Multi-function control key structure

• US 6,844,511 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2004
• Issued: 01/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tatung Company
• Original Assignee: Tatung Company
• Inventors: Luo, Bo-Shiun, Tsou, Hsien-Pin, Hsu, Ming-Chun
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US10/811,884
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 200/4, 200/5.R, 200/6.A, 200/17.R, 200/18, 345/161
• US Class Current: 200/6.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/044 Elastic part on actuator or casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

A multi-function control key structure formed of a key cap and a springy key body is disclosed for different triggering controls by means of a center shank of the key cap and a plurality of triggering rods of the key body around the center shank. The key cap has driving rods spaced above the triggering rods and adapted to drive the triggering rods to make a triggering action respectively. The center shank is tilted so as not to make a triggering action accidentally when the key cap is biased to force one triggering rod of the key body to make a triggering action. The driving rods do not touch the triggering rods when pressed the center area of the key cap to force the center shank to make a triggering action.

Claims

1. A multi-function control key structure comprising:

a springy keybody, said springy key body comprising a flat annular base, an annular flange protruded from one side of said flat annular base, a center through hole surrounded by said annular flange, and a springy plate disposed in said center through hole, said springy plate comprising a center through hole and a plurality of first spring arms and second spring arms equiangularly arranged around the center through hole of said springy plate, said first spring arms being respectively connected to said flat annular base, each of said first spring arms having a middle mounting hole, each of said second spring arms, having a free end terminating in a downwardly extended triggering rod; and

a key cap mounted in the center through hole in the annular flange of said springy body, said key cap comprising a bottom wall, a shank perpendicularly downwardly extended from the center of said bottom wall and inserted into the center through hole of said springy plate, a plurality of driving rods perpendicularly downwardly extended from said bottom wall and equiangularly arranged around said shank corresponding to the triggering rods of said second spring arms, and a plurality of locating rods perpendicularly downwardly extended from said bottom wall and equiangularly arranged around said shank and respectively fastened to the mounting holes of said first spring arms to cause said driving rods respectively spaced from the triggering rods of said second spring arms at a predetermined distance.

2. The multi-function control key structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said springy key body and said key cap are installed in a through hole extended from a outer surface to a inner surface of a face panel in such a manner that the annular flange of said springy key body is inserted into the through hole of said face panel, the flat annular base of said springy key body is affixed to the inner surface of said face panel, and the shank of said key cap and the triggering rods of said springy key body are respectively aimed at respective key switches of a circuit board.

3. The multi-function control key structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flat annular base of said springy key body is bonded to the inner surface of said face panel by heat welding.

4. The multi-function control key structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locating rods of said key cap are respectively bonded to the mounting holes of said first spring arms by heat welding.