Patents by Inventor Mitsuo Horiuchi

Mitsuo Horiuchi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200328046
    Abstract: A keyboard device includes a substrate and keycaps disposed on the substrate. The substrate includes a long slit and an elastic bridge member. The long slit divides the substrate into a first plate having a first side edge and a second plate having a second side edge opposite to the first side edge. A gap is between the first side edge and the second side edge. The elastic bridge member is connected between the first side edge and the second side edge. The first plate is movable relative to the second plate. The first side edge includes a first bridge seat. The second side edge includes a second bridge seat. The elastic bridge member is connected between the first bridge seat and the second bridge seat. The elastic bridge member includes a wedge portion connected to an inner corner between the elastic bridge member and the first bridge seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Mitsuo HORIUCHI, Chia-Hsin CHEN, Chi-Hung CHENG
  • Publication number: 20200328048
    Abstract: A keyboard device includes a substrate and keycaps disposed on the substrate. The substrate includes a long slit and an elastic bridge component. The long slit divides the substrate into a first plate having a first side edge and a second plate having a second side edge opposite to the first side edge. A gap is between the first side edge and the second side edge. The elastic bridge component is connected between the first side edge and the second side edge. The first plate is movable relative to the second plate. The first side edge includes two first bridge connections. The second side edge includes two second bridge connections. The elastic bridge component includes a first elastic bar connected between the first bridge connections, a second elastic bar connected between the second bridge connections, and a connecting member connected between the first elastic bar and the second elastic bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Mitsuo Horiuchi, Chia-Hsin Chen, Chi-Hung Cheng
  • Patent number: 10782743
    Abstract: A keyboard device is provided. The keyboard device includes a baseplate, a set of keytops, a frame, and a set of plate members. The set of keytops is supported in a vertically movable manner on an upper surface side of the baseplate. The frame mounted on the upper surface side of the baseplate, and the frame includes a set of openings in which the keytops are inserted in a vertically movable manner. The set of plate members arranged along a longer direction within the baseplate, and bridges that connect adjacent plate members. The adjacent plate members are arranged with a gap provided between end surfaces thereof that oppose each other and are relatively movable through at least the bridges in a direction in which the plate members are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Satoshi Douzono
  • Patent number: 10748721
    Abstract: A push button device can stabilize an operation of a guide mechanism and can enhance product quality. A keyboard device includes the push button device and electronic apparatus includes the keyboard device. A key switch that is a push button device includes a key cap as a push button, a base plate, and a guide mechanism. The guide mechanism includes an outer frame member and an inner member. An outer frame member has a pair of inner surfaces opposed to each other with interposition of an opening in which the inner member is disposed, and each of the pair of inner surfaces is provided with a bearing hole to serve as a first engagement part. The inner member has a pair of outer surfaces opposed to the pair of inner surfaces of the outer frame member, and each of the pair of outer surfaces is provided with a rotation shaft to be a second engagement part. An outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft has a tapered portion whose outer diameter gradually decreases in an insertion direction of the bearing hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 10714279
    Abstract: A keyboard device includes a substrate and several keycaps disposed on the substrate. The substrate includes a long slit and an elastic bridge connecting member. The long slit divides the substrate into a first plate having a first side edge and a second plate having a second side edge opposite to the first side edge. A gap is between the first side edge and the second side edge. The elastic bridge connecting member is connected between the first side edge and the second side edge. The first plate is movable relative to the second plate. The first side edge includes a first stopping member, the second side edge includes a second stopping member, and a certain interval is between the first stopping member and the second stopping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CHICONY ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Horiuchi, Chia-Hsin Chen, Chi-Hung Cheng
  • Patent number: 10716204
    Abstract: The present application discloses a keyboard, which includes a base plate and a thin film circuit board. The base plate includes a first part, a second part and an inclined part. The first part has a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion, the second part has a third limiting portion. The thin film circuit board includes a first region, a second region and at least one connecting portion. The first region is located on the first part, and the first region has at least one opening. The first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are disposed in said opening. The second region is located on the second part, and the second region has at least one opening. The connecting portion is located on the inclined part, and the third limiting portion is passed through the opening of the second part and propped against the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CHICONY ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Hao Chen, Mitsuo Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 10679803
