Key Tronic Corporation

Output Technology Corporation

Stephen S Damitio

George P English

Theodore D Clark

Joseph A Benefield

A computer keyboard has multiple rows of cantilevered keys which are flexibly attached to common mounting strips. The rows of cantilevered keys are arranged to partially overlap adjacent rows such that the keys in one row actuate switch contacts aligned beneath mounting strips in the adjacent row. An interface between the switch contact membrane and a printed circuit board, and employing a portion of the dome sheet as supporting legs for the keyboard, are also described.

Computer keyboard with cantilever switch design and improved PCB/switch

A printer output paper collector 10 is described for refolding and stacking fanfold paper 20 that is discharged from a continuous form printer 12. The collector 10 includes a frame 40 with a base 41, a printer stand section 42 and a restacking section 44. The restacking section 44 has a platform 46 for receiving the discharged paper that is to be restacked. Helical refolding guides 60 and 62 are mounted on vertical shafts 64 and 66 respectively for rotation in opposite directions to initially engage the fanfold paper and to refold the paper and restack the paper. The helical refolding guides 60 and 62 include helical spiral elements 68 and 70 that rotate with the shafts 64 and 66, and are permitted to move vertically to maintain the vertical elements 68 and 70 on top of the restack as it progressively increases in height.

Printer outfeed paper collector for refolding and restacking fanfold

A computer keyboard employs a single monoblock structure to both support the keys and to define the aesthetic enclosure. The monoblock has multiple key supports into which key bodies are slidably mounted. The keyboard includes a switch membrane disposed on top of the monoblock and a dome sheet positioned on top of the switch membrane beneath the key bodies. The dome sheet has multiple resilient domes with openings formed therein to provide access for the key bodies to corresponding key supports. The domes support the key bodies and provide the 'spring-like' feel during operation of the computer keys. The switch membrane has annular switch contacts positioned about the monoblock key supports beneath the domes. As one of the key bodies is depressed, the associated dome buckles and actuates the annular switch contact. The computer keyboard is low cost due to having only one structural component and is quiet due to the position of the rubber or elastomer dome sheet beneath the key bodies.

Membrane computer keyboard and improved key structure

Excess clearance provided between a multi-wide keytop and a rigid supporting housing layer is removed by provision of yieldable projections that extend upwardly beyond the housing layer and engage the movable leveling bar. The projections are formed integrally with an underlying dome sheet of elastomeric material and protrude through complementary openings formed through the housing layer.

Quieting device for keytop leveling mechanisms

A dome sheet molded integrally from elastomeric rubber or plastic material is divided into two or more planar sheet sections, each containing a plurality of raised domes used in keyboard actuation. The adjacent sections are integrally joined by a hinged web having walls extending outward from the plane of the sheet. The web permits translational and angular movement of the adjacent sheet sections as required to properly position them between mating keyboard parts during keyboard assembly. This assures more accurate alignment between keyswitch actuators and keyboard switching elements associated with the individual domes about the dome sheet.

Expansion joint for keyboard dome sheets

A keyswitch operator includes a supporting bearing block and axially movable keytop and plunger. A cylindrical plunger is slidably guided between alternating flat and conical surfaces about a through bore in the bearing block. The flat surfaces provide constant bearing guides along multiple axial lines angularly spaced about the plunger. The conical surfaces provide draft to facilitate removal of a mold after forming of the through bore. Both 'quiet tactile' and 'click tactile' modes of operation are available when utilizing the keyswitch operator in conjunction with a yieldable dome overlying a membrane switch assembly. 'Click tactile' operation requires the addition of a spring-biased piston to physically engage the underlying switch assembly when the plunger has been depressed.

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Veradale, WA, United States of America

Stephen S Damitio