Method and apparatus to improve tactile feel for keyboards and button assemblies
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keypad assembly comprising:
- a plurality of keycaps; and
a carrier positioned to directly support the plurality of keycaps, so that the plurality of keycaps extend from the carrier, and wherein the carrier is formed from flexible material;
wherein the carrier has (i) one or more flat regions, 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
a circuit layer that is provided underneath and separate from-the carrier, the circuit layer including electrical contacts for enabling use of the keypad.
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Accused Products
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.
8 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A keypad assembly comprising:
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a plurality of keycaps; and a carrier positioned to directly support the plurality of keycaps, so that the plurality of keycaps extend from the carrier, and wherein the carrier is formed from flexible material; wherein the carrier has (i) one or more flat regions, 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 a circuit layer that is provided underneath and separate from-the 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, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A keypad assembly comprising:
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a plurality of keycaps; a carrier on which the plurality of keycaps are provided, wherein the carrier interconnects at least some of the plurality of keycaps to one another; wherein the carrier has (i) one or more flat regions, 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 a circuit layer that is provided underneath the carrier, the circuit layer including electrical contacts for enabling use of the keypad; wherein the plurality of keycaps are formed as a unitary part of the carrier. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification