Abstract: A sheet switch comprises a pair of flexible insulative films, one of which is provided with a plurality of electrodes, resistances connected to the electrodes, respectively, and line patterns for externally connecting the electrodes via the resistances. The other insulative film is also provided with a plurality of second electrodes at positions corresponding to the first electrodes, respectively, and a space is defined between each of the facing electrodes. The line pattern is a laminated structure consisting of an underlayer formed of a low resistance paste and an upper layer formed of a high resistance paste coated over the underlayer. The underlayer formed of a low resistance paste is partially disconnected to define a gap, so that the resistance is formed integrally with the upper layer formed of a high resistance paste at a position corresponding to the gap.

Abstract: A multi-directional switch assembly, such as a joypad or joystick for an electronic game apparatus, including a printed circuit board, a resiliently deformable member having contact elements thereon and an input member mounted to deform the deformable member to effect closing of the switches. The input member is pivotally mounted by a post assembly, and the post assembly is supported by the game apparatus housing in a manner which is independent of the printed circuit board to substantially isolate the printed circuit board from thrust forces manually applied to the joypad input member.

Abstract: A touch panel having a panel body formed by transparent upper and lower electrodes spaced a predetermined distance. The touch panel is mounted on a front surface of a display device to detect a coordinate at a depressed position on the upper electrode. The improvement comprises a transparent insulating liquid material filled between the upper and lower electrodes and a coloring agent containing pigment or dyestuff dispersed in the liquid material. In another aspect, the improvement comprises a transparent insulating liquid material filled between the upper and lower electrodes and an insulating fine powder dispersed in the liquid material.

Abstract: A membrane keyboard is comprised of a dielectric substrate and an overlying deflectable membrane layer separated by a spacer. A plurality of contact poles are located on the dielectric substrate with an electrically conductive common contact area located on the flexible membrane. A portion of the flexible membrane is locally stiffened and, in a preferred embodiment, provided with a ridge extending away from a portion of the membrane towards the contact poles. Upon actuation of the switch, the stiffened portion of the membrane ensures simultaneity of contact between the common contact area on the membrane and the contact poles on the substrate. Preferred embodiments utilize a generally circular ridge in the deflectable membrane cooperating with interdigitated contact poles.

Abstract: A panel switch according to the present invention has a switching unit comprising a plurality of switches which are not provided with individual click means and at least one click mechanism for the switching unit. Because the switching unit does not incorporate individual click mechanisms, the panel switch can be formed into a small size. In addition, by the integration of the provided click mechanism, the degree of freedom on the design of the panel switch is enlarged, and a small-sized panel switch which is excellent in switching feeling can be offered.

Abstract: A glass membrane touch-controlled circuit apparatus for voltage selection. The apparatus has a flexible glass membrane which is spaced by a dielectric layer adhesively joined between the upper flexible glass membrane and a lower, rigid support layer. Conductive circuitry is printed onto the surface of the upper flexible glass membrane and corresponding areas of conductive and/or resistive circuitry are printed onto the lower support layer. By application of tactile pressure to the upper flexible glass membrane, the conductive circuitry printed onto the flexible glass membrane can be moved into a point of momentary contact with the circuitry carried on the lower support layer.

Abstract: A switch assembly comprises an element carrying a pair of hinged switch actuators and a universal devices connector. An outer member, preferably formed of rubber, overlies the actuators and underlies the connector whereby the placement of this switch sub-assembly comprising the element and member in the switch compartment of a portable radio seals the switches in the compartment. Actuation of the switches is accomplished by depressing a switch-actuation area in the flexible rubber member to pivot the underlying hinge to engage and depress an electrical switch. The sub-assembly is mounted in the compartment by a tongue-and-groove arrangement at one end, and a single retaining screw at its opposite end. Flexible electrical circuit carrier leads are threaded through a slot in the compartment wall to interconnect the switches and connector with the internal circuitry of the radio.

Abstract: A resilient pad for keyboards, such as computer keyboards, is disclosed. The pad is composed of EPDM blended with a copolymer of propylene oxide and allyl glycidyl ether. Each of the polymers is present in the amount of 10-90 parts. An accelerator system for the polymer blend is also disclosed. The pad has substantially improved resilience as measured by the hysteresis of the pad.

