Key board

• US 5,779,030 A
• Filed: 11/27/1996
• Issued: 07/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: Ikegami, Masahomi, Park, Hobeom
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US08/757,792
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 200/344, 200/345, 200/341, 200/520
• US Class Current: 200/344
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/125 using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser

Abstract

A key board for a notebook type computer invention includes a switching part (260) disposed between a key frame (210) and a backing board (201), for electrical actuation upon pressing of actuation rubbers (240). A link plate (220) is disposed between the key frame (210) and a key top (250). The link plate (220 includes a first link part (221) and a second link part (222) integrally connected together through a connecting plate (230) to enable the key top to perform smooth upward and downward actuations. The link plate disposed between the key top and key frame is integrally formed; therefore, even when the user presses only one part of the key top, the entire key top is smoothly actuated due to the smooth and parallel actuations of the link plate. The vertical strokes of the key top are maintained at a constant level due to the integral link plate, and a plurality of actuation rubbers are integrally formed on a sheet so as to make the key board thin.

Claims

1. A key board comprising:

a key top (250) having first guide pieces (251) and second guide pieces (252) installed thereon;

a key frame (210) installed in opposing facing relation to said key top (250) with said guide pieces formed therebetween;

an actuation rubber sheet (242) having an actuation rubber (240) arranged integrally thereon to transmit upward and downward actuating movement of said key top (250) to a switching part (260);

a movable contact (261) and a fixed contact (264) respectively disposed on opposite sides of said switching part (260) and being contactable with each other through the switching part (260) by movement of said actuation rubber (240); and

a link plate (220) disposed between said key top (250) and said key frame (210), and having a connecting plate (230) integrally and movably connecting a first link part (221) to a second link part (222) thereof, wherein said connecting plate (230) and said first and second link parts (221,

     222) are integrally formed as a one-piece unit.

5. The key board as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a backing board (201) to which the key frame (210) is mounted, wherein said switching part (260) disposed between said key frame (210) and said backing board (201) includes said actuation rubber sheet (242) with a plurality of said actuation rubbers (240) arranged thereon in an integral form.

2. A key board comprising:

a key top (250) having first guide pieces (251) and second guide pieces (252) installed thereon;

a key frame (210) installed in opposing facing relation to said key top (250) with said guide pieces formed therebetween;

an actuation rubber sheet (242) having an actuation rubber (240) arranged integrally thereon to transmit upward and downward actuating movement of said key top (250) to a switching part (260);

a movable contact (261) and a fixed contact (264) respectively disposed on opposite sides of said switching part (260) and being contactable with each other through the switching part (260) by movement of said actuation rubber (240);

a link plate (220) disposed between said key top (250) and said key frame (210), and having a connecting plate (230) integrally connecting a first link part (221) to a second link part (222) thereof, wherein said connecting plate (230) and said first and second link parts (221,

     222) are integrally formed as a one-piece unit;

said first link part 221 includes first and second supporting parts (223) and (224) respectively formed on opposite ends thereof, and a protuberance (231) formed on an outer rear side thereof and integrally connected to said connecting plate (230); and

said second link part 222 includes first and second supporting pieces (225) and (226) respectively projecting inward from opposite ends thereof, and protuberances (232) formed on insides thereof for connecting said second link part (222) to said connecting plate (230).

3. The key board as claimed in claim 2 wherein said key frame (210) includes first and second guide pieces (213) and (214) formed thereon, and wherein said first supporting parts (223) are coupled to the first guide pieces (251) of said key top (250) and the second supporting parts (224) are coupled to the second guide pieces (214) of said key frame (210) to respectively perform sliding and rotating actuations upon pressing of said key top (250), and wherein said first supporting pieces (225) are coupled to said first guide pieces (213) of said key frame (210) and said second supporting pieces (226) are coupled to said second guide pieces (252) of said key top (250) to respectively perform sliding and rotating actions.

4. A key board comprising:

a key top (250) having first guide pieces (251) and second guide pieces (252) installed thereon;

a key frame (210) installed in opposing facing relation to said key top (250) with said guide Pieces formed therebetween;

an actuation rubber sheet (242) having an actuation rubber (240) arranged integrally thereon to transmit upward and downward actuating movement of said key top (250) to a switching part (260);

a movable contact (261) and a fixed contact (264) respectively disposed on opposite sides of said switching part (260) and being contactable with each other through the switching part (260) by movement of said actuation rubber (240);

a link plate (220) disposed between said key top (250) and said key frame (210), and having a connecting plate (230) integrally connecting a first link part (221) to a second link part (222) thereof, wherein said connecting plate (230) and said first and second link parts (221,

     222) are integrally formed as a one-piece unit;

said first link part 221 includes first and second supporting parts (223) and (224) respectively formed on opposite ends thereof, and a protuberance (231) formed on an outer rear side thereof and integrally connected to said connecting plate (230);

said second link part 222 includes first and second supporting pieces (225) and (226) respectively protecting inward from opposite ends thereof, and protuberances (232) formed on insides thereof for connecting said second link part (222) to said connecting plate (230); and

said connecting plate (230) integrally connected between said first and second link parts (221) and (222) of said link plate (220) has a thickness thinner than those of said first and second link parts (221) and (222), for making said first and second link parts (221) and (222) perform elastic actuations.