US3761919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radiation sensitive keyboard
Assignee: Singer Co
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Filing: 1972-08-14
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1992-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A radiation sensitive keyboard device having a plurality of photosensitive receptors mounted on a base member along with a plurality of light sources, and a plurality of manually actuatable key assemblies, each reciprocably carried in a plurality of recesses in a mounting plate and each associated to a different receptor. Each key assembly has a stem portion, a key top mounted on one end and a shield mounted on the other end for blocking light to the associated receptor when the key assembly is actuated. The base member has a resilient layer for providing a substantially light-tight seal with the proximal end of each shield and an initial cushion stop therefor when the key assembly associated thereto is actuated. Each key assembly is provided with a biasing means for providing a restoring force tending to urge the key assembly in a direction away from the associated receptor.
Inventors
- 👤 P Baumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:37
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/968; H03K17/969; B; B41; B41J; B41J5/00; B41J5/08; B41J5/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A keyboard device comprising: a photosensitive receptor for producing an output signal in response to irradiation by incident radiation of a predetermined intensity; and a manually actuatable key assembly for shielding said receptor from said radiation in response to the actuation thereof, said key assembly including a reciprocable key stem having a key top at one end and a radiation blocking shield at the other end for partially surrounding said receptor when said key assembly is actuated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A keyboard device comprising: a photosensitive receptor for producing an output signal in response to irradiation by incident radiation of a predetermined intensity; and a manually actuatable key assembly for shielding said receptor from said radiation in response to the actuation thereof, said key assembly including a reciprocable key stem having a key top at one end and a radiation blocking shield at the other end for partially surrounding said receptor when said key assembly is actuated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shield is axially aligned with said receptor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shield is formed in a shape for completely surrounding said receptor when said key assembly is actuated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said receptor has a substantially cylindrical shape and said shield has a cylindrical recess sized to receive said receptor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a base member for mounting said receptor, said base member having a resilient layer for providing a substantially radiation impervious shield with the proximal end of said shield and a cushion stop therefor when said key assembly is actuated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including bias means for urging said shield in a direction away from said receptor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
A keyboard device comprising: a plurality of photosensitive receptors, each said receptor having means for producing an output signal in response to irradiation by incident radiation of a predetermined intensity; a plurality of manually actuatable key assemblies, each key assembly arranged to shield a different one of said receptors from said radiation in response to the actuation thereof; each said key assembly including a reciprocable key stem having a key top at one end and a radiation blocking shield at the other end for partially surrounding the associated receptor when said key assembly is actuated; and a plurality of radiation sources for supplying said incident radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
A keyboard device comprising: a plurality of photosensitive receptors, each said receptor having means for producing an output signal in response to irradiation by incident radiation of a predetermined intensity; a plurality of manually actuatable key assemblies, each key assembly arranged to shield a different one of said receptors from said radiation in response to the actuation thereof; each said key assembly including a reciprocable key stem having a key top at one end and a radiation blocking shield at the other end for partially surrounding the associated receptor when said key assembly is actuated; and a plurality of radiation sources for supplying said incident radiation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the number of said radiation sources is less than the number of said receptors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further including a base member for mounting said receptors, said base member having a circumferential wall with a radiation reflective surface for distributing said radiation among said receptors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of said shields is formed in a shape for completely surrounding the receptor associated thereto when the associated key assembly is actuated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein each of said receptors has a substantially cylindrical shape and each of said shields has a cylindrical recess sized to receive the associated one of said receptors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further including a base member for mounting said receptors, said base member having a resilient layer for providing a substantially radiation impervious shield with the proximal end of at least one of said shields and a cushion stop therefor when the key assembly associated therewith is actuated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further including bias means for urging said shields away from said receptors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further including a mounting member having a plurality of apertured recesses, each adapted to reciprocably receive a different one of said key assemblies, each said key stem being slidably received by the aperture in the recess associated thereto, each saId recess being sized to receive the key top associated thereto; and wherein each said key assembly further includes a bias means engageable with the recess associated thereto and a stop member engageable with said recess when the said key assembly is in a nonactuated position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |