RETRACTABLE KEYBOARD KEYS
First Claim
5-1. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein each of the planar-translation effecting mechanisms comprise a four bar linkage configured between the chassis and a respective keycap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard includes a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel. A plurality of keycaps are positioned within the plurality of key openings. A chassis is included that has a plurality of planar-translation effecting mechanisms each supporting a respective one of the plurality of keycaps to guide the respective keycap in a press direction and a second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. The keypad or keyboard includes a key retraction mechanism configured to move the chassis relative to the bezel wherein the key holding features of the bezel limit movement of the keycaps in the second direction during movement of the chassis relative to the bezel, while the planar-translation effecting mechanisms move the plurality of keycaps toward a retracted position.
35 Citations
22 Claims
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5-1. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein each of the planar-translation effecting mechanisms comprise a four bar linkage configured between the chassis and a respective keycap.
- 12. The keyboard of claim 12, wherein the lid comprises a display.
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15. A keyboard, comprising:
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a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel; a plurality of keycaps each positioned within a respective one of the plurality of key openings and each having a touch surface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position, the unpressed position and pressed position separated in a press direction and a second direction orthogonal to the press direction; a chassis having a plurality of ramp features each interacting with ramp contacting features of a respective one of the plurality of keycaps to guide the respective keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position, the chassis also including a plurality of inverted ramp features each interacting with inverted ramp contacting features of a respective one of the plurality of keycaps; and a key retraction mechanism configured to cause movement between the chassis and the bezel; wherein the key holding features of the bezel are configured to limit movement of the keycaps in the second direction in response to movement of the chassis relative to the bezel while the inverted ramps and inverted ramp contacting features move the plurality of keycaps toward a retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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19-2. The keyboard of claim 15, further comprising a display coupled to the key retraction mechanism, wherein movement of the display toward the bezel causes the key retraction mechanism to effect the movement between the chassis and the bezel thereby moving the plurality of keys to the retracted position.
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22. A method of effecting motion of a plurality of keycaps positioned in a bezel of a keyboard, wherein each of the plurality of keycaps are supported in an unpressed position by a planar-translation effecting mechanism of a chassis, each of the plurality of keycaps configured to move between the unpressed position and a pressed position, wherein the unpressed and pressed positions are separated in a press direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the press direction, the method comprising:
in response to movement between the chassis and the bezel, the planar-translation effecting mechanism moves each of the plurality of keycaps toward the press direction to a retracted position.
Specification