Electrical key support membrane
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsPaul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Shan Wu, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Keyboards and other input devices are provided with membranes that extend under the keycaps or buttons. The membranes are flexible and can support conductive structures, traces, and electrical switch connections to enable effective key switches, lighting, and fluid-tightness for the keyboard. The flexible membrane is positioned near the keycaps to prevent ingress of fluids and debris into the lower portions of the key assemblies. In some cases, the flexible membrane also provides support for an interstitial layer that extends between keycaps.
Claims10
A keyboard, comprising:
- a housing;
- a controller connection;
- a flexible membrane having a first layer portion including an outer side, a second layer portion including an inner side, and a set of conductive structures extending through the first layer portion and the second layer portion, the first and second layer portions forming a set of collapsible switches, each conductive structure of the set of conductive structures being electrically connected to the controller connection;
- a collapsible dome positioned between the inner side of the second layer portion and the housing and including a portion movable between a first position out of contact with the inner side and a second position contacting the inner side and urging together at least two conductive structures of the set of conductive structures to actuate a switch of the set of collapsible switches;
- a set of keycaps positioned on the outer side of the flexible membrane;
- a set of keycap supports positioned on the inner side of the flexible membrane, the housing supporting the set of keycap supports.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.