International Business Machines Corporation

Lexmark International, Inc.

David A Bruner

William A Abell, Jr

A low profile tactile keyswitch including a horizontally positioned elastic column spring which buckles under an axial load to provide a tactile feel for the keyswitch. The ends of the spring are maintained between two spring holders which are urged together as the keybutton is depressed. Stabilizing arms pivotally attached to the keybutton are used to stabilize the keybutton and also to carry extensions which engage the spring holders to move them together as the keybutton is depressed. The keyswitch is operable to be placed in an inactive configuration in which the keybutton is lowered without placing the spring under added compression.

Low profile tactile keyswitch

A long keybutton is stablized with a pair of arms and an interconnecting shaft. The ends of the arms are connected to the keybutton using a thin serpentine section which distributes stress and forces to improve life of the part, and permits integral molded keybuttons. The integral molded part with the stability of the portions of the keybutton permits the automated assembly of the stabilized keybutton with the keyboard frame.

Long keybutton stabilizer

A switch activator is described which is a unitary molded plastic molded coil spring and a pivot plate which pivots to act on a membrane switch when the coil spring buckles under load. The buckling of the spring is controlled by the relative placement of the axis of the spring and a pivot surface around which the top portion of the spring pivots as the spring buckles. The cross section of the spring member is limited in size so as to prevent the forming of a solid column upon compression, while at the same time accommodating the needs for molten plastic flow in the spring during molding.

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Versailles, KY, United States of America

David A Bruner