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US 11,961,688 B2Granted
Keycap particle evacuation structure
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsSamuel O. Schneider, Kyle J. Nekimken
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A keycap includes a keycap body with a top surface and a top periphery region extending around the top surface. A recessed area extends across the top surface inward of the top periphery region, with the top periphery region being elevated relative to the recessed area. The keycap also includes a set of grooves extending from the recessed area and across at least a portion of the top periphery region.
Claims20
A keycap comprising:
- a keycap body including:
- a top surface;
- a top periphery region extending around the top surface;
- a recessed area extending across the top surface inward of the top periphery region, the top periphery region being elevated relative to the recessed area;
- and
- a set of grooves extending from the recessed area and across at least a portion of the top periphery region, each groove of the set of grooves having a groove width that provides an unperceivable tactile response to a fingertip of a user.
3 more elements
A keyboard assembly, comprising:
- a keyboard housing;
- a set of key mechanisms disposed within the keyboard housing, each key mechanism of the set of key mechanisms comprising:
- a keycap body including:
- a sidewall;
- a plateau surface substantially perpendicular to the sidewall, the plateau surface having an inner edge and an outer edge;
- a transition portion adjoining the sidewall and the outer edge;
- a recessed area extending across a top surface of the keycap body inward of the inner edge of the plateau surface;
- and
- a set of particle exit paths extending from the recessed area, across the inner edge and the outer edge below the plateau surface, and to the transition portion.
6 more elements
A computing device, comprising:
- a display with a planar display surface;
- a keyboard housing;
- a set of key mechanisms disposed within the keyboard housing, the set of key mechanisms comprising:
- a keycap body including:
- a top surface having an inner edge, an outer edge, and a planar surface extending between the inner edge and the outer edge, the planar surface abutting the planar display surface when the display is positioned in a closed configuration over the keyboard housing;
- a recessed area extending inward from the top surface;
- and
- a set of channels extending from the recessed area and through at least a portion of the top surface.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.