# US 10,871,809 B1 · Keyboard > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,809 B1 - Document ID: US10871809B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/792,491 - Filed: 2020-02-17 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-28 - Assignees: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Mitsuo Horiuchi; Chia-Hsin Chen; Pai-Hsiang Wang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871809B1 ## CPC - G06F 1/203: {for portable computers, e.g. for laptops} - G06F 1/1662: {Details related to the integrated keyboard} - H01H 13/82: characterised by contact space venting means - H01H 13/83: characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements - H01H 9/52: Cooling of switch parts (cooling of contacts H01H1/62) - H01H 2213/002: with external pressure - H01H 2219/062: Light conductor - H01H 2223/034: Bezel - H01H 2231/042: Briefcase; Note-book - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - 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) ## Abstract The present disclosure discloses a keyboard including a base plate, membrane circuit board, a plurality of keys and a frame. The base plate includes a plurality of assembly areas and a first opening. The first opening is disposed between some said assembly areas. The membrane circuit board is disposed above the base plate. The membrane circuit board includes a second opening corresponding in position to the first opening, respectively. The frame is disposed above the base plate, and the membrane circuit board is disposed between the base plate and the frame. The frame blocks the first and second openings. The frame includes receiving portions corresponding in position to the assembly areas. The keys pass through the receiving portions and are fixed to the assembly areas of the base plate, respectively. Gaps between the frame and keys, the first and second openings jointly form an air current channel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A keyboard, comprising: a base plate, comprising: a plurality of assembly areas; and at least one first opening disposed between some said assembly areas; a membrane circuit board disposed above the base plate and comprising at least one second opening corresponding in position to the first opening; a frame disposed above the base plate and adapted to block the first opening and the second opening, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of receiving portions corresponding in position to the assembly areas, wherein the membrane circuit board is disposed between the base plate and the frame; and a plurality of keys passing through the receiving portions and fixed to the assembly areas of the base plate, respectively, wherein gaps between the frame and the keys, the first opening and the second opening jointly form an air current channel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the first opening and the second opening jointly form a through hole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, wherein a width of the first opening is substantially greater than a width of one of the assembly areas. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the first opening further comprises an extension portion extending outward along a short-axis direction of the base plate and being disposed between two adjacent said assembly areas. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, wherein each said receiving portion has at least one recessed portion disposed on one of sidewalls of the receiving portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The keyboard of claim 5, wherein the receiving portion has a plurality of recessed portions disposed on at least one said sidewall of the receiving portion and spaced apart. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The keyboard of claim 6, wherein the recessed portions are disposed on two opposing said sidewalls of the receiving portion, spaced apart, and arranged in staggered. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising: a backlight module disposed on a side of the base plate and opposing the keys, the backlight module comprising: a light guide plate comprising at least one third opening corresponding in position to the first opening and the second opening; and at least one light-emitting unit emitting light toward an interior of the light guide plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The keyboard of claim 8, wherein the light-emitting unit has a light emission direction parallel to a long-axis direction of the third opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The keyboard of claim 8, wherein the backlight module has a reflective structure disposed on an inner wall of the third opening of the light guide plate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The keyboard of claim 8, wherein a rim of the first opening or the second opening is smaller than a rim of the third opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The keyboard of claim 8, wherein a rim of the second opening is smaller than a rim of the first opening, and a rim of the first opening is smaller than a rim of the third opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, wherein a rim of the second opening is smaller than a rim of the first opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, wherein a long-axis direction of the first opening is parallel to a long-axis direction of the base plate.