Hinged Button (e.g., Piano Key) Patents (Class 200/343)
  • Patent number: 11941973
    Abstract: A doorbell including a housing and mount that can be engaged such that the housing is pivotable or otherwise movable relative to the mount for engagement with the mount and/or for activation of a doorbell switch. A latch can secure the housing to the mount so the housing is secured to the mount. A switch located in a space defined by the housing and mount can be actuated based on movement of the housing relative to the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SimpliSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Joseph Thorne, Patrick Lloyd Murphy, Michael Joseph Murray
  • Patent number: 11869731
    Abstract: An operating member includes: a support; an actuating part, which defines an actuating surface is mounted on the support by a mount to be movable relative to the support, by manual actuation against a resetting force, while carrying out an actuating movement from a rest position into a depressed position; a detector having at least one force sensor, wherein the detector is adapted to detect at least one position of the actuating part; wherein the mount includes a guidance mechanism having at least one pair of coupled levers, wherein the levers are each pivotably mounted on the support by a first pivot joint and on the actuating part—by a second pivot joint to cause a pivoting movement of the at least one pair of coupled levers by the actuating movement, wherein the guidance mechanism further includes at least one coupling rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: PREH GMBH
    Inventors: Arthur Klossek, Thomas Ofenhitzer, Thilo Schultheis, Andreas Hofmann
  • Patent number: 11495422
    Abstract: A control device includes a button assembly having one or more buttons and a button carrier that includes a plurality of resilient, independently deflectable spring arms. The control device may be configured as a wall-mounted keypad to control a load control device, or as a thermostat to control a temperature regulation appliance. The button carrier may be configured to prevent interference between the buttons during operation of the control device. The button assembly may be captured between a faceplate of the control device and a housing that is attached to a rear side of the faceplate. The control device may include one or more button retainers that are attached to the buttons and that are configured to align respective outer surfaces of the buttons relative to each other, and relative to the faceplate of the control device, when the buttons are in respective rest positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Nikhil Vithal Bhate, Rich Destremps, James Harrison, Jason Edward Jennings, Eric Jonathan Mace, Stephen Phillips
  • Patent number: 11387056
    Abstract: A key preloading structure including a base, a set of switches and a set of keys is provided. The set of switches is arranged on the base. The set of keys has a rotating shaft and two actuators. The rotating shaft is assembled on the base. One end of each actuator is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and another end is disposed on a switch of the set of switches. Each of the two actuators preloads the set of switches with a force less than a triggering force for starting the set of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: BenQ Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11309149
    Abstract: A rocker switch includes: a knob that rocks when an operational input is made; a case that supports the knob; a pair of switches that are provided on opposite end part sides respectively with respect to a middle part of the knob within the case; a rubber contact (an urging part) that urges opposite end parts of the knob toward a non-operated position; a pair of operation input parts that turn the respective switches ON/OFF; and a pair of fulcrum parts that are provided on the middle part side of the knob with respect to the pair of operation input parts respectively. In the pair of fulcrum parts, the fulcrum part on a side opposite to the operation input part, of the pair of operation input parts, that has turned the switch ON/OFF by an operational input being made serves as a rocking axis of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Hashimoto, Naoto Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 11294488
    Abstract: A touch display device includes a cover plate, a touch module, a frame, and a display module. The touch module is disposed on the cover plate and defines thereon a sensing zone and a peripheral zone connecting each other. The frame is located at a side of the touch module away from the cover plate and includes a plurality of fixing members and an accommodating trough. The fixing members cross the peripheral zone to be fixed to the cover plate. At least one part of the touch module in the peripheral zone is attached to a side of the frame away from the cover plate. The display module is disposed in the accommodating trough and over the sensing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TPK TOUCH SOLUTIONS (XIAMEN) INC.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Han Shih, Ying-Fu Wang, Chun Jung Huang, Shang-Yu Lin, Chi Tang
  • Patent number: 11150740
    Abstract: A key structure includes a base plate, a key cap disposed above the base plate, a scissor abutting against the base plate and the key cap, a spring abutting against the key cap, a positioning base connected to the key cap, a first cover connected to the positioning base and a second cover slidably connected to the first cover. The scissor, the spring, the positioning base, the first cover and the second cover are located between the base plate and the key cap. The positioning base has a positioning groove and a part of the spring is located in the positioning groove. The first cover has a through hole overlapped with the positioning groove, and the spring penetrates the through hole. The second cover penetrates the through hole and abuts against the base plate, and another part of the spring abuts against the second cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Hung-Chi Chen, Chi-Hung Lai, Chuan-Hua Wang, Pin-Chueh Lin, Ching-Piao Kuan
