# US 2013/0156482 A1 · Wipeable keyboard cover

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- Number: US 2013/0156482 A1
- Document ID: US20130156482A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/331,681
- Filed: 2011-12-20
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20
- Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
- Inventors: Craig Kaliebe; Greg Zawislak; Mark Bondzinksi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156482A1

## CPC

- G06F 3/0202: {Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device}
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A wipeable keyboard cover may include a flat, flexible membrane surrounded by a rigid frame that closely fits a keyboard assembly. The wipeable keyboard cover may be securely attached to the keyboard assembly and may be easily removed from the keyboard assembly by a user. The wipeable keyboard cover may prevent foreign matter from contacting the covered portion of the keyboard assembly while allowing easy operation of the keyboard assembly. The flat nature of the wipeable keyboard cover may allow the cover to be cleaned effectively while it is attached to a keyboard assembly without subjecting the underlying keyboard assembly to potentially harmful treatment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cover for a keyboard assembly having a plurality of keys and a housing, the cover comprising:
a membrane extending over the plurality of keys, wherein the membrane is flexibly adaptable to allow the keys to be depressed through the membrane; and
a rigid frame attached to an entire periphery of the membrane.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cover of claim 1 wherein the frame is configured to closely surround the outer perimeter of the housing and configured to attach removably to the keyboard assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The cover of claim 2 wherein the membrane is substantially flat and only contacts a top surface of the plurality of keys when external force is not applied.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The cover of claim 3 wherein the membrane is transparent or translucent.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The cover of claim 4 wherein the membrane is composed of a material comprising silicone, latex, or urethane.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The cover of claim 5 wherein the membrane is colored.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The cover of claim 4 wherein an outer membrane surface is smooth.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The cover of claim 4 wherein an outer membrane surface includes a coating comprising antimicrobial, slick, or ultraviolet protective.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The cover of claim 4 wherein the membrane includes symbols corresponding to symbols on the plurality of keys.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The cover of claim 9 wherein the symbols are foreign-language translations of the corresponding symbols on the plurality of keys.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The cover of claim 9 wherein the symbols are printed on the membrane.

### Claim 12 (depends on 4)

The cover of claim 4 wherein the cover has an ingress protection rating of at least 54 when used in combination with the keyboard assembly.

### Claim 13 (depends on 4)

The cover of claim 4 wherein the frame includes an edge formed to fit a channel located in the membrane.

### Claim 14 (depends on 4)

The cover of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of ribs formed on a portion of the frame contacting the housing.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The cover of claim 14 wherein a portion of the plurality of ribs deform when the frame contacts the housing.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The cover of claim 15 wherein the frame attaches to the keyboard assembly with a snap fit.

### Claim 17 (depends on 4)

The cover of claim 4 wherein the frame is composed of a material comprising polystyrene, polycarbonate, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

### Claim 18 (depends on 4)

The cover of claim 4 further comprising protrusions configured to guide the placement of a user's hands over the keys of the keyboard assembly.

### Claim 19 (depends on 4)

The cover of claim 4 for a keyboard assembly having an indicator signal light, the cover further comprising a keyboard indicator signal viewer.

### Claim 20

A method of creating a cover for a keyboard assembly having a plurality of keys and a housing, the method comprising:
forming a rigid frame configured to surround the outer perimeter of the housing; and
attaching a periphery of a flexible membrane to the rigid frame, wherein the flexible membrane is configured to cover the plurality of keys.