Keyboard assembly momentary contact push button switch with tactile action
AssigneeWestern Digital Corporation
InventorKarl Heinz Stannek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A contact switch for momentary connection between conductors is disclosed. The switch has particular utility in a keyboard assembly, such as pocket calculators. In the first embodiment, the switch comprises a button member, and a sinusoidal-shaped spring. The spring is of a configuration such that reaction of the spring is stronger in its normal position than in its depressed state. This provides the user with a tactile feeling when the button is depressed. In the second embodiment, the button member is retained in an extended position by an associated buckle spring. This spring also provides the user with a tactile feeling.
Claims38
A spring actuated push button assembly for use in an associated keyboard assembly and which keyboard assembly includes a plurality of electrical staple elements, said push button assembly adapted to provide the user with a tactile feel when said switch is depressed comprising:
- a button member having an outwardly extending ledge terminating in a downwardly extending rim, said ledge and said rim forming a cavity area adjacent the bottom of said button member;
- means for electrically engaging said keyboard assembly;
- and
- a shaped spring having a flexed and an unflexed position, said spring disposed in said cavity such that when said button member is depressed, said spring moves into said flexed position thereby providing said user with a tactile feel, and when said button member is released, said spring moves into said unflexed position thereby causing said button to be disposed upward.
A spring actuated push button switch keyboard adapted for use in a keyboard assembly which assembly includes a plurality of electrical staple elements comprising:
- a button member and an associated spring, said button member having means for retaining said spring therein;
- and
- a contact bridge disposed in said button member adjacent the bottom thereof, said contact bridge having arm members adapted to electrically engage said keyboard;
- wherein said spring is so disposed in said button member such that when said button is depressed, said arm members of said contact bridge come into electrical contact with said staple elements disposed in said keyboard.
A momentary contact push button switch having tactile action for use in a keyboard assembly, which keyboard assembly includes a plurality of electrical staple elements comprising:
- a button member having an outwardly extending ledge at the bottom thereof terminating in a downwardly extending rim;
- a contact bridge disposed in said button member, said contact bridge having downwardly extending arm members for making an electrical contact with said staple elements;
- and
- a sinusoidal-shaped spring having two arcuous branch sections forming a central, downward extending trough section, said branch sections coupled to said rim on the inside surface thereof such that when said button member is depressed, said arm members on said contact bridge come into electrical contact with predetermined staple elements.
A momentary contact push button switch disposed in an associated keyboard assembly which keyboard assembly includes a plurality of electrical staple elements comprising:
- a button member having an outwardly extending ledge member at the bottom thereof terminating in a downwardly extending rim;
- a contact bridge disposed in said button member, said contact bridge having downwardly extending arm members for making an electrical contact with said staple elements;
- l
- a sinusoidal-shaped spring having two arcuous branch sections forming a central, downward extending trough section, said branch sections coupled to said rim on the inside surface thereof such that when said button member is depressed, said arm members on said contact bridge come into electrical contact with said staple elements;
- and
- wherein said keyboard assembly is comprised of a top framework having a plurality of openings for said button members, and a bottom circuit board coupled to said top framework, said top framework having outwardly extending arm member for engaging and retaining said button member therein, and said bottom circuit board containing said stape elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.