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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7841791 | Keyboard, lighting module for keyboard and electronic apparatus According to one embodiment, a keyboard includes keytops supported on a substrate and a membrane switch placed between the keytops and the substrate. The membrane switch has an electrically insulating membrane sheet on which a plurality of contacts operated by the k... | 11/30/2010 |
| 7312414 | Key switch device A key switch device capable of preventing a key top from displacing in the horizontal direction when the key top is being depressed, and of minimizing wear and damage to the components thereof. A displacement restricting part, contacting each of a pair of link membe... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7091952 | Liquid proof switch array Switch arrays such as keyboards are described. The switch arrays may include an array of dome spring elements. Each dome spring element may define a chamber, and a plurality of channels may interconnect the chambers of the dome spring elements such that each chamber... | 08/15/2006 |
| 7022927 | Keyboards with elevated keys Keyboards with elevated key structures are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a key structure includes a key cap, a substrate, a slider, a resilient member, a first rod and second rod. The slider is movable in a first direction with respect to the substrate betwee... | 04/04/2006 |
| 6984793 | Multidirectional switch actuator and a personal digital assistant using the same An actuator suitable for multi-directional actuation of a push button switch is disclosed. This actuator has an actuation button attached to a plunger to define a predetermined angle therebetween. The actuation button has a surface for multi-directional activation. ... | 01/10/2006 |
| 6964532 | Key array structure A key array structure comprises a key array constituted by connecting a plurality of key members arranged in an array, it is characterized in that an elastic element is connected between each two adjacent key members and a positioning hole or position holes is or ar... | 11/15/2005 |
| 6948868 | Keyboard structure A word transcription keyboard utilizing at least one keypad which is available for access by a finger of the user. A second keypad accessible to the finger of the user is extended and terminated in a press pad for allowing contact of the palm region of the hand simu... | 09/27/2005 |
| 6880995 | Elastic-cup support for computer keyboard An elastic-cup support for keyboard is in the form of a flat locating sheet located on a membrane-type switch circuit board of the keyboard, and provided at positions corresponding to membrane-type switches on the circuit board with receiving holes for separately re... | 04/19/2005 |
| 6805507 | Keyboard device In a keyboard device, a substrate is formed with multiple positioning members, each of which includes an upright first wall portion extending from one side of a punched hole, and a second wall portion connected to the first wall portion, extending toward another sid... | 10/19/2004 |
| 6791480 | Method of preventing and/or alleviating repetitive use injury to electronic computer keyboard operator An electronic computer keyboard is constructed to provide the minimum keystroke resistance sufficient to prevent accidental switch closures otherwise resulting from the weight of the operator's fingers resting on the keys. This forces the operator to move his or her... | 09/14/2004 |
| 6755582 | Key structure A key structure includes a set of key tops with contact footings of retaining hooks, an upper case with a plurality of insert holes wherein contact footings of retaining hooks are moveably inserted therein and a bottom case to be assembled with the upper case; the p... | 06/29/2004 |
| 6688790 | Keyboard input device A keyboard input device comprises a lever-mounting plate for supporting the lower ends of a pair of lever members in an engaged manner, a circuit board on which the lever-mounting plate is placed and is forming a circuit pattern on a surface facing the le... | 02/10/2004 |
| 6672782 | Keyboard structure A keyboard structure, comprising: a substrate, a scissors mechanism, and a key lid. The scissors mechanism and the substrate are connected together. The scissors mechanism has a rotational configuration formed by cross-connecting a first rod and a second ... | 01/06/2004 |
| 6672781 | Reduced noise key unit A key unit of a keyboard apparatus having at least one bumper extending from the key unit for cushioning the impact of the key unit against the enclosure of the keyboard apparatus when the key unit assumes a depressed position and/or when the key unit res... | 01/06/2004 |
| 6623195 | Collapsible keyboard A collapsible keyboard comprises at least one keyboard module, and each keyboard module has a plurality of keyswitches arranged in array pattern. At least one membrane circuit is provided to connect the plurality of keyswitches. When the keyboard is in an... | 09/23/2003 |
| 6572289 | Pushbutton structure of keyboard A pushbutton of a keyboard includes a cap supported on a base board by a linkage comprising first and second links pivoted together whereby the cap is movable from a released to a depressed positions when depressed. Each link has upper and lower pivots re... | 06/03/2003 |
| 6388219 | Computer keyboard key device made from a rigid printed circuit board A key device for a computer keyboard has a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, and a key structure. The rigid printed circuit board has two adjacent but unconnected conductive ends electrically connected to two wires respectivel... | 05/14/2002 |
| 6331850 | Collapsible keyboard A collapsible keyboard assembly having, in one embodiment, a plurality of keys each of the plurality of keys having a top portion and a portion of the plurality of keys displaced adjacent one another to form at least one row. A plurality of keys are coupl... | 12/18/2001 |
| 6328489 | Key mechanism in a computer keyboard A key mechanism includes a keycap, a base plate installed under the keycap having three guide channels, a connecting device installed between the keycap and the base plate for movably connecting the keycap to the base plate in an up and down manner, and a... | 12/11/2001 |
| 6183150 | Computer key A computer key includes first and second linking frames interconnecting pivotally a base plate and a push button. The first and second linking frames are connected pivotally at first and second linking arms thereof. Each of the second linking arms has a p... | 02/06/2001 |
