Patents by Inventor Bruce D. Butts

Bruce D. Butts has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4125934
    Abstract: A keyboard-operated electronic apparatus such as an electronic calculator is made by forming a dielectric card with a plurality of recesses in one card side. Preferably the card is formed with a number of apertures extending through the card. Electrically conductive films are deposited in a selected pattern on the recessed card to define first and complementary contacts within each card recess and to define circuit paths which are connected to these contacts in a selected manner. Electrically conductive elements of a dished configuration are disposed in the respective card recesses to be located by the recesses in engagement with the first contacts in the recesses, and key means are mounted on the recessed card side for selectively moving the dished elements with snap action into an inverted dished configuration so that the elements further engage complementary contacts in the recesses to close selected circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Laurence J. Keough, Bruce D. Butts
  • Patent number: 4074088
    Abstract: A keyboard-operated electronic apparatus such as an electronic calculator is made by forming a dielectric card with a plurality of recesses in one card side. Preferably the card is formed with a number of apertures extending through the card. Electrically conductive films are deposited in a selected pattern on the recessed card to define first and complementary contacts within each card recess and to define circuit paths which are connected to these contacts in a selected manner. Electrically conductive elements of a dished configuration are disposed in the respective card recesses to be located by the recesses in engagement with the first contacts in the recesses, and key means are mounted on the recessed card side for selectively moving the dished elements with snap action into an inverted dished configuration so that the elements further engage complementary contacts in the recesses to close selected circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Laurence J. Keough, Bruce D. Butts