Push Button Patents (Class 200/341)
  • Patent number: 9785195
    Abstract: A portable computing device may include a lid and a base. The lid may include a display on a front side of the lid. The base may be rotatably attached to the lid. The rotatable attachment of the base to the lid may enable the lid to rotate from an open position in which the lid is rotated away from the base to a tablet position in which a back side of the lid faces a bottom side of the base. The base may include a keyboard on a top side of the base and an elastic sheet extending over the keyboard. The keyboard may include keys configured to retract into the base in response to the lid rotating to the tablet position and extend out of the base in response to the lid rotating out of the tablet position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Omri Amarilio, Katie Leah Roberts-Hoffman, Kan Liu, Alexander Friedrich Kuscher
  • Patent number: 9773623
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a base plate, a key cap, a key base, a recovering member and a linkage mechanism having linkage members. The key base is disposed between the key cap and the base plate. The recovering member is disposed between the key cap and the base plate. The linkage members are physically separated from each other, and are respectively inclinedly disposed between the key base and the key cap, and collectively surround the recovering member. One end of each of the linkage members is pivotally connected to the key base, and the other end of each of the linkage members is slidably connected to the key cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Ting Lin, Liang-Chun Yeh, Chieh-Fan Chuang
  • Patent number: 9773626
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a base plate, plural keycaps, plural scissors-type connecting elements and a sliding plate. Each scissors-type connecting element has a bulge. The gliding plate has plural position-limiting structures. The keyboard is installed on a notebook computer and connected with a top cover of the notebook computer. For operating the keyboard, the bulge is received in a first step part of the position-limiting structure. Consequently, the keycap is at a higher height. Since the keycap is at a higher height, the movable distance of the keycap is large enough to provide better tactile feel. For storing the keyboard, the bulge of the scissors-type connecting element is moved to the second step part of the position-limiting structure. Consequently, the height of the keycap is reduced, and the keyboard has a slim appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Yi-Chen Wang
  • Patent number: 9715977
    Abstract: A keyboard with height-adjustable keys is provided. The keyboard includes a key supporting plate, the keys and a movable plate. Each key includes a supporting element. Moreover, plural bulges are disposed on the supporting element. The movable plate is disposed under the key supporting plate. The key is fixed on the key supporting plate. The key is connected with the key supporting plate through the supporting element. Moreover, the plural bulges are penetrated downwardly through the key supporting plate and inserted in the movable plate. While the movable plate is moved, the bulges are pushed and the key is moved toward the key supporting plate with the supporting element. Consequently, the height of the key is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Chien-Hung Liu
  • Patent number: 9715975
    Abstract: A keyswitch includes a board, a cap, and a support device disposed between the board and the cap. A first abutting side of a first support member of the support device has a first hole formed toward a first bending arm of the board. The first bending arm is disposed through the first hole for pressing the first abutting side to abut against the board. The first abutting side has a second magnetic portion formed toward the second support member. A support portion extends from a second abutting side of the second support member toward the first support member for supporting the second magnetic portion. When the cap is pressed to make the second magnetic portion separate from a first magnetic portion of the board with rotation of the first and second support members relative to the first and second abutting sides, the cap moves to a pressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Chien-Shih Hsu
  • Patent number: 9697965
    Abstract: A key structure with reduced resonant noise includes a base plate formed with a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion, a conductive film layer, an elastic conducting element, a linking rod, and a keycap on the linking rod. The linking rod has a main portion, a first arm extended from one end of the main portion and pivotally connected to the first supporting portion, and a second arm extended from the other end of the main portion and pivotally connected to the second supporting portion. The key cap has a bottom surface pivotally connected to the main portion of the linking rod. The base plate has openings under the linking rod and adjacent to the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion. The openings can reduce resonant effect of clapping sound in the keycap, when the keycap is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chun-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 9697967
