Editing Alps SKCL Lock

{{infobox dswitch
| title               = Alps lock
| image name          = Alps lock infobox.jpg
| manufacturer        = [[Alps Electric]]
| product code        = SKCLJC (grey)
| family              = [[Alps SKCL series]]
| switch type         = [[Alternate action]]
| discontinued        = 
| contact mechanism   = [[Metal leaf]]
| switch mount        = [[Plate mount]]
| patents             = [http://www.google.com/patents/US4514608 US4514608] (1983)
}}

'''Alps SKCL Lock''' is an alternate action switch in the [[Alps SKCL series]]. When the key is depressed, it locks into place and remains down there until pressed a second time. The switch has a normal [[switchplate]], but the shell and slider are modified to accommodate the latching mechanism.

The front of the slider contains a recessed track, and the shell supports a follower arm that moves within this track. A loop within the track holds the slider down until the key is depressed a second time. The follower arm rotates about its lower end, which pivots within recessed area of the open-fronted upper shell; a bar runs across to keep the arm in place. The latching mechanism is partially visible when the keycap is removed, and the slider shape is a giveaway in itself.

==Variants==
All three variants of the switch are assumed to be the same specification. They nonetheless likely differ in model number.

{| class="wikitable variants-table"
! !! Colour !! Model !! Notes
|-
| [[File:Skcllockbrown.jpg|175px]]                                        || Brown ||  || First generation; this appears to be the [[Gold Star Alps]] version made in Korea
|-
| [[File:Alps SKCM orange and SKCL cream no logo - AEK detail.jpg|175px]] || Cream ||  || First generation
|-
| [[File:Alps lock infobox.jpg|175px]]                                    || Dark grey || SKCLJC || Second generation, with Alps logo and short white switchplate; listed as model SKCLJC in the Alps 1994 catalogue
|}

==Keyboards==
*[[Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard]] (cream)
*[[Apple Standard Keyboard]] (cream and grey)
*[[Apple Extended Keyboard]]
*[[Apple Extended Keyboard II]]
*Magnavox Videowriter Keyboard (cream)
*Tandem branded terminal (brown)<ref name="Tandem Terminal" />
*Twinhead standalone numeric keypad (grey)<ref name="Twinhead" />

==Gallery==
===Brown===
<gallery widths=250px heights=187px>
File:Skcllockbrown.jpg                       | SKCL Brown Lock in Tandem terminal keyboard
</gallery>

===Cream===
Switch from a ca. 1987 [[Apple M0116]] keyboard with orange Alps momentary switches.

<gallery widths=250px heights=187px>
File:Apple M0116 (Orange) -- alternate action switch 2.jpg | 
File:Apple M0116 (Orange) -- alternate action switch 1.jpg | 
</gallery>

===Grey===
Switch from an [[Apple M0116]] keyboard of unknown date, with salmon Alps momentary switches

<gallery widths=250px heights=187px>
File:Alps lock switch.jpg                    | Grey Alps lock switch in the [[Apple M0116]] keyboard
File:Alps lock slider shape.jpg              | Modified slider shape to accommodate the latch track
File:Alps lock disassembled.jpg              | Switch components
File:Alps lock upper components.jpg          | Upper components of the switch
File:Apple M0116 Caps Lock disengaged.jpg    | Switch in open position
File:Apple M0116 Caps Lock engaged.jpg       | Switch in closed position 
File:Alps lock slider in open position.jpg   | Switch in open position, with keycap removed to reveal the mechanism
File:Alps lock slider in closed position.jpg | Switch in closed position with follower arm within the inner loop
</gallery>

==References==
<references>
<ref name="Twinhead">Deskthority — [http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/i-found-something-in-the-bin-t5215.html I found something in the bin!]</ref>
<ref name="Tandem Terminal">Deskthority — [https://deskthority.net/wiki-talk-f33/alps-skcl-lock-new-color-found-brown-t13256.html Alps SKCL Lock - New Color Found: BROWN]</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Alps SKCL/SKCM series]]
[[Category:Alternate action switches]]
[[Category:Metal contact switches]]
[[Category:Keyboard switches with Alps mount]]
[[Category:List of all keyboard switches]]