Importance

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Abstract

A keyboard for input of data or control signals into an electronic measuring instrument, computing device or the like including a keyboard panel, a number of pushbutton switch elements arranged under the keyboard panel and having manually controlled ends that extend upwards through openings in the keyboard panel, and sealing means for preventing penetration of water through the openings of the keyboard panel; for such prevention of water penetration, each of the keyboard panel openings around the upwardly extending end of the switch elements is provided with a resiliently elastic hollow capsule that projects upward from the keyboard panel; each capsule is a substantially integral body comprising a substantially hollow cylindrical neck section at the lower capsule end, an adjacent deforming section and a keying area section at the upper capsule end; the deforming section of the capsules forms an elastic shape-restoring bulge whose outer diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the associated neck section; each capsule is pressed at its neck section region radially against the inner surface of the associated substantially circular opening of said keyboard panel by an essentially rigid and substantially hollow cylindrical element so as to effectively seal each keyboard panel opening and to provide for reliable operation of the pushbutton switches.

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First Claim