  • Patent number: 11124089
    Abstract: Provided is a human body pressure switch, a vehicle seat, a vehicle, and a method for processing a human body pressure switch. The human body pressure switch includes: a pressure switch element, an elastic pressure-contact body provided at the upper side or the lower side of the pressure switch element, in which the elastic pressure-contact body includes a spacing support structure and a force support protrusion, the force support protrusion corresponds to a sensing contact of the pressure switch element, in a state with pressure from an external force, amount of deformation of the spacing support structure is greater than amount of deformation of the force support protrusion, and in a state without pressure from the external force, the spacing support structure plays a supporting role.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: LANGFANG GOLDEN TIME TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haitao Zhang, Xiqing Li
  • Patent number: 10884512
    Abstract: A key device includes a substrate, a key cap and a restoring member. The substrate includes a top surface and two pivot seats protruding on the top surface. The pivot seats are spaced from each other. Each pivot seat has an eave portion laterally extending from a top thereof. The eave portion has a bottom edge. The key cap is above the top surface. The key cap includes a side edge and two extending arms extending from the side edge. An end of each extending arm has a pivoting portion. The pivoting portions pivotally abut against the bottom edges of the eave portions respectively without contacting the top surface of the substrate. The restoring member is between the substrate and the key cap and abuts against a bottom of the key cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: CHICONY ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Po-Hsin Li
  • Patent number: 10068722
    Abstract: A push-button on a device includes a shell of the device, an internal locking portion to connect with the device, a touch pole far away from the locking portion, and a supporting flange portion extending from the internal surface of the shell. The supporting flange portion and the device support each other. When the shell is pressed, the push-button elastically deforms as the locking portion 103 acts as a fixing point and the supporting end acts as a supporting point. The touch pole moves with the shell and the switch on a PCB is triggered to generate at least one signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: NANNING FUGUI PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jian Luo
  • Patent number: 10020134
    Abstract: A switching assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus has a base. The switching assembly includes a printed circuit board structured to be coupled to the base, at least one switch mechanically coupled to and electrically connected with the printed circuit board, and an actuation member structured to be coupled to the base. The actuation member has at least one actuation portion having a button portion and an arm portion extending from the button portion. The arm portion is structured to engage and actuate the switch. The actuation portion is structured to move between a FIRST position and a SECOND position. When the actuation portion moves from the FIRST position toward the SECOND position, the button portion moves the arm portion toward engagement with the switch in order to actuate the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Gibson
  • Patent number: 9997305
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a cover for a portable device or other electronic equipment may have circuitry mounted in a housing. The housing may be formed from layers of material such as fabric and polymer layers. The circuitry of the electronic device may include components mounted on a printed circuit. The components may include movable components such as keys in a keyboard. A fabric layer may overlap the keys. Border regions of the fabric layer that surround each key may be characterized by a stiffness. To ensure that the keys or other movable components in the device exhibit satisfactory stiffness levels, the keys can be tested and selected border regions or other fabric layer portions may be laser ablated or otherwise processed to locally reduce fabric layer stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Joel N. Ruscher, Christopher T. Lebedeff, Sean Murphy, Melody Kuna
  • Patent number: 9977520
    Abstract: Embodiments of a stylus having a capacitive slide sensor and grip sensors are disclosed, for use with electronic devices and particularly with touchscreen devices. The stylus is in signal communication with the electronic device, either wired or wirelessly, and the slide sensor allows a user to generate a sliding data value as well as a contact/no-contact datum; these can be used as scaled control values or as buttonpress control values to control features of applications running on the electronic device. The capacitive sensors are formed on a single flexible PCB wrapped inside the stylus barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Adonit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Kuang Hou, Yueh-Hua Li, Yen-Teh Lee, Chien-Pang Lin, Yu-Ting Lo
  • Patent number: 9941069
    Abstract: An improved switch-type key structure includes a support plate, a microswitch, a connection element, and a key cap. The microswitch is fixed onto the support plate and is electrically connected thereto. The connection element is movably disposed on the support plate. The connection element includes a balance portion and a support portion extending downward from the balance portion. The key cap is disposed on the balance portion. The connection element is disposed between the support plate and the key cap through the microswitch, a hook hole corresponding to the support portion is disposed on the support plate, a hook is disposed at a distal end of the support portion, and the hook passes through the hook hole to engage the connection element with the support plate. Accordingly, the key cap is stressed evenly, returns instantly after being depressed, and is prevented from vibrations/wobbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CHICONY ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 9870883
    Abstract: An input device includes a housing which has an opening, button parts which are exposed from the opening and which are pressed down in a first direction, a support component which has a support part to support the button parts, a first surface to face the housing, a second surface provided opposite to the first surface, and fixation parts provided at a first distance from the support part and fixed to the housing on a side of the first surface, a substrate which is provided so as to face the second surface of the support component, and a component which is inserted into the substrate in the first direction and which presses a specified area of the second surface, positioned at a second distance shorter than the first distance from the support part, toward the housing in a direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi Abe, Masaki Ishikawa, Takashi Iijima
  • Patent number: 9839151
    Abstract: An electronic device according to the present invention comprises a main body including a pair of body chassis, a pair of cover panels disposed to cover the front face and the back face of the main body, a switch unit disposed on the side part of the main body, an operation button which is held between the pair of cover panels and has a pusher projecting therefrom, a housing recess which is formed on at least one of the body chassis and recessed on a joint surface with the other body chassis to form a housing chamber for the switch unit, a through hole penetrating the one body chassis from the side face toward the housing recess, and a bag-like waterproof packing member which is attached to the through hole and recessed toward the switch unit to house the pusher of the operation button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Katsumi Arao
  • Patent number: 9803310
    Abstract: An appliance, including an interface and input chassis is provided. Appliance may include a contact plate, a conductive spring, and a support wall. The input chassis may define a connection aperture extending therethrough. The contact plate may be disposed above the connection aperture of the input chassis. The contact plate may include a top surface facing away from the input chassis and a bottom surface facing toward the input chassis. The conductive spring may be coupled the contact plate at the bottom surface of the contact plate. The conductive spring may extend through the connection aperture. The support wall may be attached to the input chassis and disposed about the conductive spring between the contact plate and the connection aperture of the input chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald James Leisl, III, Craig Robert Vitan, Sripad Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 9741506
    Abstract: A keyboard device includes plural keycaps and a membrane switch circuit member. The membrane switch circuit member is disposed under the plural keycaps. The membrane switch circuit member includes a wiring board and plural separate covering pads. The wiring board includes plural first trace patterns and plural second trace patterns corresponding to the plural keycaps. The plural second trace patterns are disposed on the wiring board and separated from the plural first trace patterns. There is a gap between each first trace pattern and the adjacent second trace pattern. The covering pads are disposed over the wiring board. The plural covering pads are aligned with the corresponding keycaps and cover the corresponding gaps. The covering pad has a triggering trace pattern over the corresponding gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Lei-Lung Tsai, Yi-Chen Wang
  • Patent number: 9653229
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a casing with a casing pivotal portion and a key device. The key device is installed on the casing and includes a button cap. The button cap includes a cap pivotal portion, a first cap body and a second cap body. The cap pivotal portion is pivoted to the casing pivotal portion. The first cap body extends from the cap pivotal portion along a first axis. The second cap body extends from the first cap body along a second axis. The button cap rotates in an activating direction when the first cap body is applied by an external force along the first axis or when the second cap body is applied by the external force along the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Annerino, Andrew Rosenkranz
  • Patent number: 9563282
    Abstract: A Brahmi phonemics based keyboard that enables user to provide textual inputs in any of the Indian Languages has been envisaged. The keyboard can be incorporated into any computer based system capable of handling Unicode compliant inputs. The layout of the keyboard includes a plurality of input keys corresponding to the characters of an Indian language, and the input keys, especially the character input keys are grouped into a plurality of clusters. The keyboard acts as a multimodal device by enabling a user to provide textual input in a plurality of Indian languages. The layout of the keyboard includes diacritic markers, formatting commands, numeric keys and functional keys being grouped into different clusters for ease of accessibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Inventors: Venkatakrishna Venkatesh Bevoor, Guru Prasad
  • Patent number: 9429987
    Abstract: A method, for rotating a display image of an electronic device, includes the following steps. Whether an absolute rotation angle of a display of the electronic device relative to a gravity axis is equal to or greater than a predetermined absolute angle threshold is detected. Whether a relative rotation angle of the display relative to a base of the electronic device is between a first and a second relative angle threshold is detected. The display image is maintained when the absolute rotation angle is equal to or greater than the predetermined absolute angle threshold and the relative rotation angle is between the first and second relative angle thresholds. The display image is rotated when the absolute rotation angle of the display is equal to or greater than the predetermined absolute angle threshold but the relative rotation angle is not between the first and second relative angle thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventors: Kai-Hsiang Yang, Yuju Liu, Che-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 9368299
