Did You Know...
...that Charles Goodyear performed some of his experiments on rubber while in debtor's prison? He was there so often he referred to it as his "hotel". Chronically in debt because of poor business sense and ill health, Goodyear depended on the generosity of friends and family. Even after he unlocked the secret to vulcanizing rubber, he was unable to improve his financial situation. When he died, his estate was $200,000 in debt.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8132976 | Reduced impact keyboard with cushioned keys A keyboard for use with a computing device and a method of manufacturing a keyboard key are provided. One disclosed keyboard includes a plurality of keys, each key having a key cap including a perimeter wall and a void positioned within the perimeter wall and openin... | 03/13/2012 |
| 7326864 | Method and apparatus for masking keystroke sounds from computer keyboards Disclosed herein is a method of masking audible sounds emanating from a keyboard in response to a stroking of keys on the keyboard, the method comprising, selecting components from a plurality of components with various masses, building the keyboard with the selecte... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7083343 | Keyboard keys using marked elastic domes and fabrication method thereof Keyboard keys using a marked elastic dome and the fabrication method thereof. The method for fabricating elastic domes first includes providing a mold having a plurality of mold cavities with a markable surface. Next, a plurality of different marks is formed on the ... | 08/01/2006 |
| 7075520 | Key press disambiguation using a keypad of multidirectional keys Multidirectional keys of a reduced keypad are used to disambiguate between multiple symbols associated with a single key. For example, pressing a key identifies a collection of two or more symbols associated with the key and subsequently rocking the key selects one ... | 07/11/2006 |
| 7059790 | Keyboard and method of making the same A method and an apparatus for communicating data to a remote device, the apparatus comprising a keyboard having a plurality of keys. The lower surface of the keyboard is attached to an object along at least a portion of the lower surface of the keyboard. The object ... | 06/13/2006 |
| 7040824 | Gel-cushioned accessory for a keyboard A cushioning means for placement on a computer keyboard is provided for reducing the discomfort of a typist using a keyboard and to personalize the keyboard for a typist. A pad may be attached or applied to one or more keytops of a conventional keyboard, each pad be... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7043042 | Button apparatus with a speaker A button apparatus with a speaker (100) has a frame (104), a speaker (108), a flexible PCB (110), a metal dome (114), a rubber layer (116), and an operating button (120,124). The frame has a cavity (106) and th... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7023426 | User input device A user input device has a body portion extending from a first end to a second end and having a plurality of keys, for example keys that may be arranged and configured to be a keyboard, and an optical motion element. A wireless transmitter transmits data entered thro... | 04/04/2006 |
| 7005596 | Cover member for illuminated pushbutton switch An illuminated pushbutton switch cover member has a key seat and a resin key top. An indicator portion provided in the resin key top is illuminated with light from an internal light source provided below the key seat, and the light is emitted from the inside to the ... | 02/28/2006 |
| 6969815 | Keyboard key capable of lowering its overall height A keyboard key capable of lowering its overall height, which comprises a key cap body and a key cap base being coupled to the keyboard and disposed at the areas of four corners correspondingly having a displacing pillar and elevating groove, and an accommodating sec... | 11/29/2005 |
| 6967056 | Key sheet A key sheet comprising a key top, a translucent resin film, and a symbol layer. The key top is made of resin and has a top surface and a rear surface. The key top includes a gate corresponding section in a position corresponded to a gate of a mold for injecting resi... | 11/22/2005 |
| 6964532 | Key array structure A key array structure comprises a key array constituted by connecting a plurality of key members arranged in an array, it is characterized in that an elastic element is connected between each two adjacent key members and a positioning hole or position holes is or ar... | 11/15/2005 |
| 6948868 | Keyboard structure A word transcription keyboard utilizing at least one keypad which is available for access by a finger of the user. A second keypad accessible to the finger of the user is extended and terminated in a press pad for allowing contact of the palm region of the hand simu... | 09/27/2005 |
| 6880994 | Keyboard and electronic apparatus having the same A keyboard includes a plurality of keys for entering information, a moving mechanism for descending and ascending each key in a direction different from a vertical direction and for maintaining an orientation of the key top, and a forcing member for forcing the movi... | 04/19/2005 |
| 6808328 | Shiftable keyboard tray and method of use A shiftable keyboard tray comprising a base, a carriage for support of a keyboard movable on the base, and a palm rest movable on the base offset from the carriage and operably connected to the carriage through a coupler configured to enable movement of the carriage... | 10/26/2004 |
| 6805507 | Keyboard device In a keyboard device, a substrate is formed with multiple positioning members, each of which includes an upright first wall portion extending from one side of a punched hole, and a second wall portion connected to the first wall portion, extending toward another sid... | 10/19/2004 |
| 6788294 | Device and method for implementing a key A device and method for implementing a key, in which a field applied to a layer comprising a material whose volume is responsive to the magnitude of field is altered at a specified position to create a key in said position; said field being one of the following: ele... | 09/07/2004 |
| 6761494 | Button apparatus with a complex elastic unit A button apparatus with dual elastic elements includes a base, a key top located above the base, an elevation mechanism, and a complex elastic unit. The elevation mechanism is used to execute lifting and lowering operation between the base and the key top. The compl... | 07/13/2004 |
| 6672781 | Reduced noise key unit A key unit of a keyboard apparatus having at least one bumper extending from the key unit for cushioning the impact of the key unit against the enclosure of the keyboard apparatus when the key unit assumes a depressed position and/or when the key unit res... | 01/06/2004 |