    Abstract: A keycap detachably provided on a guide mechanism of a key switch includes a cap main body having a front face pressed at the time of key input and a rear face on the opposite side to the front face; and a first engaging projection and a second engaging projection, both of which protrude from the rear face of the cap main body with a gap therebetween so that an engaging portion of the guide mechanism is detachably engaged into the gap. At least a part of an area around the first engaging projection and the second engaging projection in the cap main body has a thin part thinner than other parts of the cap main body. As a result, the falling off of the keycap can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Satoshi Douzono
  • Patent number: 10650986
    Abstract: A keyboard is disclosed, which includes a base plate and a thin film circuit board. The base plate includes a first part, a second part, and an inclined part. Two edges of the inclined part are connected to the first part and the second part, respectively. The inclined part includes a hollow portion. The thin film circuit board is disposed on the base plate and includes a first region, a second region, and a connecting portion. The connecting portion has a first connecting end, a second connecting end, and an inclined segment. The first connecting end is connected to the first region; the second connecting end is connected to the second region. The first connecting end and the second connecting end correspond to different positions on an axial direction. Moreover, part of the inclined segment is located in the hollow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CHICONY ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Hao Chen, Mitsuo Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 10649501
    Abstract: A touchpad device is used to connect a first fixing portion of a housing. The touchpad device includes a hinge structure and a circuit board. The hinge structure includes a main body and an elastic arm. The main body is located above the first fixing portion. The elastic arm is connected to the main body and includes a second fixing portion. The second fixing portion is fixed to the first fixing portion of the housing. A bottom surface of the circuit board is attached to a top surface of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hsin Chen, Mitsuo Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20200133334
    Abstract: A touchpad device is used to connect a first fixing portion of a housing. The touchpad device includes a hinge structure and a circuit board. The hinge structure includes a main body and an elastic arm. The main body is located above the first fixing portion. The elastic arm is connected to the main body and includes a second fixing portion. The second fixing portion is fixed to the first fixing portion of the housing. A bottom surface of the circuit board is attached to a top surface of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Chia-Hsin CHEN, Mitsuo HORIUCHI
  • Publication number: 20200113040
    Abstract: The present application discloses a keyboard, which includes a base plate and a thin film circuit board. The base plate includes a first part, a second part and an inclined part. The first part has a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion, the second part has a third limiting portion. The thin film circuit board includes a first region, a second region and at least one connecting portion. The first region is located on the first part, and the first region has at least one opening. The first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are disposed in said opening. The second region is located on the second part, and the second region has at least one opening. The connecting portion is located on the inclined part, and the third limiting portion is passed through the opening of the second part and propped against the connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Chih-Hao CHEN, Mitsuo HORIUCHI
  • Publication number: 20200111626
    Abstract: A keyboard is disclosed, which includes a base plate and a thin film circuit board. The base plate includes a first part, a second part, and an inclined part. Two edges of the inclined part are connected to the first part and the second part, respectively. The inclined part includes a hollow portion. The thin film circuit board is disposed on the base plate and includes a first region, a second region, and a connecting portion. The connecting portion has a first connecting end, a second connecting end, and an inclined segment. The first connecting end is connected to the first region; the second connecting end is connected to the second region. The first connecting end and the second connecting end correspond to different positions on an axial direction. Moreover, part of the inclined segment is located in the hollow portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Chih-Hao CHEN, Mitsuo HORIUCHI
  • Patent number: 10600589
    Abstract: A switch device capable of preventing an occurrence of contact noise and wobbling of a stabilizer member to a bearing is provided. The key switch includes the stabilizer member supported between a key top and a base plate. The stabilizer member includes a first shaft portion rotatably supported on the lower surface side of the key top and a second shaft portion, which has a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the first shaft portion and is rotatably supported by a bearing provided on the upper surface side of the base plate. The membrane sheet has at least a lower contact sheet having a cut-out shaped portion in a position corresponding to a position in which the second shaft portion is provided in a plane view and an upper contact sheet placed in an upper layer than the lower contact sheet to cover the cut-out shaped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 10593490
