Computer keyboard with turnable knob

• US 6,179,496 B1
• Filed: 12/28/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shin Jiuh Corp.
• Original Assignee: Shin Jiuh Corp.
• Inventors: Chou, Chin-Wen
• Primary Examiner(s): Hilten, John S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anthony H.
• Application Number:
  US09/472,788
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 400/477, 400/479, 400/485, 400/489, 341/22, 341/35, 345/168, 345/169, 345/172, 361/680
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement

Abstract

An improved keyboard structure comprises a base, a pan body, and a top cover. A user is supposed to turn a turnable functional pushbutton to a specified function item, then click the pan body for the computer to execute the related program.

Claims

1. An improved keyboard structure, comprising:

a circuit board with a through hole being disposed in a keyboard;

a plurality of locating dimples formed on the circuit board peripherally around said through hole;

a knob having a recess and a guide post extending into said recess and penetrating said through hole;

a stop element disposed at one end of said guide post;

at least one positioning mechanism arranged at a bottom face of said knob;

a top cover having an area for securing the knob; and

wherein a user is capable of tuning said knob to a specified function and clicking said knob for executing the function.

2. The improved keyboard structure of claim 1, wherein a circuit layout is printed outside said locating dimples in said circuit board.

3. The improved keyboard structure of claim 1, wherein a limit element is disposed at one end of said guide post for preventing said stop element from loosening.

4. The improved keyboard structure of claim 1, wherein said positioning mechanism comprises a positioning unit and an elastic element.

5. The improved keyboard structure of claim 4, wherein said positioning unit is a spherical body.

6. The improved keyboard structure of claim 4, wherein said elastic element is a spring body.

7. The improved keyboard structure of claim 1, further including a click portion disposed at a bottom face of said knob for clicking into contact with said circuit board.

8. The improved keyboard structure of claim 1, wherein a plurality of function items is arranged around said action district peripherally.

9. The improved keyboard structure of claim 8, wherein the plurality of function items are directly printed peripherally around said knob securing area.

10. The improved keyboard structure of claim 8, wherein said function items are printed on a label sheet and adhered peripherally to said knob securing area.

11. The improved keyboard structure of claim 10, wherein a plurality of vision windows are formed peripherally around said knob securing area so that a user can insert the paper sheets of preset function items in said vision windows.

12. An improved keyboard structure, comprising:

a base having a support portion disposed thereon;

a knob having a recess disposed therein;

an elastic element arranged between said recess and said support portion;

at least one positioning mechanism and a click portion disposed in a bottom portion of said knob;

a top cover having one area for securing the knob; and

wherein a user is capable of turning said knob to a specified function and clicking said knob for executing the function.

13. The improved keyboard structure of claim 12, wherein a positioning mechanism is disposed peripherally around said support portion.

14. The improved keyboard structure of claim 13, wherein said positioning mechanism is provided at least one locating dimple.

15. The improved keyboard structure of claim 12, wherein a thin-film circuit is laid peripherally around said positioning mechanism.

16. The improved keyboard structure of claim 12, wherein said elastic element is a spring body.