# US 10,373,778 B2 · Key light blockers with bellows

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- Number: US 10,373,778 B2
- Document ID: US10373778B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/091,020
- Filed: 2016-06-30
- Published: 2019-02-28
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-06-30
- Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
- Applicants: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
- Inventors: David I Blatt; Alan D Peterson; David C Vinson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10373778B2

## CPC

- H01H 13/83: characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
- G06F 1/1662: {Details related to the integrated keyboard}
- H01H 13/063: {Casings hermetically closed by a diaphragm through which passes an actuating member (vacuum switches H01H33/66)}
- H01H 13/7065: characterised by the mechanism between keys and layered keyboards
- H01H 2219/054: Optical elements
- H01H 2219/064: Optical isolation of switch sites
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

In an example, a light blocker may comprise a bellow to extend from an outer edge of a key to an inner edge of a key window to span a key gap in between the key and the key window. The bellow may extend along a periphery of the key, and the bellow may block light originating from under the key from passing through the key gap.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A light blocker, comprising:
a flexible bellow to extend from an outer edge of a key to an inner edge of a key window to span a key gap in between the key and the key window,
wherein the bellow is to extend along a periphery of the key,
wherein the bellow is to block light originating from under the key from passing through the key gap, and
wherein the flexible bellow has an accordion structure.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The light blocker of claim 1, wherein the bellow is to block light from under the key throughout an entire key travel of the key.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The light blocker of claim 1, wherein the bellow is to allow a portion of the light originating from under the key to pass through the bellow and the key gap.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The light blocker of claim 3, wherein the bellow is to block light from passing through the key gap along a portion of the periphery of the key, and to allow a portion of the light to be transmitted through the bellow and the key gap along another portion of the periphery of the key.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The light blocker of claim 1, wherein the bellow is to span the key gap and extend around the entire periphery of the key.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The light blocker of claim 1, wherein the bellow is to extend along the length of opposite sides of the key.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The light blocker of claim 1, wherein the bellow is to extend along the length of adjacent sides of the key.

### Claim 8

A light blocker, comprising:
a bellow to extend from an outer edge of a key disposed in a key window to art inner edge of the key window to span a key gap in between the key and the key window,
wherein the bellow is flexible to allow the bellow to move with the key,
wherein the bellow is to extend along a portion of a periphery of the key,
wherein the bellow is to block light originating from a light source under the key from passing through the key gap, and
wherein the flexible bellow has an accordion structure.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The light blocker of claim 8, wherein the bellow comprises a first portion engaged with the outer edge of the key, a second portion engaged with the inner edge of the key window, and a third portion connecting the first and second portions, and
wherein the first, second, and third portions form the accordion structure.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The light blocker of claim 8, wherein the key is engaged with a scissor linkage, the scissor linkage to enable the key to travel between a raised position and a depressed position,
wherein the bellow is to block light from passing through the key gap throughout the entire travel of the key.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The light blocker of claim 8, wherein the key includes an icon, the icon to allow light from the light source to pass through the icon to illuminate the icon.

### Claim 12

A keyboard, comprising:
a key disposed within a key window of the key board; a light source disposed behind the key; and
a flexible bellow to extend from an outer edge of the key to an inner edge of the key window to span a key gap in between the key and the key window,
wherein the bellow is to block light from the light, source from passing through the key gap, and
wherein the flexible bellow has an accordion structure.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The keyboard of claim 11, further comprising a lattice including multiple key windows, wherein each key window is to receive a separate key.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The keyboard of claim 12, further comprising a bellow to extend across each key gap in between the key and the respective key window.