Abstract: A key mechanism is used in an electronic device. The electronic device includes a housing defining an opening. The key mechanism includes: a plate, at least one latching portion positioned on a first side of the plate; at least one post positioned on a first side of the plate; and a protrusion extending from a second side opposite to the first side. The protrusion extends from the opening, the latching portion and the plate resist the housing. The present disclosure further discloses an electronic device using the key mechanism.

Abstract: A button mechanism for effecting user inputs to an electronic device. The button mechanism includes a frame top that has a rigid frame portion; and flexible frame portion. The button mechanism further includes a device body that is oriented substantially parallel to the frame top and a button assembly that is situated between the device body and the frame top. The button assembly includes a contact portion that is operable to provide an electronic signal to control circuitry for the electronic device. The button assembly is affixed to an upper portion of the device body. The mechanism further includes a switch attached to the button assembly on the contact portion and a spring portion having a stepwise shape. The spring portion has an upper horizontal step portion and a lower horizontal step portion. The lower horizontal step portion of the spring is affixed to the button assembly.

Abstract: An operating key part (60) includes hinge keys (11), protrusions (12), stoppers (13), a frame (20), and hinges (21), which are molded integrally out of thermoplastic resin. The frame (20) takes the form of a grid or lattice. Each of the hinge keys (11) is positioned in one box of the frame (20) and supported as floating through hinges (21) by the frame (20). The frame (20) has four protrusions (22) protruding from the corners of its front side. When the operating key part (60) is fitted to a main apparatus, the front ends of the frame protrusions (22) are positioned at a predetermined distance in a direction Y2 from the position to which the front sides of the hinge keys (11) have moved farthest in this direction.

Abstract: A button structure assembled in a button area below a touchpad. The button structure includes a circuit board and a button frame. The circuit board has a first switch and a second switch corresponding to the button area. The button frame has a left side button portion, a right side button portion, and a contacting elastic portion, wherein the left side button portion is corresponding to the first switch, the right side button portion is corresponding to the second switch, and the contacting elastic portion is contacted against the circuit board and between the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: A key button structure includes a button body, a fixing member and a housing. The housing comprises a first housing and a second housing placed in the first housing. The first housing and the second housing together define an accommodating space. The first housing has a window defined therethrough communicating with the accommodating space. The fixing member and the button body are integrally and detachably assembled within the accommodating space of the housing. The button body is exposed through the window.

Abstract: The present invention provides a key switch with an exhaust structure, which includes a keycap having a top surface and an inner surface with a cavity and an elastic member. The elastic member includes a protrusion and an elastic body. The protrusion is coupled with the inner surface of the keycap. A gas channel is formed between the cavity of the keycap and the protrusion of the elastic member. When an external force is applied to the top surface of the keycap to compress the elastic body, the gas within the elastic member can be exhausted through the gas channel of the elastic member.

Abstract: An electrical device having a reserve battery activation system for efficiently activating an electrical device via a low mechanical force. The electrical device having a reserve battery activation system generally includes a housing, such as flashlight housing, FM radio housing, MP3 player housing, etc., a first actuator connected to the housing, wherein the first actuator is at least partially external to the housing, a linkage operatively connected to the first actuator, a second actuator operatively connected to the linkage opposite the first actuator, wherein the second actuator is internal to the housing and at least one reserve battery for powering at least a part of the electrical device, wherein the at least one reserve battery is internal to the housing. The reserve battery is operatively connected to the second actuator for being activated via the second actuator via applying a low mechanical force to the first actuator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent key which facilitates position control of a marking portion in the direction of thickness of a key. The transparent key has a transparent key body, a color layer which is formed at a bottom surface of the key body, and is visible through the key body at a time of non-illumination, a first area, and a transparent second area covering the first area from a top surface side. Laser marking is performed more easier for the first area than for the second area.

Abstract: An illumination button applied to an illumination switch assembly is provided. The illumination button includes a light guide body and a button cap. The light guide body is disposed in the button cap to press a switch element with a pressing bump and to receive light from a light source with a light receiving structure. The light received by the light receiving structure is guided by the light guide body to leave a top surface of the button cap through a light exiting structure. Two connecting members are disposed on an edge the button cap, wherein the two connecting members provided to be clamped by clamping members disposed on an inner surface of a housing, so as to hold the button cap in a button hole of the housing. Therefore, the button cap is able to be installed to the housing quickly with out using a tool.

Abstract: The invention proposes an electrical switch (10) comprising: a horizontal bottom plate (12), the horizontal top face (12s) of which supports at least two electrical contacts (16); a contactor (14) which is placed on the top face (12s) of the bottom plate (12) and which can be elastically deformed to electrically link the two electrical contacts (16); a pushbutton (24) which is positioned vertically above the contactor (14) and which can be manually displaced downward to provoke the elastic deformation of the contactor (14); and an elastic film (32) which consists of a elastic film protecting the contactor (14) which covers the contactor (14) and the pushbutton (24), which is fixed to the top face (12s) of the plate (12), so as to secure the contactor (14) vertically on the plate (12), characterized in that the pushbutton (24) is secured on the top portion (14s) of the contactor (14), and in that the elastic film (32) is secured on the top portion (14s) of the contactor (14) and secured on the top section (

Abstract: A platform of the type holding a plurality of normally-open electric switches in position for activation of a selected individual switch by application of a force in a direction normal to a surface of the switch by a portion of a human body. An exemplary platform according to the invention forms a dance platform on which a user steps to activate switches in accordance with instructions viewed on a video display device. A joining structure may by used to hold two platforms in a side-by-side competition arrangement. A security vault may be affixed to structure associated with platform to resist theft of a commercially available game controller adapted to operate the video display and to receive switch input from a platform. Certain aspects of the invention include one or more, typically inert, practice platforms structured to represent the user interface surface of an activatable platform. A method for using a system of active and inert platforms is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device may include a housing, a button and a member coupled to the button. The device may also include a power source configured to supply power to the member. When power is supplied to the member, the member is configured to exert a force on the button to cause movement of the button such that an upper surface of the button protrudes above an upper surface of the housing.

Abstract: A switch mechanism has improved switch button durability and operational feeling. Constitution and assembly are simplified. A switch mechanism includes a wiring board having first and second electrodes; a switch button; a conductor arranged at a position that corresponds to the first and second electrodes; and a supporting plate, arranged such that the conductor is disposed between the wiring board and the supporting plate and provided with a protruding section at a position that corresponds to the switch button. When the switch button is not depressed, the conductor contacts only the second electrode without contacting the first electrode. When the switch button is depressed, the conductor contacts the first electrode by being supported by the protruding section, the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected by the conductor, and the protruding section is displaced in a direction the switch button is depressed, with depressing of the switch button.

Abstract: A latch-free button structure and its design method that can be applied to most electronic devices. The button includes a body, a wing plate, a positioning plate and a contact rod. The top end of the wing plate joins with the side edges of the button body and the positioning plate joins with the lower end of the wing plate. The contact rod is attached to the bottom section of the button body. If the height from the bottom of the contact rod to the contact point on the circuit board is B; the height from the bottom section of the button body to the surface of the housing is C; the height of the wing plate is A; the height of the sidewall of the button cover close to the button body is D and the height from the uppermost section of the button body to the top end of the wing plate is E, the value of A, B, C, D and E must follow the inequality relationships E?B>D, E?D>A, and D>A?C?B.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a metal keypad panel with a micropore array, a metal laminate is prepared and etched to form micropores on the metal laminate, and a filling is coated on a surface of the metal laminate and permeated into the micropores. After the metal laminate is punched to form a metal keypad panel in a predetermined shape, the metal keypad panel is put into a mold. After a plastic material is injected into the mold, a pattern layer is formed on a side of the metal keypad panel, and then a backlight module is attached onto another side of the metal keypad panel. The backlight module has patterns, and the shape of the patterns is formed by arranging light guide microstructures. Finally, an electric signal module is attached onto a side of the backlight module to complete manufacturing the metal keypad panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for key actuation of an electronic device comprising a linear bearing configured for transmitting user actuation, and a complementary guide portion, wherein the linear bearing and the guide portion are arranged to allow the linear bearing to move reciprocally relative to the guide portion for key activation, and wherein both the linear bearing and the guide portion comprise a material with a hardness substantially between 6 Mohrs and 10 Mohrs.

Abstract: A pushbutton for an electronic device includes a pushbutton cap, a pushbutton base, and an adhesive member. The pushbutton cap has a flange extending from an edge thereof. The pushbutton base engages with the flange of the pushbutton cap, thus enveloping the adhesive member between the pushbutton cap and the pushbutton base.

Abstract: To obtain a member for a push button switch having a natural metallic impression and an upscale impression; enabling a precise arrangement of the push buttons; being capable of being made thinner; and being difficult to get stained, there is provided a member for a push button switch having a configuration in which a gap between adjacent metal push buttons is filled with a transparent organic polymer material, the transparent organic polymer material including a transparent resin sheet extending from an interior surface of the gap to a ceiling surface side of the push button, and a transparent rubber-like elastic material disposed inside the transparent resin sheet.

Abstract: A keyswitch includes a keyswitch member and a base. The keyswitch member includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The base includes a sliding portion and a fixing portion. The sliding portion is for adjusting a height of the keyswitch member. The sliding portion includes a step portion and a protrusion portion. The first connecting portion is movably disposed in the step portion. The step portion includes a flat structure and a reversed L-shaped structure. The protrusion portion is adjacent to the step portion. The protrusion portion restrains the first connecting portion from moving. The fixing portion is disposed on the base relative to the sliding portion. A hole is formed on the fixing portion. The second connecting portion is pivotally connected to the fixing portion via the hole.

Abstract: A key switch structure used in an input device is disclosed to include a circuit module, a key cap supported on a vertically compressible and elastically deformable hollow actuation member of a rubber membrane of the circuit board, a positioning board fastened to the circuit module, and two links arranged in a crossed manner and coupled between coupling portions of the positioning and the key cap to guide vertical movement of the key cap by means of a scissor action when the key cap is pressed by a user to compress the vertically compressible and elastically deformable hollow actuation member in triggering a circuit module to produce a control signal.

Abstract: A switch system for use with a printed circuit board is provided. The switch system includes: a switch base; an anti-overstress member or feature formed in the switch base; a plurality of retention legs formed in the base for retaining a printed circuit board, wherein a first via is in electrical communication with one of the plurality of retention legs; a spring-loaded contact formed in the base for contacting the anti-overstress feature, and wherein a second via is in electrical communication with the spring-loaded contact. A printed circuit board may be mounted in and attached to the plurality of retention legs.

Abstract: A key unit includes a reinforcing plate having a support frame for surrounding and supporting key groups arrayed on a key-operating surface of the key unit. The support frame is formed at least by processing the outer edge of the reinforcing plate, and the key unit is installable to a mobile device directly from an outside of a casing of the mobile device through the support frame, for example, by fitting the support frame into an opening provided on the casing of the mobile device into which the key unit should be incorporated. For a decoration to the support frame or an exposed part of the reinforcing plate, there are used printing, painting, or various film-forming methods with a metal or a nonmetal.

Abstract: When the assembly is complete, the protrusion 2e of the leaf spring 2b abuts against the bottom wall surface 3g which is an inner bottom surface of the cover member 3 and the leaf spring 2b is bent. Since the protrusion is pushed against the cover member 3, the leaf spring 2b generates force of repulsion which pushes the frame member 2f toward the opposite direction of the cover member 3. In addition, since the leaf springs 2b are aligned straightly between three bosses 3b, the leaf spring 2b pushes the push button 2 toward the switch board 1 almost in parallel. In other words, if the push button 2 is held in the cover member 3, without further components, the push button 2 is pushed against the switch board 1 and there will not be a possibility of a wobble.

Abstract: A switch mechanism includes a frame, an electrical switch on the frame, a lever extending from the frame alongside the switch and including an activation portion whereupon deflection of the lever, the activation portion bears upon the switch so as to activate the switch A force-transfer device associated with the frame moves upon user-activation to deflect the lever. Furthermore, the present switch mechanism is not limited in its application to ON-OFF switches as it could be equally applied to other function switches of low-profile devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a manipulating apparatus (mobile terminal) including a chassis provided with a manipulating portion (directional manipulating portion) with which an input manipulation is carried out. The manipulating portion includes: a key top exposed to an outside of the chassis through an opening portion, which the chassis has, and a key main body having a base portion on which the key top is formed within the chassis; a circuit board in which a detecting portion (switches) is disposed in a position corresponding to the key top,; and a flat plate-shaped elastic body (elastic body) interposed between the key main body and the detecting portion; in which the elastic body is provided integrally with the base portion.

Abstract: A key for electronic device includes a support body and an operating body. The support body forms a plurality of connecting pins. The support body and the operating body are integrally formed. The operating body defines a plurality of grooves in the side surface adjacent to the support body. The grooves are configured for receiving a plurality of knockout pins of a multi-shot mold in a multi-shot molding process.

Abstract: An operation portion and a switch portion of a push button switch are removably coupled. The switch portion includes a contact opening mechanism having a rotatably supported lever and a spring. The lever has one end acting on a part of the operation portion coupled with the switch portion, and the other end acting on a contact switching mechanism of the switching contact unit in the switch portion to open/close the contacts. The spring urges the lever in a fixed rotation direction. The contact switching mechanism is urged to move a movable contact from a standby state position toward an operating state position by the contact opening mechanism when the switch portion is separated from the operation portion. The contact switching mechanism is released from the urging when the switch portion is coupled with the operation portion.

Abstract: A push button assembly comprises a button (1) with an actuating structure (5) movably mounted within a housing (2) for operation of a switch (20). The housing (2) provides a frame (18) comprising side wall structures (16), with a flange structure (15) mounted at a top open end thereof, The axial length of the housing (2) is shorter than the horizontal length of the side wall structures (16), resulting in a short push button assembly. The button (1) is illuminable via a lamp (25) which is provided on a carrier strip (22), the switch (20) being mounted on a body (19), both of which can be removably mounted substantially within the confines of the housing (2), with respective connection terminals (23, 21) projecting outward thereof, the assembly therefore occupying minimal space behind a panel when mounted on such a panel of an amusement or gaming machine where space may be restricted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a push-button (5) having a housing (10), with which there are associated at least a first actuation member (6) which triggers a haptic control signal and one or more permanent magnet(s) (3) which can be guided past at least a second actuation member (2) which triggers a switching operation. There is associated with the first actuation member (6), which triggers a haptic response, a control element having a first progressive or degressive control face portion (6.1) and at least a second adjoining control face portion (6.2) which behaves in an inverse manner and along which the actuation member is guided.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing and a key module. The housing defines a plurality of openings. The key module is mounted on the housing, comprises a plurality of keys and an elastic arm. The keys are received in the plurality of openings respectively and are connected with the elastic arm, and the elastic arm is fixed in the housing. The key module can be easily mounted in the housing, thus to reduce the mounting cost.

Abstract: A push switch, including a keytop, a keytop returning coil spring, which urges the keytop upwardly, a slider which is press-operated via the keytop, a slider returning coil spring, which urges the slider upwardly, and switch contacts which are contacted with and separated from each other in accordance with the operating position of the slider. The slider returning coil spring is placed at a position deviated from the axis of the keytop. A push switch which is small in size, produces less tilting or rattling even when a large keytop is attached, and which generates an excellent operation feeling is provided.

Abstract: A hybrid button according to the invention is provided. In one embodiment, the button can be implemented in an electronic device such as a media player. The button can include a metal or other non-plastic portion having a reverse flange and a plastic portion including anti-rotation legs. The legs can prevent rotation at least in part because they are retained by another structure. The plastic portion can be injection-molded onto the reverse flange of the metal or non-plastic portion. As such, the reverse flange fixes the position of the plastic portion with respect to the metal portion. Finally, the metal portion can include an actuator nub that actuates a switch when the button is depressed.

