Keyboard

A keyboard for use in hostile environments comprising:

• an integral keyboard section made of an elastomeric material, said keyboard section including a plurality of support members which define individual key spaces, a thickened key member located in each key space, and a flexible portion connecting each key member to its surrounding support members, whereby each key member is independently movable within its respective key space;
• a magnetically permeable plate upon which said support members are placed;
• a printed circuit board located on the side of the plate opposite the keyboard section;
• a magnet attached to each key member and movable in conjunction therewith;
• and
• a plurality of magnetic switches mounted on said printed circuit board, each said magnetic switch being mounted opposite a different magnet, whereby each said switch may be activated by bringing its associated magnet into proximity with the switch by depressing the key member connected to said magnet.

A keyboard comprising:

• a matrix formed from a single piece of elastomer material having key areas separated from one another by integral thick elastomer partitions, said key areas comprising relatively thick center areas forming keys and relatively thin peripheral elastomer layers surrounding said center areas so that said keys are depressible;
• a magnet located beneath each said key and embedded in said elastomer material of said matrix;
• a magnetic switch associated with each said magnet for actuation by said magnet when said magnet is brought near to said switch;
• whereby when a said key is depressed the corresponding magnetic switch is actuated.