US4771146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard key top mounting structure
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1987-11-30
•
Granted: 1988-09-13
•
Expires: 2007-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard key top mounting structure including a plurality of lever support means provided on the back of a key top, the lever support means being each provided with wing portions for abutment therewith of a lever to prevent the lever from pivoting during mounting of the lever, and a plurality of lever sliding members provided on the side of a stationary member and each having a lever sliding slot, in which the lever is supported by the lever support means and inserted into the sliding slots.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideki Suzuki
- 👤 Kazuhiro Yokoyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:21
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/12; H01H3/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
378 words
A keyboard key top mounting structure comprising: a key top having at least one receptacle formed in a bottom portion thereof; a substrate having a push-button member over which said key top is mounted by said key top mounting structure such that said key top can be actuated for operating said push-button member, said substrate further having at least one lever holding member fixed thereon; a lever for holding said key top over said push-button member of said substrate, said lever including a mounting portion at one end and at least one holding portion at an opposite end which is inserted in said lever holding member of said substrate when said key top is assembled on said substrate; and at least one lever support member assembled to said key top having a projection on an upper portion thereof for insertion in said receptacle of said key top, and a slot for pivotally mointing said mounting portion of said lever therein, wherein said slot of said lever support member is disposed under said key top laterally to one side of said push-button member and said lever holding member of said substrate is disposed to an opposite side of said push-button member, so that said lever extends at a downward slanting angle between said slot and said lever holding member, and wherein said lever support member (22) assembled to said key top include a downwardly slanting surface (22e) proximate said slot (22b) which limits a downward inclination of said lever (25) to a predetermined angle when said lever mounting portion (25a) is mounted is said slot, and said lever holding member (30) includes an inclined guide portion (30b) for receiving said holding portion (25b) of said lever at said predetermined angle, whereby, when said key top mounting structure is assembled with said lever mounting portion in said slot of said lever support member, and with said projection of said lever support member inserted in said receptacle of said key top, said assembled key top, lever support member, and lever can then be easily mounted to said substrate by said lever being held at said predetermined angle by said slanting surface of said lever support member for insertion in said inclined guide portion of said lever holding member of said substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
378 words
A keyboard key top mounting structure comprising: a key top having at least one receptacle formed in a bottom portion thereof; a substrate having a push-button member over which said key top is mounted by said key top mounting structure such that said key top can be actuated for operating said push-button member, said substrate further having at least one lever holding member fixed thereon; a lever for holding said key top over said push-button member of said substrate, said lever including a mounting portion at one end and at least one holding portion at an opposite end which is inserted in said lever holding member of said substrate when said key top is assembled on said substrate; and at least one lever support member assembled to said key top having a projection on an upper portion thereof for insertion in said receptacle of said key top, and a slot for pivotally mointing said mounting portion of said lever therein, wherein said slot of said lever support member is disposed under said key top laterally to one side of said push-button member and said lever holding member of said substrate is disposed to an opposite side of said push-button member, so that said lever extends at a downward slanting angle between said slot and said lever holding member, and wherein said lever support member (22) assembled to said key top include a downwardly slanting surface (22e) proximate said slot (22b) which limits a downward inclination of said lever (25) to a predetermined angle when said lever mounting portion (25a) is mounted is said slot, and said lever holding member (30) includes an inclined guide portion (30b) for receiving said holding portion (25b) of said lever at said predetermined angle, whereby, when said key top mounting structure is assembled with said lever mounting portion in said slot of said lever support member, and with said projection of said lever support member inserted in said receptacle of said key top, said assembled key top, lever support member, and lever can then be easily mounted to said substrate by said lever being held at said predetermined angle by said slanting surface of said lever support member for insertion in said inclined guide portion of said lever holding member of said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A key top mounting structure according to claim 1, having a plurality of said lever support members assembled to said bottom portion of said key top, wherein said lever mounting portion is mounted in two or more of said lever support members, said lever being formed in a C-shape having two holding ends, one on each side of said mounting portion, and said substrate having two lever holding members for insertion of said two holding ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
A key top mounting structure according to claim 1 wherein said lever holding end is formed as a bent end, and said lever holding member of said substrate has a sliding slot defined by an upper arm provided with a projecting portion at an insertion entrance to said sliding slot, wherein said bent end of said lever is snapped into said entrance past said projecting portion so as to be slidably held in said slot of said lever holding member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3720801A
Cited
US3939318A
Cited
US4010838A
Cited
US4392037A
Cited
US4453063A
Cited
US4535210A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-13 | 1992-03-14 | 1992-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-13 | 1996-03-14 | 1996-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-13 | 2000-03-14 | 2000-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |