Pushbutton keyboard system and method of making same
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorPerry W. Kaminski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A keyboard system for an electronic pocket calculator or the like comprises a substrate board having a generally flat surface with a network of circuit paths thereon. The board is provided with switch contacts at a plurality of switching stations and terminals at a margin of the board for electrical interconnection to other electronic components. Conductor paths and the network of circuit paths interconnect the contacts and the terminals. A dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate leaving portions of the network of circuit paths exposed.
Claims8
A low profile keyboard having the keyboard switches and all associated circuitry in a single side of the board comprising a substrate having a relatively flat surface, a network of circuit paths disposed on the flat surface, a plurality of inner contact portions of electrically conductive material disposed on certain portions of the circuit paths, a dielectric layer disposed on the flat surface over selected portions thereof and leaving exposed the inner contact portions, a plurality of outer contact portions of electrically conductive material disposed on the dielectric layer, means electrically connecting the plurality of outer contact portions with other portions of the circuit paths, an outer contact portion of the plurality of contact portions disposed adjacent each inner contact portion, the top surface of the outer contact portion spaced from the flat surface of the substrate a distance greater than the distance of the top surface of the inner contact portion from the said flat surface, a switch actuating element disposed on each outer contact portion and retaining means disposed on the substrate to maintain the actuating elements in position relative to their respective contact portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.