Abstract: Fine particles, of predetermined composition and sized to be within a predetermined size range, are deposited on, and thereafter adhere in random distribution to, one of two adjacent surfaces, serving to keep the surfaces uniformly spaced apart except when an external force causes them to make local contact. The particles are conveniently applied in the form of a spray of a suspension of particles and a fluid carrier material, preferably water with alumina particles, or an aqueous solution of a chloride salt of an alkaline earth metal such as calcium, potassium or sodium when small glass beads are used as the particles. Brown alumina particles (approximately 96% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) in the size range 3-50 microns, so utilized, are found well suited as parallel surface spacers in optically transparent touch sensitive overlay (TSO) panels.

Abstract: A contrast enhancing, substantially transparent touch panel device comprises a static element, a dynamic element and a microweave screen of a fine mesh of fine dark-colored filaments embedded within a clear adhesive layer and incorporated as an integral part of the dynamic element of the panel. Preferably there is no air gap between the front of the device and the conductive surface of the dynamic element. The device can comprise at least one layer of transparent colored coating for light attentuation, color-selective light filtering, and tint correction.

Abstract: A touchpad jogger for emulating operator contact with a touchpad surface has a ball rotatably mounted at the end of a spring arm cantilever mounted to one end of an axle. A knob is fixedly mounted to the other end of the axle so that when the knob is rotated the ball is caused to roll across the touchpad surface to emulate operator contact. A plate through which the axle extends provides for attaching the touchpad jogger to a housing containing the touchpad surface.

Abstract: A dome sheet molded integrally from elastomeric rubber or plastic material is divided into two or more planar sheet sections, each containing a plurality of raised domes used in keyboard actuation. The adjacent sections are integrally joined by a hinged web having walls extending outward from the plane of the sheet. The web permits translational and angular movement of the adjacent sheet sections as required to properly position them between mating keyboard parts during keyboard assembly. This assures more accurate alignment between keyswitch actuators and keyboard switching elements associated with the individual domes about the dome sheet.

Abstract: A control panel face for mounting at least one control member. The control panel face includes a base having a face surface onto which at least a portion of the control member is positioned, at least a portion of the face surface being magnetic; a flexible magnetic sheet for being removably attached to the face surface of the base over the control member; and a flexible cover sheet for being attached to the magnetic sheet and for covering the aperture through the magnetic sheet, the cover sheet including indicia for identifying the control member.

Abstract: The described embodiment of the present invention provides a very low pressure electrical switch for use in brightness control of lamps. The electrical switch includes a flexible membrane on which printed leads are interlaced in a regular fashion. Portions of the interlaced electrical leads are exposed. The membrane is fastened to the surface of a rigid surface. In the area under the exposed conductor, a fixed conductor is formed. The membrane is fastened to the surface of the rigid surface so that a very small spacing is maintained between the exposed conductors and the fixed conductor. Because of this small spacing, a very light touch is required to cause the exposed conductors to be shorted to the fixed conductor. A microprocessor then determines which leads of the membranes are shorted together and causes the light to dim appropriately.

Abstract: A foldable data collecting device includes a first case and a second case mutually connected in a foldable manner, and a plate hinged between the first case and the second case by an opening/closing support. A sheet-like keyboard is disposed on the surfaces of the plate and one face of each of the first case and the second case. In case a key on the plate is to be depressed, the plate is folded down toward either the first case or the second case so that the side having the key to be depressed is directed upwardly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic keyboard comprising transmitting elements and receiving elements activated in multiplex operation, with the changes in the luminous flux caused by actuation of keys resulting in a signal which defines the actuated key. The invention resides in arranging the transmitting and receiving elements in a main body of the keyboard which comprises a separate cover acting as optical and electromagnetic shielding. The space serving to guide the radiation is preferably separated and shielded from the space accommodating the elements and the electronic evaluating system. Various kinds of multiplex operation can be used to operate the keyboard.