    Abstract: A rotary knob assembly capable of up-and-down motion is provided. The rotary knob assembly includes a lower case with an oil damper; a rotary sleeve rotatably disposed in the lower case with a connecting hole; a slide cam that moves linearly with respect to the lower case with a pair of cam grooves and a sleeve hole; an elastic member disposed between the slide cam and the lower case; an up-and-down moving sleeve that moves up and down with respect to the rotary sleeve with a pair of up-and-down cams inserted in the pair of cam grooves of the slide cam; a rotary knob that is rotatably connected to the up-and-down moving sleeve; and an upper case connected to the lower case to limit vertical movement of the rotary knob, wherein a moving speed of the slide cam is controlled by the oil damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-kab Seo, Heyun-moon Bang, Jae-Yong Eum, Ho-sun Lee
  • Patent number: 9633800
    Abstract: A key structure includes a base, a keycap, a first longitudinal bar, a second longitudinal bar, a first transverse bar and a second transverse bar. The first longitudinal bar, the second longitudinal bar, the first transverse bar and the second transverse bar are uniformly distributed in the range of the keycap. Consequently, the keycap is stably moved relative to the base. The first longitudinal bar, the second longitudinal bar, the first transverse bar and the second transverse bar are made of a metallic material. Since these bars are thinner than the scissors-type connecting element of the conventional key structure, the key structure of the present invention has reduced thickness. Moreover, since these bars are made of the metallic material, the structural strength of the key structure is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Lei-Lung Tsai, Yi-Shu Lee
  • Patent number: 9633805
    Abstract: A pushbutton switch includes a pushbutton unit and a resilient member. The pushbutton unit includes a mounting seat for being in proximity to an activator of a switch assembly, and a pushbutton covering the mounting seat. The resilient member has a switch contactor adjacent to the activator, two resilient arms extending from the switch contactor, and two abutment segments connected respectively to the resilient arms and engaging the limiting seat. When the pushbutton is pressed to move toward the limiting seat, the resilient arms are resiliently deformed to have a resilient force for urging the pushbutton away from the limiting seat, and the switch contactor is driven by the pushbutton to contact and move the activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Excel Cell Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Ming Kuo
  • Patent number: 9607787
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a casing of a hazard detector includes a body portion and a button portion. The button portion is coupled with the body portion via a plurality of arms. The arms allow the button portion to be axially movable relative to the body portion and also couple the button portion with the body portion so that tabs that extend radially outward from the button portion are positioned under and contact an inwardly facing surface of the body portion. The arms bias the button portion axially outward relative to the body portion so as maintain contact between the tabs and the inwardly facing surface. In this configuration, when the button portion is pressed at a position off-axis from a central axis of the button portion, the button portion pivots about one or more contact points between one or more tabs and the inwardly facing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Mittleman, Mathias Schmidt, Fred Bould, Matthew L. Rogers, Anthony M. Fadell
  • Patent number: 9592735
    Abstract: The operating device (12) for a vehicle component, especially a radio, a CD and/or DVD player, a navigation device, an infotainment device, a controller for a heating or air-conditioning device, or a man-machine interface, comprises a housing (10) having a front face (14) and a longitudinally extending key body (26) that has an actuation end (24) projecting over the front face (14) of the housing (10) and a bearing end arranged inside the housing (10). The actuation end (24) has an upper side (42) and a lower side (46) that extend across the front face (14) at a non-zero angle and project therefrom, and can be actuated to input an operating command by manually exerting force onto the upper or lower side (42, 46). The operating device further comprises a support (28) which has a bearing end (30) by which the key body (26) can be moved in two spatial axes that are orthogonal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventor: Karsten Marquas
  • Patent number: 9554036
    Abstract: A portable electronic device equipped with a camera module and a shutter buffer and a control method using the same. The shutter button is switchable between multiple stages and includes a display screen. A control circuit of the portable electronic device operates the camera module and provides display content to the display screen based on the switch between the multiple stages of the shutter button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Yi-Hsin Lin
  • Patent number: 9400581
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds is provided. When the button is depressed to a first depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from a low-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button is depressed to a second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sense the touch context and input can be generated based on the depression and the touch context. In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touch sensor to a sensing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Louis W. Bokma, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Saket Vora
  • Patent number: 9390871
    Abstract: There are provided a button section; a contact-type switch that is provided in each of a plurality of directions; a button contact area that is provided on the back surface of the button section and that is brought into contact with the switch; a cover section that covers the periphery of the button section; and a flange section that is provided on the outer periphery of the button section and that is in contact with the cover section so as to restrict the button section from being ejected from inside a chassis, wherein the flange section includes cutouts at positions that are opposed to each other with the switch and the center position of the button section interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Ishikawa, Tetsuya Fujioka, Hideo Kanai, Akihisa Mikawa, Masamichi Yamada, Yasunari Mikutsu, Satoshi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 9381706
    Abstract: A button matrix is disclosed. The button matrix includes a base portion. A button body extends from the base and is formed from a translucent material. A button top formed from an opaque material is connected to the button body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: InMusic Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Williamson, Jonathan Hayes
  • Patent number: 9373462
    Abstract: The invention provides a push switch including a keytop movable in a first direction, a switch, first and second circuit boards, an electronic component mounted on the second circuit board, first and second circuits electrically connected to the switch, and a body. The switch is turned on or off in response to movement of the keytop. The first circuit on the first circuit board is configured to protect the switch. The second circuit on the second circuit board is configured to actuate the electronic component in response to a turn-on or turn-off of the switch. The body includes a main body and first and second holders. The first holder at the main body holds the first circuit board. The second holder at the main body or the first holder holds the second circuit board in spaced relation to the first circuit board in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: HOSIDEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuhiko Saomoto
  • Patent number: 9367104
    Abstract: An electronic device including a main body, a supporting layer and at least one press element is provided. The main body has an inner space. The supporting layer is disposed on the main body and covers the inner space, wherein the supporting layer has at least one first opening. The press element is disposed on the supporting layer and has a chamber and at least one second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are connected to the chamber. When the press element is pressed and elastically deformed, air inside the chamber flows to the inner space through the first opening. When the press element is stopped being pressed and restored, air outside the chamber flows to inside the chamber through the second opening. In addition, a heat dissipation method adapted to the electronic device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventor: Che-Jung Liu
  • Patent number: 9330864
    Abstract: The embodiments discussed herein relate to electrical switches. Specifically, the embodiments include a pivoting switch that translates a rotational movement of a portion of the pivoting switch into a linear movement for toggling a button. The pivoting switch can include a pin that extends into a bracket in order to define and limit a rotational movement of the pivoting switch. The pivoting switch can further include a switch cavity that can force a knob of the button to move with the pivoting switch. The embodiments can further include an electrical switch having a welded cover plate. The welded cover plate can include arms that extend across and are welded to one or more surfaces of the electrical switch. The welded cover plate provides a more secure retaining mechanism for the electrical switch in order to reduce bending of certain portions of the electrical switch when the electrical switch is toggled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Edward S. Huo, Yaocheng Zhang, Ashutosh Y. Shukla, David A. Pakula, Matthew D. Hill, Michael Benjamin Wittenberg, Scott A. Myers
  • Patent number: 9224553
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a keycap having a vertical connection member and a vertical-horizontal-translation mechanism, a baseplate having a vertical connection member, a slidable part having a vertical-horizontal-translation mechanism, and a restoring member. The vertical connection members are engaged for constraining the keycap to move relative to the baseplate substantially along a Z axis. The vertical-horizontal-translation mechanisms are engaged, so that the slidable part can perform a motion in response to a movement of the keycap toward the baseplate along the Z axis upon a pressing operation. The motion includes a displacement in a first direction. When the pressing operation is discontinued, a horizontal restoring force by the restoring member enables the slidable part to perform a motion that includes a displacement in a second direction to move the keycap away from the baseplate along the Z axis. The second direction is opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: DARFON ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD., DARFON ELECTRONIC CORP.
