Illumination Type Key Sheet and Illumination Type Key

• US 20100038225A1
• Filed: 05/30/2006
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sunarrow Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Sunarrow Ltd.
• Inventors: Furuoya, Masayuki
• Application Number:
  US12/085,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20100038225A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/314
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/048 having a separate central push, slide or tumbler button which is not integral with the operating part that surrounds it
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/018 Electroluminescent panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/006 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/0345 with keys positioned directly next to each other without an intermediate bezel or frame
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

Object of the present invention is to provide an illumination type key sheet and an illumination type key unit thinned, and capable of securing a stroke when a key top is pressed and obtaining a variety of appearances by applying various decoration means.

The present invention is an illumination type key sheet comprising: a key base; and a key top arranged on the key base, wherein an EL sheet having a bulge portion in a position arranging the key top is used for the key base, and the key top has translucency and is arranged on the bulge portion.

Claims

1. An illumination type key sheet comprising:

a key base; and

a key top arranged on the key base,

wherein an EL sheet having a bulge portion in a position arranging the key top is used for the key base, and the key top has translucency and is arranged on the bulge portion.

2. The illumination type key sheet according to claim 1, wherein a presser is disposed on a backside of the bulge portion.

3. The illumination type key sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a reinforcing member is disposed in the key base.

4. The illumination type key sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a translucent film sheet is used for the key base in place of the EL sheet.

5. An illumination type key unit comprising:

a key base;

a key top arranged on the key base;

a substrate facing the key base and provided with a switch section in a position corresponding to the key top; and

a presser for pressing the switch section in association with a pressing operation of the key top,

wherein an EL sheet having a bulge portion in a position arranging the key top is used for the key base, the key top has translucency and is arranged on the bulge portion, and a peripheral part of the bulge portion of the key base is fixed to or abuts on the substrate, directly or indirectly.

6. The illumination type key unit according to claim 5, wherein one end of the presser is fixed to or abuts on a backside of the bulge portion, and the other end is fixed to or abuts on the switch section.

7. The illumination type key unit according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a reinforcing member is disposed in the key base, and the reinforcing member is fixed to or abuts on the substrate.

8. The illumination type key unit according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a translucent film sheet is used for the key base in place of the EL sheet, and an EL sheet is arranged on a surface of the substrate.