INPUT KEY AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

• US 20090126429A1
• Filed: 12/28/2007
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: CHEN, GUANG-LIANG, BIAN, XIAO-SHE, YU, BAI-DA, ZHAO, QIANG, LIN, HAO-ZHUAN, CHEN, WU-KUANG
• Application Number:
  US11/965,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20090126429A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/395
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/002 Materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/062 Damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/08 composed of different parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/044 Injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/032 Anti-tamper
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/034 Environmental protection
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/18 Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7802 Multi-part structures

Abstract

An exemplary key includes a main body and a glazed layer. The main body has a contact receiving surface. The glazed layer is formed on at least one part of the contact receiving surface of the main body. The main body is made of ceramic materials. A method of making the present key is also provided.

Claims

1. A key, used in an electron device, comprising a main body having a contact receiving surface, and a glazed layer formed on at least one part of the contact receiving surface of the main body, wherein the main body is made of ceramic materials.

2. The key according to claim 1, wherein the glazed layer is selected from the group consisting of a calcareous glaze, a feldspar glaze, a boracic glaze, and any suitable combination thereof.

3. The key according to claim 1, wherein the ceramic materials of the main body is one of zirconia and alumina.

4. The key according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the main body is a hollow cylinder.

5. The key according to claim 1, further comprising a base supporting the main body.

6. The key according to claim 5, further comprising an adhesive layer sandwiched between the base and the main body for connecting the base and the main body.

7. The key according to claim 5, wherein a side-surface of the main body defines a latching groove, at least one portion of the base is secured in the latching groove.

8. A method of making a key, comprising:

forming a ceramic main body having a contact receiving surface; and

forming a glazed layer on at least one part of the contact receiving surface of the main body.

9. The method of making a key according to claim 8, wherein the process of forming the main body comprises the following steps of:

forming a preform by injection molding;

degreasing and sintering the preform;

abrasing the contact receiving surface of the preform; and

polishing the contact receiving surface of the preform.

10. The method of making a key according to claim 8, wherein the glazed layer is formed on at least one of the contact receiving surface of the main body by decal.

11. The method of making a key according to claim 8, wherein the glazed layer is selected from the group consisting of calcareous glaze, feldspar glaze, boracic glaze, and any suitable combination thereof.

12. The method of making a key according to claim 8, wherein the ceramic materials of the main body is one of zirconia and alumina.

13. The method of making a key according to claim 8, wherein a shape of the main body is a hollow cylinder.

14. The method of making a key according to claim 8, wherein the main body further comprising a bottom surface opposite to the contact receiving surface and a side surface between the contact receiving surface and the bottom surface.

15. The method of making a key according to claim 14, wherein the bottom surface of the main body forms at least one latching groove therein, and a base is formed on the bottom surface of the main body by injection molding process, at least one portion of the base secured in the latching grooves of the main body.