Patents by Inventor Harold Welch

Harold Welch 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: 6987466
    Abstract: A keyboard and methods of making the same. The keyboard comprises of a bottom conducting base plate, an illumination layer, a transparent top conducting layer, a light transmissive keyboard membrane, and a plurality of input keys. The illumination layer is deposited on the bottom conducting base plate. The transparent top conducting layer is deposited on the illumination layer. The light transmissive keyboard membrane is disposed on the transparent top conducting layer. And, the plurality of input keys is disposed on the light transmissive keyboard membrane wherein each of the plurality of input keys has a keyswitch mechanism and a keycap including an upper strike surface attached to the keyswitch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Welch, Wing Kong Low, Benjamin Lyon, Duncan Kerr, Thai La, Brian Berkeley
  • Patent number: 6145211
    Abstract: A caliper gauge for moving sheet material such as paper which measures the thickness of the paper accommodates bumps or holes in the paper by providing at least one side of the caliper gauge with a long continuous smooth arm which because of its mounting in close proximity to the moving sheet, which is partially made possible by the use of air bearings for the upper and lower portions of the gauge, provides a gradual wedge-shaped opening which thus allows the transfer of the momentum of the bump or hole in the paper to gradually overcome the inertia of the measuring arm which is pushed away from the paper. The arm itself is made of a single piece of sapphire and is universally pivoted by the use of a polyimide material adhered to the top of the arm which gives the arm at least 2.degree. of dimensional freedom while still maintaining it aligned in the moving direction of the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Impact Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pekka M. Typpo, Harold Welch
  • Patent number: 5456542
    Abstract: An integrated adjustable data entry keyboard. A divided keyboard arrangement comprises first key field and second key fields pivotably mounted upon a stationary base. The first and second key fields substantially comprise a keyboard arrangement. A space bar is separately attached to the base and occupies a lower keyboard region centrally disposed between the first and second key fields. The space bar is enlarged so as to remain within the radius of a user's thumb's "strike zone" when a user adjusts the first and second key fields. A synchronizing coupling means may be employed to ensure complimentary movement of the first key field relative to the second key field and thereby relative to the user's hands and wrists, even if only one of the individual key fields is pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Welch, Stephen Peart, Matthew Herron, David Shen, Ray Riley, Andrew L. Carter, Robert A. Howard, Dexter Francis, David Nguyen