(19)
(11) EP 0 322 515 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
12.09.1990 Bulletin 1990/37

(43) Date of publication A2:
05.07.1989 Bulletin 1989/27

(21) Application number: 88115128.6

(22) Date of filing: 15.09.1988
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)4: H01H 13/70
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB IT

(30) Priority: 30.12.1987 US 139415

(71) Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Company
Palo Alto, California 94304 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • Spreadbury, Brian G.
    Corvallis, OR 97330 (US)

(74) Representative: Liesegang, Roland, Dr.-Ing. et al
FORRESTER & BOEHMERT Franz-Joseph-Strasse 38
80801 München
80801 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Keyboard venting


    (57) A keyboard (10) (e.g. for a calculator) is described including a base member having a plurality of channels (14) or a chamber, circuitry defining a plurality of switches (17) in a pattern, and optionally a plurality of domes (24) in registry with the switch sites. When a dome is depressed or deflected downward­ly, the air under the dome passes into a channel or a chamber where it is distributed away from the switch site. A vent aperture (14B) communicating between the channel or chamber and the atmosphere may also be included. Membrane switches can also be used in such a keyboard.







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