    Abstract: A thin keyboard depressing structure includes a circuit board and a frame. The circuit board includes a plurality of trigger portions each can be triggered to generate a keyboard signal. The frame is stacked over the circuit board and forms an outer frame, a plurality of inner frames and a plurality of keycaps in an integrated manner. The outer frame has a plurality of holding zones corresponding to the trigger portions. Each keycap is held in one holding zone corresponding to one trigger portion. The outer frame and the keycap are bridged by one inner frame. Each inner frame has at least two first connecting portions connected to the outer frame and at least two second connecting portions connected to the keycap. Each first connecting portion and each second connecting portion are bridged by a support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ZIPPY TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Chin-Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 9251973
    Abstract: A switch includes a switch main body having a movable section displaceable downward by pressure to bring a movable contact into contact with a fixed contact, the movable section being displaced upward to open each contact by a release of pressure; a button section that presses the movable section in response to a downward pressing operation; and a support arm having one end portion supporting the button section. An end of the support arm not coupled to the button section is turnable and held at a location in a support surface arranged vertically. The button section bottom surface is inclined and separated from the movable section when the button section is not pressed. When the button section is pressed and is lowered to a position at which the fixed contact and the movable contact are closed, the bottom surface is in an approximately horizontal state and presses the movable section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Matsubara, Makoto Kasuya
  • Patent number: 9236206
    Abstract: A thin keyboard command trigger structure includes a circuit board and a frame. The frame is stacked over the circuit board and formed an outer frame, a plurality of inner frames and a plurality of keycaps in an integrated manner. The outer frame has a plurality of holding zones. Each keycap is held in one of the holding zones. The outer frame and the keycap are bridged by one inner frame. Each inner frame has at least two first connecting portions connected to the outer frame and at least two second connecting portions connected to the keycap. Each first connecting portion and each second connecting portion are bridged by a support portion which has a bend spot and can generate deformation when the keycap is moved to the trigger portion. The support portion at the second connecting portion is at an elevation higher than the first connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chin-Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 9111700
    Abstract: A thin push button structure includes a main board, a circuit board, an elastic element, a supporting plate, a key top and a frame. The circuit board is disposed on the main board and formed with a plurality of cavities. The supporting plate includes a seat, an extending portion and a contacting portion. The seat is formed with a window at the central region and connected to the contacting portion by the extending portion. The elastic element is disposed on the circuit board. The key top includes a main body and a plurality of posts that extend therefrom. The frame includes a through opening and a plurality of alignment grooves at the periphery of the opening. The frame sleeves the key top, and the posts are received by the alignment grooves. The key top caps the contacting portion and is movable within the alignment grooves and the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ICHIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Chang-Li Liu, Yu-Chih Chang
  • Publication number: 20140339062
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a button-less touch sensor that uses a flexible material or PCB that is either integral to the touch sensor or is added after manufacture, the flexible material functioning as an integral hinge mechanism of the touch sensor that does not interfere with near field communications of an NFC antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: CIRQUE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Paul H. Glad
  • Patent number: 8866033
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a case and a key module. The key module is mounted on a supporting surface of a housing of the case and includes: a touch pad, a circuit board, a press switch and a transmission member. The press switch is coupled electrically to the circuit board and is disposed at a position corresponding to the middle of the touch pad in a lengthwise direction. The transmission member is mounted between the circuit board and the supporting surface, and includes two levers and a press member disposed between the levers and abutting against the press switch. A corresponding electrical signal can be produced by abutment of the press member against the press switch linked by the transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Xiang-Lin Xue
  • Patent number: 8841569
    Abstract: A flat press button is provided. The press button includes a base plate, a link member, and a cap. The link member is disposed on the base plate. The cap, having an embossed strip and a flange, pivots at the link member, wherein the embossed strip and the flange are formed at the opposing sides of the cap, and the embossed strip and the flange are operated in a pivotal swinging manner around a pivot axis to abut the base plate alternatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corp.
    Inventors: Chen-Yi Liang, Cheng-Hsiang Chuang, Chun-Chien Chen, Shun-De Bai, San-Pao Kao
  • Patent number: 8835784
    Abstract: A push button structure includes: a panel 1 in which an opening 2 for exposing a button 7 is provided; a button 7 having a leg of which one end side is supported by a rotational central section 5 of the panel 1 and of which the other end side has a leg 6 extending in an orthogonal direction to the panel 1, wherein the other end side is rotated about the rotational central section 5 when the button is pushed with exposed from the opening 2 of the panel 1; and a board 3 on which a switch 4 is mounted and which is attached at an angle to the panel 1 such that a direction C tangential to a rotational path of the leg 6 is substantially the same as a stroke direction D of the switch 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hirota
  • Patent number: 8787029
    Abstract: A button module includes a body, a switch fixed to the body, a light member electrically connected to the switch, a button located opposite to the light member and an elastic member. The elastic member comprising a pressing portion, a fixing end extended from one end of the pressing portion and a fastening end extending from the opposite end of the pressing portion. The pressing portion is contacted with the switch, the fixing end is fixed to the body, the fastening end is fastened to the button, the light member lights the button when pressing the button to drive the pressing portion to trigger the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Nai-Lin Yang, Xiao-Meng Zhou, Jun-Bo Du, Wei Gong
  • Publication number: 20140083830
    Abstract: A keyboard device capable of suppressing noise that occurs upon release of the key is provided. The key is formed with a protrusion and a hammer is formed with a sliding surface. Moreover, the hammer is provided with contact portions that come into contact with a side surface of the protrusion when the key is pressed to the bottom in a key-pressing direction. Thus, when the key is released, the contact between the side surface of the protrusion and the contact portions prevents the key from rotating before the hammer, thereby preventing the protrusion from departing from the sliding surface and suppressing the generation of noise that occurs when the protrusion falls on (hits) the sliding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: ROLAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: MUTSUO SAWADA, SHIRO UNO
  • Patent number: 8618429
    Abstract: A keypad assembly includes a first keypad element including a first frame element, first elastic elements connecting with the first frame element, keycaps swingably connected to the first frame element via the first elastic elements, and pressing elements protruding downward from the keycaps, and a second keypad element including a second frame element, second elastic elements connecting with the second frame element, keycaps swingably connected to the second frame element via the second elastic elements, and pressing elements protruding downward from the keycaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8604370
    Abstract: A plurality of light-transmittable or transparent keycaps is disposed on a luminous keyboard. Between a bottom surface of each keycap and a circuit board, printed layers with various patterns corresponding to each keycap are disposed therebetween. The pattern of each printed layer is composed by a light-transmittable section and an opaque section. A light source module, which is composed by a light guide plate and a light emitting diode, can further be added to the luminous keyboard, under each keycap, so as to provide a self luminous light source for the keyboard. With the light-transmittable or transparent keycaps, the patterns or texts of the printed layers can be shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Ling-Hsi Chao
  • Patent number: 8592705
    Abstract: A keypad assembly includes a support member, a key switch, a keycap and a resilient member. The key switch is fixed on the support member, and includes a triggering portion. The keycap is located opposite to the triggering portion. The support member and the key switch are located between the keycap and the resilient member. The resilient member interconnects the keycap and the support member. The resilient member is elastically deformed via resisting the triggering portion when the key switch is not triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bin Dai
  • Patent number: 8592699
    Abstract: A keyboard mechanism for 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 that can be formed of a variety of materials in the form of a flat slab. The key cap is attached to one end of a support lever that supports it from underneath. In one embodiment, the support lever is formed of a rigid material and is pivotally coupled with a substrate on the other end. In another embodiment, the support lever is formed of a flexible material and is fixedly attached to the substrate on the other end. The portion of the support lever that is attached to the key cap is positioned over a metal dome that can be deformed to activate the switch circuitry of the membrane on printed circuit board underneath the dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Kessler, Bradley Joseph Hamel, James J. Niu
  • Publication number: 20130256107
