Keyboard hinge mechanism
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsJohn M. Brock, Patrick Kessler, Craig C. Leong, Keith J. Hendren, James J. Niu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments described herein provide a low travel switch mechanism. The low travel switch mechanism may include a substrate, a dome coupled to the substrate, a keycap, and an integrated pivot component disposed between the keycap and the dome. The integrated pivot component may include a hinge assembly coupled to a light guide structure. The hinge assembly may secure to the substrate, via one or more hinge interconnects, joints, or interlock features to form a pivot point. When the keycap receives a keystroke, the integrated pivot component may be operative to pivot about the pivot point and contact the dome to cause a switching event or operation.
Claims31
A key comprising:
- a keycap;
- a substrate positioned below the keycap;
- a switch positioned on the substrate below the keycap;
- and
- a hinge assembly comprising:
- a support portion coupled to and positioned below the keycap;
- and
- an arm coupled to the support portion at a first end of the arm and extending outward beyond a periphery of the keycap,
- wherein:
- a second end of the arm interfaces with the substrate to define a hinge point;
- and
- the arm and support portion are operative to rotate about the hinge point during a keystroke of the key.
A keyboard comprising:
- a substrate;
- a first key in a first row of keys and comprising:
- a first keycap;
- and
- a first integrated pivot component comprising:
- a first support structure coupled to and positioned below the first keycap;
- and
- a first arm rigidly attached at a first end to the first support structure and extending beyond a periphery of the first keycap;
- a second key in a second row of keys and comprising:
- a second keycap;
- and
- a second integrated pivot component comprising:
- a second support structure coupled to and positioned below the second keycap;
- and
- a second arm having a first end attached to the second support structure and extending beyond a periphery of the second keycap;
- wherein:
- a second end of the first arm interfaces with a first pivot point in the substrate;
- the first integrated pivot component is operative to rotate about the first pivot point;
- a second end of the second arm interfaces with a second pivot point in the substrate;
- and
- the second integrated pivot component is operative to rotate about the second pivot point.
A low travel switch mechanism comprising:
- a keycap;
- a substrate disposed beneath the keycap;
- a dome residing in the substrate;
- and
- a pivot component disposed between the keycap and the dome and comprising:
- a support portion attached to the keycap;
- an arm coupled at a first end to the support portion and extending beyond an edge of the keycap;
- wherein:
- the arm is coupled at a second end to the substrate at an interconnection point;
- and
- the pivot component is operative to rotate about the interconnection point when the keycap receives a keystroke.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.