Hewlett-Packard Company

Clarence K Studley

Edward T Liljenwall

William W Misson

William J West

Bernard M Oliver

An array of curved metal strips is supported over an array of conductors, and a key is supported over each intersection of a metal strip and a conductor. When a user depresses a key, a metal strip is pressed against a conductor to make an electrical connection. As the metal strip is deflected by the key, it snaps or buckles, providing tactile feed back to the user. Each curved metal strip has a tine on one end for coupling the strip to a conductive member on a substrate that supports the strips and the array of condutors.

Keyboard having switches with tactile feedback

A keyboard is disclosed comprising a printed circuit board having conductors on only one side. Resilient switching elements are supported by selected ones of the conductors and may be deflected into contact with other selected ones of the conductors by keys supported above the switching elements.

Printed circuit board and contact assembly for keyboard switch assemblies

An array of curved metal strips is supported over an array of conductors, and a key is supported over each intersection of a metal strip and a conductor. When a user depresses a key, a metal strip is pressed against a conductor to make an electrical connection. As the metal strip is deflected by the key, it snaps or buckles, providing tactile feedback to the user.

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Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Clarence K Studley