Abstract: A keyboard includes multiple key tops that are arranged adjacent to each other, a panel member including a crosspiece part formed between the multiple key-tops, and a cover part that covers a space between the plurality of key tops and the panel member.

Abstract: Provided is a key switch that enables sufficiently enhancement of the rigidity of a key top. A key switch includes a support plate; a key top disposed on the support plate; a link configured to link the key top with the support plate; a switch; a first arm disposed on a back surface of the key top between the link and a first short-side end of the key top, and extending in a long-side direction of the key top; a second arm disposed on the back surface of the key top between the link and a second short-side end of the key top, and extending in the long-side direction of the key top; and a reinforcement plate mounted on the key top. The reinforcement plate comprises a short-side part extending in the short-side direction of the key top between the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: A key switch device including a key top; a pair of link members connected to the key top and interlocked with each other to guide a vertical motion of the key top; a switch mechanism including a membrane sheet switch capable of opening and closing a contact section of an electrical circuit in accordance with the vertical motion of the key top; a flexible thin film sheet attached to the membrane sheet switch; and a housing attached to the thin film sheet, the housing adapted to connect the link members to the thin film sheet.

Abstract: A push button-type switch device includes a pair of fixed contacts, an operable member to be pushed, an actuating member elastically deformable upon the operable member being pushed, a movable contact which short-circuits the pair of fixed contacts due to elastic deformation of the actuating member, and a limiting part arranged to limit a direction in which the operable member moves and making the operable member move in a fixed orientation. The limiting part includes a pair of link members that engage with each other, one ends of the link members rotatably supported by the base portion, and the other ends thereof slidably supported by the operable member. This produces a good click irrespective of a position where the operable member is operated.

Abstract: A key switch device includes a key top; a link member that guides an elevating operation of the key top while being interlocking with the key top, the link member including a rotatable shaft and a sliding shaft that is connected to the key top; a membrane sheet that includes a contact that opens and closes in accordance with the elevating operation of the key top; a back plate; a housing that holds the rotatable shaft of the link member to the back plate; and a pushing unit that pushes the link member such that the sliding shaft moves away from the back plate.

Abstract: The keyboard includes a rubber sheet fixed on key tops of a set of key-switch devices. The rubber sheet elastically urges the key tops upward so that they are borne away from the base of the key-switch devices. The rubber sheet is arranged so as to cover the key-switch devices from outside. According to the invention, the cost of a keyboard covered with a dustproof and watertight rubber sheet can be reduced.

Abstract: A key switch including a base section, a key top, a pair of link members and a switching mechanism. Each link member is provided, at one end region thereof, with a toothed portion meshable with a toothed portion of another link member in a gearing manner and a pivot axle pivotably joined to the base section, and at another end region, with a slide portion slidably engaged with the key top. The base section includes a support plate and a frame member, the frame member being fixedly attached to the upper surface of the support plate. The frame member is provided with a bearing portion pivotably receiving and supporting the pivot axle of each link member. The first end region of each link member is disposed on a lateral side of the frame member and closely to the upper surface of the support plate.

Abstract: A push button-type switch device includes a pair of fixed contacts, an operable member to be pushed, an actuating member elastically deformable upon the operable member being pushed, a movable contact which short-circuits the pair of fixed contacts due to elastic deformation of the actuating member, and a limiting part arranged to limit a direction in which the operable member moves and making the operable member move in a fixed orientation. The limiting part includes a pair of link members that engage with each other, one ends of the link members rotatably supported by the base portion, and the other ends thereof slidably supported by the operable member. This produces a good click irrespective of a position where the operable member is operated.

Abstract: A key switch device including a key top; a pair of link members connected to the key top and interlocked with each other to guide a vertical motion of the key top; a switch mechanism including a membrane sheet switch capable of opening and closing a contact section of an electrical circuit in accordance with the vertical motion of the key top; a flexible thin film sheet attached to the membrane sheet switch; and a housing attached to the thin film sheet, the housing adapted to connect the link members to the thin film sheet.

Abstract: A key switch unit includes a keycap elongated in a lengthwise direction; a switch mechanism; a supporting plate supporting the switch mechanism; and a key reinforcement mechanism engaging the keycap on its lower side for reinforcement. The key reinforcement mechanism includes a first wire member having a beam part extending over substantially an overall dimension of the keycap in the lengthwise direction; a second wire member having a beam part extending in the lengthwise direction between a region contacting the switch mechanism and a first lengthwise end of the keycap; and a third wire member having a beam part extending in the lengthwise direction between the region and a second lengthwise end of the keycap. The beam parts engage the keycap on its lower side. The first, second, and third wire members have respective end parts turnably supported on the supporting plate.

Abstract: A key switch unit includes a keycap elongated in a lengthwise direction; a switch mechanism; a supporting plate supporting the switch mechanism; and a key reinforcement mechanism engaging the keycap on its lower side for reinforcement. The key reinforcement mechanism includes a first wire member having a beam part extending over substantially an overall dimension of the keycap in the lengthwise direction; a second wire member having a beam part extending in the lengthwise direction between a region contacting the switch mechanism and a first lengthwise end of the keycap; and a third wire member having a beam part extending in the lengthwise direction between the region and a second lengthwise end of the keycap. The beam parts engage the keycap on its lower side. The first, second, and third wire members have respective end parts turnably supported on the supporting plate.

