US 4,939,324 A · Keyswitch for computer keyboard

Abstract

A keyswitch operator includes a supporting bearing block and axially movable keytop and plunger. A cylindrical plunger is slidably guided between alternating flat and conical surfaces about a through bore in the bearing block. The flat surfaces provide constant bearing guides along multiple axial lines angularly spaced about the plunger. The conical surfaces provide draft to facilitate removal of a mold after forming of the through bore. Both "quiet tactile" and "click tactile" modes of operation are available when utilizing the keyswitch operator in conjunction with a yieldable dome overlying a membrane switch assembly. "Click tactile" operation requires the addition of a spring-biased piston to physically engage the underlying switch assembly when the plunger has been depressed.

Claims17

Dependent claims

In a keyswitch that is manually movable between a relaxed outer position and a depressed inner position:

a bearing block containing a through bore centered about a reference axis, the through bore being defined by a plurality of wall segments that extend between outer and inner bore ends;
the wall segments of the through bore including a plurality of alternating first and second wall surfaces abutting one another along their sides and extending axially between the outer and inner bore ends;
the first wall surfaces being flat and located in planes parallel to and radially spaced about the reference axis;
and
the second wall surfaces being sections of a cone centered on the reference axis that diverge from the inner bore end to the outer bore end.

2 more elements

In a keyswitch that is manually movable between a relaxed outer postion and a depressed inner position:

a bearing block containing a through bore centered about a reference axis, the through bore being defined by a plurality of wall segments that extend between outer and inner bore ends;
the wall segments of the through bore including four sets of alternating first and second wall surfaces that abut one another along their sides and extend axially between the outer and inner bore ends;
the first wall surfaces being flat and located in planes that are parallel to and centered about the reference axis;
and
the second wall surfaces being sections of a cone centered on the reference axis that diverge from the inner bore end to the outer bore end.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Keyswitch for computer keyboard

Life of this patent

Keyswitch for computer keyboard

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17