Method and apparatus to improve tactile feel for keyboards and button assemblies
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keypad, comprising:
- a plurality of keycaps; and
a flexible carrier on which the plurality of keycaps are provided, wherein the flexible carrier interconnects at least some of the plurality of keycaps to one another;
wherein the flexible carrier has (i) one or more flat regions that extend between one or more of the keycaps, and (ii) a plurality of formations for which material of the carrier is removed or reduced as compared to the one or more flat regions; and
wherein the flexible carrier is separate from a circuit layer that is provided underneath the flexible carrier, the circuit layer including electrical contacts for enabling use of the keypad.
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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.
50 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A keypad, comprising:
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a plurality of keycaps; and a flexible carrier on which the plurality of keycaps are provided, wherein the flexible carrier interconnects at least some of the plurality of keycaps to one another; wherein the flexible carrier has (i) one or more flat regions that extend between one or more of the keycaps, and (ii) a plurality of formations for which material of the carrier is removed or reduced as compared to the one or more flat regions; and wherein the flexible carrier is separate from a circuit layer that is provided underneath the flexible carrier, the circuit layer including electrical contacts for enabling use of the keypad. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification