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US 2014/0346025 A1Published application
Low travel switch assembly
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsKeith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., John M. Brock, Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Satoshi Okuma, Shinsuke Watanabe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A low travel switch assembly and systems and methods for using the same are disclosed. The low travel dome may include a domed surface having upper and lower portions, and a set of tuning members integrated within the domed surface between the upper and lower portions. The tuning members may be operative to control a force-displacement curve characteristic of the low travel dome.
Claims28
A low travel dome comprising:
- a domed surface having upper and lower portions;
- and
- a plurality of tuning members integrated within the domed surface between the upper and lower portions, the tuning members operative to control a force-displacement curve characteristic of the low travel dome;
- wherein
- the domed surface defines the tuning members and at least one region separating the tuning members.
2 more elements
A method for manufacturing a low travel dome, the method comprising:
- providing a dome-shaped surface;
- and
- selectively removing a plurality of predefined portions of the dome-shaped surface to tune the dome-shaped surface to operate according to a predefined force-displacement curve characteristic.
A switch assembly comprising:
- a key cap;
- a support structure residing under the key cap;
- a domed surface disposed beneath the key cap and having a plurality of openings formed thereon;
- and
- an electrical membrane situated below the domed surface and operative to trigger a switch event, wherein the plurality of openings are operative to:
- maintain the switch assembly in position when the electrical membrane is not triggering the switch event;
- and
- control the switch assembly to behave according to a predefined force-displacement curve.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.