US1541044A - Resilient cap for the keys of typewriters or similar machines - Google Patents

Description

June 9, 1925. I 1,541,044

R. s. GRAHAM RESILINT CAP FOR THE KEYS OF TYPEWRITERS OR SIMILAR MACHINES Filed March 28. 1924 A TT ORNE Y.

Patented June 9, 1925i.

UNITED STATES wvrl'srn OFFICE.

ROBERT s. GRAHAM, on NEW YORK,Y N. Y., AssIGnort or ONE-HALF To wnnrs FOLLMER, or NEW YORK, N.. Y. A

RESILIENT CAP FOR THE KEYS OT" TYPEWRTERS 0R SIMILAR MACHINES.

Appneauon fuea Maren a8, w24.

ToV all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, ROBERT S. GRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York,

have invented certain new and use-ful lmprovements in a Resilient Cap for the| Keys of Typewriters or Similar Machines, of which the following is a full,clear, and eX- act description, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a resilient cap for the keys of typewriters, or similar machines, and the objects ofthe invention are to provide a resilient or cushioned cap that is interchangeable without 'reference to the index letter or numeral of the key to which it is to be applied. Further objects of the invention are to provide a cap that will, when applied to a key, have a dish shaped top provided with cushion members that are undercut to permit of the ,cushion members being flexed to provide a cushioning effect to the fingers of the operator and to provide a greater view of the index letter or numeral of the key.

Referring to the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the key end of a key bar of a typewriter or similar machine provided with a resilient capi made in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional yview onthe line 3 3 of Figure 2.

In the drawings 1 designates the key end of an ordinary typewriter bar, or the key end of any similar machine, which is provided in the present instance with the usual key comprising a circular disk 2 having on e its upper surface an index letter or numeral,

the same being covered with a circular disk 3 of glass, both supported on a metal key base t having an upturned edge 5 and a shank 6 secured to the upturned portion o f the key bar. The disks 2 andB are held in position on the top of the key base l by means of a circular flange 7 surrounding the outer edge of the upturned edge' and crimped over the top thereof, and the cirvcmnferential edges of the disks 2 and 3, so as to provide a circular beaded edge 8;

The beaded edge 8 of the circular flange 7 forms a continuous bead or ridge aboutA Serial No. 702,517.v

the upper surface of the key not only to secure the parts of the key together but `also to similar to the typewriter keys in use on a,

great variety of typewriters and similar key Voperated machines and is adapted to be covered by a removable resilient rubber cap S) made inv accordance with the present iuvention.

The typewriter/key cap 9 is, in accordance with the present invention, preferably made of rubber suitably molded to provide a hollow disk shaped cap comprising a .cylindri cal body 10, the inner diameter of which is less than the outer diameter of the key, the Y key cap being open at the bottom and pro* vided with an inner guide flange 11 the inner edge of which is cut to flare outward as shown at 12 to facilitate the keyy cap being forced over the top of the key after which the guide flange 11 assumes normal locked position against the bottom of the key as shown in Fig. 3. y

The key cap 9 is also, in accordance with the present invention, provided with a fiat top having side and end cushion members 18 and 14, which surround a top opening so as to make visible the index letter or numeral on the disk 2. In the present instance the top opening in key cap 9 is made greater in length than in breadth, the

greater length being in the direction of'v the key bar to more easily show the index letter or numeral, although if desired thel top opening can be made round or other convenient shape to expose the index letter or numeral, however, the elongated opening as shown in the drawings is to be preferred.

A key cap made as above described will, when forced over the top of a key, as before described, act by reason of the raised beaded edge 8 on the circumference of the key to become dish shaped as shown in Figs. 1

and 8 with the bottom of the inner edges of the side and end cushion members 13 and 14 coming in contact with the upper surface of the key, as clearly shown in Fig. 23. The side and end cushion members are preferably formed in the shape of a down- Wardly extending lip so as to engage the beaded edge 8 and the adjacent surface of the glass disk 3.

In order to make the topV of the key cap more resilient and also to provide a greater view of the index letter or numeral on the key, the inner edges on the side and end cushion members 13 and 14 are` suitably beveled or undercut as shown at l5. This undercntting of the inner edges of the side and end cushion members permits of the opening in the top of the cap being made relatively small without obstructing to any great extent a clear View of the index letter ornumeral on the key; the saine also acts` to obviate glare or refiection of light from the surface of the key, besides giving a certain resiliency to the top of the cap when struck bythe linger of the operator, due to the overlianging relatively unsupported portions of the side and end cushion members.

If desired the opening in the top'of the cap can be made longer in the direction oi' the key bar by cutting away or varying the relative Width of the end cushion members, in which event the undercut edges of the side cushion member will y be slightly lengthened so as to provide ample resiliency to the top of the cap. It is also to be noted that the side or end cushion members. can be yundercut to a greater or less extent depending upon the amount of resiliency required. Y

lVhile the invention has .been described Withparticular reference to the details ot construction the same is not to be considered as limited thereto as many changes can be made and stillvfall Within the scope of the invention set 'forth in .the following claim :d

What I claim is: i

A cap for typewriterviand similar keys arranged to be removably secured thereto, the top of said cap beingprovided With side and end cushion members Surrounding an opening, the inner edges of said sidel and end cushion members adjacent said opening being undercut as and for the purposes set forth. Y l f In testimony whereof I have ysigned this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ROBERT s. GRAHAM. Witnesses y LEO J. MATTY, LILLIAN E. POTTER.

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