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US 5,666,112 AGranted
Key for flexible keyboard
OwnerRobert J. Crowley, Donald N. Halgreninventors
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Abstract
The present invention includes a flexible, pressurizable keyboard made of resilient layers of plastic material, with molded keys which are deformable when pressed so as to send a signal to an electrical device. The keys are arranged with a flexible electrical circuit thereattached, which when depressed, establish a proper complete circuit.
Claims7
A key arranged to permit the entering of data into a data entry panel, said key comprising:
- a molded layer of flexible material formed to be distorted to provide a full keystroke when pressed;
- a reduced wall thickness of said flexible material comprising the periphery of said key, to permit said distortion thereat;
- said key having an upper keytop portion which is stiffer and relatively hard with respect to said walls thereof;
- and
- said key having a trace of conductive material disposed on said reduced thickness wall from which to create a signal in said data entry panel.
2 more elements
A key arranged to permit the entering of data into a data entry panel, said key comprising:
- a molded layer of flexible material formed to be distorted to provide a full keystroke when pressed;
- a wall of reduced material stiffness which wall comprises the periphery of said key, to permit distortion of said reduced stiffness wall;
- said distorted wall of reduced material stiffness arranged to permit a tactile response when said key is depressed by the bending of the material thereat;
- and
- said wall having a conductive trace material thereon, said conductive trace of material arranged to complete an electrical circuit when said key is distorted, for the entry of data through said panel to a further electrical device.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.