Abstract: Layers of a thin, electrically insulating material are bonded together to form a switch. The bottom layer of the switch has electrically conductive areas aligned with openings through a second layer. A third layer has a pattern of spaced lines of an electrical conductor positioned over the openings in the second layer. Fluid pressure applied to the bottom layer causes flexing of the bottom layer toward the third layer to bring the electrically conductive areas into contact with the pattern of conductive lines on the third layer, thereby closing the switch. A vent chamber in the second layer is pneumatically coupled to the openings in the second layer so that when the switch is closed air in the openings in the second layer can be vented to the vent chamber. The switch can be used to sense changes in fluid pressure in a water system, for example.

Abstract: A push button switch which may be used, for example, as a zooming switch in a video camera, having a uniform electrical resistance/applied pressure characteristic and which can be manufactured easily and at a low cost. The switch includes a conductive layer and a pressure-sensitive resistance element disposed between electrode patterns provided on a printed circuit board and an insulated push button. The conductive layer is coated with a pressure-sensitive conductive paste and the pressure-sensitive resistance element is fixed to the insulated push button at a opposed surface to the electrode patterns separated by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A joystick controller apparatus comprises a lever mounted for pivotal motion in at least two directions, a guide defining a preselected shift pattern for the lever, and an indicating arrangement for producing a digital logic representation of the position of the lever relative to the shift pattern. The indicating arrangement comprises energy actuated members positioned at predetermined locations relative to the shift pattern, energy producing members positioned in registry with the energy actuated members for normally actuating the same and shield members interposed between the energy producing members and energy actuated members and movable in response to movement of the lever into positions for respectively permitting and preventing actuation of the energy actuated members by the energy producing members in a predetermined fashion such that said energy actuated members collectively form a representation of the location of the lever relative to the shift pattern.

Abstract: A trim switch control for aligning a motor on a boat. The switch includes a housing in which a switch body is supported. A bridging member includes side lobes having domed contact engaging portions. In response to user actuation, an actuator surface is brought into engagement with the domed side lobes causing deformation of those lobes into engagement with the contacts. This completes an electrical circuit, resulting in user actuated control of the motor trim.

Abstract: A decodable alphanumeric membrane switchcore (12, 12a, 12b,100) of at least 36 key cells (55,122) including spaced circuits (16,17;105,115) having row and column traces (20-34, 40-47,51;106,116) and key cell elements (37,38,49;80;107,117) printed with ink having a resisitivity of at least about 10 ohms per square per 0.001" of ink thickness and having at least one path defined by a row trace, column trace and a key cell that has a resistance greater than 10,000 ohms.

Abstract: A membrane keyboard has two spaced flexible membranes (1 and 2) carrying contact pad assemblies. Acoustic pads (15) of expanding ink are printed on the top surface of the upper membrane (2) between the contact pads (4) and the key buttons used to operate the contact switches formed by the pairs of opposed contact pads, thus reducing the acoustic noise and improving the contact bounce characteristic.Optionally, printed expanding ink is also used to form the spacer (5) between the membranes (1 and 2).

Abstract: A membrane capacitive keyboard of the type including a first flexible dielectric sheet and a second dielectric sheet having electrically conductive patterns thereon which form an array of capacitors and connecting matrices of drive and sense conductors. The patterns on the sheets include a first array of capacitor plates on an inner surface of the first sheet and a second array of capacitor plates on the outer surface of the second sheet. A third array of electrically floating capacitor plates is formed by a third pattern on the inner surface of the second sheet. The sense conductors are capacitively coupled to ground through coupling capacitor plates connected to the sense conductors and a common capacitor plate overlaying the coupling capacitor plates.

Abstract: A switching device comprising a rubber switch, an operating member displaceable between at least two operative positions and a neutral position, and a cooperating member shiftable between the at least two cooperative positions and neutral position in response to displacement of the operating member. The operating member and the cooperating member are held in their neutral position due to the resilience of the rubber switch, while one contact is brought into engagement with a corresponding conductive element in the rubber switch when the corresponding cooperating member is shifted to one of the cooperative positions in response to the displacement of the operating member against the resilience of the rubber switch.

