Waterproof press key and assembly of an electronic device housing and the waterproof press key

• US 20100044198A1
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wistron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wistron Corporation
• Inventors: Tang, Wen-Lang, Wang, Wen-Hsin
• Granted Patent: US 8,138,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/302.200
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings

Abstract

A waterproof press key includes a key body, a rigid support component, and a waterproofing ring. The key body is made of a resilient material, and includes a top wall and a surrounding wall extending downwardly from the top wall. The rigid support component includes a supporting portion that is disposed at the surrounding wall. The waterproofing ring projects from the outer wall surface of the surrounding wall. The supporting portion overlaps with at least a part of a height section of the surrounding wall from which the waterproofing ring projects to thereby enhance the waterproofing effect of the waterproof press key.

Claims

1. A waterproof press key comprising:

a key body made of a resilient material, said key body including a top wall and a surrounding wall that extends downwardly from said top wall and that has an outer wall surface;

a rigid support component including a supporting portion that is disposed at said surrounding wall; and

a waterproofing ring projecting from said outer wall surface of said surrounding wall, wherein said supporting portion overlaps with at least a part of a height section of said supporting wall from which said waterproofing ring projects.

2. The waterproof press key as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting portion overlaps with at least one-half of the height section of said supporting wall from which said waterproofing ring projects.

3. The waterproof press key as claimed in claim 2, wherein said surrounding wall has a bottom edge, and said key body further includes a first skirt portion extending outwardly from said bottom edge of said surrounding wall, said supporting portion being in a shape of a loop.

4. The waterproof press key as claimed in claim 3, wherein said supporting portion has a bottom edge, and said support component further includes a second skirt portion extending outwardly from said bottom edge of said supporting portion and connected to said first skirt portion.

5. The waterproof press key as claimed in claim 3, wherein said surrounding wall further has an inner wall surface, and said supporting portion is connected to said inner wall surface of said surrounding wall.

6. The waterproof press key as claimed in claim 5, wherein said rigid support component is made of metal.

7. The waterproof press key as claimed in claim 6, wherein said waterproofing ring is connected integrally to said key body.

8. The waterproof press key as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first skirt portion has a bottom face, and said key body further includes at least one flange projecting from said bottom face of said first skirt portion.

9. The waterproof press key as claimed in claim 7, wherein said key body further includes at least one actuator portion extending downwardly from said top wall and surrounded by said surrounding wall.

10. An assembly of a waterproof press key and an electronic device housing, comprising:

an electronic device housing including a housing wall formed with a hole that is defined by a hole-defining wall, said housing wall having an inner face and an outer face; and

a waterproof press key disposed on said electronic device housing and including

a key body including a cap portion made of a resilient material and a first skirt portion, said cap portion including a top wall and a surrounding wall that extends downwardly from said top wall and that has a bottom edge and an outer wall surface, said first skirt portion extending outwardly from said bottom edge of said surrounding wall, said top wall of said cap portion being exposed from said outer face of said housing wall via said hole and said first skirt portion abutting against said inner face of said housing wall when said key body is disposed on said electronic device housing,

a rigid support component including a supporting portion that is disposed at said surrounding wall, and

a waterproofing ring projecting from said outer wall surface of said surrounding wall and abutting against said hole-defining wall, wherein said supporting portion overlaps with at least a part of a height section of said surrounding wall from which said waterproofing ring projects.

11. The assembly of a waterproof press key and an electronic device housing as claimed in claim 10, wherein said supporting portion overlaps with at least one-half of the height section of said surrounding wall from which said waterproofing ring projects.

12. The assembly of a waterproof press key and an electronic device housing as claimed in claim 11, wherein said supporting portion is in a shape of a loop.

13. The assembly of a waterproof press key and an electronic device housing as claimed in claim 12, wherein said supporting portion has a bottom edge, and said rigid support component further includes a second skirt portion extending outwardly from said bottom edge of said supporting portion and connected to said first skirt portion.

14. The assembly of a waterproof press key and an electronic device housing as claimed in claim 13, wherein said surrounding wall further has an inner wall surface, and said supporting portion is connected to said inner wall surface of said surrounding wall.

15. The assembly of a waterproof press key and an electronic device housing as claimed in claim 14, wherein said rigid support component is made of metal.

16. The assembly of a waterproof press key and an electronic device housing as claimed in claim 15, wherein said waterproofing ring is connected integrally to said key body.

17. The assembly of a waterproof press key and an electronic device housing as claimed in claim 16, wherein said first skirt portion has a bottom face, and said key body further includes at least one flange projecting from said bottom face of said first skirt portion.

18. The assembly of a waterproof press key and an electronic device housing as claimed in claim 16, wherein said key body further includes at least one actuator portion extending downwardly from said top wall and surrounded by said surrounding wall.