Abstract: Upward urging force by operation force of a tact switch and restoring force of a rubber body are applied to an operation body via a pressing body. Then, pressing operation of a push button section causes the operation body to press down the rear ends of left and right sections of the pressing body. This follows that, with both contact sections in contact with a step section functioning as the support points, an operation section on the front end of the pressing body is pressed up to turn on the tact switch. In this process, when the push button section is pressed, the center of rotation of the operation body is changed depending on which portion of the push button section is pressed, causing the distance between a pressed portion of the operation body and the center of the rotation are almost equal independent of which portion is pressed. As a result, the load to operate the push button section is substantially equalized independent of which portion of the operation body is pressed.

Abstract: Portable phones are getting a trend that s design and thinner configuration becomes more important. Therefore, in order to meet this demand, the entire key top is made of a thin metal, and a thin resin layer is provided on the back surface of the key top and further letter holes are filled with a resin. According to those, the adhesiveness of the key top is improved as well as improvement of hand feeling. In addition, a printed layer for coloring the letters can be provided on the back surface of the key top.

Abstract: A switch device has a slider that advances and retreats in a front-back direction, a push button that is integrally provided at a front end of the slider, a switch contact whose on and off states are switched according to an operation for pushing down the push button to cause the slider to retreat, a biasing member that biases the slider in an advancing direction in order to return the push button and the slider to a non-manipulated position, a case in which the switch contact, the biasing member, and the slider are assembled, the push button being disposed in an opening at a front end of the case, a front-portion constituent member that is attached to the case while disposed around the push button in the opening, and a coil that is wound around a bobbin formed in an outer circumference of the front-portion constituent member.

Abstract: A latch-release actuating apparatus includes a switch element, a base member, and a cover member. The switch element is depressed via the cover member. In the latch-release actuating apparatus, a key top member and the cover member are formed to be long to extend horizontally from an upper region of the push button. The key top member is arranged on a back surface of the cover member so that a longitudinal direction of the key top member coincides with a longitudinal direction of the cover member. Furthermore, claws and retaining portions to which the claws are retained are arranged between the base member and both longitudinal ends of the key top member, thereby constituting a regulating unit for restricting separation of the key top member from the push button when the claw abuts on the retaining portion.

Abstract: A push plate assembly sends a signal to a receiver. The push plate includes a housing, a push plate, a signal generator, a biasing member, a first latch element, a second latch element, and a button. The push plate is movably mounted to the housing. The signal generator includes a switch. The switch is in electrical communication with circuitry through which a signal is transmitted. The biasing member is disposed between the push plate and the signal generator. The biasing member biases the push plate away from the signal generator. The first latch element is connected to the push plate. The second latch element is disposed in the housing. The first latch element and the second latch element engage with one another to limit the movement of the push plate away from the signal generator as the biasing member acts on the push plate.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a plurality of keys, and a keyframe into which the plurality of keys are assembled. Each of the keys includes: i) a plunger on which a character is printed, and ii) a keycap made of a transparent material. The keycap covers at least a portion of a top of the plunger.

Abstract: A button assembly for pressing a switch in a computer bezel includes a button connected to an arm. A cutout is defined in the computer bezel. The button is inserted in the cutout, and the arm is pivotably mounted on the computer bezel. A pressing portion extends outward from a side of the arm. A slanted pressing plane is formed on the pressing portion. Pressing the button moves the arm so that one end of the slanted pressing plane away from the arm contacts the switch. The switch resists the pressing portion, causing the arm to rotate so that the other end of the slanted pressing plane moves forward, thereby the slanted pressing plane entirely contacts and activates the switch.

Abstract: A spherical bi-stable mechanism includes a planar bi-stable compliant member including an input and an output, and a spherical mechanism member coupled to the output of the first planar bi-stable compliant component. An actuation of the first planar bi-stable compliant member in a first plane is configured to cause the spherical mechanism member to be selectively positioned in a second plane.

Abstract: A protective end cap device that includes an end cap casing and a protection switch. The end cap casing includes one or two conductive pins and defines a notch located to one side of the conductive pin. The protection switch is disposed at least in part inside the end cap casing and within the notch, and includes a first switch pin and a second switch pin. The first switch pin is electrically connected to the conductive pin and the second switch pin is electrically connected to a power supply circuit board.

Abstract: A keypad module including at least one key (30) is described. The key (30) includes a keycap (32), a base (34), a supporting member (36), a resisting member (40) and a dome (42). The base includes a pressed portion (341) and a carrier portion (342) connected to the pressed portion. The keycap is arranged on the pressed portion. The supporting member is located on the carrier portion to support the keycap. The resisting member is located between the pressed portion and the dome to press the dome into a position electrically connected to a circuit board (44).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a switch assembly and an air conditioner having the same. A switch and a circuit board of the switch assembly are detachably coupled to each other, thus resulting in enhanced maintenance and workability. The switch assembly includes a switch to sense an electrical signal of a human body, a conductive connector to provide the switch with an elastic force, and a circuit board adapted to receive the electrical signal through the connector so as to perform a control operation. The circuit board is detachably coupled with the switch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a keypad assembly and a method for manufacturing the keypad assembly in which a base film member and a button member of the keypad assembly are integrally formed. The keypad assembly includes a base film member, a button member integrally formed with the base film member, and a processed part formed by recessing a space between buttons keys of the button member in a predetermined depth to be spaced apart from the base film member, the processed part being formed on the base film member. The keypad assembly is manufactured such that the button member and the base film member to be recessed between a button key including a pattern of the button member and an adjacent button key in a predetermined depth of the base film member so as to form a processed part. Therefore, the button member can be formed through UV-molding and the press of the button member is simplified.

Abstract: An image push-button assembly structure includes primarily a base, a rest, a display screen and an upper lid. The rest is extended with a fixing element for sheathing a spring and is assembled with a holding space on the base. The rest is installed with the display screen which is fixed on a display circuit board. Then, the upper lid is covered on the rest, allowing the display screen to be located in the upper lid and the rest. The display circuit board in the rest that has been pressed down is electrically connected with the circuit board; therefore, all kinds of images of prompting messages can be observed from the display screen, allowing the push-button to have an image display function.

Abstract: A member for a push-button switch has key top members positioned close to each other through a distance of 1.5 mm or shorter at low cost and with high yield. The member has multiple key top members having resin key top cores and thermoplastic films covering the key top cores other than the lower surfaces thereof. The key top members are formed so that an interval between at least one set of adjacent key top members is 1.5 mm or shorter. In the key top members adjacent to each other through a distance of 1.5 mm or shorter, the maximum thickness of the thermoplastic films covering the key top cores is within the range of 75 to 350 ?, and the ratio of the minimum thickness of the thermoplastic films covering the key top cores to the maximum thickness is within the range of 0.4 to 0.9.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and a device for controlling switch between appliances. The method includes: setting a group of control signals according to operations to be performed by appliances involved in a switch between a current appliance and a target appliance; and controlling the appliances involved in the switch between the current appliance and the target appliance to perform operations corresponding to the group of control signals, when the switch is triggered. The method simplifies the operation of switch between appliances in a multi-appliance environment and enables one appliance switching key to control multiple appliances.

Abstract: A switch (1) for converting mechanically generated movements into electrical switching signals, consisting of a cover (2) and a carrier plate (3) at a distance from one another and fixedly connected together, a switching element (4) that can be moved to a limited extent relative to the cover (2) and be actuated by one or more pushbuttons (5) facing the carrier plate (3), by means of which the particular adjustment movements of the switching element (4) can be measured and are converted into switching signals, the movement direction of the switching element (4) being perceived as the movement direction of an object, in particular a vehicle seat, and the switch (1) can be operated in at least six different movement directions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a touch-sensitive surface (15) electrical control device comprising at least two adjacent active zones (3, 5, 7) for controlling in each active zone (3, 5, 7) a specific electrical function and a coating (13) provided on the touch-sensitive surface (15) and having surface ribs (9) for delimiting said active control zones (3, 5, 7). The invention is characterized in that the lower surface (18) of a rib (9) separating two adjacent active zones is shaped like a tensioned vault (20) between posts (17) which are solely supported outside the active zones of the touch-sensitive surface (15).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises: a casing comprising a circuit module; a keyboard mounting portion on which a keyboard is detachably mounted, and a cover detachably covering the opening. The key board mounting portion comprises an opening which allows a wiring electrically connecting the keyboard and the circuit module to be passed therethrough. An area of the opening is equal to or less than half of an area of the keyboard mounting portion.