Abstract: A tactile membrane switch assembly that includes at least one switch site having inner and outer contacts and a snap dome switch wherein the assembly includes a flexible substrate of electrically insulating material having a plurality of alternating layers of dielectric ink and electrically conductive ink patterned to define the inner and outer contacts and suitable conductive runs. A top layer of wear resistant carbon ink is applied to the outer contact and the snap acting dome switch which is conductive is mounted onto the switch site so that it peripherally engages the outer contact. A dome seal is applied over the snap dome switch to hold it in place and to seal the circuitry from contamination.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for forming a keyboard apparatus of an electronic musical instrument, including a combination of at least two key units each having a plurality of key members and an elongated bracket portion connecting the key members together, a frame structure to which the key units are assembled together in such a manner that each of the individual key members of the key units is allowed to rock independently of each other about an axis fixed with respect to the frame structure and parallel with the bracket portion of each key unit, and plural combinations of a concavity formed in the bracket portion of one of the key units and a projection formed in the bracket portion of the other of the key units and received in the concavity for establishing a first predetermined positional relationship between each of the key units before the key units are assembled to the frame structure.

Abstract: A low-profile rubber keypad with good tactile feel and illuminability includes a plurality of layers adhesively bonded to one another. The top layer of the keypad is a silicone rubber overlay having a plurality of keys protruding therefrom. The rubber overlay is adhesively bonded to an actuation layer including a plurality of thin actuating strips. The actuation layer is adhesively bonded to a tactile layer including a plurality of collapsible resilient domes. The tactile layer is adhesively bonded to a shorting layer including a plurality of conductors. The shorting layer is adhesively bonded to a flex circuit layer including a plurality of conductors.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus of an electronic musical instrument includes keys, mass members, and springs. Each key can pivot about a first pivot fulcrum. Each mass member can pivot about a second pivot fulcrum. Each spring supplies a biasing force to at least the corresponding mass member so that the mass member returns to an initial state. In this apparatus, each key has a point of application for pivoting the corresponding mass member in the same direction as a pivoting direction of each key when each key is depressed.

Abstract: A keyboard switch assembly includes a thin, flexible, glass top layer forming a membrane. Disposed on an inner surface of the glass membrane is a first conductive layer forming an electrode. Disposed beneath the first conductive layer is an insulating layer or spacer having an aperture therein that defines a switch contact area. Beneath the spacer a rigid portion of the keyboard switch assembly is provided. The rigid portion of the keyboard switch assembly includes a rigid substrate with a conductive coating formed thereon to provide a second conductive layer or electrode disposed beneath the spacer. A flexible polymer layer may further be disposed between the rigid substrate and the second conductive layer to reduce point contact degradation in the keyboard switch assembly. Decorative paint layers may be formed on the inner surface of the glass membrane between the glass membrane and the first conductive layer.

Abstract: A power window switch for an automobile having a switching mechanism which includes a fixed contact plate and a circuit board secured within the inside of a resinous casing, the casing including a port. Positioned above the port is a button which includes a sloped elastic portion having its outer edge secured to the casing around the port. Compression of the button's sloped elastic portion places a conductive rubber contact attached to the bottom surface of the button into contact with a fixed contact on the fixed contact plate. The circuit board includes a switching circuitry which is responsive to variations in position of the button and attached conductive rubber contact.

Abstract: A multi-directional switch which is utilized for completing selected ones of a number of different electrical circuits is placed in a housing in which the different electrical circuits to be controlled terminate in pairs of spaced-apart conductors located in the bottom of the housing. A cylindrical pushbutton actuating member extends upwardly through a circular opening in the top of the housing. This actuating member has a flange on the lower end which extends radially outwardly from the main body of the actuating member, and this flange is supported on a deformable support which has a circular opening in the center. A ball bearing is placed in the opening the deformable support and engages the bottom of the housing and the bottom of the actuating member.

Abstract: The electric push-button switch comprises a housing portion and a linearly moveable push-button portion. Guide columns at the housing portion and the push-button portion attain accurate linear guiding and rotational positioning of the push-button portion. These guide columns mutually interact or interengage and are in multiple line contact with one another. This multiple line contact extends in the direction of movement of the push-button portion. The length of such line contact is variable between a rest position and an operating position of the push-button portion. This line contact is greatest when the push-button portion assumes its operating position. A contact surface of a fixed counter contact comprises a planar slide surface for resilient contact arms carried by the push-button portion. The friction arising during the forced sliding movement of the resilient contact arms over the contact surface produces self-cleaning of the contacts and damping of contact chatter movements.

