US 9,443,673 B2 · Flexible keyboard assembly

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of assembling a folio case. The method comprises molding a set of molded key caps over a flexible fabric layer to form a fabric key cap layer, where the key caps do not pass through the flexible fabric layer. The method further comprises affixing a first portion of the flexible key cap layer opposite the set of molded key caps to an interior portion of a housing, and affixing an intermediate layer between the interior portion of the housing and a second portion of the fabric key cap layer corresponding to the set of molded key caps opposite the first portion. The method further comprises attaching a first portion of a holder to the first portion of the flexible key cap layer configured to receive a computing device, wherein a second portion of the holder is not fixedly attached to the flexible key cap layer.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a set of key structures disposed on a support base fixedly attached to an intermediate layer;
a first set of key caps disposed on the set of key structures;
a flexible fabric having a top and bottom surface, wherein a top of each of the first set of key caps is coupled to the bottom surface of the flexible fabric, and wherein the flexible fabric is entirely planar over an area defined by the set of key structures;
and
a second set of key caps disposed on the top surface of the flexible fabric, wherein each of the set of key structures, the first set of key caps, and the second set of key caps are vertically aligned.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/854,112Filed 31 Mar 2013 · us provisional application

Priority

11 Sep 2012

Published

US 2014/0069791 A113 Mar 2014

Granted

13 Sep 2016

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification28 codes

H01H 13/704
With contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches: characterised by the layers, e.g. by their…
G06F 1/1628
For portable computers: enclosures for carrying portable computers with peripheral devices, e.g. cases for a laptop and a printer
G06F 1/1669
Details related to the integrated keyboard: detachable keyboards
H01H 3/125
With enlarged actuating area, e.g. of the elongated bar-type; Stabilising means therefor: using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser

Flexible keyboard assembly

Life of this patent

Flexible keyboard assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13