Futaba M-2B switch from 1974
Posted: 29 Feb 2024, 01:54
I recently purchased a vintage keyboard from eBay that looked interesting.
It is a Licon Keyboard with series 555, Style A switches.
One the left is the Ferite core assembly of the 555 series Licon switch. These switches are rare in themselves, seen only in a Univac Uniscope 100 keyboard before.
The more interesting switch is the one on the right. After some research, it turned out to be a never before seen Futaba M-2B switch.
Two Japanese patents, S48-089364 (A) “スイッチ” (“Switch”, filed February 1972) and S49-132567 (A) “キーボードスイッチ” (“Keyboard switch”, filed April 1973) depict designs that closely follow the photographs below.
These switches are not native to the keyboard and looking at the keycaps, they are probably from a calculator.
As depicted in the patent
More pictures here
It is a Licon Keyboard with series 555, Style A switches.
One the left is the Ferite core assembly of the 555 series Licon switch. These switches are rare in themselves, seen only in a Univac Uniscope 100 keyboard before.
The more interesting switch is the one on the right. After some research, it turned out to be a never before seen Futaba M-2B switch.
Two Japanese patents, S48-089364 (A) “スイッチ” (“Switch”, filed February 1972) and S49-132567 (A) “キーボードスイッチ” (“Keyboard switch”, filed April 1973) depict designs that closely follow the photographs below.
These switches are not native to the keyboard and looking at the keycaps, they are probably from a calculator.
As depicted in the patent
More pictures here