Abstract: An appliance with a glass control panel is provided with a membrane touch control panel assembly which simulates the appearance of a glass capacitive touch panel, and which can tolerate relatively harsh temperature environments such as on the backsplash of a range.

Abstract: A see-through calculator or memory device comprises a transparent base, a see-through printed circuit board and a transparent switch panel. Liquid is housed in a cavity in the base, formed by welding to the base a panel above a recess in the base.

Abstract: A modular snap-in keypad apparatus includes a planar frame member having a plurality of button accommodating apertures and a plurality of mounting posts extending therefrom. An elastomeric key button assembly has a planar surface containing a plurality of apertures which are positioned to receive each post. The button assembly comprises a plurality of raised elastomeric button structures which extend through an associated button accommodating aperture when said posts of said frame assembly accommodates the apertures in the button assembly. A planar switch assembly has a plurality of apertures which are congruently positioned with respect to the posts to enable the contact assembly to be positioned with respect to each button so that a conductive area of the button contacts the contact assembly when the button is depressed.

Abstract: The portable terminal keyboard includes silicone rubber mixed with phosphorescent material used on the external exposed surface of the keyboard and conventional silicone rubber used for the moving parts, so that it is luminous for a certain duration by being irradiated for a while with a light source, thereby facilitating the user's entry operation and also enhancing the durability of the keyboard. The keyboard has its key mat made of a magnetic material so that it is attached by magnetism to the main frane, thereby faciliting replacement with a different key mat. The magnetic key mat structure allows the single access attachment and eliminates such conventional fixtures as lugs, whereby the key mat can be replaced more easily even in darkness and the lugs or the like are not present to be damaged as would be otherwise caused by frequent key mat replacement.

Abstract: Electronic equipment includes a keyboard portion arranged on an electronic equipment body, for inputting data, a solar cell, arranged on the electronic equipment body, for supplying power, a cover for protecting the solar cell, and a display portion arranged on the cover.

Abstract: A multi-stage push button switch device includes a plurality of first and second push button members fixedly coupled to a base plate. Each first and second push button member includes a button portion having a flexible arm portion extending therefrom. The end of each flexible arm portion remote from the button portion is coupled to the base plate. The flexible arm portions of the second push button members are longer than the flexible arm portions of the first push button members, whereby the button portions of the second push button members are supported at a greater distance from the base plate than the button portions of the first push button members. The first and second push button members have working pieces protruding therefrom and movable in response to a pushing of the associated button portion to push and thereby actuate an associated switch.

Abstract: A keyboard having a plurality of rows of depressable keys whose key tops define a surface of concave profile curved about an axis. The concave profile is achieved with key tops and key stems of identical configuration by maintaining a key holder plate which carries the key stems in a concave profile. The concave profile of the key holder plate is produced by forming the plate with graduated flexibility across its width and mounting it on a substantially rigid base so that a region of the plate located midway between its edges is drawn to a position outside the plane containing the edges of the plate by means of a plurality of fasteners between the base and a plate located along its length.

Abstract: In a capacitive switchcore of the type in which each key cell includes a contact switch in series with a key cell capacitor, an improvement is disclosed in which an intracell coactive loading capacitor is added to each key cell. The intracell coactive loading capacitor is connected between ground and the junction of the contact switch with the key cell capacitor. A matrix of key cells so formed is self-referencing, in that the need for a separate reference capacitor to load the sense line is eliminated. Instead, loading is provided intrinsically by the effect of the intracell coactive loading capacitors acting through multiple key cells connected to a sense line. A preferred embodiment in a capacitive membrane switchcore is described.

