conductors.
The means to make external connections to said conductors may comprise a plurality of pins extending from the underside of said support plate. A plurality of said push-button key switches may be mounted adjacent one another to form a multi-key pad of a required configuration. Each pushbutton key switch may incorporate a respective light-emitting diode for the purpose of backlighting the respective push-button key.
According to another aspect of the present invention a push-button key switch matrix comprises a plurality of push-button key switches as defined above and means to support said key switches in close proximity to one another such that the respective members of electrically insulating material of adjacent key switches bear resiliently upon one another and upon said support means.
A push-button key switch will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, of which:- Figure 1 shows schematically the component parts of the key switch in cross-section, and Figure 2 shows schematically in cross-section an assembly or matrix of key switches.
Referring first to Figure 1 the push-button key switch comprises a profiled member 1 of resilient electrically insulating material of, for example, silicone rubber and a substantially rigid support plate 2. The profiled member 1 comprises a raised central region 3 of generally rectangular plan into which a transparent or partly transparent legend slip (not shown) is arranged to snap fit, side walls 4 of thinner crosssection than the surrounding areas, and down-turned edges 5 which are arranged to fit closely over the edges of the support plate 2 in the assembled key switch. A moving contact 6, of the form of a short length of tube of conductive material having a generally rectangular cross- section is secured to the under side of the region 3.
The support member 2, which may be moulded of a plastics material, is generally planar, and has a light-emitting diode 7 provided in a central recess in its upper surface. The upper surface of the member 2 also carries a pattern of conductors 8, for example of a conductive polymer, which forms the fixed contacts of the key switch. A plurality of electrically conducting pins 9 extend from the under surface of the member 2, by means of which external electrical connnections may be made to the fixed contacts of the key switch and to the light-emitting diode 7.
An integral ly-moulded snap-fastening peg 10 also extends from the underside of the member 2, by means of which the key switch may be secured to a planar support member, such as a printed circuit board 11, as shown in Figure 2. The resilient material of the profiled member 1 of each key switch of the assembly shown in Figure 2 is arranged to be slightly in compression both where it abuts the profiled members I of adjacent key switches and where it contacts the printed circuit board 11, so that these abutting parts are sealed to one another. Once the key switches have been snap-fitted to the board 11 by means of their pegs 10 the external connections to the key -61 switches may be extended by way of soldered connection of the pins 9 to conductors (not shown) on the printed circuit board 11. The single key switches can thus be assembled to produce customised keypad configurations without incurring any extra tooling costs.
f
Claims (6)
1. A push-button key switch comprising a member of resilient electrically insulating material which is profiled to form a single raised push-button key and which is arranged to fit closely around the edge of a substantially rigid suPport plate, said support plate being provided with conductors forming fixed contacts which are arranged to cooperate with a moving contact secured to the underside of said member of electrically insulating material and means to make external connections to said conductors.
2. A push-button key switch in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the means to make external connections to said conductors comprises a plurality of pins extending from the underside of said support plate.
3. A push-button key switch in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein a plurality of said push-button key switches are mounted adjacent one another to form a multi-key pad of a required configuration.
4. A push-button key switch in accordance with Claim 1 incorporating a light-emitting diode for the purpose of backlighting the respective push-button key.
5. A push-button key switch matrix comprising a plurality of push-button key switches each in accordance with Claim 1 and means to support said key switches in close proximity to one another such that the respective members of electrically insulating material of adjacent key switches bear resiliently upon one another and upon said support means.
