Clare foam and foil
This article is a stub. You can help Deskthority by expanding it.
 |
This article requires photographic illustration |
| Manufacturer | Clare, General Instrument |
|---|---|
| Sense method | Capacitive |
Clare foam and foil is a type of foam and foil switch manufactured by Clare and seemingly also the parent company General Instrument. The series name of S-890 is tentatively identified with this series, but not confirmed in any way.<ref name="DT-S-890" />
The earliest known example is from 1981, branded "CP CLARE" and marked "ASM MEXICO". This keyboard pre-dates the various foam and foil patents filed by General Instrument in 1982. A 1982 Cray keyboard has been found with a single "CP CLARE"-branded switch alongside unbranded switches, giving a small indication of the change in branding.<ref name="DT-Cray" /> A 1982 keyboard has been found with the PCB branded "General Instrument".<ref name="DT-S-890" />
Like with various other foam and foil switch types from the likes of Key Tronic and Cherry, these switches use discrete modules to hold the slider and springs, mounted into a plate.
Patents[edit | edit source]
The following patents may be relevant:
| Applicant | Patent | Filed | Published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Instrument Corporation | EP 0072784 Keyswitch design | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-23 | Single-sided PCB with through-hole-soldered capacitor pads |
| General Instrument Corporation | US 4450332 Keyswitch design | 1982-08-25 | 1984-05-22 | This may be the switch series in question |
| General Instrument Corporation | US 4454562 Keyswitch with telescoping plunger | 1982-09-15 | 1984-06-12 | |
| General Instrument Corporation | US 4453198 Linear feel keyswitch with hysteresis | 1982-09-15 | 1984-06-05 |
Keyboards[edit | edit source]
- Unidentified keyboard from 1981<ref name="GH-CPC" />
- Cray Research keyboard from 1982 (GI PCB branded as Ampex; GI controller)<ref name="DT-Cray" />
- Unidentified keyboard from 1982, marked "GENERAL INSTRUMENT | Keyboard Division" and model "S-890 Series"<ref name="DT-S-890" />
References[edit | edit source]
<references> <ref name="GH-CPC">geekhack — Any ideas about what this keyboard is from?</ref> <ref name="DT-Cray">Deskthority — Cray Research Inc keyboard - made by Ampex</ref> <ref name="DT-S-890">Deskthority — IDENTIFY THE KEYBOARD thread</ref> </references>
