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US 5,505,115 AGranted
Keyboard key return and motion sensing mechanisms incorporating a swing arm
OwnerPaul B. Vandervoortinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A keyboard includes a key which drives a swing arm. The swing arm transfers return force from a coil spring or other return force mechanism to the key. The rotational axis of the swing arm is perpendicular to the length of the keyboard. Various key position sensing means utilizing the swing arm are disclosed as well.
Claims23
A keyboard for a finger-operated device comprising:
- a chassis, at least one key reciprocatively mounted on said chassis, a substantially planar circuit board mounted on said chassis, said circuit board defining a plane, a swing arm rotatably mounted on said chassis, said swing arm rotating about an axis of swing arm rotation, wherein said swing arm is disposed to rotate as a result of reciprocative movement of said key, and;
- said swing arm is disposed with said axis of swing arm rotation substantially perpendicular to said circuit board plane.
A keyboard for a finger-operated device comprising:
- a chassis, a longitudinal row of keys defining a keyboard axis, at least one key within said key row reciprocatively mounted on said chassis, and a swing arm rotatably mounted on said chassis, said swing arm rotating about an axis of swing arm rotation, wherein said swing arm is disposed to rotate as a result of reciprocative movement of said key, and;
- said swing arm is disposed with said axis of swing arm rotation substantially perpendicular to said keyboard axis.
A keyboard for a finger-operated device comprising:
- a chassis;
- a row of keys defining a longitudinal keyboard axis;
- at least one key reciprocatively mounted on said chassis;
- a swing arm rotatably mounted on said chassis, said swing arm rotating about an axis of swing arm rotation;
- and
- a key return element;
- wherein,
- said swing arm is disposed to rotate as a result of reciprocative movement of said key;
- said swing arm is disposed with said axis of swing arm rotation substantially perpendicular to said keyboard axis;
- said key applies a driving force vector to said swing arm at a driving contact point;
- said key return element applies a return force vector to said swing arm at a return force contact point;
- and
- said return force contact point is, longitudinally, disposed between said pivot point and said driving contact point.
10 more elements
A keyboard for a finger-operated device comprising:
- a chassis;
- a row of keys defining a longitudinal keyboard axis;
- at least one key reciprocatively mounted on said chassis;
- a swing arm rotatably mounted on said chassis, said swing arm rotating about an axis of swing arm rotation;
- and
- a key return element;
- wherein,
- said swing arm is disposed to rotate as a result of reciprocative movement of said key;
- said swing arm is disposed with said axis of swing arm rotation substantially perpendicular to said keyboard axis;
- said key applies a driving force vector to said swing arm at a driving contact point;
- said key return element applies a return force vector to said swing arm at a return force contact point;
- and
- said axis of swing arm rotation is, longitudinally, disposed between said driving contact point and said return force contact point.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.