Key and switch housing for keyboard assembly
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsBradford J. Zercoe, Craig C. Leong, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A key and a switch housing for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A switch housing for the keyboard assembly may include a body having a switch opening and a light source recess formed adjacent the switch opening. The switch opening may house or receive a dome switch for the keyboard assembly and the light source recess may house or receive a light source assembly configured to illuminate a keycap of the keyboard assembly. The switch housing also can include a top panel integrally formed and molded to a portion of the body. The top panel covers the switch opening formed in the body and the top panel is a light guide.
Claims24
A key structure for a keyboard assembly, comprising:
- a switch housing, comprising:
- a body defining:
- a switch opening in a top surface;
- and
- a light source recess formed adjacent the switch opening;
- and
- a top panel coupled to the top surface of the body;
- a tactile dome positioned within the opening:
- a support structure coupled to the switch housing;
- and
- a keycap positioned above the body and pivotally coupled to the support structure, wherein:
- the top panel covers the tactile dome and deforms in response to movement of the keycap;
- and
- the top panel is a light guide.
A key structure for a keyboard assembly, comprising:
- a keycap configured to translate in response to a force;
- a support structure pivotally connected to the keycap and configured to guide a translation of the keycap;
- a switch housing beneath the keycap and comprising:
- a body having an opening defined by a wall;
- and
- a top panel positioned between the body and the keycap and configured to deform in response to the translation of the keycap;
- and
- a tactile dome positioned within the opening and surrounded by the wall, the tactile dome configured to collapse as the top panel deforms.
A keyboard assembly, comprising:
- a printed circuit board (PCB);
- a V-shaped hinge mechanism coupled to the PCB and comprising a first retention pin and a second retention pin;
- and
- a keycap releasably coupled to the hinge mechanism, and comprising:
- a first retaining member positioned on an underside of the keycap proximate a first side of the keycap, and comprising a snap-fit feature releasably coupled to the first retention pin and configured to impede translational motion of the first retention pin in a direction substantially perpendicular to an actuation direction of the keycap;
- and
- a second retaining member positioned on the underside of the keycap and proximate a second side of the keycap opposite the first side, the second retaining member comprising a slide-retention fit feature releasably coupled to the second retention pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.