US3716695A - Keyboard locking arrangement - Google Patents

Keyboard locking arrangement Download PDF

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Publication number
US3716695A
US3716695A US00256582A US3716695DA US3716695A US 3716695 A US3716695 A US 3716695A US 00256582 A US00256582 A US 00256582A US 3716695D A US3716695D A US 3716695DA US 3716695 A US3716695 A US 3716695A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
locking
key
key means
depressed
adjacent
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
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US00256582A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Hauger
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.)
Digital Kienzle Computersysteme GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Kienzle Apparate GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kienzle Apparate GmbH filed Critical Kienzle Apparate GmbH
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Publication of US3716695A publication Critical patent/US3716695A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06C—DIGITAL COMPUTERS IN WHICH ALL THE COMPUTATION IS EFFECTED MECHANICALLY
    • G06C7/00—Input mechanisms
    • G06C7/02—Keyboards
    • G06C7/04—Interlocking devices, e.g. between keys
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G5/00—Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member
    • G05G5/06—Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member for holding members in one or a limited number of definite positions only
    • G05G5/08—Interlocking of members, e.g. locking member in a particular position before or during the movement of another member

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a keyboard locking arrangement, particularly suited for numerical keyboards, and serving the purpose of preventing that several keys, representing digits, can be simultaneously depressed to an operative position which would cause a malfunction of the machine.
  • keyboards there are two types of locking arrangements for keyboards, namely, ball looking devices, and key locking devices.
  • ball locking device a number of spherical balls are mounted in a tubular channel in closely adjacent position, leaving in the closed channel only so much space that the stem of a single key may enter between two adjacent balls.
  • the stem of any other key engages balls which are firmly pressed together, and prevent entering of asecond key stem. If two keys are simultaneously operated, there is not sufiicient space for two stems, and none of the two stems can enter between the looking balls so that the respective keys cannot be depressed.
  • Key locking devices include slides, located under the keys, and being shifted upon operation of any key to a position looking other keys so that no second key can be depressed simultaneously with the first key.
  • the known keyboard looking arrangements are comparatively expensive to manufacture, and it is not possible to build locking devices according to the prior art into an existent finished machine.
  • the present invention is based on the recognition of the fact that erroneous double actuations of keys mainly occur with two adjacent keys, so that for the elimination of 95% of all errors of this type, it is sufiicient to lock only adjacent keys to prevent simultaneous operation.
  • the present invention is concerned with a keyboard looking arrangement, particularly for numerical keyboards, which prevents the simultaneous depression of two adjacent keys.
  • locking means prefer- 3,716,695 Patented Feb. 13, 1973 ably in the form of a resilient locking plate, are arranged which, when a key is depressed, are moved to a locking position locking the adjacent key in a position of rest, and preventing simultaneous depression of several keys.
  • each locking plate consist of an elastic material, and each locking plate preferably has two downward slanted shoulder faces respectively cooperating with control portions of the respective adjacent keys, and more particularly key buttons.
  • All locking plates are detachably mounted on a support plate which has cutouts for receiving projecting hook portions of the looking plates.
  • the locking arrangement of the invention can be applied to at least two adjacent key means, or to three or more key means arranged in a row or column, or to three or more key means arranged at right angles.
  • An arrangement according to the invention comprises at least first and second adjacent key means, each key means being mounted for movement between a position of rest and a depressed position, the key means having adjacent control portions, preferably portions of key buttons, forming a gap in the position of rest; and at least one locking means including a top portion having a width greater than the width of the gap, and a bottom portion mounted on supporting means, preferably a supporting plate.
  • the locking means have a normal position in which the top portion is located under the gap and under the adjacent control portions of the key means.
  • the top p'ortion of the locking means is engaged by the control portion only of the key means which was depressed, whereby the locking means is displaced to a locking position located under the respective other key means for locking the other key means in the position of rest, while permitting movement of the depressed key means to the depressed position.
