Rigid keyboard mechanism
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorJames J. Niu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A keyboard for an electronic device, including a switch plate configured to be in communication with the electronic device, a key cap movably supported above the switch plate, and a translation mechanism operably connected to the switch plate and the keycap. The translation mechanism is configured to translate the key cap vertically relative to the switch plate. The translation mechanism includes a first support and a second support substantially identical to the first support, where the first support and the second support are a rigid material and as the key cap is depressed, the first support and the second support pivot relative to each other to translate the keycap vertically with respect to the switch plate.
Claims20
A keyboard for an electronic device comprising:
- a switch plate configured to be in communication with the electronic device;
- a keycap movably supported above the switch plate;
- and
- a translation mechanism operably connected to the switch plate and the keycap and configured to translate the keycap vertically relative to the switch plate, the translation mechanism including
- a first support;
- and
- a second support substantially identical to the first support;
- wherein
- the first support and the second support are a rigid material;
- and
- as the keycap is depressed, the first support and the second support pivot relative to each other to translate the keycap vertically with respect to the switch plate.
A scissor mechanism for a keyboard comprising:
- a first support including
- a first leg defining a first pivoting aperture;
- a first anchoring member extending from a first end of the first leg;
- a second leg operably connected to the first leg;
- and
- a rotation member extending from an inner surface of the second leg;
- and
- a second support including
- a third leg defining a second pivoting aperture;
- a second anchoring member extending from a first end of the third leg;
- a fourth leg operably connected to the third leg;
- and
- a rotation member extending from an inner surface of the fourth leg;
- wherein
- the first support and the second support translate a keycap vertically with respect to a base;
- and
- the first anchoring member and the second anchoring member substantially prevent the first support and the second support, respectively, from moving laterally with respect to the base.
A method for assembling a key for a keyboard comprising:
- providing a pair of substantially identical support members, each support member comprising:
- a first leg defining a pivoting aperture;
- at least one anchoring member;
- a second leg operably connected to the first leg;
- and
- a rotation member extending from an inner surface of the second leg;
- inserting the rotation member of each support into the pivoting aperture of the other support;
- positioning the first leg of one support adjacent to and substantially touching the second leg of the other support;
- operably connecting the at least one anchoring member to a base;
- and
- spacing the first leg of one support away from the second leg of the other support by a spacing distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.