Title: Illuminated keyboard

Abstract: An illuminating arrangement utilizes a sheet-type light-pipe. Light is reflected upwardly to the areas to be illuminated by providing the light-pipe with selectively roughened portions on its rear surface. When utilized to illuminate instruments such as calculators, surface areas of the calculator such as the pushbuttons and associated graphics receive light from the light-pipe by providing apertures in the keyboard which correspond positionally to the roughened portions of the sheet-type light-pipe. Additionally, the pushbuttons can be retained within the frame of the calculator by providing flanges extending laterally from the pushbuttons which are retained within apertures in a frame-like cover by retaining elements which extend from the cover inwardly into the openings.

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Inventors: Karlin, James H. (Fairport, NY, US)

Application Number: 851694
Filing Date: 1977-11-15
Publication_date: 1979-12-04
Assignee: Harris Corporation (Cleveland, OH)
Primary Class(es): 362/26 200/314, 362/28, 362/30, 362/31, 362/561
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2831453	Apr, 1958	Hardesty	362/26.
3491245	Jan, 1970	Hardesty	362/26.
3619591	Nov, 1971	Korski	362/32.
3619594	Nov, 1971	Morez	362/32.
3752974	Aug, 1973	Baker et al.	362/31.
3886544	Apr, 1975	Narodny	362/32.
3892959	Jul, 1975	Pulles	362/31.
3956745	May, 1976	Ellis	340/365.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Nelson, Peter A.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Craig and Antonelli