(19)
(11) EP 0 322 514 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: 88115127.8

(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 139679

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

(72) Inventors:
  • Spreadbury, Brian G.
    Corvallis, OR 97330 (US)
  • Kinser, Ralph W., Jr.
    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 switch system


    (57) A keyboard (10) is described including a rigid base member (12) with a pattern of depressions (14) in it, electrical circuitry (16) on a flexible support carried by the base member, and a plurality of domes (24) covering the circuitry. The electrical circuitry defines a plurality of open switches (17) in registry with the pattern of depressions in the base. The pattern of domes is in registry with the open switches. The underside of each dome includes a conductive surface which will complete a connection across a switch when the dome is de­pressed, whereby the switch circuitry is deflected downwardly into a depression in the base member.







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