Key assembly
AssigneePsion Computers PLC
InventorMartin Philip Riddiford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A key assembly comprising a base; a manually operable key secured to, and mounted above the base by, a resilient key mat having an upstanding wall. The key is moveable against the resilience of the upstanding wall towards the base. A guide assembly extends between the base and the key to guide movement of the keys. A membrane is supported on the base and carries a pair of electrically insulated first contacts, each first contact of the pair being connected to a respective electrical track supported on the membrane and extending to a connection location. A second contact is provided on the underside of the key or the key mat and has a size and position such that movement of the key towards the base causes the second contact to engage both first contacts and thereby electrically connect the first contacts.
Claims20
A key assembly comprising a base;
- a manually operable key secured to, and mounted above said base by, a resilient key mat having an upstanding wall, the key having a depending neck and being moveable against the resilience of said upstanding wall towards said base;
- a guide assembly extending between said base and said key to guide movement of said key;
- a membrane supported on said base and carrying a pair of electrically insulated first contacts, each of said first contacts of the pair being connected to a respective electrical track supported on said membrane and extending to a connection location;
- and a second contact provided on an underside of one of said depending neck and a portion of said key mat in contact with said depending neck and having a size and position such that movement of said key towards said base causes said second contact to engage both of said first contacts and thereby electrically connect said first contacts.
A key pad having a plurality of key assemblies, each key assembly comprising a base;
- a manually operable key secured to, and mounted above said base by, a resilient key mat having an upstanding wall, the key having a depending neck and being moveable against the resilience of said upstanding wall towards said base;
- a guide assembly extending between said base and said key to guide movement of said key;
- a membrane supported on said base and carrying a pair of electrically insulated first contacts, each of said first contacts of the pair being connected to a respective electrical track supported on said membrane and extending to a connection location;
- and a second contact provided on an underside of one of said depending neck and a portion of said key mat in contact with said depending neck and having a size and position such that movement of said key towards said base causes said second contact to engage both of said first contacts and thereby electrically connected said first contacts.
Computing equipment including a processor and a key pad, the key pad having a plurality of key assemblies, each key assembly comprising a base;
- a manually operable key secured to, and mounted above said base by, a resilient key mat having an upstanding wall, the key having a depending neck and being moveable against the resilience of said upstanding wall towards said base;
- a guide assembly extending between said base and said key to guide movement of said key;
- a membrane supported on said base and carrying a pair of electrically insulated first contacts, each of said first contacts of the pair being connected to a respective electrical track supported on said membrane and extending to a connection location;
- and a second contact provided on an underside of one of said depending neck and a portion of said key mat in contact with said depending neck and having a size and position such that movement of said key towards said base causes said second contact to engage both of said first contacts and thereby electrically connect said first contacts, said key pad being coupled via the tracks to said processor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.