Title (en)

Keyboard switch.

Title (de)

Tastaturschalter.

Title (fr)

Interrupteur pour clavier.

Publication

EP 0353900 A1 19900207 (EN)

Application

EP 89307240 A 19890717

Priority

GB 8818351 A 19880802

Abstract (en)

A keyboard switch for use with a membrane switch array (20) to provide a tactile feeling and, optionally, a click sound comprises a housing (10) which is positioned on the membrane switch array (20). A plunger (13) is reciprocally mounted within the housing (10) and projects outwardly from the housing, the plunger having a cam portion (133). An actuating arm (14) is pivoted to the housing (10) and has a first portion (141) extending beneath the plunger (13) and a second, cam follower portion (142) which engages the cam portion (133) of the plunger (13). The first portion (141) of the actuating arm (14) has a boss (1412) on its surface facing away from the plunger (13) for engaging the switch array (20). A compression spring (15) extends between the plunger (13) and the first portion 141 of the actuating arm (14) to urge the plunger (13) outwardly from the housing (10). A leaf spring (16) is mounted to the housing (10) and has a portion (161) which normally engages the plunger (13) whereby when the plunger is depressed into the housing (10) the boss (1412) on the actuating arm actuates the membrane switch and the plunger flexes the leaf spring to a point at which the spring snaps back to a rest position thereby providing a tactile feeling and, in certain cases, a click sound.

IPC 1-7

H01H 13/50; H01H 13/70

IPC 8 full level

H01H 13/50 (2006.01); H01H 13/705 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

H01H 13/50 (2013.01); H01H 13/705 (2013.01); H01H 2215/03 (2013.01); H01H 2221/062 (2013.01); H01H 2233/034 (2013.01); H01H 2237/002 (2013.01)

Citation (search report)

• [YD] EP 0142593 A1 19850529 - OAK INDUSTRIES INC [US]
• [YD] DE 3520848 A1 19851031 - ALPS ELECTRIC CO LTD [JP]
• [Y] DE 2346392 A1 19740328 - VICTOR COMPTOMETER CORP
• [A] GB 1187468 A 19700408 - ERICSSON TELEPHONES LTD
• [A] EP 0118131 A2 19840912 - OAK INDUSTRIES INC [US]
• [Y] I.B.M. TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN vol. 24, no. 8, January 1982, New York page 4320 J.D. BERSOT: "KEYBOARD SPRING DECELERATOR"

Designated contracting state (EPC)

DE GB

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 0353900 A1 19900207; EP 0353900 B1 19940831; DE 68917827 D1 19941006; DE 68917827 T2 19950302; GB 8818351 D0 19880907; HK 1007831 A1 19990423

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 89307240 A 19890717; DE 68917827 T 19890717; GB 8818351 A 19880802; HK 98107021 A 19980626