Momentary digital encoding device for keyboards

A keyboard output device, comprising:

• a plurality of elongated, flexible strands each having a number of axially spaced apart impact zones along the length thereof;
• means mounting said strands in juxtaposed relationship with each other, and with the impact zones of certain of said strands being in proximal relationship with corresponding impact zones on other of said strands, to thereby cooperatively define a series of spaced apart sets of impact zones each made up of corresponding impact zones on a plurality of said strands;
• an elongated, resilient engagement member for each impact zone set respectively;
• means mounting said resilient members adjacent their associated sets, with the longitudinal axes of the members being generally transverse relative to the longitudinal axes of said strands, each of said members being selectively shiftable toward and into engagement with the impact zones making up the associated set,
• the flexibility of said strands, and the resilience of said members, serving to assure contact between the members and the impact zones of the sets associated therewith notwithstanding dimensional differences or movement of the strands during operation of the output device;
• and
• means for generating an individual keyboard output upon shifting of each of said resilient members into engagement with the impact zones making up the set associated therewith.

A keyboard, comprising:

• a plurality of keys;
• means mounting said keys for individual, selective depression thereof;
• a resilient, shiftable element for each key respectively;
• means for operably coupling each key, upon said depression thereof, with the associated element for initially shifting and thereafter releasing the element to allow the element to freely move;
• and
• means for sensing the movement of said elements, and for generating keyboard output signals corresponding to the sensed movement of the keys, including:
• a plurality of elongated electrically conductive strands each having a number of axially spaced apart impact zones along the length thereof, certain of said zones being covered with electrically insulative material, to thereby render them insulated, and other of said zones being free of insulative material and thereby electrically conductive;
• means mounting said strands proximal to said elements, said strands being in juxtaposed relationship with each other and with the impact zones of certain of said strands being in proximal relationship with corresponding impact zones on other of said strands, to thereby cooperatively define a number of spaced apart sets of impact zones each made up of corresponding impact zones on a plurality of said strands,
• each of said impact zone sets having a characteristic, individual pattern of insulated and conductive impact zones;
• electrically conductive structure associated with each element respectively for, upon said movement of each element, causing momentary electrical contact between the associated structure and the conductive impact zones forming a part of the corresponding impact zone set.