US3758785A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Key operated optical switch for electronics input keyboard including semiconductor light emitting and light sensitive components and reciprocating shutter
Assignee: Telefunken Electronic GmbH
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Filing: 1971-09-13
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A key device for an electronic input keyboard including a key head mounted in a housing so as to be displaceable therein between two positions, a light emitting element, a light sensitive element energized by a light beam from the light emitting element, both mounted in the housing, and a light interrupting element associated with the key head for interrupting the light beam in one of the two positions of the key head.
Inventors
- 👤 H Maute
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:10
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/968; H03K17/969; G; G06; G06C; G06C7/00; G06C7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A key device for an electronic input keyboard, comprising: a housing including a cavity portion and a base portion extending into said cavity portion; a key head mounted in said cavity portion so as to be substantially vertically displaceable relative to said base portion between an operative position and an inoperative position; a plurality of electrode leads extending outwardly in a substantially vertical direction from said cavity portion and away from said key head; means mounted in said cavity portion and between said key head and said base portion for normally urging said key head into its said inoperative position; a light emitting semiconductor element mounted on said base portion and electrically connected to certain of said electrode leads; a light sensitive semiconductor element mounted on said base portion and electrically connected to others of said electrode leads, said light sensitive semiconductor being arranged to be energized by a light beam from said light emitting semiconductor element; and means connected with said key head for movement therewith for interrupting said light beam when said key head is in only one of its said positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A key device for an electronic input keyboard, comprising: a housing including a cavity portion and a base portion extending into said cavity portion; a key head mounted in said cavity portion so as to be substantially vertically displaceable relative to said base portion between an operative position and an inoperative position; a plurality of electrode leads extending outwardly in a substantially vertical direction from said cavity portion and away from said key head; means mounted in said cavity portion and between said key head and said base portion for normally urging said key head into its said inoperative position; a light emitting semiconductor element mounted on said base portion and electrically connected to certain of said electrode leads; a light sensitive semiconductor element mounted on said base portion and electrically connected to others of said electrode leads, said light sensitive semiconductor being arranged to be energized by a light beam from said light emitting semiconductor element; and means connected with said key head for movement therewith for interrupting said light beam when said key head is in only one of its said positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A key device as defined in claim 1, wherein said key head is formed as a stepped member including a step portion and said cavity portion is provided with an internal flange, and wherein engagement of the step portion of said key head with said internal flange defines said inoperative position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A key device as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for normally urging said key head into said inoperative position is a spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A key device as defined in claim 1, wherein said interrupting means comprises a shutter plate mounted on said key head for movement, in response to movement of said key head, between said light emitting semiconductor element and said light sensitive semiconductor element and from an inoperative position adjacent said light beam to an operative position in which it interrupts said light beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A key device as defined in claim 1, wherein said interrupting means comprises a shutter plate mounted on said key head for movement therewith, said shutter plate extending between said light emitting semiconductor element and said light sensitive semiconductor element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A key device as defined in claim 5, wherein said shutter plate defines an aperture or recess which is located when said key head is in said inoperative position to pass said light beam and which is located when said key head is in said operative position to interrupt the passage of said light beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A key device as defined in claim 5, wherein said shutter plate defines an aperture or recess which is located when said key head is in said operative position to pass said light beam and which is located when said key head is in said inoperative position to interrupt the passage of said light beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A key device as defined in claim 5 wherein said shutter plate defines an aperture or recess through which said light beam passes in only one of said positions of said key head, and the device further comprising optical means arranged in said aperture or recess.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A key device as defined in claim 5, further comprising means for adjusting the length of travel of said key head and means for adjusting the relative position between said light beam and said shutter plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A key device as defined in claim 1, wherein said base portion includes a socket, and wherein said semiconductor elements are mounted on said socket and said electrode leads pass through said socket in an insulated manner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A key device as defined in claim 10, wherein said base portion is displaceably mounted in said cavity portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A key device as defined in claim 10, wherein said electrode leads passing through said base portion comprise plug members on the outer side of said base portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US3419697A
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |