Key cap and manufacturing method thereof

• US 20050042013A1
• Filed: 07/26/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Lee, Ton
• Application Number:
  US10/898,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20050042013A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/490
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/705 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/016 Protection layer, e.g. for legend, anti-scratch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/028 Printed information

Abstract

An improved key cap for a keyboard and a manufacturing method for the same are used to manufacture an improved key cap. The key cap has a key and a protective layer. The key is printed with a predetermined symbol or figure, or the protective layer is printed with a predetermined symbol or figure onone side thereof. The protective layer is then attached on the key.

Claims

1. A key pad for a keyboard, comprising:

a key; and

a protective layer printed with a character/symbol or a figure on one side thereof, wherein the side of the protective layer is adhered to the key.

2. The key pad for a keyboard as in claim 1, wherein the protective layer has a color tint.

3. The key pad for a keyboard as in claim 1, wherein the protective layer is meltedto adhere to the key.

4. The key pad for a keyboard as in claim 1, wherein the protective layer is adhered to the key with adhesive.

5. The key pad for a keyboard as in claim 1, wherein the protective layer further has a transferring film thereon for adhering to the key.

6. The key pad for a keyboard as in claim 1, wherein the character/symbol is printed inversely on the protective layer.

7. The key pad for a keyboard as in claim 1, wherein the figure is printed inversely on the protective layer.

8. A key pad for a keyboard, comprising:

a key with a character/symbol or a figure printed thereon; and

a protective layer adhered to the key.

9. The key pad for a keyboard as in claim 8, wherein the protective layer has a color tint.

10. The key pad for a keyboard as in claim 8, wherein the protective layer is melted and pressed for adhering to the key.

11. A method for manufacturing a key cap of keyboard, comprising the steps of:

providing a protective layer;

printing a character/symbol or a figure on one side of the protective layer;

providing a key lower die formed with at least one mold cavity therein;

moving the protective layer for the printed character/symbol or inverse figure mating with the corresponding mold cavity of the key lower die;

providing a key upper die formed with an injecting mouth therein for injecting plastic material;

injecting plastic material into the injecting mouth; and

taking out the key.

12. The method for manufacturing a key cap of keyboard as in claim 11, further comprising a step of trimming the protective layer along a contour of the key.

13. The method for manufacturing a key cap of keyboard as in claim 11, wherein the protective layer is formed corresponding to a size of the key, and separably attached with a carrying layer, whereby the key is easily separated from the carrying layer after shaping and need not be trimmed.

14. The method for manufacturing a key cap of keyboard as in claim 11, wherein the character/symbol is printed inversely on the protective layer.

15. The method for manufacturing a key cap of keyboard as in claim 11, wherein the figure is printed inversely on the protective layer.