  • the locking means includes an elastic locking plate having a top surface with opposite symmetrical downward slanted face portions located under the adjacent control portions of the first and second key means. Consequently, the locking plate is resiliently bent by the depressed first key means to a locking position located under the second key means, and is resiliently bent by the depressed second key means to a second locking position located under the first key means.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmenatry schematic plan view illustrating a ten key keyboard, a keyboard cover being omitted for the sake of clarity;
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic side view illustrating a row of keys with locking means
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic side view corresponding to FIG. 2, but illustrating one of the keys in the depressed position displacing the adjacent locking plates;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a support plate for the locking plates.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a locking plate according to the invention on an enlarged scale.
  • a ten digit keyboard has twelve key means 1, each of which includes a key button 2 secured to a key stem 3.
  • a first support plate 4, and a top cover, not shown, are provided with openings for guiding the stems 3 of the key means for movement between a normal position of rest as shown in FIG. 2, and a depressed operative position shown for a key 1' with the key button 2 and a key stem 3 in FIG. 3.
  • keys means 1 are arranged in crossing columns and rows, and between each pair of adjacent key means 1, locking means in the form of elastic locking plates 5 are disposed. All locking plates 5 are detachably secured to a second support plate 6 which is superimposed on the first support plate 4, and secured thereto by screws 7, 8, 9 passing through projecting attaching portions 6a.
  • Locking plate 5 has a top portion with a top surface which includes two downwardly slanted faces 13 and 14 which are symmetrically arranged in relation to a top edge 12.
  • the top surface 11, 12, 13 has a cutout 12a in which a thin guide nose is secured.
  • recesses 21 and 1511 are provided between which a straight bottom edge 17 extends.
  • two downwardly projecting holding leg portions 15 with hooks 19 are provided which project downwardly beyond the bottom edge 17.
  • pairs of cutouts 18 are provided in the support plate 6 which are spaced the same distance as the holding portions 15 and 16 with the hooks 19 so that each locking plate 5 can be secured to the support plate 6 by inserting the holding portions 15 and 16 into the corresponding cutouts 18 so that the hooks 19 engage the bottom surface of the support plate 6, and the central bottom edge 17 abuts the top surface of support plate 6.
  • the locking plates 5 consist preferably of an elastic synthetic material so that the holding portions 15 and 16 can be spread apart when being inserted into the corresponding cutouts 18, whereupon they resiliently move toward each other so that the hooks 19 secure the locking plate 5 to the support plate.
  • the recesses 21, 15a, and even the bore 20 facilitate the resilient deformation of the locking plate 5 during attachment to the support plate 6.
  • support plate 6 has a number of cutouts 18 arranged so that a pair of cutouts 18 is provided between the portions of support plate 6 which are covered by the key buttons 2.
  • a locking plate 5 can be provided between each pair of adjacent key means 1.
  • a locking plate 5 is provided between the key means 1 representing the digits 8 and 9 .
  • Another locking plate 5 is provided between the key means 1 associated with the digits 8 and 5, and another locking plate 5 is arranged between the key means 1 associated with the digits-9 and 6.
  • the plate 5 between the key means 1 associated with digits 8 and 9, is inserted with the holding portions 15 and 16 into the cutouts 20 and 21
  • the locking plate 5 between the key means 1 associated with digits 8 and 15 have holding portions 15 and 16 inserted into the cutouts 22 and 23
  • locking plate 5 between the key means 1 associated with digits 9 and 6 have holding portions 15 and 16 located in cutouts 24 and 25.
  • FIG. 2 illustrated the key means 1 with key buttons 2 and key stems 3 in a position of rest, and the corresponding locking plates 5 in a normal position in which the thin guide nose 10 projects into the gap between adjacent control portions of the key means 1, and more specifically of adjacent key buttons 2.
  • the transverse width of the top portion of each locking plate 5, is greater than the associated gap between key buttons 2 so that the downwardly slanted shoulders 13 and 14 are located under horizontal 4 shoulders 2b of the respective adjacent 2a of two adjacent key buttons 2.
  • Keyboard locking arrangement comprising supporting means; at least first and second adjacent key means, each key means being mounted on said supporting means for movement between a position of rest and a depressed position, said key means having adjacent control portions forming a gap in said position of rest; and at least one locking means including a top portion having a width greater than the width of said gap, and a bottom.