6. A push-button key switch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Published 1959 at The Patent Office, State House. 66.71 High Holborn, London WCIR 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office. Wes Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington.. Kent BRS 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1/87 cw 1 l - IA 1 --- z - 3._
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB888800370A GB8800370D0 (en) | 1988-01-08 | 1988-01-08 | Push-button keyswitches |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB8900387D0 GB8900387D0 (en) | 1989-03-08 |
GB2213647A true GB2213647A (en) | 1989-08-16 |
Family
ID=10629659
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB888800370A Pending GB8800370D0 (en) | 1988-01-08 | 1988-01-08 | Push-button keyswitches |
GB8900387A Withdrawn GB2213647A (en) | 1988-01-08 | 1989-01-09 | Push-button key switches |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB888800370A Pending GB8800370D0 (en) | 1988-01-08 | 1988-01-08 | Push-button keyswitches |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0323917A3 (en) |
DK (1) | DK734488A (en) |
GB (2) | GB8800370D0 (en) |
NO (1) | NO890064L (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2012519946A (en) * | 2009-03-12 | 2012-08-30 | エルベ エレクトロメディツィン ゲーエムベーハー | Push button, manufacturing method thereof, and medical operation part |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4121070A (en) * | 1977-03-04 | 1978-10-17 | Renal Systems, Inc. | Enclosed push button type switch |
US4289943A (en) * | 1979-08-06 | 1981-09-15 | Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. | Push-button switches |
GB2086804A (en) * | 1980-11-04 | 1982-05-19 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Keyblock assembly |
GB2113920A (en) * | 1982-01-26 | 1983-08-10 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Push-button electrical switch |
US4536625A (en) * | 1983-04-20 | 1985-08-20 | Bebie Alain M | Keyboard design |
GB2157496A (en) * | 1984-04-14 | 1985-10-23 | Joel Matthew Sciamma | Conductive foam switch |
EP0163874A2 (en) * | 1984-04-19 | 1985-12-11 | Alcatel SEL Aktiengesellschaft | Key switch |
GB2193040A (en) * | 1986-07-24 | 1988-01-27 | De La Rue Syst | Force location assembly |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2343060A (en) * | 1941-09-25 | 1944-02-29 | Gen Motors Corp | Switch |
FR1188210A (en) * | 1957-12-10 | 1959-09-21 | Improved device for controlling electrical circuits such as contactors, breakers, switches and the like | |
JPS49111174A (en) * | 1973-02-23 | 1974-10-23 |
-
1988
- 1988-01-08 GB GB888800370A patent/GB8800370D0/en active Pending
- 1988-12-30 DK DK734488A patent/DK734488A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1989
- 1989-01-06 NO NO89890064A patent/NO890064L/en unknown
- 1989-01-09 EP EP19890300136 patent/EP0323917A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1989-01-09 GB GB8900387A patent/GB2213647A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4121070A (en) * | 1977-03-04 | 1978-10-17 | Renal Systems, Inc. | Enclosed push button type switch |
US4289943A (en) * | 1979-08-06 | 1981-09-15 | Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. | Push-button switches |
GB2086804A (en) * | 1980-11-04 | 1982-05-19 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Keyblock assembly |
GB2113920A (en) * | 1982-01-26 | 1983-08-10 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Push-button electrical switch |
US4536625A (en) * | 1983-04-20 | 1985-08-20 | Bebie Alain M | Keyboard design |
GB2157496A (en) * | 1984-04-14 | 1985-10-23 | Joel Matthew Sciamma | Conductive foam switch |
EP0163874A2 (en) * | 1984-04-19 | 1985-12-11 | Alcatel SEL Aktiengesellschaft | Key switch |
GB2193040A (en) * | 1986-07-24 | 1988-01-27 | De La Rue Syst | Force location assembly |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2012519946A (en) * | 2009-03-12 | 2012-08-30 | エルベ エレクトロメディツィン ゲーエムベーハー | Push button, manufacturing method thereof, and medical operation part |
US8907238B2 (en) | 2009-03-12 | 2014-12-09 | Erbe Elektromedizin Gmbh | Push button, method for the production thereof, and medical manipulating part |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB8900387D0 (en) | 1989-03-08 |
EP0323917A2 (en) | 1989-07-12 |
GB8800370D0 (en) | 1988-02-10 |
NO890064D0 (en) | 1989-01-06 |
EP0323917A3 (en) | 1990-12-27 |
DK734488D0 (en) | 1988-12-30 |
DK734488A (en) | 1989-07-09 |
NO890064L (en) | 1989-07-10 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |