Keyboard mechanisms for electronic devices
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsCraig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, John M. Brock, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An input device configured to communicate with a computing device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, and a feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism. The support mechanism includes a first support and a second support. The first support and the second support are each connected to the at least one keycap and the feature plate. The first support and second support pivot to allow vertical movement of the keycap but lateral movement of the first support and second support are restricted.
Claims19
An input device configured to communicate with a computing device comprising:
- at least one keycap;
- a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, and comprising:
- a first support connected to the at least one keycap and comprising:
- a first cross member;
- and
- a first brace member;
- and
- a second support connected to the at least one keycap;
- and
- a feature plate comprising at least one anchoring member, the feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism and each of the first and second supports;
- wherein:
- the first support and second support pivot to allow vertical movement of the keycap but lateral movement of the first support and second support are restricted;
- and
- the at least one anchoring member engages the first cross member to allow the first brace member to pivot vertically while restricting lateral movement.
The input device of 7, wherein the non-rounded cross section comprises at least one of a square cross section, rectangular cross section, I shaped cross section, or T shaped cross section.
A keyboard configured to communicate with a computing device comprising:
- at least one keycap;
- a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position and comprising:
- a first support connected to the at least one keycap and comprising a first joint;
- and
- a second support connected to the at least one keycap and comprising a second joint;
- and
- a knuckle connecting the first and second joint;
- and
- a plate operably connected to the support mechanism and to the first and second supports;
- and
- wherein:
- the first support and second support pivot to allow vertical movement of the keycap but lateral movement of the first support and second support are restricted, and
- the knuckle acts as a pivot joint that allows the first support and second support to move with respect to each other.
A method for providing and input device configured to communicate with a computing device, comprising:
- providing at least one keycap and at least one feature plate;
- connecting at least one support mechanism to the feature plate wherein the at least one support mechanism comprises at least a first support connected to the feature plate and a second support connected to the feature plate and a knuckle connecting the first and second support so as to allow the first support and the second support to pivot with respect to each other;
- and
- connecting the first support to the at least one keycap and the second support to the at least one keycap wherein the first support and the second support picot to allow vertical movement of the keycap but lateral movement of the first support and second support are restricted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.