Abstract: A keyboard has a space bar centrally mounted on a plunger and supported at its ends by a torsion rod. The torsion rod has crank arms at its ends which are connected to the space bar and serve to distribute the actuating force on the space bar so that the plunger will move smoothly up and down and not bind. An attachment element in the nature of a yoke is provided for connecting the crank arms of the torsion rod to the space bar. A spring connected to the space bar flexibly engages the crank arm. The attachment element accommodates the natural, arcuate motion of the crank arm while simultaneously maintaining engagement with the crank arm to secure the space bar to the torsion rod and prevent the space bar from rattling or vibrating.

Abstract: A key switch cap mounting arrangement for use on a keyboard is disclosed in which the key cap and a column on which it is supported are formed with a cylindrical post and mating socket aligned with axes angularly offset from an axis perpendicular to the upper surface of the key cap and the longitudinal axis of the column. The cap and column can be assembled either so that the surface of the key cap is perpendicular to the axis of the column to provide for a sloped keyboard, or so that the surface of the cap is tilted from its perpendicular position to provide for a stepped keyboard.

Abstract: A space bar construction is provided for low profile keyboards which will accommodate, with the same construction, from a 1 to 3 space bar up to a 1 to 9 space bar. The arrangement provides a leveling system for the space bar to maintain exactly equal the depressed distances of the space bar at each end thereof through the utilization of a torsion spring for the leveling wire. The torsion spring imparts a constant loading in the leveling wire, and consequently the key top to avoid any noisy "play" between the parts. The unit is assembled complete as a self-contained module for later insertion into a low profile keyboard.

Abstract: A keyboard has a space bar centrally mounted on a plunger and supported at its ends by a torsion rod. The torsion rod has crank arms at its ends which are connected to the space bar and serve to distribute the actuating force on the space bar so that the plunger will move smoothly up and down and not bind. An attachment element in the nature of a yoke is provided for connecting the crank arms of the torsion rod to the space bar. A spring connected to the space bar flexibly engages the crank arm. The attachment element accommodates the natural, arcuate motion of the crank arm while simultaneously maintaining engagement with the crank arm to secure the space bar to the torsion rod and prevent the space bar from rattling or vibrating.

Abstract: A typewriter space bar touch control apparatus comprises a bell crank member, mounted on a support frame, which supports the space bar and a lever member which engages the bell crank when the space bar is depressed more than a small initial displacement. The motion of the bell crank is resisted by a helical tension spring and the engagement of the bell crank by the lever causes an operator to sense a sudden increase in resistance to displacement. Position transducers are provided on the support frame to sense the position of the lever member and the initial small displacement of the space bar corresponds to single space operation and larger displacement corresponds to repeat space operation.

Abstract: Keyboards designed in accordance with ergonomic viewpoints are slightly dished transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction and the key surfaces have a slope tending toward the dished shape. According to the invention, this arrangement is accomplished with the aid of adapters located between the key element plungers and the keyheads. For each row of keys there is provided a special type of adapter. The types of adapters differ from one another in their effective heights and in the slope angles of the supporting surfaces for the keyheads.

Abstract: A key mechanism arrangement for use in a keyboard of a business machine wherein a snap motion occurs in response to depression of a keylever. An elongated resilient member is pivotally supported intermediate its ends on a member. One end of the resilient member is coupled to the keylever for bias support thereof, while the free end cooperates with a restraining means, to first prevent its movement during initial keylever depression to store energy and then quickly released, causing the free end to snap against a member of a utilization apparatus. The resilient member restores the key mechanism arrangement to a rest position upon release of the keylever. Four embodiments are disclosed all having the same mode of operation. In three of the embodiments the restraining means includes a means of latching the free end of the resilient member and then selectively releasing that end actuated by further depression of the keylever.

Abstract: A switch actuator and position-locking means for module keyboard assemblies such as are used in data-processing machines and the like, utilizing key operable electric switches. The switch actuator is of the type normally associated with what is commonly called a "shift key" or "spacer bar," wherein the finger-engaging portion of the actuator is of a size greater than a single switch module, with the switch adapted to be mechanically locked in operative position and released by successive actuation of a related switch module.

Abstract: A low silhouette keyboard having a plurality of keylevers arranged in rows and in parallel relationship to one another are suspended, guided and biased to restore by opposing flexible support members. The keylevers are "T" shaped which includes a cross arm constrained between the flexible support members, and a leg portion which projects through slots in a single guide comb. The keylevers are suspended in cantilever fashion being biased upward limited by an upstop. Reciprocation of any keylever in any row is a path substantially perpendicular to the plane of the flexible support members. Keytouch of all keylevers is substantially simultaneous and uniformly adjustable by providing means for varying the upward biasing force applied thereto.

Abstract: In a key-operated machine in which actuation of a key moves code elements of an associated code card into the path of a photoelectric sensing system, each code card is moved by a drive mechanism so as to cause the code elements to traverse the sensing system path only once, and at a speed which is independent of the speed of key movement, in response to each key actuation.

Abstract: A toy simulating a typewriter for enabling a child to compose a large number of sentences from a limited number of words, the toy having a keyboard with a plurality of keys, each key having a word imprinted thereon. A carriage is provided with paper receiving imprints of the words from hinged type arms operable upon depression of the keys, depression of one of the keys performing the imprinting operation and release of the key actuating a spacer frame coacting with an indexing bar for incrementing the carriage under force of a spring a predetermined distance.