Keyboard, especially for electronic payment terminals, and keypad
AssigneePreh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
InventorsGerhard Hochgesang, Klaus Schmoeger, Dieter Weber
Life of this patent
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Abstract
It is proposed to produce a one-piece keyboard housing (2) in a simple but compact manner, and to use the internal gas pressure injection molding process (air mold process) by preference to this end. With this process, the keyboard housing (2) can be executed as a one-piece molded part with recesses (5, 6, 6.1) and cavities (7). The cavity (7) serves to reduce weight, and the process itself improves stability within the keyboard housing (2). The molded part is composed of a traylike first housing shell (5), in which can be mounted a keypad (3), and a second housing shell (6) with recesses (6.1) that joins the first housing shell (5) in an n-shape.
Claims17
Keyboard with a one-piece keyboard housing for accommodating a keypad with keys, wherein the keyboard housing is composed of at least two open housing shells, wherein the second housing shell (6) joins the first housing shell (5) as a top region (2.1) of the keyboard housing (2) in an n-shape, characterized in that
- the first housing shell (5) has a traylike recess (5.2) for accommodating and mounting the keypad (3) and also
- has a u-shaped border (5.1) surrounding the recess (5.2), which
- encloses a cavity (7) within the first housing shell (5).
Keyboard in accordance with one of claims 1 to 3 [sic], characterized in that the bottom surface (5.5) of the recess (5.2) in the first housing shell (2) rests flat against an imaginary support surface of the keyboard housing (2).
Keyboard in accordance with one of the claims, characterized in that electronic assemblies can be integrated in the second housing shell (6).
Keyboard in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a card reader (20) is provided in the upper region (2.1) of the keyboard housing (2).
Keyboard in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the keyboard housing (2) is produced by internal gas pressure injection molding.
Keypad for a keyboard with keyboard housing, having keys and contacts associated therewith, characterized in that
- the keypad (3) includes
- a printed circuit board (8) as support plate,
- a translucent or transparent contact mat (9) and
- a transparent, translucent or opaque light guide (10) as the support element for keys (4).
Keypad in accordance with one of the claims, characterized in that light (a) is guided directly or by the light guide (10) into the keyboard housing (2), and the latter is illuminated.
Keypad in accordance with one of the claims, characterized in that the light (a) can be dimmed by means of keys (4) or a key combination.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.