SEAMLESS BUTTON ARRAY PANELS FOR HANDHELD COMMUNICATION DEVICES

• US 20110141028A1
• Filed: 12/15/2009
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Szczypinski, David, Bedolla, Jimmy, Kudrna, Paul John
• Granted Patent: US 8,643,604 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• 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

Abstract

A button array panel for a handheld communication device. The button array panel can include buttons and a continuous and seamless layer covering each button. Each button has an associated function and full recovery. A substrate layer can also be provided and can be interposed between the buttons and continuous and seamless layer. The button array panel can be a side button array panel or a keypad button array panel. The button array panel can prevent material, such as dust or liquid, from penetrating the handheld communication device.

Claims

1. A button array panel for an handheld communication device comprising:

at least one button;

a continuous and seamless layer covering each button, the continuous and seamless layer extending over a length of the button array panel; and

a substrate layer interposed between the at least one button and the continuous and seamless layer.

2. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein the button array panel is a side button array panel.

3. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein the button array panel is a keypad button array panel.

4. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein each button is a collapsing button having an associated function and full recovery.

5. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein the at least one button includes a plunger adapted to interact with a contact during actuation of the button.

6. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein the at least one button includes a plunger adapted to interact with a switch during actuation of the button.

7. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein the at least one button is part of a button layer comprising a plurality of buttons and the substrate layer comprises at least one opening to receive a corresponding one of the buttons.

8. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein the button layer is silicon.

9. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein each button is elastomeric.

10. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein the continuous and seamless layer is an in-mould label film.

11. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein the continuous and seamless layer provides at least one of a metallic and rigid appearance.

12. The button array panel of claim 1 further comprising a rigid support adapted to support the at least one button and the substrate layer.

13. The button array panel of claim 11 wherein the rigid support is metal.

14. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein the substrate layer is one of silicon and plastic.

15. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein the substrate layer is adapted to assist in fastening the button array panel to the handheld communication device.

16. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein the button array panel is adapted to be retained in the handheld communication device using at least one screw.

17. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein at least one distal end of the substrate layer is curved.

18. The button array panel of claim 1 wherein at least one button is made of two different materials.

19. A keypad array panel for an handheld communication device comprising:

a button layer comprising a plurality of buttons with each button having an associated function, full recovery and made of an elastomeric material;

a substrate layer comprising a plurality of openings with each opening adapted to receive a corresponding button of the button layer; and

a continuous and seamless layer covering the button layer and the substrate layer with the continuous and seamless layer extending over a length of the keypad array panel.

20. The keypad array panel of claim 19 further comprising a rigid support adapted to support the button layer and the substrate layer.