Abstract: A key switch including a base section, a key top, a pair of link members and a switching mechanism. Each link member is provided, at one end region thereof, with a toothed portion meshable with a toothed portion of another link member in a gearing manner and a pivot axle pivotably joined to the base section, and at another end region, with a slide portion slidably engaged with the key top. The base section includes a support plate and a frame member, the frame member being fixedly attached to the upper surface of the support plate. The frame member is provided with a bearing portion pivotably receiving and supporting the pivot axle of each link member. The first end region of each link member is disposed on a lateral side of the frame member and closely to the upper surface of the support plate.

Abstract: The keyboard includes a rubber sheet fixed on key tops of a set of key-switch devices. The rubber sheet elastically urges the key tops upward so that they are borne away from the base of the key-switch devices. The rubber sheet is arranged so as to cover the key-switch devices from outside. According to the invention, the cost of a keyboard covered with a dustproof and watertight rubber sheet can be reduced.

Abstract: An input device having an extendible body or housing suitable for a hand-held operation. The input device includes a housing assembly including a palm-rest section and a base section opposite to the palm-rest section, a switch mechanism accommodated in the housing assembly and including an operating section arranged adjacent to the palm-rest section, and a motion detecting mechanism accommodated in the housing assembly and including a detecting section arranged adjacent to the base section. The housing assembly includes a plurality of cover members configured by dividing the palm-rest section and the base section into plural parts while keeping a condition where the palm-rest section and the base section are integrally associated with each other. The housing assembly also includes an inner casing at least partially enclosed within the plurality of cover members, and a link arrangement for linking the plurality of cover members with the inner casing.

Abstract: A pointing device including a base part, an operating part supported on the base part in a rockable manner about a fulcrum, a magnet carried on the operating part, a magneto-electro transducer carried on the base part, and an elastic member arranged between the base part and the operating part to elastically push the operating part toward an initial balanced position on the base part. The elastic member is formed as a plate spring provided with a first section engageable with the base part and a second section engageable with the operating part. The second section is integrally joined to the first section and located to extend around the fulcrum. The first section of the plate spring extends annularly around the fulcrum and is fixedly supported on the base part, and the second section extends arcuately along the first section to exert a spring action.

Abstract: A wireless mouse unit has a wireless mouse generating signals for moving a cursor across a display screen, a rechargeable secondary battery cell built into the wireless mouse, and a receiver for receiving the signals transmitted from the wireless mouse, the receiver electrically connected to and powered by a computer via a cable. The receiver includes a charging terminal for recharging the rechargeable battery when the wireless mouse is placed in the receiver, eliminating the need for a special charger to recharge the rechargeable secondary battery cell built into the wireless mouse.

Abstract: A mouse for a computer has a small touch panel to realize improved functions. The mouse (40) has a lower case (41) and an upper case (42) that covers an upper part of the lower case. A front part of the upper case has an integrated support. The touch panel is installed on the support, and a key top (43) is fitted to the upper case to fix the touch panel. An instruction is generated according to a finger touching period or the movement of a finger on the touch panel, and the instruction is transmitted to the computer, to thereby realize the improved functions. The touch panel may be divided into sections, and some of the sections may be used as switches, to thereby eliminate click switches from the mouse.

Abstract: An input device having an extendible body or housing suitable for a hand-held operation. The input device includes a housing assembly including a palm-rest section and a base section opposite to the palm-rest section, a switch mechanism accommodated in the housing assembly and including an operating section arranged adjacent to the palm-rest section, and a motion detecting mechanism accommodated in the housing assembly and including a detecting section arranged adjacent to the base section. The housing assembly includes a plurality of cover members configured by dividing the palm-rest section and the base section into plural parts while keeping a condition where the palm-rest section and the base section are integrally associated with each other. The housing assembly also includes an inner casing at least partially enclosed within the plurality of cover members, and a link arrangement for linking the plurality of cover members with the inner casing.

Abstract: A wireless mouse unit has a wireless mouse generating signals for moving a cursor across a display screen, a rechargeable secondary battery cell built into the wireless mouse, and a receiver for receiving the signals transmitted from the wireless mouse, the receiver electrically connected to and powered by a computer via a cable. The receiver includes a charging terminal for recharging the rechargeable battery when the wireless mouse is placed in the receiver, eliminating the need for a special charger to recharge the rechargeable secondary battery cell built into the wireless mouse.

Abstract: A mouse for a computer has a small touch panel to realize improved functions. The mouse (40) has a lower case (41) and an upper case (42) that covers an upper part of the lower case. A front part of the upper case has an integrated support. The touch panel is installed on the support, and a key top (43) is fitted to the upper case to fix the touch panel. An instruction is generated according to a finger touching period or the movement of a finger on the touch panel, and the instruction is transmitted to the computer, to thereby realize the improved functions. The touch panel may be divided into sections, and some of the sections may be used as switches, to thereby eliminate click switches from the mouse.