US3890480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hermetic sealing structure for electronic keyboard apparatus
Assignee: Milacron Inc
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Filing: 1974-05-23
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1994-05-23
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure describes an electronic keyboard arrangement which is sealed to prevent the introduction into the internal keyboard electronics of such contaminants as exist in the operating environment. The seal is so constructed as to allow the keyboard switches to operate independently from the seal. The seal is also designed to adapt to varying sizes and shapes of keyboard mounted switch bodies and is adhesively bonded to the interfacing portions of the bodies adjacent to the seal thereby hermetically sealing the area containing electronic components, including switches, from all atmospheric contaminants.
Inventors
- 👤 David Thomas Berling
- 👤 John William Chaney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
An improved electronic keyboard comprised in part of an electronic circuit board with keyboard switches connected thereto having keyboard switch bodies, keyboard switch shafts, keyboard switch shoulders and keyboard keytops; and a front cover plate attached to the board by means of spacer supports, and having openings for extension therethrough of the keyboard switch keytops; wherein the improvement comprises: a. a shield, having a size and shape capable of encompassing all of the openings in the front cover plate, and being secured to an internal surface of the front cover plate enclosing all of the openings in the front cover plate, said shield having apertures corresponding in size, shape, and position to the keyboard switch shoulders for receiving the shoulders; b. an adhesive coating on a surface of said shield facing away from said front cover plate for bonding said shield to the keyboard switch bodies about the keyboard switch shoulders to prevent the introduction onto the electronic circuit board of such contaminants as may pass through the front cover plate openings, while permitting the keyboard switches to operate independently from the shield; and c. a retainer, having for its shape and perimeter the shape and perimeter of said shield, and cooperating with the spacer supports for clamping said shield between said retainer and the front cover plate, thereby securing said shield to the internal surface of the front cover plate about the periphery of said shield and enclosing all of the openings in the front cover plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
An improved electronic keyboard comprised in part of an electronic circuit board with keyboard switches connected thereto having keyboard switch bodies, keyboard switch shafts, keyboard switch shoulders and keyboard keytops; and a front cover plate attached to the board by means of spacer supports, and having openings for extension therethrough of the keyboard switch keytops; wherein the improvement comprises: a. a shield, having a size and shape capable of encompassing all of the openings in the front cover plate, and being secured to an internal surface of the front cover plate enclosing all of the openings in the front cover plate, said shield having apertures corresponding in size, shape, and position to the keyboard switch shoulders for receiving the shoulders; b. an adhesive coating on a surface of said shield facing away from said front cover plate for bonding said shield to the keyboard switch bodies about the keyboard switch shoulders to prevent the introduction onto the electronic circuit board of such contaminants as may pass through the front cover plate openings, while permitting the keyboard switches to operate independently from the shield; and c. a retainer, having for its shape and perimeter the shape and perimeter of said shield, and cooperating with the spacer supports for clamping said shield between said retainer and the front cover plate, thereby securing said shield to the internal surface of the front cover plate about the periphery of said shield and enclosing all of the openings in the front cover plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shield further comprises an impervious pliable membrane, having a size and shape capable of encompassing all of the openings in the front cover plate, and having apertures corresponding in size, shape, and position to the keyboard switch shoulders.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said retainer further comprises a stamped retaining frame, having for its shape and perimeter the shape and perimeter of said shield.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
253 words
An improved electronic keyboard comprised in part of an electronic circuit board with keyboard switches connected thereto having keyboard switch bodies, keyboard switch shafts, keyboard switch shoulders and keyboard switch keytops; and a front cover plate attached to the board by means of spacer supports, and having openings for extension therethrough of the keyboard switch keytops; wherein the improvement comprises: a. an impervious pliable membrane, having a size and shape capable of encompassing all of the openings in the front cover plate, and being secured to an internal surface of the front cover plate enclosing all of the openings in the front cover plate, said membrane having apertures corresponding in size, shape, and position to the keyboard switch shoulders for receiving the shoulders; b. an adhesive coating on a surface of said membrane facing away from said front cover plate for bonding said membrane to the keyboard switch bodies about the keyboard switch shoulders to prevent the introduction onto the electronic circuit board of such contaminants as may pass through the front cover plate openings, while permitting the keyboard switches to operate independently from the membrane; and c. a stamped retaining frame, having for its shape and perimeter the shape and perimeter of said membrane, and cooperating with the spacer supports for clamping said membrane between said frame and the front cover plate, thereby securing said membrane to the internal surface of the front cover plate about the periphery of said membrane and enclosing all of the openings in the front cover plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
253 words
An improved electronic keyboard comprised in part of an electronic circuit board with keyboard switches connected thereto having keyboard switch bodies, keyboard switch shafts, keyboard switch shoulders and keyboard switch keytops; and a front cover plate attached to the board by means of spacer supports, and having openings for extension therethrough of the keyboard switch keytops; wherein the improvement comprises: a. an impervious pliable membrane, having a size and shape capable of encompassing all of the openings in the front cover plate, and being secured to an internal surface of the front cover plate enclosing all of the openings in the front cover plate, said membrane having apertures corresponding in size, shape, and position to the keyboard switch shoulders for receiving the shoulders; b. an adhesive coating on a surface of said membrane facing away from said front cover plate for bonding said membrane to the keyboard switch bodies about the keyboard switch shoulders to prevent the introduction onto the electronic circuit board of such contaminants as may pass through the front cover plate openings, while permitting the keyboard switches to operate independently from the membrane; and c. a stamped retaining frame, having for its shape and perimeter the shape and perimeter of said membrane, and cooperating with the spacer supports for clamping said membrane between said frame and the front cover plate, thereby securing said membrane to the internal surface of the front cover plate about the periphery of said membrane and enclosing all of the openings in the front cover plate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |