Use of constant force spring in keyboard assembly
AssigneeMagneKey
InventorVan S. Chandler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electronic keyboard that includes a plurality of keys including a first key. The keyboard further includes a key support supporting the first key for movement between a rest position and a depressed position. The keyboard also includes a first key return spring configured to apply a return force to the first key to bias the first key toward the rest position. In the keyboard, the first key return spring is configured such that the return force has a substantially constant magnitude throughout the movement of the first key between the rest position and the depressed position.
Claims10
An electronic keyboard, comprising:
- a plurality of keys including a first key;
- a key support supporting the first key for movement between a rest position and a depressed position;
- and
- a first key return spring configured to apply a return force to the first key to bias the first key toward the rest position of the first key,
- wherein the first key return spring is a constant force spring that is configured such that the return force has a substantially constant magnitude throughout the movement of the first key between the rest position and the depressed position;
- wherein the constant force spring is configured to require application of substantially the same constant force to the first key between the rest position and the depressed position of the first key.
An electronic keyboard, comprising:
- a plurality of keys including a first key;
- a key support supporting the first key for movement between a rest position and a depressed position;
- and
- a first key bias device configured to apply a return force to the first key to bias the first key toward the rest position of the first key;
- wherein the first key bias device is a constant force spring configured such that the return force has a substantially constant magnitude throughout the movement of the first key between the rest position and the depressed position, and wherein the return force results from elasticity of at least a portion of the constant force spring;
- wherein the constant force spring is configured to require application of substantially the same constant force to the first key between the rest position and the depressed position of the first key.
A method of applying a key return force to a key of an electronic keyboard comprising applying a return force of substantially constant magnitude to a key of an electronic keyboard with a constant force spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.