Assembling method for key board

A method of assembling a flexible keyboard, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a flexible membrane switch circuit on a flexible substrate member;
• b. providing a flexible plate member with a plurality of resilient bodies formed thereon;
• c. positioning said flexible plate member on said flexible membrane switch circuit, said plurality of resilient bodies being located in correspondence with respective switch positions of said flexible membrane switch circuit;
• d. providing a flexible cover having a plurality of keytop-shaped portions projecting from an upper surface thereof with a corresponding plurality or recesses formed in a lower surface of said flexible cover, said step of providing said flexible cover including the step of providing an upper film member overlaying a lower film member, said upper and lower film members each having respective peripheral portions;
• e. overlaying said flexible cover on said flexible plate member with each of said plurality of resilient bodies being respectively received within said plurality of recesses;
• and,
• f. joining respective peripheral portions of said flexible membrane switch circuit, flexible plate member, and said flexible cover by radio heating to complete assembly of said flexible keyboard.

The method as recited in claim 13 where said step of providing an upper film member overlaying a lower film member includes the steps of:

• a. providing a smooth plate member having indicia formed thereon;
• b. positioning said smooth plate member between said upper and lower film members;
• and,
• c. pressing said combined lower film member, smooth plate member and upper film member to respectively position said indicia coincident with said plurality of keytop-shaped portions.

A method of assembling a flexible keyboard, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a flexible membrane switch circuit on a flexible substrate member, said step of providing said flexible membrane switch circuit including the steps of:
• (i) providing a lower membrane having first contacts formed thereon;
• (ii) providing an upper membrane overlaying said lower membrane and having second contacts formed thereon aligned with said first contacts;
• and,
• (iii) providing an insulating film disposed between said upper and lower membranes, said insulating film having a plurality of holes formed therethrough in alignment with said first and second contacts;
• b. providing a flexible plate member with a plurality of resilient bodies formed thereon;
• c. positioning said flexible plate member on said flexible membrane switch circuit, said plurality of resilient bodies being located in correspondence with respective switch positions of said flexible membrane switch circuit;
• d. providing a flexible cover having a plurality of keytop-shaped portions projecting from an upper surface thereof with a corresponding plurality or recesses formed in a lower surface of said flexible cover;
• e. overlaying said flexible cover on said flexible plate member with each of said plurality of resilient bodies being respectively received within said plurality of recesses;
• and,
• f. joining respective peripheral portions of said flexible membrane switch circuit, flexible plate member, and said flexible cover by radio heating to complete assembly of said flexible keyboard.