Space bar assembly

Claim 2

An elongated operator assembly for use with key input units comprising an elongated operator member movable in a given plane between normal and displaced positions, a supporting frame, means mounting the operator member on the frame for reciprocating and rectilinear movement in said plane, a mechanism including a pair of levers pivotally mounted on the frame for movement in said plane and underlying the operator member with each lever coupled to the operator member at a different spaced point, said levers being coupled together to control the path of movement of the operator member in said plane between said normal and displaced positions of the operator member, and biasing means coupled to the mechanism and providing a biasing force substantially balancing the weight of the operator member and mechanism.

Claim 3

A bar operator assembly for use in a keyboard assembly of the type using a number of individual manual key actuated switches having a given key return biasing force comprising an elongated bar having a mass and movable between normal and displaced positions, a supporting structure, a mechanism having a mass and carried on the supporting structure and coupled to the bar at points spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of the bar, said mechanism including a pair of supporting elements secured to the bar at said spaced points and slidably engaging the supporting structure for mounting the bar on the supporting structure for rectilinear reciprocating movement, said mechanism also including movement equalizing means underlying the bar and coupling the elements to each other to maintain said bar in a given orientation during movement between said normal and displaced positions of the bar, biasing means coupled between the supporting structure and the coupled mechanism and bar for balancing the mass and friction of the mechanism and the bar, and an electric switch means coupled to the bar for actuation thereby to an operated position, said electric switch means having a bias means for returning the electric switch means from the operated position of the electric switch means and for returning the coupled bar and mechanism to a normal position.

Claim 4

A bar operator assembly for use in a keyboard assembly of the type using a number of individual manual key actuated switches having a given key return biasing force comprising an elongated bar having a mass and movable between normal and displaced positions, a supporting structure, a mechanism having a mass and carried on the supporting structure and coupled to the bar at points spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of the bar, said mechanism including a pair of supporting elements secured to the bar at said spaced points and slidably engaging the supporting structure for mounting the bar on the supporting structure for rectilinear reciprocating movement, said mechanism also including movement equalizing means underlying the bar and coupling the elements to each other to maintain said bar in a given orientation during movement between said normal and displaced positions of the bar, biasing means coupled between the supporting structure and the coupled mechanism and bar for balancing the mass and friction of the mechanism and the bar, and an electric switch means coupled to the bar for actuation thereby to an operated position, said electric switch means having a bias means for returning the electric switch means from the operated position of the electric switch means and for returning the coupled bar and mechanism to a normal position.

Claim 5

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 2 including guide means for guiding the supporting elements for reciprocating movement, and in which the movement equalizing means includes a pair of levers pivotally mounted on the supporting structure intermediate their ends, pivotally coupled to the different ones of the supporting elements at one end, and having meshed toothed segments at their other ends.

Claim 6

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 3 in which the biasing means is coupled to the pair of levers.

Claim 7

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 2 in which the electric switch means includes an operator, and including means mounting the electric switch means with the operator for the electric switch means disposed to engage the elongated bar adjacent one end of the bar.

Claim 8

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 5 including means mounting the mechanism generally beneath a center portion of the elongated bar.

Claim 9

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 2 in which the coupled bar, mechanism, and biasing means form a single connected assembly, and means are provided for detachably mounting the assembly of the bAr, mechanism, and biasing means on the supporting structure.

Claim 10

A bar operator assembly for use in a key input unit comprising an elongated bar movable in opposite directions between normal and displaced positions, a supporting structure, and a mechanism including a pair of levers each having first and second ends and each pivoted on the supporting structure intermediate their first and second ends, said mechanism having first coupling means coupling the first ends of the levers for conjoint movement, said mechanism also including second coupling means coupling the second ends of the levers to the elongated bar at points spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of the bar, the first and second coupling means in said mechanism effecting oppositely directed pivotal movement of the pair of levers as the elongated bar moves in either of said opposite directions between said normal and displaced positions of the elongated bar to maintain a given orientation of the elongated bar during movement of the elongated bar between said normal and displaced positions of the elongated bar.

Claim 11

A bar operator assembly for use in a key input unit comprising an elongated bar movable in opposite directions between normal and displaced positions, a supporting structure, and a mechanism including a pair of levers each having first and second ends and each pivoted on the supporting structure intermediate their first and second ends, said mechanism having first coupling means coupling the first ends of the levers for conjoint movement, said mechanism also including second coupling means coupling the second ends of the levers to the elongated bar at points spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of the bar, the first and second coupling means in said mechanism effecting oppositely directed pivotal movement of the pair of levers as the elongated bar moves in either of said opposite directions between said normal and displaced positions of the elongated bar to maintain a given orientation of the elongated bar during movement of the elongated bar between said normal and displaced positions of the elongated bar.

Claim 12

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 8 in which the second coupling means includes bar supports coupled to the elongated bar at points spaced in the direction of elongation of the bar and mounted for reciprocating movement on the supporting structure, said second coupling means also including pivot means providing a pivotal connection between the second ends of the levers and the bar supports.

