Method and apparatus to improve tactile feel for keyboards and button assemblies
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keypad, comprising:
- a plurality of keys; and
a flexible carrier contacting the plurality of keys, the flexible carrier having openings therein between the plurality of keys;
wherein the openings divide the flexible carrier into at least two serpentine-shaped parts.
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Abstract
A keyboard for an electronic device that incorporates a flexible carrier for the keys. The flexible carrier has cutouts or slots that aid in decoupling the actions of one from its neighbors. Moreover, in addition to or instead of cutouts or slots, the flexible carrier optionally has cutouts around its outer perimeter. In some embodiments, the keys are molded as part of the flexible carrier. In other embodiments, the keys are attached to or inserted in the flexible carrier during manufacture. Various embodiments of the invention employ various key shapes to aid the user'"'"'s tactile experience while typing.
76 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A keypad, comprising:
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a plurality of keys; and a flexible carrier contacting the plurality of keys, the flexible carrier having openings therein between the plurality of keys; wherein the openings divide the flexible carrier into at least two serpentine-shaped parts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A keypad, comprising:
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a plurality of keys; and a flexible carrier contacting the plurality of keys, the flexible carrier having openings therein between the plurality of keys; wherein at least some of the openings are cruciform-shaped.
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14. A keypad, comprising:
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a plurality of keys; and a flexible carrier contacting the plurality of keys, the flexible carrier having openings therein between the plurality of keys; wherein the openings divide the flexible carrier into multiple parts. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A keypad, comprising:
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a plurality of keys; and a flexible carrier contacting the plurality of keys, the flexible carrier having openings therein between the plurality of keys; wherein the openings form at least one slot in the flexible carrier.
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19. A keypad, comprising:
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a plurality of keys; and a flexible carrier contacting the plurality of keys, the flexible carrier having openings therein between the plurality of keys; wherein the openings serve to decouple the plurality of keys from each other.
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20. A keypad, comprising:
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a plurality of keys, each key having an actuator; and a flexible carrier surrounding the plurality of keys and having an opening for each actuator and having additional openings between the actuators, the additional openings serving to decouple the plurality of keys. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification