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US 2014/0076704 A1Published application
Keypad apparatus for use with electronic devices and related methods
AssigneeBlackBerry Limited
InventorOleg Los
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A keypad apparatus and related methods are disclosed herein. An example keypad apparatus includes an electrical switch and a carrier composed of a plastic resin. The carrier has conductive traces printed thereon to couple the electrical switch to a circuit board via interference.
Claims20
A keypad apparatus comprising:
- a dome-switch assembly having:
- a housing;
- a dome;
- and
- a dome sheet carrier to couple the dome to the housing;
- a plastic carrier, the plastic carrier having at least a first surface, a second surface adjacent the first surface, and a third surface adjacent the second surface, the dome-switch assembly being coupled to the first surface;
- and
- a conductive pattern printed on at least the first and second surfaces of the plastic carrier, the dome to engage a first portion of the conductive pattern formed on the first surface of the plastic carrier when the dome-switch is coupled to the plastic carrier and a second portion of the conductive pattern is to electrically couple the first portion of the conductive pattern to a circuit board.
5 more elements
The keypad apparatus of clam 3, wherein the plastic carrier is coupled to the main surface of the circuit board via solder.
A keypad apparatus comprising:
- an electrical switch;
- and
- a carrier composed of a plastic resin, the carrier having conductive traces printed thereon to couple the electrical switch to a side surface of a circuit board via interference.
A method of forming a keypad apparatus, comprising
- forming a carrier composed of plastic via injection molding;
- printing a plurality of conductive traces on the carrier to define an electrical switch;
- and
- engaging a portion of the printed conductive traces of the carrier with a circuit board to electrically couple the electrical switch and the circuit board.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.