deskthority

So, I've known about this switch for a while, but I've finally gotten my hands on some

Behold, snap-action (clicky) keyboard switches from 1959! I even have the model number 01APBSW

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/triplehaa ... 7024558289


https://www.google.com/patents/US3056002


Not designed by Walter Cherry Jr. but the design is likely derived from a similar earlier switch. Like this one from 1955.
https://www.google.com/patents/US2758171

I don't have the switches in an actual keyboard, but I do have a keyboard with very similar switches.
Computer Communications 303 Keyboard
https://www.flickr.com/photos/triplehaa ... 9413331943

Whoa, groovy!

I wonder what these sound like...

Don't know why this doesn't have more replies, I love that diagram.

Where in the HELL did you find that...

Very cool!

This kind of reminds me of that Univac 1710 board that you had that used microswitches.

Ha! Nice find!
They look like tiny Morse keyers!

klikkyklik wrote: Where in the HELL did you find that...

If it is obscure and keyboard related, you can count on HaaTa to have it!

I'll take a video once I get back from work. It has a pleasant click.

Those sliders look admirably daft! Was this switch ever really intended for use in a keyboard, or did they repurpose something they already had?

Oh, and what's the travel and the feel like?

Those sliders...are awful. But the switch mechanism is quite nice. Very smooth, lightly tactile.

The enhancements to this switch were very likely for keyboard-like devices (this is 1959 remember). Earlier variants of the switch were probably just general purpose snap action switches. It wasn't till a bit later that snap-in/plate mount switches started to become the norm (likely due to manufacturing limitations).

Indeed. 1959 is positively prehistoric! Even the IBM Selectric was a few years in the future, back then. Only makes sense these switches had other uses in mind as well.

Gorgeous.

That is super cool. Thanks for posting that vid! I bet a real board of those would sure be fun to type on.

Nice sound. Very pure. Does it feel a bit like a beamspring at all, by chance? The lateral spring reminds me of that, and beamsprings are awesome with their flawless force curve.

They a bit similar to beam springs, but not quite.

There's not as much tactility, but because is a spring expansion, rather than compression the friction is lower.
I think I have about 3 keyboards now with these types of switches (I don't think they are Cherry's version though). 2 of them will be at the Bay Area keyboard meetup on Saturday

Once I get my force gauge all put together, I'll make sure to get some force curves.

What is the debouncing time required for these? They look ... really bouncy.

it just seems like...

That has a very satisfying sounding ting to it.

Did someone add it to the wiki yet??? *Beardsmore mode*

Impressive. Yes webwit, those need to be in our wiki. Pure keyboard history.

Awesome.I love this click sound!
Is it has the magnet inside?

I'm just bringing this back from the dead, because I stumbled on one of these on ebay, and I think it's just about the coolest keyboard collectible I've ever bought. It makes a great desk fidget thingy, I highly recommend it.