Input Assembly For A Waterproof Keyboard
First Claim
1. An input assembly for a human interface device comprising:
- a membrane assembly including a first membrane having an electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof, a second membrane having electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof, the first and second membranes being arranged such that the electrical circuits of each membrane are facing each other, and means for permitting selective electrical connection between the electrical circuits of the first and second membranes;
an electrical connector connected to the electrical circuit of one or both of the first or second membranes and comprising a connection portion configured for connection to a further electrical component; and
sealing means configured to seal the membrane assembly to a further surface to form a sealed unit which seals and encapsulates both the electrical circuits of the membrane assembly and the connection portion of the electrical connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input assembly for a human interface device such as a keyboard comprises a first membrane (20) and second membrane (22) each having an electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof. The first and second (20)(22) membranes are arranged such that the electrical circuits of each membrane are facing each other. Means (24) is provided for permitting selective electrical connection between the electrical circuits of the first and second membranes (20)(22). An electrical connector (42) is connected to the electrical circuit of one or both of the first or second membranes (20)(22) and comprises a connection portion configured for connection to a further electrical component. Sealing means is provided which is configured to seal the membrane assembly to a further surface to form a sealed unit which seals and encapsulates both the electrical circuits of the membrane assembly and the connection portion of the electrical connector (42).
34 Citations
36 Claims
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1. An input assembly for a human interface device comprising:
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a membrane assembly including a first membrane having an electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof, a second membrane having electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof, the first and second membranes being arranged such that the electrical circuits of each membrane are facing each other, and means for permitting selective electrical connection between the electrical circuits of the first and second membranes; an electrical connector connected to the electrical circuit of one or both of the first or second membranes and comprising a connection portion configured for connection to a further electrical component; and sealing means configured to seal the membrane assembly to a further surface to form a sealed unit which seals and encapsulates both the electrical circuits of the membrane assembly and the connection portion of the electrical connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20)
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18. A method of forming an input assembly for a human interface device comprising:
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providing a membrane assembly including a first membrane having an electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof, a second membrane having electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof, the first and second membranes being arranged such that the electrical circuits of each membrane are facing each other, and means for permitting selective electrical connection between the electrical circuits of the first and second membranes; connecting a connection portion of an electrical connector connected to the electrical circuit of one or both of the first or second membranes and comprising configured to a further electrical component; and sealing the membrane assembly to the further surface such that the means for sealing means defines a sealing perimeter which surrounds and seals both the connection portion of the electrical connector and the further electrical component to which it is connected.
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21. An input assembly for a human interface device comprising:
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a first membrane having an electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof; a second membrane having electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof, the first and second membranes being arranged such that the electrical circuits of each membrane are facing each other; and a spacer member provided between the first and second membranes configured to permit selective electrical connection between the electrical circuits of the first and second membranes; wherein at least a portion of the first membrane or at least a portion of the spacer member defines a sealing surface for sealing at least a portion of the lower membrane between the first membrane or spacer member and a further surface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of forming an input assembly for a human interface device comprising:
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providing a first membrane having an electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof; providing a second membrane having electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof; arranging the first and second membranes such that the electrical circuits of each membrane are facing each other; providing a spacer member between the first and second membranes configured to permit selective electrical connection between the electrical circuits of the first and second membranes; and securing a sealing surface defined by at least a portion of the first membrane or at least a portion of the spacer member to a further surface to seal at least a portion of the lower membrane between the first surface or spacer member and the further surface.
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35. An input assembly for a human interface device comprising:
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a first membrane having an electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof; a second membrane having electrical circuit provided on a surface thereof, the first and second membranes being arranged such that the electrical circuits of each membrane are facing each other; and a spacer member provided between the first and second membranes configured to permit selective electrical connection between the electrical circuits of the first and second membranes; wherein at least a portion of the spacer membrane is formed from an electroluminescent material. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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Specification