US3927284A - Keyboard switch assembly having coil spring contacts providing point contacts engagement - Google Patents

Keyboard switch assembly having coil spring contacts providing point contacts engagement Download PDF

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Publication number
US3927284A
US3927284A US521100A US52110074A US3927284A US 3927284 A US3927284 A US 3927284A US 521100 A US521100 A US 521100A US 52110074 A US52110074 A US 52110074A US 3927284 A US3927284 A US 3927284A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
switch contact
key
contact
combination
switch
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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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US521100A
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English (en)
Inventor
Leif Helmer Andersson
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Facit AB
Original Assignee
Facit AB
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Publication date
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Publication of US3927284A publication Critical patent/US3927284A/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/24—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with resilient mounting
    • H01H1/242—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with resilient mounting the contact forming a part of a coil spring

Definitions

  • the keyboard is provided with a tensional, resilient member which forms a first contact of a switch that is arranged to abut a second contact, thus closing an electric circuit.
  • Each key is provided with an actuating part disposed on either side of a stationary support and forces the first contact to engage the second contact at spaced locations to thereby cause the first contact to additionally function as a return spring for the key when the electric circuit is opened.
  • This invention relates to a keyboard having at least one switch acted upon by a key to Open and close electric circuits having leads mounted on the keyboard.
  • the keyboard is provided with at least one tensional, resilient member forming a first contact in a switch which is arranged to be resiliently urged against a second contact in the switch, thus closing an electric circuit.
  • the present invention satisfiesall theabove requirements.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a modification in which the second o'rlower contact is a fixed contact rod of a smaller diameter than the tensionalfresilient second switchfmemb'er, and in which the first resilient switch member is designed to slide therealong.
  • FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the keyboard housingand associated structure with the first and second switchj'rneans, as well as two keys shown detached from the housing.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of two representative keys, switches and associated structure.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of only the first and second contact means showing their positional relationships.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the invention in which the switch means are shown formed of an electrically conductive flexible material, and
  • FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of a further modification of the invention in which one of the contact members is a fixed contact rod.
  • a casing having structural members in the form of guides 11 depending downwardly from an upper plate 14 of the casing 10 and adjacent to the respective openings 13 in the plate.
  • the keys 12 are adapted for insertion in each of the openings 13 and are preferably fabricated of a plastic material.
  • each of the keys 12 is provided with a depending skirt having lateral projections 15 that are adapted to snap under the adjacent bottom surface of upper plate 14, and
  • each of the keys 12 is movably supported within the guides 11 and are retained therein by means of projections 15.
  • the guides 11 are provided with bars 16.
  • each of the keys 12- are provided with inverted V-shaped notches 17 so that when'the key is depressed it moves downwardly until the upper edges of notches l7 engage an adjacent part of bar '16 thereby forming a limiting stop.
  • FIGS. 1 and 3 show that the contact means for the keyboard are tension springs 18 and 19 having hooks 20 and 21 secured at their respective ends.
  • the springs 18 and 19 are positioned substantially perpendicular to each other.
  • the contact springs 18, in their idle position rest in the arcuate recesses 22 of the guide 11 with the upper surfaces engaging the bottom surfaces of bars 16, as seen in the left hand side of FIG. :2.
  • the spring 19 abuts against a top surface of a corresponding bar 16 since the upper edge 23 of a further notch 24 of the key 12 urges-the spring 19 in a downward direction.
  • each contact spring 18 and 19 together form a switch in which electrical circuits operatively connected to the keyboard can be opened or closed.
  • the electrical circuits are connected by lead wires 25 and 26 to the respective springs, the latter functioning as contact means.
  • the wires 25 and 26 are shown soldered to the respective hooks 20 and 21, which aresecured to bars 27 of the casing 10. If the wires are in the form of -a printed circuit (not shown) the springs 18 and 19 can be attached directly to the circuit board or contact pins connected thereto.
  • the keyboard with its multiplicity of key-operated switches operates in the following manner, with particular reference to FIG. 2:
  • the key-operated switch is shown with the contact in an off position.
  • the edges 23 of the notches 24 in the switch key urge the tension spring 19 downwardly upon depression of the key 12, and into engagement with the top surface of the bar 16 so that spring assumes the curved shape shown therein.
  • the tension spring 18 is shown extending perpendicular to the spring 19 and abuts the underside of bar 16. It will be noted that there is a substantial spacing between the two contact springs, 18 and 19 respectively.
  • the spring 19 comes in contact with the spring 18 after a small movement downwardly of the key.
  • the movement is preferably in the range 1 mm. The contact is made and the circuit is closed. Thereafter, the continued movement downwardly of 3 the key 12 will cause the spring 18 to also move downwardly whereby the springs 18 and 19 will slide against each other thereby automatically cleaning the contact area.
  • the tension springs 18 and 19 can be fabricated of stainless steel.
  • another advantage of the present construction is that the spring 19 which is stretched over the bar 16 during the downward movement of the key 12 is at an angle of approximately 45 to the direction of movement of the key. This arrangement results in the spring being stretched considerably less than the corresponding movement of the key, and thus the key is very conveniently operated by the user.
  • a keyboard, a key-operated switch and an electrical circuit comprising at least one elongated resilient member forming a first switch contact, an elongated second switch contact positioned substantially perpendicular to said first switch contact, a stationary support located adjacent to and over said second switch contact, a generally rectangularshaped key provided with a pair of notches on one set of opposed sides of said key and when said key is depressed the upper edges of each of said pair of opposed notches engage said first switch contact on opposite sides of said stationary support and stresses said first switch contact thereagainst whereby the first switch contact is forced into engagement with said second switch contact at two spaced points to thereby close said electrical circuit, said first switch contact additionally functioning as a return spring for said key when the electrical circuit is open.
  • first and second contacts are secured within said keyboard, the latter having a plurality of openings provided with guides for respective corresponding keys, said guides provided with support members for said second switch contact and having said stationary support against which said first switch contact rests.
  • said openings are provided with guides for the respective keys, said guides having first support members for said second switch contact and additionally being provided with second support members against which said first switch contact rests.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
US521100A 1973-11-07 1974-11-05 Keyboard switch assembly having coil spring contacts providing point contacts engagement Expired - Lifetime US3927284A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE7315095A SE375868B (ja) 1973-11-07 1973-11-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3927284A true US3927284A (en) 1975-12-16

Family

ID=20319031

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US521100A Expired - Lifetime US3927284A (en) 1973-11-07 1974-11-05 Keyboard switch assembly having coil spring contacts providing point contacts engagement

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US3927284A (ja)
JP (1) JPS5074783A (ja)
CA (1) CA1003142A (ja)
CH (1) CH578242A5 (ja)
DE (1) DE2451546C3 (ja)
DK (1) DK564374A (ja)
FR (1) FR2250193A1 (ja)
GB (1) GB1467854A (ja)
IT (1) IT1021996B (ja)
NO (1) NO139622C (ja)
SE (1) SE375868B (ja)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4088855A (en) * 1977-02-28 1978-05-09 Korry Manufacturing Co. Keyboard electro-mechanical switch with coil spring contact
US4092503A (en) * 1975-12-22 1978-05-30 Johan Nils Eskil Raeder Push button switch or keyboard assembly having flexible wire contacts
JPS53104373U (ja) * 1977-01-28 1978-08-22
US4520247A (en) * 1984-03-05 1985-05-28 Columbus Mckinnon Corporation Pendant type electrical switching device
US5036291A (en) * 1990-05-11 1991-07-30 General Instrument Corporation On channel agile FM demodulator
US20040005793A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2004-01-08 Tribotek, Inc. Multiple-contact woven power connectors
US20040214454A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2004-10-28 Tribotek, Inc. Method and apparatus for manufacturing woven connectors
WO2005008703A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-01-27 Tribotek, Inc. Multiple-contact woven electrical switches
US20050130486A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2005-06-16 Tribotek, Inc. Woven multiple-contact connector
US20050159028A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2005-07-21 Tribotek, Inc. Contact woven connectors
US20050202695A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2005-09-15 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector
US20050239329A1 (en) * 2003-07-14 2005-10-27 Tribotek, Inc. Systems and methods for connecting electrical components
US7083427B2 (en) 2002-01-15 2006-08-01 Tribotek, Inc. Woven multiple-contact connectors
US20060211295A1 (en) * 2005-03-15 2006-09-21 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector having one or more electrical contact points
US20070015419A1 (en) * 2005-07-18 2007-01-18 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4028515A (en) * 1975-09-15 1977-06-07 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Spring contact switch for dual in line multiple switch assembly having momentary actuated lighted indicators
JPS5812230Y2 (ja) * 1976-05-20 1983-03-08 松下電器産業株式会社 電子楽器用鍵盤装置
DE2805597A1 (de) * 1978-02-10 1979-08-16 Petrick Gmbh Elektro Mech Drucktastenschalter
JPS6222986Y2 (ja) * 1978-09-22 1987-06-11
DE3431347A1 (de) * 1984-08-25 1986-03-06 Rolf Dipl.-Ing. 7314 Wernau Beck Drucksensor

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2573895A (en) * 1951-04-25 1951-11-06 Central Commercial Ind Inc Electric switch
US2630503A (en) * 1951-03-05 1953-03-03 Central Commercial Ind Inc Electric switch
US2931877A (en) * 1958-02-20 1960-04-05 Edward J Henley Electrical contact device
US3226494A (en) * 1963-10-02 1965-12-28 Automatic Elect Lab Push button assembly
US3369097A (en) * 1966-04-30 1968-02-13 Nippon Musical Instruments Mfg Contact device for electric switches
US3392250A (en) * 1965-04-28 1968-07-09 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M Pushbutton mechanism with wiping action contact
US3432635A (en) * 1965-02-04 1969-03-11 Paolo Settimio Soprani Switches and mechanism for forming chords in electronic musical instruments
US3697706A (en) * 1971-06-23 1972-10-10 Baldwin Co D H Push type electric switch with contact post, movable coil spring contact and interposed non conductive plunger
US3735058A (en) * 1971-09-15 1973-05-22 Addmaster Corp Keyboard printed circuit switch assembly with axially movable coil spring contact and associated key type actuator
US3743798A (en) * 1971-09-13 1973-07-03 North American Rockwell Elongated spring coil conductors applying tension force to pushbutton actuators in keyboard matrix switch assembly
US3745269A (en) * 1970-08-10 1973-07-10 T Arvai Mechanical device with manually operable keys for supplying voltage to output channels in preset fashion

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2630503A (en) * 1951-03-05 1953-03-03 Central Commercial Ind Inc Electric switch
US2573895A (en) * 1951-04-25 1951-11-06 Central Commercial Ind Inc Electric switch
US2931877A (en) * 1958-02-20 1960-04-05 Edward J Henley Electrical contact device
US3226494A (en) * 1963-10-02 1965-12-28 Automatic Elect Lab Push button assembly
US3432635A (en) * 1965-02-04 1969-03-11 Paolo Settimio Soprani Switches and mechanism for forming chords in electronic musical instruments
US3392250A (en) * 1965-04-28 1968-07-09 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M Pushbutton mechanism with wiping action contact
US3369097A (en) * 1966-04-30 1968-02-13 Nippon Musical Instruments Mfg Contact device for electric switches
US3745269A (en) * 1970-08-10 1973-07-10 T Arvai Mechanical device with manually operable keys for supplying voltage to output channels in preset fashion
US3697706A (en) * 1971-06-23 1972-10-10 Baldwin Co D H Push type electric switch with contact post, movable coil spring contact and interposed non conductive plunger
US3743798A (en) * 1971-09-13 1973-07-03 North American Rockwell Elongated spring coil conductors applying tension force to pushbutton actuators in keyboard matrix switch assembly
US3735058A (en) * 1971-09-15 1973-05-22 Addmaster Corp Keyboard printed circuit switch assembly with axially movable coil spring contact and associated key type actuator