    Inventor: Tzu-Pang Chiang
  • Patent number: 9208968
    Abstract: This is directed to a dome switch that may prevent liquid from coming into contact with circuit elements of the switch. A deformable dome may include a conductive inner surface region and may be placed over a conductive contact pad such that the dome may deform and the conductive elements may contact each other. At least one sheath may be positioned between the conductive region of the dome and the contact pad positioned below the dome for preventing liquid external to the one or more sheaths from contacting the conductive portions of the switch. In some embodiments, a first sheath may be coupled to the inner surface of the dome about the conductive inner surface region and a second sheath may be coupled to a mounting surface about the conductive contact pad, such that when a user deforms the dome, one of the sheaths may extend into the other sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Gloria Lin, Bruno Germansderfer
  • Patent number: 9183999
    Abstract: In a vehicle push button switch, a case fixed to a vehicle body or a lid is provided with a guide portion for guiding a push button and supports a switch used to change a switching state in response to a push operation of the push button. The switch is protected by using a sealing structure. The case includes: a first case member; a second case member fixed to the first case member; and an elastic member interposed between the first and second case members. The push button is connected to the center portion of the elastic member, and the switch housed in a housing chamber formed between the first case member and the elastic member is supported by the first case member such that the switching state is changed in response to bending of the elastic member which occurs with the push operation of the push button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Satou, Tomoki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9095053
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a switch device that includes an actuator guide coupled to the switch actuator plate. The perimeter wall of the guide is disposed within the back body member in a nesting arrangement such that the actuator guide is configured to slide within the back body member in a substantially linear motion between a non-switch actuating position and a switch actuating position. The perimeter wall forms a contaminant shield to substantially prevent dust external to the device from contaminating the plurality of guide portions. A transmission mechanism is coupled to the actuator guide and configured to convert the linear motion of the actuator guide into a rotational movement when the switch actuator plate is depressed. A mechanical switch mechanism is configured to move between a first switch state and a second switch state in response to the rotational movement of the transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Trolese, Richard Rohmer
  • Patent number: 9088283
    Abstract: A touch device includes a light guide having a plurality of light guiding blocks, a plurality of light-emitting modules, and a plurality of touch sensing modules. Each light guiding block includes an incident surface, an emissive surface, and a bottom surface. An isolating gap is disposed between any two adjacent light guiding blocks. Each light-emitting module is disposed adjacent to the incident surface of a corresponding light guiding block for emitting light that is guided thereto, and the light is guided out of the emissive surface thereof. Each touch sensing module is disposed on the bottom surface of the corresponding light guiding block. Any one of the plurality of touch sensing modules generates a driving signal to control a corresponding light-emitting module for emitting light when sensing a corresponding light guiding block is touched. Therefore, each light guiding block can emit light independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GAUNGZHOU) LIMITED, LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chao-Ming Wu, Chin-Kuan Lin
  • Publication number: 20150144473
    Abstract: A button structure is provided for installing to a casing of an electronic device having a button opening. The button structure is flexible and comprises an engaging portion, a button portion, a first alignment portion, a second alignment portion and a hollow sleeve. The engaging portion is disposed at a fixing end of the button structure. The button structure is connected to the inward side of the casing through the engaging portion. The button portion is disposed at a free end of the button structure for aligning with the button opening of the casing. The button portion has a light guiding portion for neighboring to a light emitting diode. The first alignment portion and the second alignment portion are mounted on a first protrusion portion and a second protrusion portion of the casing respectively. The hollow sleeve is disposed axially movably to the fixing sleeve of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: EVERDAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHIH-HSIUNG HSIEH
  • Patent number: 9041563
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing keycap includes applying a first coating layer on a surface of a keycap layer, applying a second coating layer on top of the first coating layer, etching at least a portion of the first coating layer to a first depth to form a first etched area, and etching at least a portion of the first etched area to a second depth to form a second etched area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Mahowald, Omar Sze Leung
  • Publication number: 20150129405
    Abstract: A click mechanism for a switch includes a button that is operable by a user, a click generation surface formed on the button or a body to which the button is coupled, an urging mechanism, and a pusher pushed against the click generation surface by the urging force of the urging mechanism and slidable on the click generation surface in response to operation of the button. The pusher is configured to apply tactile force to the button when sliding on the click generation surface. The click generation surface includes at least one groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Motoya TAKEUCHI
  • Patent number: 9029721
    Abstract: A control device includes an input mechanism having an actuation surface that is configurable by a user between at least two different surface topologies. In a first configuration, the surface topology may provide a first shape for receiving user input and in a second configuration provide a second shape for receiving user input. The actuation surface in one example includes the upper surface of an input pad having a plurality of input arms and the upper surface of a fill pad having a plurality of fill tabs. At least one of the input pad and the fill pad may be moved in a direction of an axis perpendicular to the face of the control device to change the distance between the upper surfaces. The actuation surface in one example is rotatable to cause translation of at least one of the pads in the direction of the perpendicular axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John Ikeda, Edward Owen, Peter Bristol, Ingrid Lin, Michael Vilhauer
  • Patent number: 9024217
    Abstract: A key structure of a keyboard includes an intermediate plate, a keycap, a scissors-type connecting member, and an elastic element. The intermediate plate includes a hollow portion and a position-limiting recess. The position-limiting recess is formed in a lower part of the intermediate plate and in communication with the hollow portion. A lower part of the scissors-type connecting member is accommodated within the position-limiting recess. An upper part of the scissors-type connecting member is engaged with the keycap. After the elastic element is fixed on the intermediate plate, the elastic element is penetrated through the scissors-type connecting member and contacted with the keycap. The intermediate plate, the keycap, the scissors-type connecting member and the elastic element are combined as a single key. After plural keys are fixed on a base plate, the keyboard is assembled. Consequently, the efficiency of assembling the keyboard is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Siong Khor
  • Patent number: 9024214
    Abstract: A narrow key switch for a low travel keyboard and methods of fabrication are described. The low-travel keyboard having narrow keys is suitable for a thin-profile computing device, such as a laptop computer, netbook computer, desktop computer, etc. The keyboard includes a key cap positioned over an elastomeric dome and a two-part scissor mechanism having two separate linkage structures on opposite sides of the dome. A link bar is also provided to transfer a load from a side of a key to the center if the key cap is depressed in an off-center manner. Transferring the load to the center helps to deform the elastomeric dome so that it can activate the switch circuitry of the membrane on printed circuit board underneath the dome. Separating the linkage structures into two separate parts allows for the use of a full-sized elastomeric dome for a narrow key switch. The full-sized dome provides the desired tactile feedback to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Niu, Harold J. Welch, Chad Bronstein, Patrick Kessler, Chris Ligtenberg
  • Patent number: 9013880
    Abstract: A frame module is adapted to be disposed in a housing of a computer for fixing first and second electronic devices. The computer includes a motherboard unit with a socket connector. The frame module includes a frame body having top and bottom surfaces adapted to be connected respectively to the first and electronic devices. An adaptor board includes a board body connected transversely to a rear edge of the frame body and having an edge connector adapted to be inserted into the socket connector, and first and second electrical connectors for electrical connection with the first and second electronic devices, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Aopen Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Chang Lai
  • Patent number: 9012795
    Abstract: A low travel keyboard and methods of fabrication are described. The low-travel keyboard is suitable for a thin-profile computing device, such as a laptop computer, netbook computer, desktop computer, etc. The keyboard includes a key cap positioned over stacked elastomeric and metal domes. The quick force drop of the metal dome provides the crisp “snappy” feel for the user and the elastomeric dome provides the ability for longer travel than the metal dome alone. The metal dome also activates the switch circuitry of the membrane on printed circuit board. The stacking of the elastomeric metal domes takes advantage of the abrupt force drop in the metal dome buckling and applies it to the elastomeric dome force, making it possible to design a low-travel key while still maintaining or improving the tactile feeling of the key switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Niu
  • Publication number: 20150096876
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a casing of a hazard detector includes a body portion and a button portion. The button portion is coupled with the body portion via a plurality of arms. The arms allow the button portion to be axially movable relative to the body portion and also couple the button portion with the body portion so that tabs that extend radially outward from the button portion are positioned under and contact an inwardly facing surface of the body portion. The arms bias the button portion axially outward relative to the body portion so as maintain contact between the tabs and the inwardly facing surface. In this configuration, when the button portion is pressed at a position off-axis from a central axis of the button portion, the button portion pivots about one or more contact points between one or more tabs and the inwardly facing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Mittleman, Mathias Schmidt, Fred Bould, Matthew L. Rogers, Anthony M. Fadell
  • Patent number: 8987621
    Abstract: A first operation member includes a first sidewall and a first engaged part. A second operation member includes a second sidewall and a second engaged part. A holding member includes a holding member main body, a first engagement part, a second engagement part, an elastically deformable part, a first limiting part, and a second limiting part. The elastically deformable part elastically deforms in a manner that the first engagement part is displaced in a direction away from the first limiting part until insertion of the first engaged part into between the first engagement part and the first limiting part is allowed, and elastically deforms in a manner that the second engagement part is displaced in a direction away from the second limiting part until insertion of the second engaged part into between the second engagement part and the second limiting part is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatomo Inoue
  • Patent number: 8981245
    Abstract: A switching subassembly includes a modular molded interconnect bracket and a switching device arranged on the modular molded interconnect bracket. The modular molded interconnect includes at least one electronic circuit trace arranged thereon configured to interconnect a portion of a flexible printed circuit board and to support a portion of the flexible printed circuit board. The switching device is configured to contact portions of the at least one electronic circuit trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Hung Dinh, Shayan Malek, Michael Benjamin Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 8981243
    Abstract: An input device configured to communicate with a computing device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, and a feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism. The support mechanism includes a first support and a second support. The first support and the second support are each connected to the at least one keycap and the feature plate. The first support and second support pivot to allow vertical movement of the keycap but lateral movement of the first support and second support are restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, John M. Brock, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8971156
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for controlling a time function or a non-time related function including at least two push-buttons (28A, 28B) each provided with a stem (30A, 30B) and a head (32A, 32B), said push-buttons (28A, 28B) being able to move axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which they control the function, characterized in that the stems (30A, 30B) of the two push-buttons (28A, 28b) extend side by side and parallel to each other. The invention also concerns a timepiece fitted with this control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Meco S.A.
