Keypad having a curved shape

A keypad for use with a handheld electronic device, comprising:

• a dome support having a generally curved top surface;
• a plurality of domes each being disposed on the dome support;
• a plurality of key caps each having a bottom surface aligned with a respective one of the plurality of domes;
• and
• a sheet attached to the bottom surface of each of the plurality of key caps, the sheet having a plurality of actuators, each of the plurality of actuators extending away from the bottom surface of a respective one of the plurality of key caps, wherein each of the plurality of actuators extends towards a respective one of the plurality of domes, and
• wherein the bottom surfaces of the plurality of key caps are arranged to conform to the generally curved shape of the top surface of the dome support.

A handheld electronic device comprising:

• a housing;
• a processor apparatus disposed in the housing and including a processor and a memory;
• an output apparatus supported by the housing and structured to receive signals from the processor apparatus and provide output;
• and
• an input apparatus supported by the housing and structured to provide input to the processor apparatus, the input apparatus including a keypad having a curved shape, the keypad comprising
• a dome support,
• a plurality of domes each being disposed on the dome support,
• a plurality of actuators each being aligned with a respective one of the plurality of domes, and
• a plurality of key caps each having a bottom surface that is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of actuators and a respective one of the plurality of domes, the bottom surfaces of the plurality of key caps being arranged to define a generally curved shape, wherein each of the plurality of key caps has a substantially uniform thickness.