Key-holding structure of keyboard with curved operating surface of keys
First Claim
1. A keyboard having multiple key-switches each comprising a key having a finger-pressed top face, a movable electrode and at least two stationary electrodes, comprising:
- an upper casing including a portion which has a rectangular aperture formed through a thickness of said portion, and a pair of side walls defining opposite right and left sides of said rectangular aperture, said side walls each having a downward extension from one surface of said portion, said downward extension having a convex profile at its lower end;
a key holder plate supporting the multiple keys in plural rows perpendicular to said right and left sides and movably in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the key holder plate, said key holder plate having holes through which said keys extend in said direction, and further having integral guide portions formed concentrically with said holes and extending in said direction towards said rectangular aperture;
retaining means for holding said key holder plate curved in cross section across said plural rows, with elastic deformation thereof in pressed contact with said convex profile of said downward extension, whereby a surface generally defined by the top faces of said multiple keys is curved to said convex profile in said cross section;
a printed circuit board disposed below said key holder plate and having a pattern of said stationary electrodes such that said key-switches are operated upon movement of said multiple keys; and
a lower casing disposed below said printed circuit board and cooperating with said upper casing to enclose said key holder plate, said retaining means and said printed circuit board.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard assembly having key-switches, comprising a key holder plate supporting multiple keys in plural rows and movably across the thickness of the plate, and further comprising an upper casing which has a rectangular aperture closed by the key holder plate. The key holder plate has holes through which the keys extend, and integral guide portions concentric with the holes and extend toward the rectangular aperture. Opposite right and left sides of the aperture perpendicular to the rows of the keys are defined by side walls of the upper casing each of which has a downward extension toward the key holder plate. The extension has a convex lower end profile with which the key holder plate is held in pressed contact by fasteners, with elastic deformation thereof following the convex lower end profile of the downward extension, such that a surface generally defined by top faces of the keys is curved in cross section across the rows of the keys.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A keyboard having multiple key-switches each comprising a key having a finger-pressed top face, a movable electrode and at least two stationary electrodes, comprising:
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an upper casing including a portion which has a rectangular aperture formed through a thickness of said portion, and a pair of side walls defining opposite right and left sides of said rectangular aperture, said side walls each having a downward extension from one surface of said portion, said downward extension having a convex profile at its lower end; a key holder plate supporting the multiple keys in plural rows perpendicular to said right and left sides and movably in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the key holder plate, said key holder plate having holes through which said keys extend in said direction, and further having integral guide portions formed concentrically with said holes and extending in said direction towards said rectangular aperture; retaining means for holding said key holder plate curved in cross section across said plural rows, with elastic deformation thereof in pressed contact with said convex profile of said downward extension, whereby a surface generally defined by the top faces of said multiple keys is curved to said convex profile in said cross section; a printed circuit board disposed below said key holder plate and having a pattern of said stationary electrodes such that said key-switches are operated upon movement of said multiple keys; and a lower casing disposed below said printed circuit board and cooperating with said upper casing to enclose said key holder plate, said retaining means and said printed circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification