PROTECTIVE SHEET AND INPUT DEVICE

• US 20100232861A1
• Filed: 03/09/2010
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: SHIBATA, Katsuya, HARADA, Hideki, KITAGAWA, Masahiko
• Application Number:
  US12/720,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20100232861A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/491
• 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 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/006 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/002 sealed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/003 Membrane embracing all keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2235/008 Rubber spring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2237/00 Mechanism between key and laykey
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/125 using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser

Abstract

An input device of the present application includes a plurality of input portions. The input device of the present application has a protective sheet capable of covering at least regions between the input portions. The protective sheet is formed of a plurality of layers including at least a first layer and a second layer. The first layer contains a material having elasticity. The second layer contains a material having a buffering property. With such a configuration, an input device can be realized, which includes a protective sheet that is unlikely to be broken even after the use for a long period of time.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising:

a plurality of key-tops;

an up-and-down mechanism that supports the key-top so that the key-top rises or falls freely;

a contact portion that is switched in synchronization with a rise-and-fall operation of the key-top; and

a sheet member placed between the key-top and the contact portion,

wherein the sheet member is fixed to a reverse surface of the key-top.

2. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a support plate placed on the reverse surface of the key-top,

wherein the sheet member is sandwiched and fixed between the key-top and the support plate.

3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet member has looseness in a portion placed between the key-tops adjacent to each other so that a length of the sheet member in the portion is larger than a distance between the key-tops adjacent to each other.

4. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the looseness of the sheet member is set so that a distance from a portion where the sheet member is fixed to a bent portion is at least ½

of a stroke amount of the rise-and-fall operation of the key-top.

5. An input device including a plurality of input portions, comprising a protective sheet capable of covering at least regions between the input portions,

wherein the protective sheet is formed of a plurality of layers including at least a first layer and a second layer,

the first layer contains a material having elasticity;

and

the second layer contains a material having a buffering property.

6. The input device according to claim 5, wherein the protective sheet is independent on a basis of the plurality of input portions.

7. The input device according to claim 5, further comprising a frame that is placed between adjacent input portions among the plurality of input portions and that supports the protective sheet.

8. The input device according to claim 5, wherein the protective sheet is detachable or attachable with respect to the frame.

9. The input device according to claim 5, wherein the input portion includes:

a key-top;

a mobile component that supports the key-top displaceably; and

a membrane switch that supports the mobile component and that is shifted to an ON state or an OFF state by the mobile component along with displacement of the key-top,

wherein the protective sheet is supported by the membrane switch.

10. The input device according to claim 9, wherein the protective sheet is supported by the membrane switch detachably/attachably.

11. A protective sheet capable of covering an input portion of an input device, which is formed of a plurality of layers including at least a first layer and a second layer,

wherein the first layer contains a material having elasticity, and

the second layer contains a material having a buffering property.

12. The protective sheet according to claim 11, wherein the second layer is connected to a principal plane of the first layer.

13. The protective sheet according to claim 11, wherein the input portion includes a key-top, a support member that supports the key-top so that the key-top is capable of moving in a predetermined direction, and a switch placed in a lower portion of the key-top,

wherein a key-top fitting portion is formed so that, when the input portion is covered, the key-top is fitted in the key-top fitting portion from the second layer side.

14. The protective sheet according to claim 13, wherein the input portion includes a plurality of key-tops, and the protective sheet includes a gap sealing portion that seals a gap between adjacent key-tops among the plurality of key-tops when the input portion is covered.

15. The protective sheet according to claim 11, wherein the second layer is formed of nonwoven fabric.

16. The protective sheet according to claim 11, wherein the second layer includes a locking unit capable of locking the second layer with the input device.

17. The protective sheet according to claim 16, wherein the locking unit is a plane fastener.

18. The protective sheet according to claim 11, wherein the first layer is provided with a cut-away portion having a shape of a predetermined character or symbol.

19. The protective sheet according to claim 18, wherein a portion of the second layer that is exposed through at least the cut-away portion is colored in a color different from a color in a vicinity of the cut-away portion in the first layer.

20. The protective sheet according to claim 18, wherein a portion of the second layer that is exposed at least through the cut-away portion has transparency.