摘要 |
<p>Keyboard assembly including a switching assembly (20) having a plurality of pressure-operated switches (24) and a key array (12) overlying the switching assembly (20) and having a plurality of keys (36) formed integrally with a support (38), each key (36) being hinged at one side to the support (38) and having switch actuating means (44) formed integrally therewith. A disadvantage of prior art arrangements of this kind is that the force of restoring the operated key to its home position is not sufficiently positive for entirely satisfactory operation, as the arrangement relies on the resilience of the hinges and of the switch for restoring the key. The invention overcomes this disadvantage by providing switch actuators (44) of a resilient construction which are arranged to assist in restoring the respective key (36) to its home position following operation of the key (36). In a preferred embodiment, each switch actuator (44) has a first end connected to one side of the respective key (36) by means of a toggle hinge (46, 48, 50) and has a second, free end (56) extending across the key (36) to a position beyond the opposite side of the key (36).</p> |