Abstract: A membrane switch sheet is disposed on a base plate and an adhesive layer is formed all over the membrane switch sheet. A positioning sheet, which has positioning holes respectively corresponding to membrane switches arranged on the membrane switch sheet, is disposed on the adhesive layer, and a tact plate having a normally upward curved portion is bonded to the adhesive layer in each positioning hole. A mounting plate is disposed on the positioning sheet at a distance therefrom. The mounting plate has a sleeve at a position corresponding to each tact plate. A stem is slidably received in the sleeve. The stem is capped with a key top formed integrally therewith. An acutating coiled spring is fixed at one end and engaged at the other end with the tact plate. When the key top is depressed, the coiled spring presses down the corresponding membrane switch through the tact plate, turning on the switch.

Abstract: In a membrane-type touch panel including a pair of circuit layers having facing conductive circuit patterns normally separated by spacers defining voids through which regions of the circuit patterns can move to effect actuation, a series of projections are provided which, upon actuation, are adapted to act inwardly upon the outer surface of at least one of the two circuit layers at regions aligned with corresponding voids to reduce the required actuation force or to allow a reduction in the size of the spacer voids to reduce the possibility of false actuations.

Abstract: A telephone keypad assembly including a one-piece deformable membrane for sealing the keypad assembly from the environment. The deformable membrane has an upper surface for mating with keypad pushbuttons and a keypad pushbutton housing unit, and a lower surface including a contact actuator for making contact with electrical switch contacts. The membrane forms raised areas or domes which bias the keypad pushbuttons and biasingly resists movement of the contact actuator toward the electrical contacts. The keypad assembly including switch contacts is protected from moisture, dust and other corrosive elements by the seal formed between the housing unit and the deformable membrane.

Abstract: The keyboard comprises piezoelectric crystal elements arranged between laminates provided with conducting strips. A voltage is generated when pressure is applied to the elements. The keyboard is tensionless in its rest state and contains no unwanted air spaces.

Abstract: Flexible membrane switchcores (100, 100a,100b) including a conductive first circuit (180) having first traces (171-178;194;196) and a conductive second circuit (185) having second traces (186-192;195;197), first contact elements (107a-162a) formed as nonbranched integral sections of the first traces (171-178;194;196), and second contact elements (107b-172b) formed as nonbranched integral sections of the second traces (186-192;195;197).

Abstract: A keybutton guide assembly for a full sized keyboard with full travel keybuttons has a structure including a keybutton having a spring actuator engaging a spring finger at a location spaced away from a keybutton stem. This structure causes the keybutton stem to be guided only at an upper end of a stem guide boss for controlling the movement of a keybutton between rest and depressed positions with minimum rubbing friction.

Abstract: A keyboard comprises a base plate carrying contact circuits and provided with a plurality of holes, and a key holding frame integrally provided with key housings for receiving keys, vertically flexible posts for determining the lateral position of the base plate relative to the key holding frame, horizontally flexible posts for determining the lateral position of the base plate relative to the key holding frame in cooperation with the vertically flexible posts, fixed posts for determining the longitudinal position of the base plate relative to the key holding frame, and hooks for determining the vertical position of the base plate relative to the key holding fame and to hold the base plate firmly on the key holding frame.

Abstract: In a capacitive-type switch having two capacitive levels, a relatively thin blade of a desired dielectric material is interposed between two capacitive plates by downward actuation of a push-button switch so that the plates become separated by the blade. When the push button is released, the blade is removed from between the two capacitive plates and a high capacitance level is once again achieved.

Abstract: A key switch structure is provided which improves the reliability of the elasticity of the switch. A front film has a metal front panel adhered to its underside. A switch panel pattern is formed in the front panel and includes an operational member or contact unitary with the front panel, connected thereto by spring portions formed of connection members and leg members, connected to supports of the metal front panel. The contact has a carbon film on its underside, and is separated from a fixed contact by a spacer film. The spring portions eliminate the problem of deformation by creep of the front film and thus improve the reliability of the key switch.

Abstract: A conformal electrical sensor switch for determining the presence or absence of weight, such as a person in a bed, comprises flexible, parallel sensing strips positioned to make contact when pressure is applied. Sensing strip circuits are held apart by a separator strip until pressure is applied and thus closing a latch which provides signal output through snap connectors which are affixed to the sensing strips and which extend beyond the sealed flexible cover of the sensor switch. The flexible cover serves to secure the sensing strips and connectors in a facing relationship. The connectors are designed to permit easy attachment to a variety of signal processing/monitoring devices.