Patent · US Expired

Keypad including membrane with replaceable key elements

US5367133A · kind A · utility

30Cited by

9References

15Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Motorola, Inc. · US

Inventors

Hans-Jurgen Schmidt · Speyer, DE
Klaus Lindner · Steinen, DE
Theo L. Eversloh · Bärnau, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 23, 1993
Grant date	Nov 22, 1994
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 23, 2013

Classification

Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
CPC primaryH01H2223/002
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A keypad (10) comprises a membrane having a plurality of switch actuating portions (41). The keypad (10) further comprises key portions (44) corresponding to said switch actuating portions (41) and located on an opposite side of the membrane to said switch actuating portions (41) and a plurality of switch elements (18) located beneath said switch actuating portions (41) of the membrane. The membrane extends across the keypad (10) and provides a water resistant barrier between the switch elements (18) and the key portions (44) of the membrane. Removable buttons (40) are provided for the keypad (10) and are attached to the key portions (44) of the membrane, whereby pressing of the buttons (40) causes flexing of the membrane and actuation of the switch elements (18) by the switch actuating portion of the membrane.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.