The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 14, 1991
Filed:
Apr. 28, 1989
Randall N Eilert, Lake Stevens, WA (US);
Wilbur R Ames, IV, Lake Stevens, WA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A front panel assembly for an electronic instrument having a one-piece key pad with a plurality of protuberances thereon. The protuberances are formed in groups according to function and all protuberances in a group are positioned in proximity to each other. Each group of protuberances has a header protruberance defining the function of the group. Each protrusion, except the header protuberances has a corresponding electrical switching member connectably attached thereto. Each protuberance, except the header protrusions, functions as a key. When a key protuberance is pressed, the corresponding electrical switching member is pressed into operative engagement with a corresponding circuit on the circuit board. An alternate embodiment allows one group of keys to be replaced with a rotary dial without remaking the key pad.