Fluid isolation and dispersion system for tactile input devices
First Claim
1. A system for isolating a fluid from a keypad comprising:
- a flexible gasket member including raised portions, wherein the gasket member overlies a printed circuit board containing elastometric conductors and the raised portions contain keys that impact the elastometric conductors when struck by a user;
a top cover over the flexible gasket member containing a plurality of apertures defined by aperture walls through which the raised portions protrude;
wherein the raised portions form a seal between the keys and the aperture walls; and
a plurality of linking walls which link predetermined aperture walls to form a plurality of chambers on top of the flexible gasket member;
wherein predetermined linking walls and predetermined portions of predetermined aperture walls form a periphery wall around the aperture walls, wherein the flexible gasket member further comprises a flexible periphery wall around the periphery of the gasket member, and wherein the periphery wall and the flexible periphery wall are separated by a predetermined distance to form a channel.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid isolation and dispersion system which includes one or more sealing devices to minimize the chance of fluid damage to electronic components. The system includes seals between keys of a keypad and aperture walls in a cover member through which the keys protrude, and a number of chambers around the keys for trapping fluid that has passed through any one of the seals. The chambers are defined by chamber walls linking the aperture walls, and a gasket below the chamber walls. The system may additionally include a channel formed between a periphery wall around the aperture walls and a flexible periphery wall around the gasket for diverting fluid that has passed by any one of the chamber walls, and a spout on one side of the gasket for discharging the fluid from the channel.
-
Citations
4 Claims
-
1. A system for isolating a fluid from a keypad comprising:
-
a flexible gasket member including raised portions, wherein the gasket member overlies a printed circuit board containing elastometric conductors and the raised portions contain keys that impact the elastometric conductors when struck by a user; a top cover over the flexible gasket member containing a plurality of apertures defined by aperture walls through which the raised portions protrude; wherein the raised portions form a seal between the keys and the aperture walls; and a plurality of linking walls which link predetermined aperture walls to form a plurality of chambers on top of the flexible gasket member; wherein predetermined linking walls and predetermined portions of predetermined aperture walls form a periphery wall around the aperture walls, wherein the flexible gasket member further comprises a flexible periphery wall around the periphery of the gasket member, and wherein the periphery wall and the flexible periphery wall are separated by a predetermined distance to form a channel. - View Dependent Claims (2)
-
-
3. A system for isolating a fluid from a keypad comprising:
-
a flexible gasket member including raised portions, a flexible periphery wall around the periphery of the gasket member, and a spout portion coupled to the flexible wall; and a top cover over the flexible gasket member containing a plurality of apertures defined by aperture walls through which the raised portions protrude, a plurality of linking walls which link predetermined aperture walls, and a periphery wall made up of predetermined linking walls and predetermined portions of predetermined aperture walls; wherein the gasket member overlies a printed circuit board containing elastometric conductors and the raised portions contain keys that impact the elastometric conductors when struck by a user; wherein the raised portions form a seal between the keys and the aperture walls; wherein the linking walls form chambers on top of the flexible gasket member; and wherein the periphery wall and the flexible periphery wall are separated by a predetermined distance to form a channel coupled to the spout portion.
-
-
4. A system for isolating a fluid from a keypad comprising:
-
seals between keys of the keypad and aperture walls defining apertures in a cover member through which the keys protrude; a number of chambers around the keys for trapping fluid that has passed by any one of the seals; wherein the chambers are defined by chamber walls linking the aperture walls, and a gasket below the chamber walls; a channel formed between a periphery wall around the aperture walls and a flexible periphery wall around the gasket for diverting fluid that has passed by any one of the chamber walls; and a spout on one side of the gasket and coupled to the flexible periphery wall of the channel which vents fluid that has seeped into the channel.
-
Specification