Membrane keyboard blockout apparatus
US4820887A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 1988 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2221/068
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A membrane keyboard blockout apparatus for a keyboard having an array of a plurality of flexible key members in respective ones of a plurality of apertures arranged in a grid forming the keyboard includes a cover plate dimensioned to span a flexible key member and to provide a tight fit within an aperture defining a key member. The cover plate has a thickness providing a substantially inflexible configuration in response to normal operator manipulation and a plurality of corner support pedestals contacting respective corners of the flexible key member when the cover plate is inserted in a key member aperture. Thus, the pedestals provide a support between the cover plate and the flexible key member at the edges of the key member to preclude, in combination with the inflexible structural characteristic of the cover, an actuation of the flexible key member under the cover.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.