Abstract: The present invention provides an illumination key and a method of making such illumination key, in which the upper surface of the key top is curved and slanted at an angle to make it possible to reliably recognize the pattern (such as a letter or the like) printed thereon, the key operating portion is provided with a rubber-like click sensitivity and elasticity while the key top portion is made of a hard resin, with the key operating portion and the key to being reliably bonded to each other, and in which a pattern such as a letter or the like can be simply created without the need for laser etching, and wherein it is possible to reliably carry out ON/OFF operations of a one key top without operating neighboring key tops.

Abstract: An illuminated keypad key and method of manufacture thereof, having a light-permeable resin key top, a film having a pattern formed in one side thereof, the film being fixed to the upper and side surfaces of the transparent resin key top, cutting away portions of the film that extend beyond the lower periphery of the key top, and upper surface of a key operating portion made from transparent rubber or thermoplastic elastomer, being fixed to the underside surface of the key top by means of a transparent adhesive. The above mentioned film has a thickness of 100 mm-200 mm.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch is described which has a printed wiring board and a keypad arranged above the printed board, wherein the keypad has a non-working portion and a working portion made of translucent silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomer in which the upper surfaces of the non-working portions only are covered with an opaque film, with an underside surface thereof covered by an insulating resin film so as to form an electrically conductive light-reflecting layer which is grounded to an earth portion.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch which is based on a printed-wiring board equipped with a light source and a keypad that is arranged above the printed-wiring board. The pushbutton switch has a non-working portion and a working portion made of transparent silicone rubber or a transparent thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the upper surfaces of the non-working portions, excluding the working portions of the keypad, are covered with an opaque film, with the underside thereof being covered by an insulating film which forms an electrically conductive light-reflecting layer in which the electrically conductive light reflective layer is grounded by being connected to an earth portion.

Abstract: An illuminated key button is disclosed which is formed of a light permeable hard resin and has on the bottom of the key a print layer which is illuminated from below and is integral with the operating portion of the key button.