# US 2014/0151209 A1 · Thin keyboard

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- Number: US 2014/0151209 A1
- Document ID: US20140151209A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/692,776
- Filed: 2012-12-03
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03
- Assignees: Zippy Technology Corp.
- Applicants: Zippy Technology Corp.
- Inventors: Chin-Wen CHOU
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151209A1

## CPC

- H01H 13/705: characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
- H01H 2223/036: forming chamfered apertures for keys
- H01H 2227/022: Collapsable dome
- H01H 2227/036: Minimise height
- 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

A thin keyboard includes a circuit board, a plurality of keycaps and a frame. The circuit board has a plurality of command portions to receive contact to generate command signals and a plurality of elastic support members located on the command portions. Each keycap is corresponding to one elastic support member and has at least one depressible press surface and a holding surface formed at an elevation difference interval with the press surface. The transverse cross section of the holding surface is greater than the transverse cross section of the press surface. The frame is positioned corresponding to the keycaps and has a plurality of installation portions corresponding to the keycaps, and a plurality of ribs abutting the circumference of the installation portions and overlapped over the holding surface of each keycap. Each installation portion has a carved out area which is smaller than the holding surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A thin keyboard, comprising:
a circuit board including a plurality of command portions to receive contact to generate command signals and a plurality of elastic support members located on the command portions;
a plurality of keycaps positioned corresponding to the elastic support members, each keycap including at least one depressible press surface and a holding surface opposed the press surface and formed at an elevation difference interval with the press surface, the transverse cross section of the holding surface greater than the transverse cross section of the press surface; and
a frame corresponding to the keycaps and including a plurality of installation portions corresponding to the keycaps, and a plurality of ribs abutting the circumference of the installation portions and overlapped over the holding surface of each keycap, each installation portion having a carved out area which is smaller than the holding surface;
whereby the installation portions and the ribs confine positioning and movement of the keycaps.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The thin keyboard of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed at a thickness smaller than the elevation difference interval of the press surface and the holding surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The thin keyboard of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed at a thickness same as the elevation difference interval of the press surface and the holding surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The thin keyboard of claim 1, wherein the holding surface is extended beyond two sides of the press surface.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The thin keyboard of claim 1, wherein the rib is overlapped over two end portions of the press surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The thin keyboard of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a retaining portion on the location where the rib overlaps over the holding surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The thin keyboard of claim 1, wherein the elastic support members are located in the center of the keycaps.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The thin keyboard of claim 1, wherein the elastic support members are located at four corners of the keycaps.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The thin keyboard of claim 1, wherein each elastic support member includes a trigger portion to connect the circuit board to generate the command signals.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The thin keyboard of claim 1, wherein each elastic support member is a flexible dome.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The thin keyboard of claim 1, wherein each keycap includes a bottom surface opposite to the press surface and the holding surface and facing the circuit board, the bottom surface including a contact portion extended towards the circuit board.