Patents by Inventor Theodore D. Clark

Theodore D. Clark 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: 5360955
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Key Tronic Corporation
    Inventors: George P. English, Stephen S. Damitio, Theodore D. Clark, Joseph A. Benefield
  • Patent number: 5329079
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Key Tronic Corporation
    Inventors: Goerge P. English, Theodore D. Clark
  • Patent number: 5278557
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Key Tronic Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald G. Stokes, Theodore D. Clark