  • said locking means having a normal position in which said top portion is located under said gap and under said adjacent control portions of said key means so that both said first and second key means are locked by said locking means in said normal positionagainst simultaneous movement to said depressed position, and so that, when only one of said first and second key means is depressed, said top portion of said locking means is engaged by said control portion of only said one depressed key means whereby said locking means is displaced to a locking position located under the respective other key means for locking said other key means in said position of rest, while percontrol portions mitting movement of said one depressed key means to said depressed position.
  • said locking means includes an elastic locking plate having a top surface located under said control portions and under said gap so that said locking plate is resiliently bent by the depressed first key means to a first locking position located under said second key means, and is resiliently bent by the depressed second key means to a second locking position located under said first key means.
  • Keyboard locking arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein said locking means includes a thin guide nose projecting from said top surface into said gap between said control portions of said first and second key means in said position of rest, and abutting said control portion of one of said key means when the respective other key means is moved to said depressed position.
  • said locking means includes a guide nose projecting from said top portion into said gap and being thinner than said gap.
  • said locking means includes an elastic locking plate having a top portion located under said gap and under said control portions, and a bottom plate portion including a central bottom edge and downwardly projecting holding hook portions at the ends of said bottom edge; and wherein said supporting means include a support plate having at least two cutouts in which said projecting holding hook portions are located while said bottom edge abuts said support plate between said cutouts whereby said locking plate can be detached from, or attached to, said support plate by elastic deformation of said projecting holding hook portions.
  • said support means include a first support plate mounting said key means for movement between said position of rest and said depressed position, and a second support plate superimposed on said first support plate and secured thereto; and wherein said bottom portion of said locking means is detachably secured to said second supporting plate.
  • Keyboard locking arrangement as claimed in claim 9 comprising means for detachably attaching said second support plate to said first support plate.
  • Keyboard locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least one third key means adjacent said second key means, and at least one other resilient locking means having a normal position located under the adjacent control portions of said second and third key means and under the gap between said second and third key means so that when said second key means is depressed to said depressed position, both said locking means are resiliently deformed to two opposite locking positions located under said control portions of said first and third key means locking said first and third key means against movement to said depressed positions.
  • Keyboard locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of said key means arranged in crossing columns and rows so that each key means is located adjacent four other key means; and a plurality of said resilient locking means, each locking means being located between two adjacent key means.
  • each key means includes a key button, said key buttons having said adjacent control portions forming said gap and bounded by shoulders cooperating with said top portion of said locking means.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Computing Systems (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
US00256582A 1971-05-27 1972-05-24 Keyboard locking arrangement Expired - Lifetime US3716695A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19712126286 DE2126286B2 (de) 1971-05-27 1971-05-27 Tastensperre

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US3716695A true US3716695A (en) 1973-02-13

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00256582A Expired - Lifetime US3716695A (en) 1971-05-27 1972-05-24 Keyboard locking arrangement

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US (1) US3716695A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
CH (1) CH538735A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
DE (1) DE2126286B2 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
FR (1) FR2139054B3 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
GB (1) GB1358515A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
IT (1) IT958047B (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6012366A (en) 1996-11-13 2000-01-11 Itox Supply Co., Ltd. Slitting mechanism of a card cutting machine

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2128532T3 (es) * 1994-02-23 1999-05-16 Microlite Sl Nueva suela para calzado.

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6012366A (en) 1996-11-13 2000-01-11 Itox Supply Co., Ltd. Slitting mechanism of a card cutting machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT958047B (it) 1973-10-20
DE2126286A1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1972-05-25
GB1358515A (en) 1974-07-03
CH538735A (de) 1973-06-30
FR2139054B3 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1975-08-08
FR2139054A1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1973-01-05
DE2126286B2 (de) 1972-05-25

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