    Abstract: A switching device capable of receiving pressing operations for an electronic device is provided. The switching device includes a push button rotatably supported on an upper surface of a base member, and a detection switch that is pressed when the push button is pressed to rotate. Either the push button or the base member includes an engaging part and an elastic part, while the other one of the push button or the base member includes a rotational shaft with which the engaging part is rotatably engaged and a supporting shaft against which the elastic part is pressed. The push button rotates about an engaged portion between the engaging part and the rotational shaft with the elastic part being pressed against the supporting shaft, and presses the detection switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Satoshi Douzono
  • Publication number: 20200075270
    Abstract: A membrane switch device includes first and second membrane layers, a spacing layer between the membrane layers, and a flexible printed circuit board. The first membrane layer includes a first surface and first conductive wires on the first surface and extending to a first wire area to form first contact pads. The second membrane layer includes a second surface and second conductive wires on the second surface and extending to a second wire area to form second contact pads. A wire-connecting end of the flexible printed circuit board is between the first membrane layer and the second membrane layer. A first protection layer of the flexible printed circuit board and the first contact pads are not overlapped with each other, and a second protection layer of the flexible printed circuit board and the second contact pads are not overlapped with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Chia-Hsin Chen, Mitsuo Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 10559437
    Abstract: A membrane switch device includes first and second membrane layers, a spacing layer between the membrane layers, and a flexible printed circuit board. The first membrane layer includes a first surface and first conductive wires on the first surface and extending to a first wire area to form first contact pads. The second membrane layer includes a second surface and second conductive wires on the second surface and extending to a second wire area to form second contact pads. A wire-connecting end of the flexible printed circuit board is between the first membrane layer and the second membrane layer. A first protection layer of the flexible printed circuit board and the first contact pads are not overlapped with each other, and a second protection layer of the flexible printed circuit board and the second contact pads are not overlapped with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hsin Chen, Mitsuo Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20190326080
    Abstract: A keycap detachably provided on a guide mechanism of a key switch includes a cap main body having a front face pressed at the time of key input and a rear face on the opposite side to the front face; and a first engaging projection and a second engaging projection, both of which protrude from the rear face of the cap main body with a gap therebetween so that an engaging portion of the guide mechanism is detachably engaged into the gap. At least a part of an area around the first engaging projection and the second engaging projection in the cap main body has a thin part thinner than other parts of the cap main body. As a result, the falling off of the keycap can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Satoshi Douzono
  • Publication number: 20190311867
    Abstract: A push button device can stabilize an operation of a guide mechanism and can enhance product quality. A keyboard device includes the push button device and electronic apparatus includes the keyboard device. A key switch that is a push button device includes a key cap as a push button, a base plate, and a guide mechanism. The guide mechanism includes an outer frame member and an inner member. An outer frame member has a pair of inner surfaces opposed to each other with interposition of an opening in which the inner member is disposed, and each of the pair of inner surfaces is provided with a bearing hole to serve as a first engagement part. The inner member has a pair of outer surfaces opposed to the pair of inner surfaces of the outer frame member, and each of the pair of outer surfaces is provided with a rotation shaft to be a second engagement part. An outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft has a tapered portion whose outer diameter gradually decreases in an insertion direction of the bearing hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: MASAHIRO KITAMURA, MITSUO HORIUCHI
  • Publication number: 20190304718
    Abstract: A switch device capable of preventing an occurrence of contact noise and wobbling of a stabilizer member to a bearing is provided. The key switch includes the stabilizer member supported between a key top and a base plate. The stabilizer member includes a first shaft portion rotatably supported on the lower surface side of the key top and a second shaft portion, which has a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the first shaft portion and is rotatably supported by a bearing provided on the upper surface side of the base plate. The membrane sheet has at least a lower contact sheet having a cut-out shaped portion in a position corresponding to a position in which the second shaft portion is provided in a plane view and an upper contact sheet placed in an upper layer than the lower contact sheet to cover the cut-out shaped portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20190302852
    Abstract: A coupled structure capable of keeping the coupled state between coupled members without degrading the appearance, and an electronic device including such a coupled structure are disclosed. A coupled structure includes a keyboard unit coupled with a main body chassis. The coupled structure includes a hook mechanism which engages the keyboard unit with the main body chassis when the keyboard unit moves in one direction relative to the main body chassis, a locking part formed at the main body chassis, and an elastic part formed at the keyboard unit, and the elastic part biases the keyboard unit engaged with main body chassis in the one direction relative to the main body chassis when the locking part locks the elastic part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Satoshi Douzono