Claim 13

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 9 in which the pivot means includes a flexible integral connection between the bar supports and levers.

Claim 14

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 9 in which the pivot means includes cooperating projecting portions and recesses on the second ends of the levers and the bar supports.

Claim 15

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 8 in which the first coupling means includes cooperating projections and recesses on the first ends of the levers.

Claim 16

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 12 in which the cooperating projections and recesses include meshing gear segments on the first ends of both of the levers.

Claim 17

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 12 in which the cooperating projections and recesses include a single projection on the first end of one of the levers and a single recess on the first end of the other lever.

Claim 18

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 8 in which the first coupling means includes an integral, flexible connection between the first ends of the levers.

Claim 19

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 8 including resilient means acting on the levers adjacent the first ends of the levers.

Claim 20

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 8 including switch means operated by movement of said elongated bar to the displaced position of the elongated bar.

Claim 21

A bar operator assembly for use in a key input unit comprising an elongated bar movable in opposite directions between normal and displaced positions, a supporting structure, a mechanism including a pair of levers each having first and second ends and pivoted on the supporting structure intermediate their first and second ends, said mechanism having first coupling means coupling the first ends of the levers for conjoint movement, said mechanism also including second coupling means coupling the second ends of the levers to the elongated bar at points spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of the bar, the first and second coupling means in said mechanism effecting oppositely directed pivotal movement of the pair of levers along paths of movement as the elongated bar moves in either of said opposite directions between said normal and displaced positions of the elongated bar to maintain a given orientation of the elongated bar during movement of the elongated bar between said normal and displaced positions of the elongated Bar, a magnetically controlled switch, permanent magnet means for controlling the operation of the switch, and means mounting the switch and the permanent magnet means adjacent each other for movement relative to each other so that movement of the elongated bar controls operation of the switch.

Claim 22

A bar operator assembly for use in a key input unit comprising an elongated bar movable in opposite directions between normal and displaced positions, a supporting structure, a mechanism including a pair of levers each having first and second ends and pivoted on the supporting structure intermediate their first and second ends, said mechanism having first coupling means coupling the first ends of the levers for conjoint movement, said mechanism also including second coupling means coupling the second ends of the levers to the elongated bar at points spaced from each other in the direction of elongation of the bar, the first and second coupling means in said mechanism effecting oppositely directed pivotal movement of the pair of levers along paths of movement as the elongated bar moves in either of said opposite directions between said normal and displaced positions of the elongated bar to maintain a given orientation of the elongated bar during movement of the elongated bar between said normal and displaced positions of the elongated Bar, a magnetically controlled switch, permanent magnet means for controlling the operation of the switch, and means mounting the switch and the permanent magnet means adjacent each other for movement relative to each other so that movement of the elongated bar controls operation of the switch.

Claim 23

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 18 in which the switch is mounted in a fixed position on the supporting structure.

Claim 24

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 19 in which the permanent magnet means is mounted on the elongated bar.

Claim 25

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 20 in which the switch is mounted beneath the permanent magnet means in a position with the elongated bar overlying the switch.

Claim 26

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 19 in which the permanent magnet means is mounted on one of the levers.

Claim 27

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 22 including mounting means mounting the switch adjacent the path of movement of the one of the levers carrying the permanent magnet means.

Claim 28

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 23 in which the supporting structure includes an insulating portion, and the mounting means includes at least one electrically conductive terminal carried on the insulating portion and extending adjacent the path of movement of the lever carrying the permanent magnet means, the switch being connected to the terminal.

Claim 29

The bar operator assembly set forth in claim 19 in which the second coupling means includes a pair of bar supports connected to the bar at points spaced in the direction of elongation of the bar, and the permanent magnet means is mounted on one of the bar supports.

Claim 30

A bar operator assembly for use in a key input unit comprising a supporting structure, an elongated bar, a pair of supporting elements connected to spaced points on the elongated bar and slidably mounted on the supporting structure to mount the elongated bar on the supporting structure for reciprocating rectilinear movement, and a mechanism including a pair of levers pivotally mounted on the supporting structure underlying the elongated bar for equalizing movement of the elongated bar, said pair of levers extending in the direction of elongation of the bar and having spaced first and second ends, said levers having their first ends coupled together and their second ends individually coupled to different ones of the supporting elements.

Claim 31

A bar operator assembly for use in a key input unit comprising a supporting structure, an elongated bar, a pair of supporting elements connected to spaced points on the elongated bar and slidably mounted on the supporting structure to mount the elongated bar on the supporting structure for reciprocating rectilinear movement, and a mechanism including a pair of levers pivotally mounted on the supporting structure underlying the elongated bar for equalizing movement of the elongated bar, said pair of levers extending in the direction of elongation of the bar and having spaced first and second ends, said levers having their first ends coupled together and their second ends individually coupled to different ones of the supporting elements.