Buckling spring
Encyclopedia
A buckling spring is a type of keyswitch
mechanism, popularized by IBM
's keyboard
s for the PC
, PC/AT, 5250/3270 terminals, PS/2, and other systems. It was used by IBM's Model F keyboard, and the more common Model M
. It is described in (now expired).
The name refers to the fact that the coil spring tensed between the keycap
and a pivoting hammer "buckles", i.e. kinks or collapses, at a certain point in its downward traverse, providing auditory and tactile feedback to the keyboard operator. Upon buckling, the hammer is pivoted forward by the spring and strikes an electrical contact which registers the key press. In a Model M, the electrical contact is a membrane sheet similar to that of a modern dome switch keyboard. On the older Model F design, a capacitive contact was used instead.
Keyswitch
*A keyswitch is a type of small switch used for keys on keyboards. These are now largely out of use due to most modern keyboards using sheets of plastic with contacts on them...
mechanism, popularized by IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
's keyboard
IBM PC keyboard
The keyboards for IBM PC compatible computers are standardized. However, during the 3-plus decades of PC architecture being constantly updated, multiple types of keyboard layout variations have been developed....
s for the PC
IBM PC
The IBM Personal Computer, commonly known as the IBM PC, is the original version and progenitor of the IBM PC compatible hardware platform. It is IBM model number 5150, and was introduced on August 12, 1981...
, PC/AT, 5250/3270 terminals, PS/2, and other systems. It was used by IBM's Model F keyboard, and the more common Model M
Model M Keyboard
The Model M keyboard is a class of computer keyboards manufactured by IBM, Lexmark and Unicomp, starting in 1984. The many different variations of the keyboard have their own distinct characteristics, with the vast majority having a buckling spring key design and many having fully swappable keycaps...
. It is described in (now expired).
The name refers to the fact that the coil spring tensed between the keycap
Keycap
A keycap is a small plastic cover placed over the keyswitch of a computer keyboard. Keycaps are illustrated to indicate the key function or alphanumeric character they correspond to...
and a pivoting hammer "buckles", i.e. kinks or collapses, at a certain point in its downward traverse, providing auditory and tactile feedback to the keyboard operator. Upon buckling, the hammer is pivoted forward by the spring and strikes an electrical contact which registers the key press. In a Model M, the electrical contact is a membrane sheet similar to that of a modern dome switch keyboard. On the older Model F design, a capacitive contact was used instead.