Low travel switch assembly
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorKeith J. Hendren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A key of a keyboard and a low travel dome switch utilized in the key. The key may comprise a key cap, and a low travel dome positioned beneath the key cap, and operative to collapse when a force is exerted on the low travel dome by the key cap. The low travel dome may comprise a top portion, and a group of arms extending from the top portion to a perimeter of the low travel dome and at least partially defining a tuning member located between two of the group of arms. The low travel dome may also comprise a group of elongated protrusions. Each of the group of elongated protrusions may extend from one of the top portion, or one of the group of arms. At least one of the group of elongated protrusions may extend into the tuning member.
Claims20
A key of a keyboard, comprising:
- a key cap;
- and
- a low travel dome positioned beneath the key cap, and operative to collapse when a force is exerted on the low travel dome by the key cap, the low travel dome comprising:
- a top portion;
- a group of arms extending from the top portion to a perimeter of the low travel dome and configured to buckle when a force is applied to the key cap;
- and
- a group of elongated protrusions, each of the group of elongated protrusions extending into a distinct tuning member of a group of tuning members, each tuning member located between two arms of the group of arms.
A low travel dome comprising:
- a group of arms extending between a top portion and major sidewalls and configured to collapse in response to a force received at the top portion;
- a group of tuning members, each tuning member formed between two of the group of arms;
- and
- a group of elongated protrusions, each elongated protrusion extending into a distinct tuning member;
- wherein
- a force required to displace the low travel dome is determined based, at least in part, on the characteristics of at least one of:
- the group of arms;
- the group of tuning members;
- and
- the group of elongated protrusion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.