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US 6,297,461 B1Granted
Keyboard switch
AssigneeSMK Corporation
InventorOsamu Kamishima
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A keyboard switch actuates a switch sheet from a first position to a second position and correspondingly narrows a gap between a key top and the switch sheet. In keyboard switch operation, trailing claw pieces cause a cross-link to submerge allowing the switch sheet to accommodate an integrally formed return springwithout elastic deformation.
Claims18
A keyboard switch, comprising:
- a device case having a support plate;
- at least one key top;
- said key top having a cross link;
- said cross-link connecting said support plate and said key top;
- said cross-link guiding said key top from a stand-by position to a retracted position;
- a switch sheet slidable on said support plate provides at least one switch portion actuated by said key top and enabling electrical connection therethrough;
- at least one return spring in said keyboard switch contacting said switch sheet and biasing said key top away from said switch sheet;
- means for sliding said switch sheet relative to said support plate from a first position to a second position in response to a closing operation of a lid;
- at least one retracting hole in said switch sheet under said key top;
- and
- said return spring aligning with said retracting hole when said switch sheet is in said second position, whereby pressing of said switch portion and said enabling is inhibited.
8 more elements
A keyboard switch comprising:
- a support plate inside a device case containing a lid;
- said support plate supporting a plurality of key switches;
- said key switch having a key top a connective cross-link and an integrally formed return spring;
- said return spring urging said key top upwardly from a depressed position to a stand-by position;
- said cross-link mounted between a plurality of support projections formed on said support plate and on said key top;
- said cross-link guiding said key top from said stand-by position to said depressed position;
- a switch sheet provided with a plurality of switch portions actuated by said return springs in response to a downward key top motion;
- said switch sheet arranged slidably on said support plate to avoid contact with said support projections;
- and
- an interlock for sliding said switch sheet relative to said support plate between said stand-by position and a retracted position guided by said support projections and actuated by an operation of said lid.
7 more elements
A switch comprising:
- a support plate;
- a switch sheet slideable on said support plate between a first position and a second position;
- at least one key top;
- a linkage supporting said key top with respect to said support plate;
- said linkage resiliently urging said key top away from said switch sheet;
- a membrane switch under said key top;
- contacting means associated with at least one of said key top and said linkage for compressing said membrane switch when said key top is pressed toward said switch sheet when said switch sheet is in said first position, thereby enabling electrical connection therethrough;
- at least one retracting hole in said switch sheet;
- and
- said contacting means aligning with said retracting hole when said switch sheet is in said second position, whereby pressing of said membrane sheet and said enabling is inhibited.
7 more elements
A switch comprising:
- a support plate;
- a switch sheet slideable on said support plate between a first position and a second position;
- at least one key top;
- a linkage supporting said key top with respect to said support plate;
- said linkage resiliently urging said key top away from said switch sheet;
- a membrane switch under said key top;
- contacting means associated with at least one of said key top and said linkage for compressing said membrane switch when said key top is pressed toward said switch sheet when said switch sheet is in said first position, thereby enabling electrical connection therethrough;
- at least one retracting hole in said switch sheet;
- said contacting means aligning with said retracting hole when said switch sheet is in said second position, whereby pressing of said membrane sheet and said enabling is inhibited;
- and
- said contacting means misaligning with said membrane switch when said switch sheet is in said second position, whereby said contacting means is rendered incapable of depressing and actuating said membrane switch in said second position.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.