Molded plastic photo-optical keyboard
AssigneeBurroughs Corporation
InventorEdward I. Nelson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a photo-optical keyboard having an improved keyboard housing and keys. The keyboard housing is a molded plastic piece having a matrix of apertures for keys and a series of light channels passing between the apertures. The light channels open up to the underside of the keyboard housing. A spacing below the keyboard housing allows the keys in the apertures to overtravel and obstruct the light paths. Light isolation barriers beneath the keyboard housing prevent crossover of light between channels. The key is a molded plastic key with vertical slots to allow for passage of light in the undepressed state.
Claims18
A photo-optical keyboard comprising:
- a keyboard housing having a matrix of rows and column of apertures for key mounting, the underside surface of said housing having a light channel for each row passing between the apertures in each row and a light channel for each column passing between the apertures ineach column, each said light channel opening up to the underside surface of said keyboard housing.
A photo-optical keyboard comprising:
- a keyboard housing having a matrix of rows and columns of apertures for key mounting, the underside surface of said housing having a light channel for each row passing between the apertures in each row, and a light channel for each column passing between the apertures in each column, each said light channel opening up at the underside surface of said keyboard housing;
- multiple light isolation barriers between said light channels, said barriers extending downward from the underside of said keyboard housing to prevent crossover of light between said light channels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.