Key Tronic Corporation

Theodore D Clark

George P English

Stephen S Damitio

Joseph A Benefield

Goerge P English

Ronald G Stokes

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 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. Each cantilevered key has an elongated member extending between a common mounting strip and a key cap, whereby the elongated members are wider at the point of attachment to the common mounting strips than at a point adjacent to the key cap.

Computer keyboard with improved cantilever switch design

A cursor movement control key and electronic keyboard for a computer having a video display incorporates a force-sensitive resistor having a junction resistance which varies inversely with pressure applied thereto. The external key cap engages an actuator which bears against the force-sensitive resistor. The actuator has a plurality of four pads which bear against respective electrode regions of the force-sensitive resistor. The pads are positioned at the 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree., and 270.degree. positions. The actuator mounts relative to a keyboard mounting plate. At least one of the actuator and mounting plate include opposed lateral projections which engage relative to the other of the actuator and mounting plate to both, a) retain the actuator to the mounting plate, and yet b) allow clearance for tilting movement of the actuator relative to the mounting plate. The force-sensitive resistor is comprised of a material which is predictably and consistently responsive to operator proportional force inputs between about 50 grams and 175 grams. The opposing electrode regions are connected with parallel resistances which cause the resulting resistance response to be more linear for operator force inputs below some preset value selected somewhere between about 50 and 175 grams.

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Spokane, WA, United States of America

Theodore D Clark