# US 2009/0260968 A1 · Operation panel and electronic device provided therewith

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- Number: US 2009/0260968 A1
- Document ID: US20090260968A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 11/826,678
- Filed: 2007-07-17
- Published: 2009-10-22
- Earliest claimed: 2006-07-19
- Assignees: Kyocera Mita Corporation
- Inventors: Shinichi Kotera
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260968A1

## CPC

- H01H 13/88: Processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards
- H01H 2209/074: elastomeric
- H01H 2229/064: Eliminating tolerances
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)

## Abstract

An operation key 3 is fitted in a guide hole 4 of an operation section cover 2 while making contact with support pieces 12 of a film member 10a. Thus, the support pieces 12 are pressed, widened, and then bent by an operation section 3b, thus sandwiching the operation section 3b from the top and bottom. Here, the film member 10a has an elastic force; thus, the operation key 3 is positioned at a substantially vertical center of the guide hole 4 by restoring forces of the support pieces 12.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An operation panel comprising:
an operation key making contact with or separating from a contact on a control board;
an operation section cover provided with a guide hole from which part of the operation key projects; and
a flexible film member fitted to a rear surface of the operation section cover and having: a through hole coinciding with the guide hole; and a plurality of support pieces formed at opposing edges of the through hole and elastically deformed by insertion of the operation key in the through hole to thereby make contact with a side surface of the operation key,
wherein input operation on an electronic device is performed by pressing the operation key:

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The operation panel according to claim 1,
wherein the support pieces are provided in at least one pair so that tip ends thereof oppose each other.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The operation panel according to claim 2,
wherein the support pieces are provided in at least two pairs so that the support pieces make contact with the side surface of the operation key from different directions.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The operation panel according to claim 1,
wherein the film member has a plurality of the through holes.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The operation panel according to claim 1,
wherein the film member has an opening formed into a shape substantially identical to a shape of a boss of the operation section cover, the opening being located at a position coinciding with the boss.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The operation panel according to claim 1,
wherein the film member is formed of a polyethylene terephthalate film.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

An electronic device loaded with the operation panel according to claim 1.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The electronic device according to claim 7,
wherein the operation panel is so fitted as to be tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane, and
wherein the support pieces make contact with the side surface of the operation key, the side surface being vertically oriented with respect to the tilt of the operation panel.