    Inventor: Hakim El Kadiri
  • Patent number: 8970331
    Abstract: A keyswitch assembly includes a movable keycap having a space provided in a bottom of the keycap; a metal support plate having an opening, the metal including a cantilever bridge; a switch located under the opening of the metal support plate; a magnet disposed within the space of the keycap; wherein as the keycap is undepressed, the keycap is in an initial state and the keyswitch assembly is OFF, and the magnet draws in the cantilever bridge, and as the keycap is depressed downward, the magnet is forced to depart from the cantilever bridge and actuates the switch making the keyswitch assembly to turn ON. As the forced is released, the magnetic force between the cantilever bridge and the magnet forces the keycap to return its initial state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chao Lung Chang, JiHuang Chen, Chien-Shih Hsu
  • Patent number: 8963032
    Abstract: A button mechanism includes a casing, a frame, a fixing structure, a button and at least one resilient component. An opening is formed on the casing. The frame is installed inside the casing and located in a position corresponding to the opening. The fixing structure is disposed on the casing for fixing the frame. The button is installed inside the frame. The button includes a main body and an actuating portion connected to a side of the main body. The actuating portion passes through the hole on the frame as the main body is pressed down in a first direction, so as to actuate a switch. The resilient component is installed inside the frame, and two ends of the resilient component contact against an inner side of the frame and the main body respectively, so as to drive the button to move in a direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Yuan
  • Publication number: 20150041298
    Abstract: A switch comprising: a cover; a base; and a push button comprising: an elastic touch piece formed in a sidewall of a sliding part of the push button, wherein the push button is vertically and slidably installed in a space formed by assembling the cover to the base, wherein a free end of the elastic touch piece is configured to abut the base when the push button is pushed, and the free end is configured to abut the cover when the pushed push button is returned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhira Izawa, Mamiko Naka
  • Patent number: 8946575
    Abstract: A switch through hole 22 is formed in a front cabinet 5a, and a press switch 21 is located in the front cabinet 5a to correspond to the switch through hole 22. With a pressing element 25 inserted in a plate through hole 28a of a reinforcing plate 28, an outer periphery of a middle portion of the pressing element 25 in an axial direction and the plate through hole 28a are connected by a silicone rubber 27. A key top 26 is coupled to one end of the pressing element 25 in the axial direction so as to be exposed from the switch through hole 22, and a switch assembly 24 is fitted in the switch through hole 22. This structure increases durability of a push-button switch, while increasing ease of assembly of a push-button switch structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Genkei Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8946569
    Abstract: A multi-directional button assembly includes a first switch, a second switch, a support piece, a pressing slice, a center button body, and a directional button body. The first switch and the second switch respectively provide a first trigger point and a second trigger point to be pressed to generate a first trigger signal and a second trigger signal. The support piece is disposed above the first switch and includes an aperture corresponding to the first trigger point. The pressing slice extends from the support piece to a position above the second switch. The center button body includes an extension post and is pressed for driving the extension post to press the first trigger point via the aperture. The directional button body is disposed above the pressing slice and is pressed to bias the pressing slice to press the second trigger point without pressing the first trigger point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Chuan-Sheng Li
  • Publication number: 20150027869
    Abstract: A keyswitch with force feedback function includes a vibrating source, a switching circuit and a controller. The vibrating source is connected to a cap of the keyswitch. The switching circuit is switched on according to states of the keyswitch. The controller is electrically connected to the vibrating source and the switching circuit. When the switching circuit is switched on, the controller outputs a first driving signal to the vibrating source, and the vibrating source transmits a pressing vibration to the cap of the keyswitch. A period of the first driving signal is smaller than or equal to a predetermined period, a user can feel vibration of the keyswitch due to the pressing vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Shana Shiang-Fong Smith, Chien-Min Wu, Huang-Hsiao Kao, Chih-An Wang, Fei-Ya Chen
  • Publication number: 20150029645
    Abstract: A key button and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The key button includes an upper surface, a side surface formed at a certain height along a border of the upper surface, and at least two worked surfaces formed to have a certain slope in a boundary portion between the side surface and the upper surface, wherein at least one first worked surface and at least one second worked surface are formed such that a shortest distance between the upper surface and the side surface differs from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Byung-Sun KIM, Tae-Youl Kang, Cheol-Hee Kim