Cited By (34)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4092503A (en) * 1975-12-22 1978-05-30 Johan Nils Eskil Raeder Push button switch or keyboard assembly having flexible wire contacts
JPS53104373U (ja) * 1977-01-28 1978-08-22
JPS5734650Y2 (ja) * 1977-01-28 1982-07-30
US4088855A (en) * 1977-02-28 1978-05-09 Korry Manufacturing Co. Keyboard electro-mechanical switch with coil spring contact
US4520247A (en) * 1984-03-05 1985-05-28 Columbus Mckinnon Corporation Pendant type electrical switching device
US5036291A (en) * 1990-05-11 1991-07-30 General Instrument Corporation On channel agile FM demodulator
US20050130486A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2005-06-16 Tribotek, Inc. Woven multiple-contact connector
US20050202695A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2005-09-15 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector
US20040005793A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2004-01-08 Tribotek, Inc. Multiple-contact woven power connectors
US7223111B2 (en) 2002-01-15 2007-05-29 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector
US20060134943A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2006-06-22 Tribotek, Inc. Contact woven connectors
US20050159028A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2005-07-21 Tribotek, Inc. Contact woven connectors
US6942496B2 (en) 2002-01-15 2005-09-13 Tribotek, Inc. Woven multiple-contact connector
US20040214454A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2004-10-28 Tribotek, Inc. Method and apparatus for manufacturing woven connectors
US6951465B2 (en) 2002-01-15 2005-10-04 Tribotek, Inc. Multiple-contact woven power connectors
US7083427B2 (en) 2002-01-15 2006-08-01 Tribotek, Inc. Woven multiple-contact connectors
US20060063413A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2006-03-23 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector
US7021957B2 (en) 2002-01-15 2006-04-04 Tribotek, Inc. Woven multiple-contact connector
US7077662B2 (en) 2002-01-15 2006-07-18 Tribotek, Inc. Contact woven connectors
US7056139B2 (en) 2002-01-15 2006-06-06 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector
WO2005008703A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-01-27 Tribotek, Inc. Multiple-contact woven electrical switches
GB2419467B (en) * 2003-07-11 2006-12-20 Tribotek Inc Multiple-contact woven electrical switches
US7094064B2 (en) 2003-07-11 2006-08-22 Tribotek, Inc. Multiple-contact woven electrical switches
US20050045461A1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2005-03-03 Tribotek, Inc. Multiple-contact woven electrical switches
GB2419467A (en) * 2003-07-11 2006-04-26 Tribotek Inc Multiple-contact woven electrical switches
US20050239329A1 (en) * 2003-07-14 2005-10-27 Tribotek, Inc. Systems and methods for connecting electrical components
US7097495B2 (en) 2003-07-14 2006-08-29 Tribotek, Inc. System and methods for connecting electrical components
US7125281B2 (en) 2003-07-14 2006-10-24 Tribotek, Inc. Systems and methods for connecting electrical components
US7140916B2 (en) 2005-03-15 2006-11-28 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector having one or more electrical contact points
US20060211295A1 (en) * 2005-03-15 2006-09-21 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector having one or more electrical contact points
US20070015419A1 (en) * 2005-07-18 2007-01-18 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector
US20070015387A1 (en) * 2005-07-18 2007-01-18 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector
US7214106B2 (en) 2005-07-18 2007-05-08 Tribotek, Inc. Electrical connector
US7458827B2 (en) 2005-07-18 2008-12-02 Methode Electronics, Inc. Electrical connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2451546A1 (de) 1975-05-15
SE375868B (ja) 1975-04-28
DK564374A (ja) 1975-06-30
NO139622C (no) 1979-04-25
FR2250193A1 (ja) 1975-05-30
GB1467854A (en) 1977-03-23
DE2451546B2 (de) 1978-09-14
IT1021996B (it) 1978-02-20
NO139622B (no) 1979-01-02
CA1003142A (en) 1977-01-04
DE2451546C3 (de) 1979-05-03
CH578242A5 (ja) 1976-07-30
NO744007L (ja) 1975-06-02
JPS5074783A (ja) 1975-06-19

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