Keyswitch key apparatus

A deadlock prevention apparatus used in a keyswitch key which is installed with an elastic device engaged therein to return the keyswitch key to an original undepressed level upon release from a manual depression, the deadlock prevention apparatus comprising:

• a keycap including a top surface from which a periphery extends downward, first rail means and second rail means formed and spaced from each other in opposite inner walls of the periphery of the keycap, and tab means extending downward from the periphery;
• a scissors-like linkage mechanism comprising first pivotable arm means and second pivotable arm means being rotatably and slidably connected with respect to each other at intermediate portions thereof;
• upper end portion means and lower end portion means of the first pivotable arm means being respectively formed at two distal ends thereof, and the upper end portion means of the first pivotable arm means being slidably received in the first rail means;
• upper end portion means and lower end portion means of the second pivotable arm means being respectively formed at two distal ends thereof, and the upper end portion means of the second pivotable arm means being slidably received in the second rail means;
• and
• a base including socket means projecting upward therefrom for slidably receiving the tab means of the keycap, first retaining means and second retaining means formed thereon for respectively and pivotably receiving the lower end portion means of the first pivotable arm means and the lower end portion means of the second pivotable arm means;
• whereby the first rail means of the keycap vertically registers with the second retaining means of the base and the second rail means of the keycap vertically registers with the first retaining means of the base, and whereby the first pivotable arm means and the second pivotable arm means rotate and slide with respect to each other when a depression force is applied to or released from the keycap.

A keyswitch key for use with a keyboard of a computer, comprising:

• a keycap defining first means extending downward therefrom for guidance of vertical movement;
• a first and a second pivotal arms rotatably and slidably connected to each other at intermediate portions thereof;
• and
• a base defining second means registered with the first means and movably receiving the first means for guidance of vertical movement of the keycap with respect to the base;
• retaining means formed on one of the keycap and the base, and rail means formed on the other of the keycap and the base;
• wherein
• at least an end portion of one of said first and second pivotal arms is rotatably received within said retaining means, and an opposite end-portion thereof is slidable along said rail means whereby said one pivotal arm can be rotated about the retaining means.