Patents by Inventor Masahiro Kitamura
Masahiro Kitamura 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).
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Patent number: 10969831Abstract: A keyboard device is provided with a base plate configured by arranging a plurality of plate members, a plurality of keytops vertically movably supported on the upper surface side of the base plate, a frame attached to the upper surface side of the base plate and having a plurality of hole portions into which the keytops are vertically movably inserted, and a fastening tool provided at a position overlapping with a plate boundary portion formed between the facing end surfaces of the plate members adjacent to each other and simultaneously fastening the adjacent plate members to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Satoshi Douzono, Kazumi Nakaju, Takanori Koike
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Publication number: 20210043787Abstract: A photovoltaic cell module in which a difference in color between a photovoltaic cell and the other portion is made to disappear and the changes of the color and appearance of its surface depending upon a viewing angle is hardly visually recognized, while suppressing the reduction of the power generation amount of the photovoltaic cell. The present photovoltaic cell module includes a thin plate-like photovoltaic cell enclosed in transparent sealing material; a transparent face plate laminated on the surface of the sealing material on the light receiving surface side of the photovoltaic cell; and a decorative layer laminated on the face plate, where a transparent resin is employed as base material of the decorative layer and light transmissive scaly glitter pigment is dispersed in the decorative layer such that the surface direction of the pigment is along the face plate surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Paint Automotive Coatings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuki Kudo, Taizo Masuda, Masahiro Kitamura, Takakazu Hase
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Patent number: 10903027Abstract: A keyboard device is provided with a base plate, a plurality of key tops, a membrane sheet, and a frame. The frame has a frame portion interposed between the key tops adjacent to each other and partitions each key top in a vertically movable state by the formation of a gap between the side surface of the frame portion and the side surface of the key top. The base plate has a notch portion at a position at least overlapping with a portion under the gap.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Satoshi Douzono, Kazumi Nakaju, Takanori Koike
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Publication number: 20200388450Abstract: A keyboard device is provided with a base plate, a plurality of key tops, a membrane sheet, and a frame. The frame has a frame portion interposed between the key tops adjacent to each other and partitions each key top in a vertically movable state by the formation of a gap between the side surface of the frame portion and the side surface of the key top. The base plate has a notch portion at a position at least overlapping with a portion under the gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Satoshi Douzono, Kazumi Nakaju, Takanori Koike
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Publication number: 20200387198Abstract: A keyboard device is provided with a base plate configured by arranging a plurality of plate members, a plurality of keytops vertically movably supported on the upper surface side of the base plate, a frame attached to the upper surface side of the base plate and having a plurality of hole portions into which the keytops are vertically movably inserted, and a fastening tool provided at a position overlapping with a plate boundary portion formed between the facing end surfaces of the plate members adjacent to each other and simultaneously fastening the adjacent plate members to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2019Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Satoshi Douzono, Kazumi Nakaju, Takanori Koike
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Patent number: 10832879Abstract: An input device includes a base plate and a push button rotatably provided on a top surface of the base plate. The base plate has a bearing part protruding from the top surface. The push button has an operation surface part receiving a push down operation and a positioning part rotatably supported by the bearing part. The positioning part positions the push button in the plate thickness direction of the bearing part by an abutting part abutting on a first face of the bearing part and a pushing part resiliently biased toward and pushing a second face of the bearing part.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Satoshi Douzono, Takanori Koike, Kazumi Nakaju
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Patent number: 10828823Abstract: The present disclosure is to provide a laminated film for decorating a three-dimensional molded product by vacuum forming which has a crack and strain-free uneven design on the clear coating film layer being an outermost layer at the time of use and provide a good design property to a molded product. A laminated film for decorating a three-dimensional molded product by vacuum forming, having a base material film layer (A), a clear coating film layer (B), and a design layer (C), wherein at least one face of the base material film layer (A) bordering the clear coating film layer (B) has an uneven design.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: NIPPON PAINT AUTOMOTIVE COATINGS CO., LTD.Inventors: Takakazu Hase, Masahiro Kitamura
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Publication number: 20200343056Abstract: Apparatuses and systems that include a keyboard baseplate including a concave structure with a logic substrate housed therein are disclosed. One apparatus includes a keyboard baseplate including a concave structure formed thereon and a lower surface having a side. The apparatus further includes a logic substrate provided on the side of the lower surface of the baseplate and housed within the concave structure. The logic substrate is configured to receive an analog signal generated by a sensor and convert the analog signal to a digital signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Satoshi Douzono, Takanori Koike, Kazumi Nakaju
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Patent number: 10782743Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTDInventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Satoshi Douzono
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Patent number: 10748721Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 4, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi
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Publication number: 20200225769Abstract: An electronic apparatus is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a keyboard having a support plate, a set of keytops configured to be supported on an upper face side of the support plate to be vertically movable, a pointing stick configured to be installed on the upper face side of the support plate and to be surrounded by the set of keytops, a bracket member installed on the lower face side of the support plate and to support the pointing stick, and a screw, which is located in a space between the set of keytops, secures the bracket member to the support plate, in which a head or a tip of the screw projects more upward than the upper face of the support plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Satoshi Douzono, Kazutoshi Sugisawa
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Patent number: 10679803Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 4, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTDInventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Satoshi Douzono
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Patent number: 10596796Abstract: The present disclosure is aimed at providing a laminated film for decorating a three-dimensional molded product with which problems on a split, white turbidity and the like in the laminated film for decorating a three-dimensional molded product having a metallic tone design layer can be improved and an outer film having excellent characteristics with regard to scratch resistance, hardness, chemical resistance, and the like on the surface of the film after decorating can be formed. A laminated film for decorating a three-dimensional molded product, having an adhesion layer (A), a metallic tone design layer (B) constituted of a coating film layer (B-1) containing vapor-deposited aluminum or a vapor-deposited metal layer (B-2) composed of indium or tin, a clear coating film layer (C) composed of an energy ray-curable coating film, and a base material film layer (D).Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: NIPPON PAINT AUTOMOTIVE COATINGS CO., LTD.Inventors: Takakazu Hase, Masahiro Kitamura
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Patent number: 10600589Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTDInventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi
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Patent number: 10593490Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 4, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTDInventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Satoshi Douzono
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Publication number: 20190326080Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Satoshi Douzono
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Publication number: 20190311867Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 4, 2018Publication date: October 10, 2019Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.Inventors: MASAHIRO KITAMURA, MITSUO HORIUCHI
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Publication number: 20190304718Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi
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Publication number: 20190302852Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Satoshi Douzono
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Patent number: 10429900Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Satoshi Douzono