Parallel motion trackpad
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsBrett W. Degner, Thomas R. Matzinger, Bradley J. Hamel, Ryan P. Brooks, Scott J. Krahn, Arka P. Roy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An input device includes a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface with three outer points evenly spaced away from the central axis. A touch sensor is used to detect a user touch on the top surface at the first outer point, and a support mechanism supports the touch plate and is configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of the user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point. Translation of the three outer points is substantially equal along the central axis.
Claims20
A trackpad device, comprising:
- a base;
- a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface perpendicular to the central axis, the top surface having a first outer point, a second outer point, and a third outer point each evenly spaced away from the central axis on the top surface;
- and
- a switch to transduce movement of the touch plate along the central axis, the switch being mounted to the base;
- and
- a support mechanism supporting the touch plate, the support mechanism comprising:
- at least two outer rotatable connections attached to the touch plate;
- at least two base rotatable connections attached to the base between the at least two outer rotatable connections;
- and
- an inner rotatable connection positioned between the at least two base rotatable connections;
- wherein the support mechanism is configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of a user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point, wherein translation of the first, second, and third outer points is substantially equal along the central axis.
An electronic input device, comprising:
- a base surface;
- a cover;
- a switch positioned on the base surface and actuatable in response to displacement of the cover relative to the base surface;
- a support mechanism positioned between the cover and the base surface, the support mechanism including:
- a first wing including a first outer rotatable connection to the cover and a first middle rotatable connection to the base surface;
- and
- a second wing including a second outer rotatable connection to the cover and a second middle rotatable connection to the base surface;
- wherein the first wing is pivotally connected to the second wing at an inner rotatable connection positioned between the first middle rotatable connection and the second middle rotatable connection.
An electronic input device, comprising:
- an enclosure defining an opening region and at least two non-deflecting regions;
- a cover;
- a support mechanism positioned in the opening region between the at least two non-deflecting regions, the support mechanism comprising a pair of rotatable arm portions coupled to the enclosure and to the cover, wherein a gap is defined laterally between the support mechanism and edges of the opening region;
- and
- wherein the cover is overlaying the at least two non-deflecting regions, the gap, and the support mechanism;
- wherein, in response to a force applied to the cover at the support mechanism in the opening region, the cover deflects at the opening region and the cover is prevented from deflecting at the at least two non-deflecting regions;
- and wherein, in response to a force being applied to the cover at the at least two non-deflecting regions, the cover is prevented from deflecting by the at least two non-deflecting regions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.