Touchsurface assembly with level and planar translational responsiveness via a buckling elastic component
First Claim
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1. A key assembly, comprising:
- a keycap;
a base; and
an elastic component coupled to the keycap and the base, the elastic component disposed between the keycap and the base, the elastic component supporting the keycap away from the base in an unpressed position, and directionally buckling during movement of the keycap toward a pressed position responsive to a press force;
wherein the press force moves the keycap in a press direction perpendicular to the base toward the pressed position, and the directionally buckling of the elastic component allows the keycap to move in a second direction orthogonal to the press direction; and
wherein the elastic component moves the keycap toward the unpressed position after release of the press force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for a touchsurface assembly such as a key assembly are described. The touchsurface assembly includes a keycap, a base and an elastic component coupled to the keycap and the base. The elastic component supports the keycap away from the base in an unpressed position, and directionally buckles during movement of the keycap toward a pressed position responsive to a press force. The press force moves the keycap in a press direction toward the pressed position, and the directionally buckling of the elastic component allows the keycap to move in a second direction orthogonal to the press direction. Upon release of the press force, the elastic component moves the keycap toward the unpressed position after release of the press force.
233 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A key assembly, comprising:
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a keycap; a base; and an elastic component coupled to the keycap and the base, the elastic component disposed between the keycap and the base, the elastic component supporting the keycap away from the base in an unpressed position, and directionally buckling during movement of the keycap toward a pressed position responsive to a press force; wherein the press force moves the keycap in a press direction perpendicular to the base toward the pressed position, and the directionally buckling of the elastic component allows the keycap to move in a second direction orthogonal to the press direction; and wherein the elastic component moves the keycap toward the unpressed position after release of the press force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A keyboard, comprising:
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a base; a plurality of keycaps; and a plurality of elastic components coupled to the base, each of the plurality of elastic components also coupled to a respective keycap of the plurality of keycaps and supporting the respective keycap away from the base in an unpressed position, and each of the plurality of elastic components directionally buckling during movement of the respective keycap toward a pressed position responsive to a press force applied to the respective keycap; wherein the press force moves the respective keycap in a press direction toward the base and the directionally buckling of the elastic component allows the respective keycap to move in a second direction orthogonal to the press direction; and wherein the elastic component moves the respective keycap toward the unpressed position upon release of the press force, wherein each of the plurality of elastic components provides increasing resistance to increases in the press force until the press force causes the directionally buckling of the elastic component. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of effecting motion of a keycap of a key assembly, wherein the keycap is supported away from a base by an elastic component disposed between the keycap and the base, the keycap configured to move between an unpressed position and a pressed position relative to the base, wherein the unpressed and pressed positions are separated in a press direction perpendicular to the base and in a lateral direction orthogonal to the press direction, the method comprising:
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in response to a press input to the keycap, providing a first reaction force via the elastic element that resists keycap motion from the unpressed position toward the pressed position until the press input causes the elastic component to directionally buckle toward the lateral direction and allowing the keycap to move to the press position; and in response to a release of the press input, providing a second reaction force via the elastic component that bias the keycap toward the unpressed position. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeSynaptics Incorporated
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Original AssigneeSynaptics Incorporated
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InventorsKrumpelman, Douglas M., Peterson, Cody G., Bokma, Peter
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Primary Examiner(s)Leon, Edwin A.
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Assistant Examiner(s)Jimenez, Anthony R.
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Application NumberUS13/834,535Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,012 DaysField of Search200/5.AUS Class Current1/1CPC Class CodesH01H 13/85 characterised by tactile fe...H01H 2221/036 Return forceH01H 2221/044 Elastic part on actuator or...H03K 17/975 using a capacitive movable ...H03K 17/98 having a plurality of contr...
