IP Library Granted Patent US 7,361,859
Granted Patent B2
US 7,361,859 · App. 11/730,418 · Granted Apr 22, 2008

Key sheet

Assignee: Polymatech Co. Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,361,859
App. No.
11/730,418
Granted
Apr 22, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed is a thin key sheet that is relatively free from breakage due to depressing operation. When key tops are depressed, float-supporting portions of rubber moldings and a film sheet undergo deformation, and a depression load can be borne by both the float-supporting portions and the film sheet, so the load on the float-supporting portions is mitigated, making the float-supporting portions less subject to breakage. Further, since the film sheet exists between the rubber moldings and a resin plate, it is possible to prevent the rubber moldings from being rubbed against a side wall of a frame portion, making it possible to prevent breakage due to rubbing between the rubber moldings and the resin plate.

Claims (19)

1. A key sheet, comprising:

a key top; and

a base sheet having a support member formed of a rubber-like elastic material and including a fixation portion for the key top and a float-supporting portion allowing depression displacement of the key top, and a reinforcing member supporting the support member and formed like a thin board of a hard material,

wherein the float-supporting portion is equipped with a flexible protective layer.

2. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the protective layer exists between the support member and the reinforcing member.

3. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the protective layer is provided on a front surface of the support member.

4. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the protective layer is provided on a back surface of the support member.

5. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the protective layer is provided on a front surface and a back surface of the support member.

6. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the protective layer covers a surface of the fixation portion of the support member.

7. A key sheet according to claim 1 ,

wherein the reinforcing member is equipped with a frame portion supporting the float-supporting portion, and

wherein the support member is equipped with a holding portion covering a side wall of the frame portion.

8. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the protective layer is formed of a soft resin.

9. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the protective layer is formed of a thermoplastic resin.

10. A key sheet according to claim 9 ,

wherein the key top is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and

wherein the key top is fixed to the protective layer covering a surface of the fixation portion through one of softening and melting.

11. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the key top is fixed to the protective layer by an adhesion layer that undergoes one of softening and melting by heating.

12. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the key top is fixed to the support member by an adhesion layer that undergoes one of softening and melting by heating.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 1, 2018
From: POLYMATECH JAPAN CO., LTD.
To: SEKISUI POLYMATECH CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 045964/0914 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2015
From: POLYMATECH CO., LTD.
To: POLYMATECH JAPAN CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 035301/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 18, 2007
From: YOSHIOKA, TOSHIKAZU; SENZUI, AKIRA
To: POLYMATECH CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 019461/0647 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2006-102574 · Apr 3, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070235296A1 · Oct 11, 2007