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US 12,165,818 B1Granted
Keyboard having a stabilizer mechanism, key stabilizer mechanism, and method
AssigneeNorbauer & Co. LLC
InventorsRyan Norbauer, Bo Noergaard Klerk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Presently provided is a keyboard, key stabilizer mechanism, and method. At least one of the keys on the keyboard has a stabilizer mechanism with spaced apart bases. A stem is supported on each of the bases with perpendicularly disposed hinges. A wire is disposed to cooperate with a hinge supporting each of the stems.
Claims22
A keyboard comprising:
- a plurality of keys, each having a keycap, supported with a switch plate or PCB;
- each of the keys having a lifting mechanism configured and disposed to bias its a keycap from the switch plate or PCB;
- at least one of the keys having a stabilizer mechanism configured and disposed to stabilize the keycap, the stabilizer mechanism comprising:
- a first base held with the switch plate or PCB;
- a first stem movably supported with the first base;
- a second base held with the switch plate or PCB at a distance from the first base;
- a second stem movably supported with the second base;
- the keycap is attached to the first stem and the second stem and longitudinally extends the distance between the stems;
- a wire having a first arm configured and disposed to cooperate with the first stem and a second arm configured and disposed to cooperate with the second stem;
- at least one wire holder configured and disposed to rotatingly hold a portion of the wire, between the first arm and the second arm, at a substantially constant distance from the switch plate or PCB;
- a first hinge having a first leaf with a pivot cooperating with the first stem, a second leaf having a pivot cooperating with the first base, and a pivot disposed between the first leaf and the second leaf;
- a second hinge having a leaf with a pivot cooperating with the first stem and configured and disposed to pivot about the first arm of the wire;
- wherein the first hinge is disposed substantially perpendicular to the second hinge;
- a third hinge having a first leaf with a pivot cooperating with the second stem, a second leaf having a pivot cooperating with the second base, and a pivot disposed between the first leaf and the second leaf;
- a fourth hinge having a leaf with a pivot cooperating with the second stem and configured and disposed to pivot about the second arm of the wire;
- and
- wherein the third hinge is disposed substantially perpendicular to the fourth hinge.
14 more elements
A keycap stabilizer mechanism comprising:
- a first base configured to be held with a switch plate or PCB;
- a first stem movably supported with the first base;
- a second base configured to be held with the switch plate or PCB at a distance from the first base;
- a second stem movably supported with the second base;
- a keycap configured to be attached to the first stem and the second stem and to longitudinally extend the distance between the stems;
- a wire having a first arm configured and disposed to cooperate with the first stem and a second arm configured and disposed to cooperate with the second stem;
- at least one wire holder configured and disposed to rotatingly hold a rotatable length of the wire, between the first arm and the second arm, at a substantially constant distance from the switch plate or PCB;
- a first hinge having a first leaf with a pivot cooperating with the first stem, a second leaf having a pivot cooperating with the first base, and a pivot disposed between the first leaf and the its second leaf;
- a second hinge having a leaf with a pivot cooperating with the first stem and configured and disposed to pivot about the first arm of the wire;
- wherein the first hinge is disposed substantially perpendicular to the second hinge;
- a third hinge having a first leaf with a pivot cooperating with the second stem, a second leaf having a pivot cooperating with the second base, and a pivot disposed between the first leaf and the second leaf;
- a fourth hinge having a leaf with a pivot cooperating with the second stem and configured and disposed to pivot about the second arm of the wire;
- and
- wherein the third hinge is disposed substantially perpendicular to the fourth hinge.
11 more elements
A method of stabilizing a keycap on a keyboard comprising the steps of:
- holding a first base with a switch plate or a PCB;
- movably supporting a first stem on the first base with a first hinge and a substantially perpendicular disposed second hinge;
- holding a second base with the switch plate or PCB at a distance from the first base;
- movably supporting a second stem on the second base with a third hinge and a substantially perpendicular disposed fourth hinge;
- attaching a keycap to the first stem and the second stem and longitudinally extending the keycap the distance between the stems;
- disposing a first arm of a wire to cooperate with the first stem and a second arm of the wire to cooperate with the second stem;
- rotatingly holding a portion of the wire, between the first arm and the second arm, at a substantially constant distance from the switch plate or PCB;
- pressing the keycap toward the switch plate or PCB and thereby:
- collapsing the first hinge between the first stem and the first base by pivoting two leaves about three pivots;
- pivoting a leaf disposed with the second hinge about the first stem and the first arm of the wire;
- collapsing the third hinge between the second stem and the second base by pivoting two leaves about three pivots;
- pivoting a leaf disposed with the fourth hinge about the second stem and the second arm of the wire;
- and
- rotating the wire.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.