US4482932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard switch
Assignee: Topre Corp
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Filing: 1981-10-19
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Granted: 1984-11-13
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Expires: 2001-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard switch comprises an insulating substrate, a first electrode laid on the insulating substrate, a second electrode formed of a conical coil spring and facing the first electrode, a dielectric disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a bottom for linearly changing the facing area between the first and second electrodes. The capacitance between the first and second electrodes is changed linearly so that the first and second electrodes are capacitive-coupled for switching operation when the capacitance exceeds a given value.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Hasegawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 23:04
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/975
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A keyboard switch comprising: an insulating substrate; a first electrode fixed to one surface of the insulating substrate; a second electrode fixed to said one surface of the insulating substrate and positioned apart from the first electrode; a dielectric formed on the first and second electrodes; an auxiliary electrode formed on a conical coil spring having a large diameter end portion and a small diameter end portion, said large diameter end portion in contact with the dielectric, and the conical coil spring being circular in cross-section, said large diameter end portion thereof being greater in size than a combination of said first and second electrodes thereby to bridge said first and second electrodes; and a button mounted on the small diameter end portion of said auxiliary electrode and capable of moving toward said insulating substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A keyboard switch comprising: an insulating substrate; a first electrode fixed to one surface of the insulating substrate; a second electrode fixed to said one surface of the insulating substrate and positioned apart from the first electrode; a dielectric formed on the first and second electrodes; an auxiliary electrode formed on a conical coil spring having a large diameter end portion and a small diameter end portion, said large diameter end portion in contact with the dielectric, and the conical coil spring being circular in cross-section, said large diameter end portion thereof being greater in size than a combination of said first and second electrodes thereby to bridge said first and second electrodes; and a button mounted on the small diameter end portion of said auxiliary electrode and capable of moving toward said insulating substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The keyboard switch according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary electrode becomes flat to overspread said first and second electrodes with said dielectric interposed therebetween when pressed by said button.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The keyboard switch according to claim 2, wherein said auxiliary electrode has one end portion greater than a combination of said first and second electrodes in size.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The keyboard switch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said auxiliary electrode has a circular section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The keyboard switch according to claim 4, wherein said dielectric is attached to the surface of said auxiliary electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The keyboard switch according to claim 4, wherein said dielectric is attached to the surfaces of said first and second electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The keyboard switch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said auxiliary electrode has a rectangular section, with its bottom side facing said insulating substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The keyboard switch according to claim 7, wherein said dielectric is attached to the surface of said auxiliary electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The keyboard switch according to claim 7, wherein said dielectric is attached to the surfaces of said first and second electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
A keyboard switch comprising: an insulating substrate; a first electrode fixed to one surface of the insulating substrate; a second electrode fixed to said one surface of the insulating substrate and positioned apart from the first electrode; a dielectric formed on the first and second electrodes; an auxiliary electrode formed on a conical coil spring having a large diameter end portion and a small diameter end portion, said large diameter end portion in contact with the dielectric; and a button mounted on the small diameter end portion of said auxiliary electrode and capable of moving toward said insulating substrate; wherein said auxiliary electrode has a circular cross-section and said dielectric is attached to the surface of said auxiliary electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
A keyboard switch comprising: an insulating substrate; a first electrode fixed to one surface of the insulating substrate; a second electrode fixed to said one surface of the insulating substrate and positioned apart from the first electrode; a dielectric formed on the first and second electrodes; an auxiliary electrode formed on a conical coil spring having a large diameter end portion and a small diameter end portion, said large diameter end portion in contact with the dielectric; and a button mounted on the small diameter end portion of said auxiliary electrode and capable of moving toward said insulating substrate; wherein said auxiliary electrode has a circular cross-section and said dielectric is attached to the surface of said auxiliary electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
A keyboard switch comprising: an insulating substrate; a first electrode fixed to one surface of the insulating substrate; a second electrode fixed to said one surface of the insulating substrate and positioned apart from the first electrode; a dielectric formed on the first and second electrodes; an auxiliary electrode formed on a conical coil spring having a large diameter end portion and a small diameter end portion, said large diameter end portion in contact with the dielectric; and a button mounted on the small diameter end portion of said auxiliary electrode and capable of moving toward said insulating substrate; wherein said auxiliary electrode has a rectangular cross-section, with its bottom side facing said insulating substrate, and said dielectric is attached to the surface of said auxiliary electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
A keyboard switch comprising: an insulating substrate; a first electrode fixed to one surface of the insulating substrate; a second electrode fixed to said one surface of the insulating substrate and positioned apart from the first electrode; a dielectric formed on the first and second electrodes; an auxiliary electrode formed on a conical coil spring having a large diameter end portion and a small diameter end portion, said large diameter end portion in contact with the dielectric; and a button mounted on the small diameter end portion of said auxiliary electrode and capable of moving toward said insulating substrate; wherein said auxiliary electrode has a rectangular cross-section, with its bottom side facing said insulating substrate, and said dielectric is attached to the surface of said auxiliary electrode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-11-13 | 1988-05-14 | 1988-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-13 | 1992-05-14 | 1992-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-13 | 1996-05-14 | 1996-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |