US4520248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard assembly
Assignee: Rogers Corp
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Filing: 1980-08-15
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Granted: 1985-05-28
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Expires: 2000-08-15
Abstract
Abstract An improved membrane keyboard is provided wherein the keys are spatially separated and formed from resilient foam. Specifically, this membrane keyboard provides the user with a sensation of movement to indicate key activation.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Woelfel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/006; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/002; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/016; H01H2217/018; H01H2217/024; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/084; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/034; H01H2223/0345; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/02; H01H2229/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
300 words
A membrane type keyboard comprising: switch array means, said switch array means including means defining a plurality of pairs of cooperating electrical contacts, the contacts of each pair being in registration and spatially separated to define normally open switches, at least a first of said contacts of each pair being supported on the first surface of a common flexible insulating substrate whereby the switches of said array means may be selectively closed by urging contact supporting portion of the flexible insulating substrate in the direction of cooperating contacts in registration therewith; a layer of resilient foam material overlying and having a first surface bonded to with the second side of said flexible insulating substrate, said layer of resilient material having a second surface with a pattern of cuts or slits formed therein to define a plurality of key regions, the key regions being areas of the full thickness of said layer of foam material bounded and spaced from one another by areas of partial thickness of said resilient foam, said areas of partial thickness defining the periphery of key regions which are in registration with the pairs of cooperating contacts of said switch array means; and indicia providing means, said indicia providing means being adhered to the second surface of said layer of resilient material, said indicia providing means being sheet means having a pattern of cuts or slits commensurate, with the pattern of cuts or slits in said foam material, said indicia means forming labels for each of said key regions whereby the exertion of an actuating force having a component in a direction perpendicular to said second surface of said layer of resilient material will result in compression of said resilient material and the subsequent deformation of said flexible substrate to thereby close a switch of said array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
300 words
A membrane type keyboard comprising: switch array means, said switch array means including means defining a plurality of pairs of cooperating electrical contacts, the contacts of each pair being in registration and spatially separated to define normally open switches, at least a first of said contacts of each pair being supported on the first surface of a common flexible insulating substrate whereby the switches of said array means may be selectively closed by urging contact supporting portion of the flexible insulating substrate in the direction of cooperating contacts in registration therewith; a layer of resilient foam material overlying and having a first surface bonded to with the second side of said flexible insulating substrate, said layer of resilient material having a second surface with a pattern of cuts or slits formed therein to define a plurality of key regions, the key regions being areas of the full thickness of said layer of foam material bounded and spaced from one another by areas of partial thickness of said resilient foam, said areas of partial thickness defining the periphery of key regions which are in registration with the pairs of cooperating contacts of said switch array means; and indicia providing means, said indicia providing means being adhered to the second surface of said layer of resilient material, said indicia providing means being sheet means having a pattern of cuts or slits commensurate, with the pattern of cuts or slits in said foam material, said indicia means forming labels for each of said key regions whereby the exertion of an actuating force having a component in a direction perpendicular to said second surface of said layer of resilient material will result in compression of said resilient material and the subsequent deformation of said flexible substrate to thereby close a switch of said array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said layer of resilient material is comprised of a foam characterized by a low compression set.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said switch array means includes an apertured spacer sheet comprised of non-conductive material, apertures in said spacer sheet being aligned with the contacts of said pairs, said spacer sheet being in abutting contact with said first surface of said flexible substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The keyboard of claim 3 wherein said switch array means further comprises backing means for providing a rigid support for the second contacts of each pair of contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The keyboard of claim 4 wherein the exposed surfaces of said key regions are concave.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The keyboard of claim 5 wherein said key regions are of rectangular shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The membrane keyboard of claim 1 wherein: said pattern of cuts or slits in said resilient foam material and said pattern of cuts or slits in said indicia means are formed simultaneously from continuous layer of said foam material and said indicia material to define a laminate structure having foam material key regions raised above a base area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The membrane keyboard of claim 7 wherein: said raised foam material key regions are exposed to and visible to the user of the keyboard.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The keyboard of claim 8 wherein said key regions are of rectangular shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The keyboards of claim 9 wherein said cuts or slits in said resilient material layer have a depth of between 0.1 and 0.5 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The keyboard of claim 10 wherein the exposed surfaces of said rectangularly shaped key regions are concave.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The keyboard of claim 11 wherein said layer of resilient material is comprised of a foam characterized by a low compression set.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The keyboard of claim 9 wherein the exposed surfaces of said rectangularly shaped key regions are concave.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The keyboard of claim 13 wherein said layer of resilient material is comprised of a foam characterized by a low compression set.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The membrane keyboard of claim 1 wherein: said pattern of cuts or slits in said foam layer defines a plurality of foam key regions raised above a base area, said raised keys being exposed to and visible to the user of the keyboard.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The membrane keyboard of claim 15 wherein: said key regions rise from 0.100 to 0.500 inches above said base area to form a long travel membrane key structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
139 words
A laminate structure for membrane keyboards, comprising: a circuit sheet of flexible insulating material having electrically conductive elements on one surface thereof; a layer of resilient foam material, a first surface of said layer of foam material being bonded to the second side of said circuit sheet, and a second surface of said layer of resilient foam having a pattern of cuts or slits formed therein to define a plurality of key regions, the key regions being areas of the full thickness of said layer of foam material bounded and spaced from one another by areas of partial thickness of said resilient foam; and indicia material means bonded to said second surface of said resilient foam, said indicia means also having a pattern of cuts or slits commensurate with the pattern of cuts or slits in said foam material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
139 words
A laminate structure for membrane keyboards, comprising: a circuit sheet of flexible insulating material having electrically conductive elements on one surface thereof; a layer of resilient foam material, a first surface of said layer of foam material being bonded to the second side of said circuit sheet, and a second surface of said layer of resilient foam having a pattern of cuts or slits formed therein to define a plurality of key regions, the key regions being areas of the full thickness of said layer of foam material bounded and spaced from one another by areas of partial thickness of said resilient foam; and indicia material means bonded to said second surface of said resilient foam, said indicia means also having a pattern of cuts or slits commensurate with the pattern of cuts or slits in said foam material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
A laminate structure for membrane keyboards as in claim 7 wherein: said pattern of cuts or slits in said resilient foam material and said pattern of cuts or slits in said indicia means are formed simultaneously from continuous layers of said foam material and said indicia material to define a laminate structure having foam material key regions raised above a base area.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A laminate structure for membrane keyboards as in claim 18 wherein: said raised foam material key regions are exposed to and visible to the user of the keyboard.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laminate structure for membrane keyboards of claim 19 wherein said key regions are of rectangular shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The laminate structure for membrane keyboards of claim 20 wherein said cuts or slits in said resilient material layer have a depth of between 0.1 and 0.5 inches.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The laminate structure for membrane keyboards of claim 21 wherein the exposed surfaces of said rectangularly shaped key regions are concave.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The laminate structure for membrane keyboards of claim 22 wherein said layer of resilient material is comprised of a foam characterized by a low compression set.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The laminate structure for membrane keyboards of claim 20 wherein the exposed surfaces of said rectangularly shaped key regions are concave.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The laminate structure for membrane keyboards of claim 24 wherein said layer of resilient material is comprised of foam having a low compression set.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The laminate structure for membrane keyboards of claim 19 wherein said layer of resilient material is comprised of foam having a low compression set.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
A laminate structure for membrane keyboards of claim 17 wherein: said pattern of cuts or slits in said foam layer defines a plurality of foam key regions raised above a base area, said raised keys being exposed to and visible to the user of the keyboard.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
A laminate structure for membrane keyboards of claim 27 wherein: said key regions rise from 0.100 to 0.500 inches above said base area to form a long travel membrane key structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-05-27 | 1988-11-26 | 1989-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-27 | 1992-11-26 | 1993-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-27 | 1996-11-26 | 1997-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |