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 Title: |
US6005209:
Thin keyboard having torsion bar keyswitch hinge members
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Burleson, Winslow Scott; Palo Alto, CA
Dyer, William Marvin; San Jose, CA
Eisbach, Christopher Karl; Mountain View, CA
Pai, Derek Solomon; Bellevue, WA
Selker, Edwin Joseph; Palo Alto, CA
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| Assignee: |
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY
other patents from INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION (280070) (approx. 44,393)
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| Published / Filed: |
1999-12-21
/ 1997-11-24
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| Application Number: |
US1997000979341
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
H01H 13/705;
Core:
more...
IPC-7:
H01H 13/52;
H01H 13/70;
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| ECLA Code: |
H01H13/705;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
200/343;
200/517;
Original:
200/343;
200/517;
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| Field of Search: |
200/5 R,5 A,511-517,341-345
400/472,490,491,495,495.1,496
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| Priority Number: |
| 1997-11-24 |
US1997000979341 |
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| Abstract: |
A keyboard apparatus is provided for small and lightweight computers and the like. Keyswitches and a keyboard assembly comprise a sheet member having a plurality of key faces fixed thereon in a conventional keyboard arrangement. A plurality of cutouts are provided in the sheet member, partially surrounding each key face. A living hinge member is provided in the sheet member at one side of each key face. Each living hinge member includes a base section, an intermediate section, and a key face section. The former two and the latter two sections each interface at a living hinge. Depressing the key face causes the key face section to pivot about the living hinges to operate a corresponding set of electrical contacts, indicating operation of the key. A conventional rubber spring may transmit the pivot motion of the key face to the electrical contacts. The living hinges are made to have a greater resilience and flexibility than those of the sections, such as by scoring, scribing, perforation, or other suitable treatment. Accordingly, the intermediate section is able to serve as a torsion bar, advantageously limiting the key's freedom to twist under the user's finger pressulr.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
McGinn & Gibb, P.C. ;
Ludwin, Esq., Richard ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Friedhofer, Michael;
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| Maintenance Status: |
E2 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 20 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A keyswitch assembly comprising:
- electrical contact members having normally separated contacts, which make electrical contact when the keyswitch assembly is vertically compressed; and
- a thin sheet of resilient material having a cutout hinge member, the hinge member pivotable about first and second horizontal axes intersecting the hinge member, the hinge member having a first resiliency, the hinge member including a base section and an intermediate section which interface at a first living hinge along the first axis, the hinge member further including a key section supporting a key face affixed thereon, said key section interfacing with the intermediate section at a second living hinge along the second axis, the first and second living hinges having a second resiliency which is greater than the first resiliency, wherein the base section defines a first plane and the key section defines a second plane substantially parallel to said first plane when said hinge member is in a quiescent condition, said intermediate section defining a third plane traverse to said first plane and said second plane when the hinge member is in said quiescent condition;
- whereby, when the key face is pressed, the hinge member pivots about the first and second axes to make the electrical contact between the electrical contact members, and the intermediate section acts as a torsion bar to restrain the key face from twisting when pressed.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
Show description
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| Forward References: |
Show 6 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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