Key pad assembly and electronic device having the same

• US 7,696,425 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Oh, Seoung-Myun
• Primary Examiner(s): Donels; Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUSSELL, CHRISTINA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US11/428,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20070221041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 844/33, 200/310, 200/5.A, 544/90.1
• US Class Current: 84/433
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/05 Force concentrator; Actuating dimple
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/062 Damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/026 Hook and loop
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/028 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/236 including keys on side or rear faces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit

Abstract

A keypad assembly, which includes at least one key configured to be provided at an outer surface of a body of an electronic device, a substrate including at least one switch that closes when the at least one key is depressed, and a supporting plate configured to detachably attach to an inner surface of the body of the electronic device, the supporting plate fixing the at least one key and the substrate to the body of the electronic device.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing comprising a first body and a second body which is attached to the first body, the housing having an inner space formed between the first body and the second body; and

a keypad assembly attached to the first body, the keypad assembly comprising;

at least one key provided at an outer surface of the first body;

a substrate comprising at least one switch that closes when the at least one key is depressed;

a supporting plate disposed at the inner space of the housing, the supporting plate being detachably attached to an inner surface of the first body, and the supporting plate fixing the at least one key and the substrate to the first body; and

a connector which attaches the supporting plate to the inner surface of the first body.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing pad disposed between the at least one key and the substrate and comprising a pressing protrusion, the pressing protrusion pressing the at least one switch when the at least one key is depressed.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises:

at least one hook portion formed on one of the first body and the supporting plate; and

at least one coupling groove formed on the other of the first body and the supporting plate, the at least one hook portion connecting to the at least one coupling groove.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one insulating portion formed between the supporting plate and the first body that reduces transfer of vibration between the supporting plate and the first body.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the insulating portion comprises:

an insulating protrusion provided on one of the supporting plate and the first body and formed of an elastic material; and

an insulating groove formed on the other of the supporting plate and the first body, the insulating protrusion engaging with the insulating groove.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting portion formed on the second body and extending to the supporting plate which holds the keypad assembly to the first body.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the supporting portion comprises a guide rib which holds a component of the electronic device, other than the keypad assembly, in place.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a mobile communication terminal.