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Computer keyboard with cantilever switch and actuator design
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Inventors: English, George P.;
Assignee: Key Tronic Corporation (Spokane, WA)
Primary Examiner: Kincaid; Kristine L.
Assistant Examiner: Friedhofer; Michael A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wells, St. John, Roberts, Gregory & Matkin
A computer keyboard with multiple rows of cantilevered keys which are flexibly attached to first common mounting strips. The keyboard also has multiple rows of cantilevered sub-members flexibly attached to second common mounting strips, with the sub-members being aligned beneath associated keys. The cantilevered sub-members are in sliding contact with their associated cantilevered keys and induce a tactile "break over" sensation as the associated cantilevered keys are depressed. Each sub-member is designed to actuate a switch contact as the cantilevered key is depressed, whereby the computer keyboard can be constructed without a dome sheet. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.
S.
Patent Laws "to promote the progress of science and useful arts" (Article 1, Section 8).
FIG.
2 diagrammatically shows a computer keyboard 50 constructed in accordance to this invention.
Keyboard 50 comprises a rigid, plastic housing or enclosure 52 and multiple keys 54 arranged within housing 52 in a selected configuration.
Keys 54 include an "escape" key 56 and "function" keys 58 arranged across the top of the keyboard, "QWERTY" keys 60 which define the standard typewriter arrangement, and "numeric" keys 62 of the adder pad 63 at the right of the keyboard.
Most of the computer keys in keyboard 50 are "single-wide" keys such as "escape" key 56 and "function" keys 58.
Some keys are "multi-wide" keys such as "spacebar" key 64, "alt" keys 66, "control" keys 68, "shift" keys 70, "cap lock" key 72, "tab" key 74, "enter" key 76, and "insert" key 78.
The "single-wide" keys have narrow key caps with a width less than that of the key caps of "multi-wide" keys.
The key layout of keyboard 50 is provided for illustration purposes.
Most computer keyboards constructed today have more keys than are shown in keyboard 50.
For example, computer keyboards typically have 101 keys which include, in addition to those identified above, "cursor" keys and "edit" keys interposed between the "QWERTY" keys 54 and the "numeric" keys 62.
This invention is not limited to the illustrated keyboard, but may be incorporated into a keyboard having any number of keys (including both "single-wide" and "multi-wide" keys) and arranged in any selected configuration.
The upper right-hand portion of computer keyboard 50 is illustrated with a portion of enclosure 52 cut away to illustrate the underlying circuitry and interface construction.
Computer keyboard 50 includes a mother board or printed circuit board (PCB) 80 having multiple integrated circuits 82 and other electronic components mounted thereon
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