Cover structure for a keypad

• US 7,056,042 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2003
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Pihlaja, Pekka
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirshfeld, Andrew H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Culler, Jill E.
• Application Number:
  US10/448,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20030223799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 400/713, 400/714, 400/472, 400/491.3, 150/154, 150/165, 200/293, 200/302.2, 200/333, 200/512, 200/513, D14/138
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/003 Membrane embracing all keys

Abstract

A top structure for a keypad, comprising a number of key caps. The structure comprises a solid flexible layer, which is placed above the key caps or directly on them, and arranged to yield when the key is felt. The material, properties and thickness of the flexible layer are selected so that the key cap can be perceived by a sensation of touch and found under the layer, when the key is felt. The flexible layer is, for example, of a textile or textile-imitating material. The top structure can be utilized in a keypad component, in an electronic device, particularly a mobile phone, and in clothing provided with a keypad.

Claims

1. A top structure for a keypad, the top structure is placed in a pocket to fix the top structure precisely in a desired position, the keypad comprising a number of separate key caps placed above cupola structures or other structures responsible for coupling, the key caps arranged to affect said structures when the keys are pressed down, wherein the top structure comprises:

a uniform flexible layer, which is placed above the key caps or directly on top of them and is arranged to yield when the key cap is felt, wherein the flexible layer is straight above the key caps, the key caps having the size and shape of the upper surface of the key cap selected so that the correct point to be pressed down can be easily found by a sensation of touch, the flexible layer is a part of clothing in which said keypad is also placed, and

an intermediate layer, which is placed underneath the flexible layer and arranged to surround the key caps in such a way that movement of an individual one of the key caps during a keystroke is possible.

2. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the material, properties and thickness of the flexible layer are selected so that the key cap can be perceived by a sensation of touch and found under the flexible layer, when the key is felt.

3. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the flexible layer is chosen from the group consisting of a textile and a textile-imitating material.

4. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the flexible layer is arranged to cover at least an area formed by the key caps in its entirety.

5. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the flexible layer, being installed integrally with the top structure in an electronic device, covers an area of the keypad and to surround the electronic device in which the keypad is fitted.

6. The top structure according to claim 5, wherein the flexible layer is chosen from the group consisting of a textile and a textile-imitating material.

7. The top structure according to claim 5, wherein the flexible layer is arranged to envelope the electronic device as a ring.

8. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is solid and defines a number of openings, in which the key caps are intended to be placed.

9. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is solid and arranged to be placed tightly against at least the sides of the key cap.

10. The top structure according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate layer is also arranged to be placed tightly against an entire top surface of each key cap.

11. The top structure according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate layer is also arranged to be placed tightly against any part of a top surface of the key cap which is not placed against the flexible layer.

12. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is of a flexible material, whose thickness is allowed to change when pressed down.

13. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the material and thickness of the intermediate layer and the flexible layer are selected so that the key cap can be perceived by a sensation of touch and found under said intermediate and flexible layers, when the key cap is felt.

14. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is of a foamed flexible plastic material.

15. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is arranged to cover at least an area of the keypad.

16. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is arranged to be placed in a recess in an electronic device, in which the keypad is placed, wherein the flexible layer is simultaneously arranged to cover said recess.

17. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the flexible layer is arranged in a frame, which can be connected to an electronic device, in which the keypad is placed.

18. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the flexible layer is arranged to bounce to its original position after a keystroke.

19. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the flexible layer and the intermediate layer are attached to each other, wherein they form an integrated component which can be placed around the key caps.

20. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the flexible layer and the intermediate layer are attached to each other, the key caps being placed in the intermediate layer, wherein the flexible layer, the intermediate layer and the key caps together constitute an integrated component being the top structure.

21. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the key caps are arranged to be placed on the cupola structures of the keypad, which operate by buckling and bouncing and which are intended to provide a clear feeling of the operation of the key.

22. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the flexible layer is equipped with symbols visible to the user and describing the functions of the keys.

23. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the material and structure of the intermediate layer is light diffusing, wherein it is available for lighted keypads.

24. The top structure according to claim 1, wherein the top structure is integrated in an outer rigid shielding cover of an electronic device, particularly a mobile phone.

25. Clothing comprising a top structure which is intended for a keypad placed or to be placed in the clothing, the top structure is placed in a pocket to fix the top structure precisely in position, wherein the keypad comprises a number of separate key caps placed above cupola structures or other structures responsible for coupling, the key caps arranged to affect said structures when the key caps are pressed down, and wherein the top structure comprises:

a uniform flexible layer, which is placed above the key caps or directly on top of them and is arranged to yield when the key cap is felt, wherein the flexible layer is planar above the key caps, the key caps having the size and shape of the upper surface of the key cap selected so that the correct point to be pressed down can be easily found by a sensation of touch, and

an intermediate layer, which is placed underneath the flexible layer and arranged to surround the key caps in such a way that movement of an individual one of the key caps during a keystroke is possible.