A manually actuable keyboard assembly for use in a data terminal device having a top supporting surface comprising:
- a switch-matrix comprising a rigid printed circuit board having a first surface in which is mounted first electrical conductors and a second surface opposite said first surface, said printed circuit board including a plurality of first apertures extending through said first and second surfaces and containing an electrical conductive material engaging said first electrical conductors and a plurality of second apertures extending through the circuit board, said keyboard further including electrical circuit elements mounted to the second surface of said circuit board adjacent said first apertures whereby a portion of the electrical circuit elements engages the conductive material enabling the circuit elements to receive electrical signals from the first electrical conductors;
- an insulating member secured to the first surface of said printed circuit board and having openings therein;
- a deformable membrane member secured to said insulating member and adapted for movement through said openings, said membrane member having second electrical conductors mounted adjacent to the openings in said insulating member thereby generating electrical signals upon movement of the second electrical conductors into engagement with the first electrical conductors, said printed circuit board, said insulating member and said membrane member being secured together in a watertight relationship;
- a cover support assembly secured to said switch-matrix, said cover support assembly including a support member mounted adjacent said membrane member having a recessed portion extending around the perimeter of the support member;
- a first sheet member positioned on said cover support assembly adjacent said recessed portion having a plurality of key tip portions located for generating a plurality of electrical signals in response to the movement of one of the key tip portions to a position engaging and depressing a portion of the membrane member;
- a second sheet member positioned within the said recessed portion and having key representing indicia thereon aligned with said key tip portions;
- a plurality of light-emitting members mounted in one of said second apertures and in alignment with said key tip portions for selectively illuminating an associated key tip portion when enabled;
- and
- a key operated rotatably mounted switch means extending through said support assembly and said switch-matrix for generating control signals when rotated to one of a plurality of actuated positions enabling the data terminal device for operation, said switch means comprising a key operated rotatably mounted support member extending through said cover support member and said switch matrix, said switch means further including an arm member mounted to one end of said rotatably mounted support member and extending in a direction parallel to the second surface of said printed circuit board, said keyboard assembly further including a plurality of light transmitter-receiver members mounted to said second surface of the printed circuit board adjacent said arm member whereby said arm member, when positioned adjacent to one of said transmitter-receiver members, will reflect the light outputted by said one transmitter-receiver member back towards the transmitter-receiver member enabling the transmitter-receiver member to sense the position of the arm member and generate said control signals in accordance with said position.