| 6655863 | Pen-sized keyboard arrangement A pen-sized keyboard arrangement of the present invention comprises a flexible keyboard member, a rolling mechanism and an electrical connection unit. The rolling mechanism includes a base and an elongated rolling pole pivotally connected to the base. The... | 12/02/2003 |
| 6657139 | Keyboard In a keyboard that comprises a membrane switch sheet having switch portions arranged all over it, a keyboard substrate and a keyboard frame having sandwiched therebetween the membrane switch sheet to provide therein rigidity, and actuators for ON/OFF cont... | 12/02/2003 |
| 6585435 | Membrane keyboard An improved membrane keyboard includes a bottom layer, a second conductive membrane layer located above the bottom layer having an output section extended from one end thereof at a selected location linking to an interrupt device, an insulation layer loca... | 07/01/2003 |
| 6497521 | No-impact keyboard A no-impact keyboard for decreasing the risk of a repetitive stress injury to the user. The keyboard comprises a plurality of keys having a key cap and a stem, an impact absorbing mechanism which prevents any part of a key from striking a hard surface dur... | 12/24/2002 |
| 6427310 | Method for fabricating a print engine chassis for supporting an imaging drum and printhead translation assembly A print engine chassis for supporting an imaging drum (14) and a printhead translation assembly (40) is fabricated by joining the interlocking rigid members using tab (36) and slot (38) junctions to form a sheet metal frame (12) and then coating the sheet... | 08/06/2002 |
| 6390699 | Keyboard with moveable base plate providing key travel A keyboard, which may be made very thin and be suitable for notebook computers or personal digital assistants, has a substantially rigid base plate supported for movement between an extended position and a retracted position but biased to the extended pos... | 05/21/2002 |
| 6382854 | Computer keyboard enhancement kit A computer keyboard enhancement kit consists of detachable key replacements made to be larger and to have more shapes and colors than the letter keys of a standard computer keyboard so as to lessen the level of difficulty for children of preschool ages in... | 05/07/2002 |
| 6379061 | Silicon cap for use in the pointing stick device A removable silicon cap mounted on the top of a cursor control device is provided. The silicon cap has an outer surface, which is covered with an adhesive layer, and an inner surface. A plurality of fibers are attached to the adhesive layer. The silicon c... | 04/30/2002 |
| 6183149 | Impact absorbing keyboard, contoured to the natural shape of the hand An attachment to or a keyboard itself or other devices which require extending the fingers and hands so as to reach keys of the device. The invention includes at least one key pillow. The key pillow either replaces or fits over at least one key of a keybo... | 02/06/2001 |
| 6107995 | Inflatable keyboard An inflatable keyboard having a base and a keypad is provided. The base includes an embedded conduit having apertures or valves extending from a top surface of the base and pressure transducers surrounding the valves. Conductors connect the pressure trans... | 08/22/2000 |
| 6068416 | Keyboard switch A pattern sheet, an insulation sheet and a frame made of sheet metal are successively built up on a plate made of sheet metal, a pair of links pivotally connected together intermediate their opposite ends to form a pantograph mechanism are movably engaged... | 05/30/2000 |
| 5933133 | Low-impact keyboard A low-impact keyboard for decreasing the risk of a repetitive stress injury to the user, having a plurality of keys and an impact absorbing mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the keyboard includes a flexible circuit board beneath the keys and a circuit... | 08/03/1999 |
| 5899616 | Impact absorbing keyboard, contoured to the natural shape of the hand and method of using An ergonomic adaptation to a keyboard, including a plurality of pads, or key pillows, preferably formed together into a key pillow tablet. The key pillows either replace or fit over keys of a keyboard to advantageously alter the consistency, texture and/o... | 05/04/1999 |
| 5813777 | Stress relieving keys A cushioned key including a top face, a bottom face, and four side faces. Each key has a hollow cushion compartment defined by the top face of the key, the side faces of the key and further a divider.... | 09/29/1998 |
| 5456541 | Key unit of a keyboard An improved key unit of a keyboard comprising a key top, a keyboard plate and a conductive film; the conductive film being mounted beneath the keyboard plate; the keyboard plate has a mounting base comprising a hollow cylinder mounted thereon and the key ... | 10/10/1995 |
| 5290115 | Cushioning means for keyboard keys A cushioning apparatus for reducing the impact felt by the fingertips of a typist using a keyboard. A conventional keyboard includes a plurality of keys, each corresponding to at least one character or number, and each having a hard keytop. According to t... | 03/01/1994 |
| 5183346 | Keycap overlay snap-on system A system for converting graphic symbols on a computer data entry keyboard to another set of graphic symbols such as a foreign language or scientific symbols or mathematical notations is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of individual keycaps, ea... | 02/02/1993 |
| 4657419 | Information carrier, having a roughened surface, method of manufacturing same, and apparatus therefor An information carrier such as a push-button switch consists of a silicone elastomer. The information carrier has an a label-carrying surface in which there is embedded a printing ink having a vulcanizing mechanism similar to that of the silicone elastome... | 04/14/1987 |
| 4500218 | Keyboard key with embedded top character A printing ink is vulcanized on the top surface of an operation indicating member consisting of a silicone-type elastomer and is integrated with the elastomer to form a character of a predetermined shape on the top surface. The printing ink consists essen... | 02/19/1985 |
| 4362408 | Means for avoiding accidental actuation of a critical function key A keyboard having a plurality of keys thereon, with each key being moveable from a rest position along an actuation path having a makepoint therealong, whereby completion of an electrical circuit is effected by moving a key with a predetermined force alon... | 12/07/1982 |
| 4039068 | Keyboard of elastic material for office machines In an office machine keyboard comprising a layer of elastic material provided with individually depressible reliefs representing the keys, each having a top fingering surface, the characters are composed of a second elastic material moulded in accordance ... | 08/02/1977 |
