Keyboard unit having pop-up key-tops and electronic apparatus incorporating the keyboard unit

A keyboard unit comprising:

• a keyboard base;
• a number of key-tops arranged above the keyboard base;
• a switch in the form of a sheet interposed between the keyboard base and the key-tops, the switch having a number of movable contacts arranged corresponding to the key-tops, and a number of stationary contacts opposed to the respective movable contacts;
• a number of key-top support mechanisms located on the keyboard base and supporting the respective key-tops such that the key-tops can move vertically, each of the key-top support mechanisms including first and second link levers pivotably connected to each other, the first and second link levers supporting each of the key-tops and being pivoted when said each key-top is pushed down, the first link lever being made of a metal and having an elastically deformable pressing section that is formed integral therewith as one body;
• and
• a movable sheet interposed between the switch and the pressing sections of the first link levers, the movable sheet having a number of elastically deformable projections made of a metal, and being movable between a first position in which the projections are aligned with the respective pressing sections, and a second position in which the projections are not aligned with the pressing sections, the projections being brought into contact with the respective pressing sections when the movable sheet is in the first position.

An electronic apparatus comprising:

• a box-shaped main body;
• and
• a keyboard unit mounted on the main body,
• wherein the keyboard unit includes:
• a keyboard base;
• a number of key-tops arranged above the keyboard base;
• a switch in the form of a sheet interposed between the keyboard base and the key-tops, the switch having a number of movable contacts arranged corresponding to the key-tops, and a number of stationary contacts opposed to the respective movable contacts;
• a number of key-top support mechanisms located on the keyboard base and supporting the respective key-tops such that the key-tops can move vertically, each of the key-top support mechanisms including first and second link levers pivotably connected to each other, the first and second link levers supporting each of the key-tops and being pivoted when said each key-top is pushed down, the first link lever being made of a metal and having an elastically deformable pressing section that is formed integral therewith as one body;
• and
• a number of elastically deformable load receiving sections interposed between the respective pressing sections of the first link levers and the respective movable contacts of the switch.

An electronic apparatus comprising:

• a box-shaped main body;
• a keyboard unit mounted on the main body;
• and
• a lid supported by the main body such that it can pivot between a closed position in which it is folded on the keyboard unit from above, and an open position in which it stands behind the keyboard unit,
• wherein the keyboard unit includes:
• a keyboard base;
• a number of key-tops arranged above the keyboard base;
• a switch in the form of a sheet interposed between the keyboard base and the key-tops, the switch having a number of movable contacts arranged corresponding to the key-tops, and a number of stationary contacts opposed to the respective movable contacts;
• a number of key-top support mechanisms located on the keyboard base and supporting the respective key-tops such that the key-tops can move vertically, each of the key-top support mechanisms including first and second link levers pivotably connected to each other, the first and second link levers supporting each of the key-tops and being pivoted when said each key-top is pushed down, the first link lever being made of a metal and having an elastically deformable pressing section that is formed integral therewith as one body;
• and
• a movable sheet interposed between the switch and the pressing sections of the first link levers, the movable sheet having a number of elastically deformable projections made of a metal, and being movable between a first position in which the projections are aligned with the respective pressing sections, and a second position in which the projections are not aligned with the pressing sections, the projections being brought into contact with the respective pressing sections when the movable sheet is in the first position.