    Abstract: A button mechanism is arranged in an electronic device for actuating a switch. The button mechanism includes a support fixed in the electronic device, a button for receiving an external press to move towards and actuate the switch, and an elastic connection member connecting the button to the support, wherein the elastic connection member is elastically deformed when the button is depressed. The button mechanism further includes a resisting member. The resisting member includes a first end fixed in the button, and a second, suspended end for resisting against a stopping member fixed in the electronic device, wherein when the button moves a predetermined distance towards the switch, the second end resists against the stopping member to prevent the button from further moving towards the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD
    Inventors: XUE-DONG TANG, WEI LIU
  • Publication number: 20130256106
    Abstract: A button mechanism is arranged in an electronic device for actuating a switch. The button mechanism includes a support fixed in the electronic device, a button, an elastic connection member, and a resisting member. The button includes a button body that can be pressed, and an actuation portion protruding from the button body, the actuation portion being located above the switch. The elastic connection member connects the button body to the support, and the elastic connection member is elastically deformed when the button body is deformed. The resisting member is arranged between the button body and the switch, for preventing the button body from moving down too far, thereby limiting a traveling range of the button body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD
    Inventors: XUE-DONG TANG, WEI LIU
  • Patent number: 8546713
    Abstract: A push button structure includes a casing and a button body that are integrally formed by injection molding. The casing has an opening that extends through the surface of the casing. The button body is formed within the opening, and has an outer periphery spaced from the inner periphery of the opening and has an outer surface exposed on the surface of the casing and an inner surface extended by the curved lever. The curved lever has one end fixedly connected to an inner wall of the casing at a position adjacent to the opening such that the button body is movably positioned inside the opening. When the button body is pressed, the elasticity of the curved lever allows the button body to move toward the inside of the casing and thereby trigger an electronic switch in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: D-Link Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng-Chun Huang
  • Patent number: 8437130
    Abstract: In a medium drive unit, a flexible portion of a frame body deflects toward a tray when pressed. Then, the tip of the protrusion disposed on the back surface of the frame body, which surface is directed toward the tray, pushes a button disposed on the front surface of the tray, thereby causing the tray to slide out from a housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masahiko Hoshi, Sonomasa Kobayashi, Wataru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8426757
    Abstract: A keypad assembly includes a support member, a key switch, a rotation member and a resilient member. The key switch is fixed on the support member, and includes a triggering portion. The keycap is located opposite to the triggering portion. The rotation member is rotatably connected to the keycap. The resilient member includes resilient latching portions latching with the rotation member. The resilient member fixedly interconnects the rotation member and the support member. The rotation member is rotated relative to the resilient member at an angle when the key switch is not triggered, such that the resilient member provides an elastic torque to the rotation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bin Dai
  • Patent number: 8426756
    Abstract: A key assembly comprises a connecting element, a first key and a second key. The first key includes a first body member and a first elastic member protruding from one end of the first body member, another end of the first body member connects with the connecting element. The second key includes a second body member and a second elastic member protruding from one end of the second body member, and another end of the second body member connects with the connecting element. The first elastic member provides a returning force for the first body member, and the second elastic member provides a returning force for the second body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Mu-Wen Yang, Chih-Chiang Chang
  • Patent number: 8410385
    Abstract: A keypad assembly includes a support member, a key switch, a keycap, and a resilient member. The key switch is fixed on the support member and includes a triggering portion. The keycap is located opposite to the triggering portion. The resilient member includes a rotation portion and a resilient support portion connected to the rotation portion. The rotation portion is rotatably connected to the keycap and the support member. The resilient support portion is elastically deformed via resisting the support member when the key switch is not triggered, and provides an elastic restoring force to the rotation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bin Dai
  • Patent number: 8404987
    Abstract: A keypad assembly includes a support member, a key switch, a keycap and a resilient member. The key switch is located on the support member, and includes a triggering portion. The keycap is fixed opposite to the triggering portion. The resilient member is fixed to the keycap. The support member and the key switch are located between the keycap and the resilient member. The resilient member is elastically deformed by resisting the support member when the key switch is not triggered, such that the keycap tightly contacts the triggering portion of the key switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bin Dai
  • Patent number: 8367948
    Abstract: A pair of side keys disposed on a lateral plate casing of a stationary-side rear case in a cellular phone is coupled with a film sheet that is fabricated in a substantially identical length to the length of the pair of side keys. The pair of side keys is coupled with the film sheet by applying double-faced adhesive tapes having adhesive faces on both sides only to both ends of the film sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugi, Shigeru Yamaguchi, Yoshiya Matsumoto, Satoshi Seino, Tsukasa Goro, Wataru Murata
  • Publication number: 20120292167
    Abstract: A push button structure includes: a panel 1 in which an opening 2 for exposing a button 7 is provided; a button 7 having a leg of which one end side is supported by a rotational central section 5 of the panel 1 and of which the other end side has a leg 6 extending in an orthogonal direction to the panel 1, wherein the other end side is rotated about the rotational central section 5 when the button is pushed with exposed from the opening 2 of the panel 1; and a board 3 on which a switch 4 is mounted and which is attached at an angle to the panel 1 such that a direction C tangential to a rotational path of the leg 6 is substantially the same as a stroke direction D of the switch 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hirota
  • Patent number: 8299379
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a main body and a stylus. The main body includes a shell and a reset button received in the shell. A sidewall of the shell defines a through hole. The reset button includes a pressing pole received in the through hole. The pressing pole is concave with respect to an outer surface of the shell. The stylus is operable to be inserted into the through hole to press the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin Jiang, Man-Zhong Wang, Te-Hua Lee
  • Publication number: 20120267225
    Abstract: Keys may be formed for keyboards. The keyboards may be attached to electronic devices such as computers or may be formed within a portable computer or other electronic equipment. A keyboard may be provided with a planar housing member such as a top plate. The top plate may have openings through which key caps protrude. Each key cap may be attached to a respective spring mechanism. The spring mechanism for each key may have first and second diving-board structures that flex about respective parallel flex axes. A dome switch may be mounted under each spring mechanism. The dome switch is compressed when the key cap is pressed and the first diving-board structure moves towards the dome switch. The top plate may have edge portions surrounding each key opening that form upstop structures that prevent the key caps and spring mechanisms from tilting when the dome switch is compressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Mi Zhou
  • Patent number: 8279092
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device that comprises a plate (7) having at least first (9) and second (11) adjacent portions, a flexible protection layer (3) covering the plate (7), and a touch-surface sensor (5) sandwiched between said protection layer (3) and the first portion (9) of the plate (7), characterized in that it comprises at least one hinging film (13) connecting the first portion (9) to the second portion (11) for hinging both portions (9, 11) relative to each other, the first portion (9) being fixed, and at least one switch (17) associated with the second portion (11) that is capable of pivotal movement between a raised rest position and an active position for activating the switch (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: DAV
    Inventors: Stephanie Vanhelle, Stephanie Dalmayrac
  • Patent number: 8278578
    Abstract: A key assembly comprises a base plate and a key. The base plate has an opening defined therein. The key is accommodated in the opening, and includes a first key section, a second key section connecting with the first key section and a shaft portion protruding from the junction of the first key section and the second key section. The shaft portion is rotatably mounted to the housing. The key further includes two contacting members, one contacting member is mounted on the first key section, another contacting member is mounted on the second key section. When the first key section is pressed to rotate about the shaft portion, the contacting member mounted on the first key section moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction that the first key section is pressed, and the contacting member mounted on the second key section moves in a direction reverse to the direction that the contacting member mounted on the first key section moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Mu-Wen Yang, Chih-Chiang Chang
  • Patent number: 8248815
    Abstract: A key assembly comprises a base plate, two elastic elements and a key body. The elastic elements are both mounted to the base plate, and the elastic elements are spaced from and opposite to each other. The key body is slidably mounted to the base plate between the two elastic elements. The key body includes a first key section and a second key section connected with the first key section. The first key section has an arcuate first contacting portion formed thereon. The second key section has an arcuate second contacting portion formed thereon. The first key section resists one of the two elastic elements, the second key section resisting another elastic element. When the first key section slides toward and compresses the elastic element that resists the first key section, the second key section slide away from the elastic element that resists the second key section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Mu-Wen Yang, Chih-Chiang Chang