Keyboard with chassis structure
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keyboard apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of keys with each key consisting of only three actuation areas, the three actuation areas being a large actuation area and two smaller actuation areas, each actuation area having corresponding actuation indicia on top of each key and each actuation area having a corresponding plunger on a bottom of each key;
a chassis structure comprising a plurality of posts, each post projecting upward from the chassis structure and configured to support a corresponding key for pivotal movement about the post into one of three actuated positions with each actuated position corresponding to an actuation area in the event the key is actuated;
a plurality of dome actuated switches, each switch positioned below a corresponding plunger and configured to be actuated in response to the corresponding plunger engaging the switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard apparatus includes a group of switches, a key having a corresponding group of plungers, and a chassis structure including a panel and a post. The post projects upward from the panel to support the key for manual movement pivotally into multiple actuated positions in which the plungers actuate the switches. The panel has a group of apertures through which the plungers are movable into actuating engagement with the switches upon such multi-directional movement of the key.
54 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A keyboard apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of keys with each key consisting of only three actuation areas, the three actuation areas being a large actuation area and two smaller actuation areas, each actuation area having corresponding actuation indicia on top of each key and each actuation area having a corresponding plunger on a bottom of each key; a chassis structure comprising a plurality of posts, each post projecting upward from the chassis structure and configured to support a corresponding key for pivotal movement about the post into one of three actuated positions with each actuated position corresponding to an actuation area in the event the key is actuated; a plurality of dome actuated switches, each switch positioned below a corresponding plunger and configured to be actuated in response to the corresponding plunger engaging the switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A handheld electronic device comprising:
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a display; and a keyboard apparatus comprising; a plurality of keys with each key consisting of only three actuation areas, the three actuation areas being a large actuation area and two smaller actuation areas, each actuation area having corresponding actuation indicia on top of each key and each actuation area having a corresponding plunger on a bottom of each key; a chassis structure comprising a plurality of posts, each post projecting upward from the chassis structure and configured to support a corresponding key for pivotal movement about the post into one of three actuated positions with each actuated position corresponding to an actuation area in the event the key is actuated; a plurality of dome actuated switches, each switch positioned below a corresponding plunger and configured to be actuated in response to the corresponding plunger engaging the switch. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification