Key switch and keyboard

A key switch comprising:

• a base section;
• a key top disposed above said base section;
• a pair of link members interlocked with each other to support and direct said key top in a vertical direction relative to said base section;
• and
• a switching mechanism capable of opening and closing a contact section of an electronic circuit in accordance with a vertical movement of said key top;
• wherein each of said pair of link members is provided, at one end region thereof, with a toothed portion meshable with a toothed portion of another link member in a gearing manner and a pivot axle pivotably joined to said base section and, at another end region of each link member, with a slide portion slidably engaged with said key top;
• wherein said base section comprises a support plate provided with an upper surface adjacent to said switching mechanism, and a frame member fixedly attached to said upper surface of said support plate, said frame member being provided with a bearing portion pivotably receiving and supporting said pivot axle of each of said pair of link members;
• wherein said one end region of each of said pair of link members is disposed on a lateral side of said frame member and closely to said upper surface of said support;
• wherein said bearing portion of said frame member is formed as a cutout defined between said frame member and said upper surface of said support plate;
• and
• wherein said pivot axle of each of said pair of link members includes a hook edge adapted to be rotatably hooked on an edge of said bearing portion of said frame member.

A key switch comprising:

• a base section;
• a key top disposed above said base section;
• a pair of link members interlocked with each other to support and direct said key top in a vertical direction relative to said base section;
• and
• a switching mechanism capable of opening and closing a contact section of an electronic circuit in accordance with a vertical movement of said key top;
• wherein each of said pair of link members is provided, at one end region thereof, with a toothed portion meshable with a toothed portion of another link member in a gearing manner and a pivot axle pivotably joined to said base section and, at another end region of each link member, with a slide portion slidably engaged with said key top;
• wherein said base section comprises a support plate provided with an upper surface adjacent to said switching mechanism, and a frame member fixedly attached to said upper surface of said support plate, said frame member being provided with a bearing portion pivotably receiving and supporting said pivot axle of each of said pair of link members;
• wherein said one end region of each of said pair of link members is disposed on a lateral side of said frame member and closely to said upper surface of said support;
• AND
• wherein said switching mechanism includes a membrane switch sheet disposed on said upper surface of said support plate and carrying said contact section at a position beneath said key top;
• wherein said membrane switch sheet is provided with a through-hole at an area at least corresponding to said bearing portion of said frame member;
• and wherein each of said pair of link members extends, at said one end region including said pivot axle, through said through-hole of said membrane switch sheet and placed on said upper surface of said support plate.