| 6011227 | Push button switch A push button switch for use in computer keyboards, comprising a membrane sheet 92 whose upper surface forms the switch base plate 90 upon which is mounted a rubber spring 93 which operates the switch, and upon which is arranged a plate-shaped holder memb... | 01/04/2000 |
| 6004051 | Key structure of computer keyboard A key structure of computer keyboard includes a base, a conductive film, an elastic member, a frame, and a cap. A plurality of coupling parts including sliding grooves are arranged on the cap and the base. The frame has a plurality of pivoting shafts arra... | 12/21/1999 |
| 5971637 | Low profile keyboard A notebook computer (100) or other electronic device has a keyboard (106) using keys (40, 80) which can assume an active state for typing while a spring (64, 84) is pressed against a guide mechanism (44). By disengaging the spring (64, 84) from the guide ... | 10/26/1999 |
| 5951178 | Expandable and compressible keyboard A keyboard is provided having a lower frame with an elastic member installed on the surface thereof. An elevation plate is installed on the lower frame capable of ascending or descending by an elastic force of the elastic member. A pair of guide plates ar... | 09/14/1999 |
| 5947616 | Key structure for computer keyboards An improved key structure for computer keyboards includes two crossed support frames that, after pivotal connection, have center limiting rods projecting respectively from outer sides of the connecting position. Left and right slide rods respectively proj... | 09/07/1999 |
| 5842798 | Computer key A computer key includes two pairs of pivotally connected linking arms disposed between a base plate and a push button. The push button has a hingeably groove defining portion that defines a hinging axis transverse to said longitudinal direction, and a sec... | 12/01/1998 |
| 5829896 | Keycap spring installation tool A device and method for installing a keycap spring in a computer keyboard having a vertical tube and a base for mounting the keycap spring at the bottom of the vertical tube. The device comprises a handle, a shaft with a tapered head connected to the hand... | 11/03/1998 |
| 5456541 | Key unit of a keyboard An improved key unit of a keyboard comprising a key top, a keyboard plate and a conductive film; the conductive film being mounted beneath the keyboard plate; the keyboard plate has a mounting base comprising a hollow cylinder mounted thereon and the key ... | 10/10/1995 |
| 5372442 | Key structure for computer keyboards A key unit includes a key a hollow housing securely mounted on a base frame of a computer keyboard, an actuating member, and a spring member. The hollow housing includes a top wall with an opening, a first pair of opposed side walls, and a second pair of ... | 12/13/1994 |
| 5268545 | Low profile tactile keyswitch A low profile tactile keyswitch including a horizontally positioned elastic column spring which buckles under an axial load to provide a tactile feel for the keyswitch. The ends of the spring are maintained between two spring holders which are urged toget... | 12/07/1993 |
| 5220318 | Apparatus for selectively varying keyboard switching force Apparatus for adjusting the key activating force or "touch" for a keyboard or for one or more function key groups on that keyboard to the needs of any individual operator.... | 06/15/1993 |
| 5061094 | Keyboard for typewriters, printers or the like In a keyboard for typewriters, printers or the like, where a contact bearing film is disposed underneath the keys, there is provided for achieving a cost-efficient arrangement, while avoiding the use of separate restoring springs, that the contact bearing... | 10/29/1991 |
| 4480937 | Breakaway leafspring actuated keyswitch apparatus A keyswitch apparatus for electronic typewriter keyboards and the like including a circuit board having at least one pair of electrical conductors, each conductor having contact means, at least one single-piece spring and contact system, each including a ... | 11/06/1984 |
| 4407596 | Case shift and lock input mechanism including a shift control switch A case shift and lock input mechanism comprising a pair of independently depressable shift keylevers and a depressable shift lock keylever are assembled in a keyboard for actuating a single shift control switch used to condition a printer for printing upp... | 10/04/1983 |
| 4362408 | Means for avoiding accidental actuation of a critical function key A keyboard having a plurality of keys thereon, with each key being moveable from a rest position along an actuation path having a makepoint therealong, whereby completion of an electrical circuit is effected by moving a key with a predetermined force alon... | 12/07/1982 |
| 4313685 | Push-button switch, particularly for keyboards of typewriters and similar devices A push-button key switch for keyboards, having an actuating member, and a helical spring which functions as a return spring for the actuating member and as a movable contact element. The helical spring comprises two sections, one of which is employed as t... | 02/02/1982 |
| 4274752 | Keyboard multiple switch assembly An electronic switch keyboard for typewriters or office machines includes a multiple switch at selected key positions to provide two signal inputs to a utilization device. A first capacitor switch is actuated to provide a first signal upon initial key dep... | 06/23/1981 |
| 4202640 | Keyboard assembly A keyboard assembly includes a U-shaped carrier member and a plurality of key members connected thereon by resiliently yieldable legs having detent portions which engage cooperating recesses provided in the bottom wall of the U-shaped carrier member with ... | 05/13/1980 |
| 4124313 | Keyboard assembly A keyboard assembly includes a U-shaped carrier member and a plurality of key members connected thereon by resiliently yieldable legs having detent portions which engage cooperating recesses provided in the bottom wall of the U-shaped carrier member with ... | 11/07/1978 |
| 4029915 | Miniaturized calculator keyboard switch assembly having universally pivoted key actuators A portable electronic calculator comprises a calculator body which supports a keyboard consisting of a single elongated row of keys each of which is adapted to be tilted in any one of four directions by the finger tip of a user to input a selected one of ... | 06/14/1977 |
