US3612802A - Pushbutton array - Google Patents

Pushbutton array Download PDF

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Publication number
US3612802A
US3612802A US859320A US3612802DA US3612802A US 3612802 A US3612802 A US 3612802A US 859320 A US859320 A US 859320A US 3612802D A US3612802D A US 3612802DA US 3612802 A US3612802 A US 3612802A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
pushbutton
pushbuttons
strips
array
arrangement
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
US859320A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Anthony Crisp Beadle
George Owen Foot
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.)
STC PLC
Original Assignee
International Standard Electric 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 International Standard Electric Corp filed Critical International Standard Electric Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3612802A publication Critical patent/US3612802A/en
Assigned to STC PLC reassignment STC PLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A DE CORP.
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
    • 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
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/002—Materials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/006—Force isolators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/036—Return force
    • H01H2221/044—Elastic part on actuator or casing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/054—Actuators connected by flexible webs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/058—Actuators to avoid tilting or skewing of contact area or actuator
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/044—Injection moulding
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2231/00—Applications
    • H01H2231/022—Telephone handset
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2233/00—Key modules
    • H01H2233/002—Key modules joined to form button rows
    • H01H2233/004—One molded part

Definitions

  • This invention relates to pushbutton-operated devices, and particularly to arrays of pushbuttons and methods of making such arrays.
  • an array of pushbuttons formed integrally with flexible interconnecting strips and a surrounding frame, the configuration of .the interconnecting strips enabling individual operation of each push button.
  • FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a pushbutton array arranged for the key strip of a telephone set
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the pushbutton array shown in FIG. 1, with flexible strip connecting only one column of pushbuttons.
  • the pushbuttons A are arranged in three columns and four rows, and are interconnected by flexible connecting strips 8 which are formed integrally with a frame C.
  • the strips are designed so as to be flexible in the direction in which the buttons are to be moved and stifi" enough to restrict unwanted movement in other directions.
  • the connecting strips are also so arranged that when one button is depressed the effect on adjacent buttons is negligible. Other patterns of connecting strips can be designed to have the same effect.
  • the array shown can be incorporated in the assembly of a pushbutton-operated device which forms the key strip of a telephone set.
  • downward pressure on each button closes one or more contact means (not shown) which will allow the generation of a signalling code.
  • the connecting strips can have sufficient stiffness to return the buttons to the normal position when released, thereby acting as a return spring and so eliminating the need for button return springs in the pushbutton device assembly.
  • the frame C of the pushbutton array could be extended to form a boxlike structure which would house some or all of the other components of the complete pushbutton device.
  • the material for the array will be chosen to give the necessary degree of flexibility for the connecting strips with the ability to stand up to continual flexing over a long period of time, also having the necessary finish and durability for the buttons themselves.
  • buttons can be placed in the wrong position, or two buttons bearing the same character can be included; in many designs characters could be assembled with the wrong orientation and in any event special keyways or shapes have to be used to prevent rotation.
  • the abovedescribed array eliminates all these hazards.
  • the array can probably most advantageously be made by moulding in plastics material.
  • the array can be marked as a whole either by a well-known marking process such as hot stamping; by including the characters in the mould; or by the use of a two-shot moulding process in which characters are moulded first and a second injection surrounds them with the final form.
  • a marking process such as hot stamping
  • two-shot moulding process in which characters are moulded first and a second injection surrounds them with the final form.
  • an additional advantage can be obtained by a choice of moulding materials; the markings and flexible raster (i.e. the strips B and frame C) would utilize a material such as polypropylene chosen for its durability to flexing, whilst the buttons could be made from a harder wearresisting material.
  • buttons transparent caps Another possible method of manufacture would be to cover the tops of the buttons transparent caps, so that markings on the button tops would be protected.
  • the use of such caps would a ain permit the use of a harder less flexible material for the utton tops. it would also permit some interchangeability of markings; for example on a normal telephone set there are recommended international layouts for the 1 l0 digits but the two buttons on either side of 0' digit in the bottom row have a variety of uses and possible markings. it might be expedient on these buttons (or on all buttons) to put the markings on the plastic caps so that a choice of characters can be obtained dependent on the particular use of the buttons.
  • buttons could be formed by plastics injection moulding, with the connecting strips between the buttons serving as feeds. This would result in a saving in the cost of moulding compared with using the injection method for moulding individual buttons, where the individual buttons have to be cut off and the remaining flash trimmed.
  • a pushbutton arrangement including as components thereof a plurality of arrayed pushbuttons, a plurality of flexible strips each interconnecting certain of said pushbuttons and a surrounding frame, said components integrally formed as a single unit with said strips sufficiently flexible and configured to enable depressive operation of each pushbutton.
US859320A 1968-09-23 1969-09-19 Pushbutton array Expired - Lifetime US3612802A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB45089/68A GB1277887A (en) 1968-09-23 1968-09-23 Push-button array

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3612802A true US3612802A (en) 1971-10-12

Family

ID=10435842

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US859320A Expired - Lifetime US3612802A (en) 1968-09-23 1969-09-19 Pushbutton array

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3612802A (de)
BE (1) BE739158A (de)
CH (1) CH498447A (de)
DE (1) DE1947660A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2018636A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1277887A (de)

