Retractable keyboard keys
First Claim
1. A keyboard, comprising:
- a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel;
a plurality of keycaps each positioned within a respective one of the plurality of key openings and each having a touch surface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position, the unpressed position and pressed position separated in a press direction and a second direction orthogonal to the press direction;
a chassis having a plurality of planar-translation effecting mechanisms each supporting a respective one of the plurality of keycaps to guide the respective keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position; and
a key retraction mechanism configured to move the chassis relative to the bezel;
wherein the key holding features of the bezel are configured to limit movement of the keycaps in the second direction during movement of the chassis relative to the bezel, while the planar-translation effecting mechanism move the plurality of keycaps toward a retracted position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard includes a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel. A plurality of keycaps are positioned within the plurality of key openings. A chassis is included that has a plurality of planar-translation effecting mechanisms each supporting a respective one of the plurality of keycaps to guide the respective keycap in a press direction and a second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. The keypad or keyboard includes a key retraction mechanism configured to move the chassis relative to the bezel wherein the key holding features of the bezel limit movement of the keycaps in the second direction during movement of the chassis relative to the bezel, while the planar-translation effecting mechanisms move the plurality of keycaps toward a retracted position.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A keyboard, comprising:
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a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel; a plurality of keycaps each positioned within a respective one of the plurality of key openings and each having a touch surface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position, the unpressed position and pressed position separated in a press direction and a second direction orthogonal to the press direction; a chassis having a plurality of planar-translation effecting mechanisms each supporting a respective one of the plurality of keycaps to guide the respective keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position; and a key retraction mechanism configured to move the chassis relative to the bezel; wherein the key holding features of the bezel are configured to limit movement of the keycaps in the second direction during movement of the chassis relative to the bezel, while the planar-translation effecting mechanism move the plurality of keycaps toward a retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A keyboard, comprising:
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a bezel having a plurality of key openings and a plurality of key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel; a plurality of keycaps each positioned within a respective one of the plurality of key openings and each having a touch surface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position, the unpressed position and pressed position separated in a press direction and a second direction orthogonal to the press direction; a chassis having a plurality of ramp features each interacting with ramp contacting features of a respective one of the plurality of keycaps to guide the respective keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position, the chassis also including a plurality of inverted ramp features each interacting with inverted ramp contacting features of a respective one of the plurality of keycaps; and a key retraction mechanism configured to cause movement between the chassis and the bezel; wherein the key holding features of the bezel are configured to limit movement of the keycaps in the second direction in response to movement of the chassis relative to the bezel while the inverted ramps and inverted ramp contacting features move the plurality of keycaps toward a retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of effecting motion of a plurality of keycaps positioned in a bezel of a keyboard, wherein each of the plurality of keycaps are supported in an unpressed position by a planar-translation effecting mechanism of a chassis, each of the plurality of keycaps configured to move between the unpressed position and a pressed position, wherein the unpressed and pressed positions are separated in a press direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the press direction, the method comprising:
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in response to movement between the chassis and the bezel, the planar-translation effecting mechanism moves each of the plurality of keycaps toward the press direction to a retracted position and guides the plurality of keycaps in the press direction and the second direction; and key holding features configured adjacent to the plurality of key openings on a bottom side of the bezel limit movement of the keycaps in the second direction during movement of the chassis relative to the bezel.
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Specification