Abstract:
A method of forming a switching device having a movable contact that is an integral part of a metallic support substrate and is supported above the support substrate by a plurality of spring-like legs that are also an integral part of the support substrate. One or more of the switching devices is produced by forming one or more groups of curved, unconnected radially extending slots in a metallic substrate to define support legs, plastically deforming the legs defined by the slots past their elastic limit, and then precipitation hardening the complete structure. The slots can be formed by a photomasking technique followed by an acid etch with the etch being performed from both sides of the metallic support substrate. To provide a desired tactile response characteristic, and to assure movement of a central portion of the switching device past the plane of the metallic support substrate, a portion of each of the legs defined by the slots may be removed to thin that portion of each leg. The plastic deformation may be performed in a male-female die mechanism.
Abstract:
This invention provides a keyboard assembly for installation in an electronic system of the type having discrete devices such as integrated circuit chips which are electrically actuated by the manual movement of keys. More particularly, the keyboard assembly consists totally of a cover, keys, cam plate, guide plate, contact plate, contacts deposited on flat flexible cable, a spacer, a base plate, and the bolts, etc. for mounting it.
Abstract:
A keyboard switch device comprising rows and columns of intersecting wires conductors held taut and normally spaced slightly from each other by a separator sheet of non-conducting material having openings therein aligned with the intersections of at least certain of the conductors. The conductors are engaged by depressing different keys aligned with the conductor intersections and a relatively thick layer of soft elastomeric materialis interposed between the keys and conductors to normally hold the keys in raised position and to transmit pressure from the keys to engage the conductors. By merely changing the sizes, shapes and positions of the openings, the switching device can be made to produce different output coded signals. Also, by changing the configuration of the various rows and columns of conductors different switch matrix patterns can be produced.
Abstract:
In a mechanically operated keyboard employing keys each having a multiplicity of electrical switch contacts for providing an encoded electrical signal output corresponding to and uniquely identifying individual key stations, an electrical circuit provides a dummy load across the multiple switch contacts which varies as different keys are actuated in a manner to provide a constant load across the multiple switch contacts. The electrical circuit develops a control signal which can be employed in conjunction with associated circuits to inhibit erroneous data output signals from the keyboard in the event of improper switch closure.
Abstract:
A switch for electrically connecting a first terminal with a plurality of other terminals. A contact movable into and out of electrical engagement with a plurality of base contacts is employed. The movable contact may comprise physically parallel wires affixed to a flexible plate, as well as wires which radiate radially outwardly from a point. The physically parallel wires may be inclined to the base contacts or the base contacts may be of different thicknesses to achieve sequential contacting of the base contacts by the movable contact. The base contacts may be any convenient shape, or in the form of concentric spirals or interspersed parallel segments or adjacent triangular-shaped segments.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an electric contact component (1b) and to a method for the production thereof. Said contact component comprises a sintered contact element (2a, 2b) and a contact carrier (4) which is integrally cast to the contact element and the grains of the contact element (2b) are oriented in the preferred direction (B).
Abstract:
A silver-coated stainless strip for a movable contact which includes a stainless steel substrate, an under coat layer of nickel, cobalt, a nickel alloy or a cobalt alloy formed on at least a part of the surface of the substrate, and a silver or silver alloy layer formed on the under coat layer, characterized in that a copper or a copper alloy layer having a thickness of 0.05 to 2.0 mum is provided between the silver or silver alloy layer and the under coat layer; and a method for producing the silver-coated stainless strip for which comprises forming the above three layers and then subjecting the resulting product to a heat treatment in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.