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5138079A (ja) * 1974-09-26 1976-03-30 Sharp Kk Kiitotsupu
JPS51157864U (de) * 1975-06-10 1976-12-15
US4055734A (en) * 1973-12-26 1977-10-25 Thomas John Hayden Keyboard switch assembly with hinged pushbuttons and cantilevered terminal members
US4066860A (en) * 1974-09-26 1978-01-03 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Pushbutton switch key arrangement for keyboards having indicia
DE3010765A1 (de) * 1979-03-22 1980-10-02 Sony Corp Druckknopfschalter
DE3014996A1 (de) * 1979-06-22 1981-01-15 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Drucktastenanordnung, insbesondere fuer kleine elektronische geraete
US4351988A (en) * 1980-12-08 1982-09-28 Ncr Corporation Keyboard switch assembly
US5929401A (en) * 1996-06-19 1999-07-27 U.S. Philips Corporation Curved keyboard keypad and contact structure
US6147314A (en) * 1998-11-30 2000-11-14 Palm, Inc. Button pivot bar
US6552282B2 (en) 2001-09-19 2003-04-22 Palm, Inc. Floating button design for a handheld computer
US20090038919A1 (en) * 2007-08-10 2009-02-12 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Electronic apparatus
DE102008038568A1 (de) 2008-08-20 2010-02-25 Leopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. Kg Anordnung von mehreren Betätigungselementen für Drucktaster oder Druckschalter, sowie Gerät mit einer solchen Anordnung
DE102008038567A1 (de) 2008-08-20 2010-02-25 Leopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. Kg Anordnung von miteinander verbundenen Betätigungselementen für Drucktaster oder Druckschalter
JP2016039067A (ja) * 2014-08-08 2016-03-22 株式会社東芝 冷蔵庫

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2239629A (en) * 1989-12-14 1991-07-10 Wragby Plastics Limited Keys for keypads

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3120584A (en) * 1960-11-29 1964-02-04 Western Electric Co Multisurface cross point switching mechanisms
US3308253A (en) * 1965-03-25 1967-03-07 Ibm Diaphragm switch having a diaphragm supported on an incompressible layer and an elastomer overlaying the diaphragm
US3382338A (en) * 1966-04-26 1968-05-07 Ibm Pushbutton actuator for elastomeric switch
US3472974A (en) * 1967-09-25 1969-10-14 Automatic Elect Lab Pushbutton switch activated by a slide with a plurality of toggle joints and cams

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3120584A (en) * 1960-11-29 1964-02-04 Western Electric Co Multisurface cross point switching mechanisms
US3308253A (en) * 1965-03-25 1967-03-07 Ibm Diaphragm switch having a diaphragm supported on an incompressible layer and an elastomer overlaying the diaphragm
US3382338A (en) * 1966-04-26 1968-05-07 Ibm Pushbutton actuator for elastomeric switch
US3472974A (en) * 1967-09-25 1969-10-14 Automatic Elect Lab Pushbutton switch activated by a slide with a plurality of toggle joints and cams

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4055734A (en) * 1973-12-26 1977-10-25 Thomas John Hayden Keyboard switch assembly with hinged pushbuttons and cantilevered terminal members
JPS5138079A (ja) * 1974-09-26 1976-03-30 Sharp Kk Kiitotsupu
US4066860A (en) * 1974-09-26 1978-01-03 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Pushbutton switch key arrangement for keyboards having indicia
JPS51157864U (de) * 1975-06-10 1976-12-15
DE3010765A1 (de) * 1979-03-22 1980-10-02 Sony Corp Druckknopfschalter
DE3014996A1 (de) * 1979-06-22 1981-01-15 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Drucktastenanordnung, insbesondere fuer kleine elektronische geraete
US4351988A (en) * 1980-12-08 1982-09-28 Ncr Corporation Keyboard switch assembly
US5929401A (en) * 1996-06-19 1999-07-27 U.S. Philips Corporation Curved keyboard keypad and contact structure
US6147314A (en) * 1998-11-30 2000-11-14 Palm, Inc. Button pivot bar
US6552282B2 (en) 2001-09-19 2003-04-22 Palm, Inc. Floating button design for a handheld computer
US20090038919A1 (en) * 2007-08-10 2009-02-12 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Electronic apparatus
US7875817B2 (en) * 2007-08-10 2011-01-25 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Electronic apparatus
DE102008038568A1 (de) 2008-08-20 2010-02-25 Leopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. Kg Anordnung von mehreren Betätigungselementen für Drucktaster oder Druckschalter, sowie Gerät mit einer solchen Anordnung
DE102008038567A1 (de) 2008-08-20 2010-02-25 Leopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. Kg Anordnung von miteinander verbundenen Betätigungselementen für Drucktaster oder Druckschalter
DE102008038568B4 (de) * 2008-08-20 2017-07-20 Leopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. Kg Anordnung von mehreren Betätigungselementen für Drucktaster oder Druckschalter, sowie Gerät mit einer solchen Anordnung
DE102008038567B4 (de) 2008-08-20 2018-08-16 Leopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. Kg Anordnung von miteinander verbundenen Betätigungselementen für Drucktaster oder Druckschalter
JP2016039067A (ja) * 2014-08-08 2016-03-22 株式会社東芝 冷蔵庫

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH498447A (de) 1970-10-31
FR2018636A1 (de) 1970-06-26
DE1947660A1 (de) 1970-03-26
GB1277887A (en) 1972-06-14
BE739158A (de) 1970-03-23

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: STC PLC,ENGLAND

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004761/0721

Effective date: 19870423

Owner name: STC PLC, 10 MALTRAVERS STREET, LONDON, WC2R 3HA, E

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004761/0721

Effective date: 19870423