Key sheet

• US 20030108720A1
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polymatech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Polymatech Company Limited
• Inventors: Kashino, Masayuki
• Granted Patent: US 6,967,056 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/189
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/028 Printed information
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/047 Preformed layer in mould
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24752 Laterally noncoextensive components

Abstract

A key sheet comprising a key top, a translucent resin film, and a symbol layer. The key top is made of resin and has a top surface and a rear surface. The key top includes a gate corresponding section in a position corresponded to a gate of a mold for injecting resin to form the key top. The translucent resin film is provided over the key top. The symbol layer is disposed to associate with the top surface of the key top. The gate corresponding section is located to prevent that gate corresponding section from being viewed through the symbol layer.

Claims

1. A key sheet comprising:

a key top made of resin, said key top having a top surface and a rear surface, and said key top including a gate corresponding section in a position corresponded to a gate of a mold for injecting resin to form the key top;

a translucent resin film provided over the key top; and

a symbol layer disposed to associate with the top surface of the key top,

wherein the gate corresponding section is located to prevent the gate corresponding section from being viewed through the symbol layer.

2. A key sheet according to claim 1, further comprising a first decorating layer disposed between the translucent resin film and the key top, wherein the first decorating layer has an opening on the top surface of the key top, and wherein the gate corresponding section is disposed under said first decorating layer.

3. A key sheet according to claim 1, wherein the gate corresponding section is disposed at a position, at which an angle, formed by a horizontal line and a line that extends between an edge of the opening and the gate corresponding section, is 60 degrees or less.

4. A key sheet according to claim 2 further comprising a second decorating layer that is disposed on the rear surface of the key top.

5. A key sheet according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second decorating layers has a metallic luster.

6. A key sheet according to claim 1, further comprising at least one projection extending outwardly from a side face of the key top, wherein a rear surface of the projection and the rear surface of the key top extend along a flat plane, and wherein the gate corresponding section is provided on the rear surface of the projection.

7. A key sheet according to claim 6, wherein the at least one projection is a first projection and a second projection, wherein the first and the second projections are opposed each other.

8. A key sheet according to claim 6, wherein the at least one projection is a flange extending along the entire circumference of the key top.

9. A key sheet according to claim 6, wherein an air vent corresponding section is provided on the rear surface of the at least one projection.

10. A key sheet according to claim 9, wherein the air vent corresponding section is disposed to oppose the gate corresponding section, so that the key top is interposed between the air vent corresponding section and the gate corresponding section.

11. A key sheet according to claim 1, wherein the symbol layer is provided on a rear surface of the translucent resin film.

12. A key sheet comprising:

a key top made of resin, said key top having a top surface and a rear surface, and said key top including a gate corresponding section in a position corresponded to a gate for injecting resin of a mold used for forming the key top;

a translucent resin film provided over the key top;

a symbol layer disposed to associate with the top surface of the key top; and

a first decorating layer disposed between the translucent resin film and the key top, wherein the first decorating layer has an opening on the top surface of the key top to dispose the symbol layer associated with the key top, wherein the gate corresponding section is located under said first decorating layer to prevent the gate corresponding section from being viewed through the symbol layer.

13. A key sheet according to claim 12, wherein the gate corresponding section is disposed at a position, at which an angle, formed by a horizontal line and a line that extends between an edge of the opening and the gate corresponding section, is 60 degrees or less.

14. A key sheet according to claim 12, further comprising a second decorating layer that is disposed on the rear surface of the key top.

15. A key sheet according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second decorating layers has a metallic luster.

16. A key sheet according to claim 12, wherein the symbol layer is provided on a rear surface of the translucent resin film.