  • Publication number: 20150027868
    Abstract: A button is mounted to a housing of an electronic device, the button includes a pressing body and a sealed body. The pressing body is mounted to the housing. The sealed body is coupled to the pressing body, the sealed body defines a slot around an external peripheral wall and forms two opposite elastic walls, the two elastic walls resist to the pressing body and the housing, respectively. An electronic device and a button arrangement employing the button are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: YAN-LING GAO
  • Publication number: 20150014137
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a first T-shaped structure defined via a first leg and a first platform. The device further includes a key cap with an interior open chamber. The cap is mounted onto the first structure such that the chamber contains the first platform. The device also includes a second T-shaped structure defined via a second leg and a second platform. The first leg vertically moves within the second leg such that the cap travels between a depressed position and a pressed position. The cap is raised above the second platform in the depressed position. The cap is in contact with the second platform in the pressed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: William Bonnstauffer
  • Patent number: 8933905
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds is provided. When the button is depressed to a first depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from a low-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button is depressed to a second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sense the touch context and input can be generated based on the depression and the touch context. In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touch sensor to a sensing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Louis W. Bokma, Joseph R. Fisher, Jr., Saket Vora
  • Patent number: 8933355
    Abstract: A switch triggering device of an electronic device is provided. By the switch triggering device, a switch on a top surface of a circuit board can be controlled from a bottom side of the electronic device. The switch triggering device includes a first linkage element, a second linkage element and a third linkage element, which are arranged between an upper cover and a base of the electronic device. The second linkage element is pivotally coupled to the upper cover. The two ends of the second linkage element are pivotally coupled to the first linkage element and the third linkage element, respectively. When the first linkage element is pressed from the base and moved toward the upper cover, the second linkage element is rotated relative to the upper cover. Consequently, the third linkage element is correspondingly moved toward the switch so as to trigger the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Chieh Lan, Ying-Che Tseng
  • Publication number: 20150001057
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive push-button includes a button, a capacitor arranged on a top side of the button, a circuit board arranged on a bottom side of the button, and a switch arranged between the button and circuit board. The switch and the capacitor are electrically coupled to each other in parallel. The switch changes from an electrical OFF state to an electrical ON state when the button is pressed, thereby causing the capacitor to be short-circuited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: JUN-WEI ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20140374229
    Abstract: There are provided a button section; a contact-type switch that is provided in each of a plurality of directions; a button contact area that is provided on the back surface of the button section and that is brought into contact with the switch; a cover section that covers the periphery of the button section; and a flange section that is provided on the outer periphery of the button section and that is in contact with the cover section so as to restrict the button section from being ejected from inside a chassis, wherein the flange section includes cutouts at positions that are opposed to each other with the switch and the center position of the button section interposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Naoyuki ISHIKAWA, Tetsuya FUJIOKA, Hideo KANAI, Akihisa MIKAWA, Masamichi YAMADA, Yasunari MIKUTSU, Satoshi TSUCHIYA
  • Patent number: 8917514
    Abstract: A frame module is adapted to be disposed in a housing of a computer for fixing first and second electronic devices. The computer includes a motherboard unit with a socket connector. The frame module includes a frame body having top and bottom surfaces adapted to be connected respectively to the first and electronic devices. An adaptor board includes a board body connected transversely to a rear edge of the frame body and having an edge connector adapted to be inserted into the socket connector, and first and second electrical connectors for electrical connection with the first and second electronic devices, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Aopen Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Chang Lai