Key assembly

• US 8,598,474 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2009
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Chao
• Primary Examiner(s): GIRARDI, VANESSA MARY
• Application Number:
  US12/635,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20110140932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 200/1.B, 200/510, 200/520, 200/512, 200/303, 200/302.2, 361/625, 361/652, 361/679.01
• US Class Current: 200/1.B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/028 perpendicular to base of keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/236 including keys on side or rear faces

Abstract

A mobile device is described herein in which the mobile device has a housing that includes a transition point and an actuator that can be flexible and that can be used to initiate a predetermined action. The actuator can include a transition point. The mobile device can also have a stiffening component that can be configured to engage the actuator and can also have a flexible circuit. In one arrangement, the flexible circuit can be coupled to the stiffening component and the flexible circuit can be configured to relay signals in response to a force being applied to the actuator. In another arrangement, the actuator can be positioned such that the transition point of the actuator substantially aligns with the transition point of the housing of the mobile device.

Claims

1. A mobile device, comprising:

a housing including a transition point;

an actuator including a transition point and being configured to initiate a predetermined action;

a stiffening component configured to engage the actuator; and

a flexible circuit coupled to the stiffening component and configured to relay signals in response to a force being applied to the actuator;

wherein the actuator is positioned such that the transition point of the actuator substantially aligns with the transition point of the housing and wherein the housing further includes a metal chassis and the stiffening component is grounded to the metal chassis.

2. A key assembly comprising:

a stiffening component that is physically discrete of a housing and that is configured to be secured to the housing by at least being coupled to an actuator of the housing, the stiffening component including at least one end portion configured to engage a corresponding tab of the housing;

a flexible circuit including a switch and configured to be positioned against the stiffening component, wherein the switch is activated when a force is applied to the actuator;

wherein the key assembly is positioned in the housing in a manner that permits the switch to be activated by the actuator and permits a transition point of the actuator to be substantially aligned with a transition point of the housing.

3. A key assembly, comprising:

a stiffening component that is physically discrete of a housing and that is configured to be secured to the housing by at least being coupled to an actuator of the housing;

a flexible circuit including a switch and configured to be positioned against the stiffening component and secured thereto by a conductive adhesive, wherein the switch is activated when a force is applied to the actuator;

wherein the key assembly is positioned in the housing in a manner that permits the switch to be activated by the actuator and permits a transition point of the actuator to be substantially aligned with a transition point of the housing.

4. The key assembly according to claim 3, wherein the stiffening component has a substantially planar surface for receiving the conductive adhesive and the flexible circuit.

5. The key assembly according to claim 3, wherein the stiffening component includes a projection that rises above a surface of the stiffening component and is configured to engage a corresponding portion of the actuator.

6. The key assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a cushioning element positioned over the switch and providing drop protection to the key assembly, wherein the cushioning element includes a surface that contacts the switch.

7. The key assembly according to claim 6, wherein the stiffening component includes a projection that rises above a surface of the stiffening component and is configured to engage the cushioning element.

8. A mobile device, comprising:

a housing including a transition point;

an actuator including a transition point and being configured to initiate a predetermined action;

a stiffening component configured to engage the actuator; and

a flexible circuit coupled to the stiffening component and configured to relay signals in response to a force being applied to the actuator;

a switch coupled to the flexible circuit, the actuator including a protrusion that activates the switch when the force is applied to the actuator;

a cushioning element positioned between the actuator and the flexible circuit, wherein the cushioning element defines a slot that receives the protrusion;

wherein the actuator is positioned such that the transition point of the actuator substantially aligns with the transition point of the housing.

9. The mobile device according to claim 8, wherein the actuator has a top surface that is substantially flush with a surface of the housing, the actuator being part of the housing.

10. The mobile device according to claim 8, wherein the stiffening component is made of sheet metal.

11. The mobile device according to claim 8, wherein the actuator comprises a first actuator and a second actuator, the second actuator configured to initiate a second predetermined action that is associated with a predetermined action of the first actuator.

12. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein the second actuator includes a transition point and is positioned such that the transition point of the second actuator substantially aligns with the transition point of the housing.

13. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein the transition point of the first actuator and the transition point of the second actuator define a gap, the transition point of the housing defines part of a gap of the housing, and the gap of the first and second actuators is substantially aligned with the gap of the housing.

14. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein the transition point of the first actuator defines part of a first gap and the transition point of the housing defines part of a gap of the housing, the first gap and the gap of the housing being substantially aligned with one another, wherein the transition point of the second actuator defines part of a second gap that is substantially misaligned with the gap of the housing.