Illuminated key-pad assembly
View Patent ↗For a cell-phone or PDA, the rows of key-caps include respective light-strips, which pick up light from respective LEDs surface-mounted on the PCB. The light-strips are sandwiched between the key-caps and the key-switch actuators (whereby the light-strips move with the keys when the keys are depressed). Sockets for receiving the key-caps are co-molded to the light-strips. Sockets are provided in the resilient webs of the keys for receiving under-blocks co-molded to the light-strips.
1. An illuminated key-pad unit comprising:
a set of depressible keys, the keys including respective key-caps;
a flexible web structure including block sockets; and
at least one light strip including under-blocks to engage the block sockets and a set of key-cap sockets, located on a top surface of the light strip, to engage the key caps.
2. The key-pad unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one light strip is of transparent or translucent light transmitting material.
3. The key-pad unit of claim 2 wherein the at least one light strip radiates light from an overface of the light strip.
4. The key-pad unit of claim 3 wherein the overface is in direct contact with an under surface of each key cap.
5. The key-pad unit of claim 2 wherein the at least one light strip is flexible.
6. The key-pad unit of claim 1 wherein the keys are arranged in a plurality of rows of keys, each row of keys having a corresponding light strip, the corresponding light strips connected via respective linking strips.
7. The key-pad unit of claim 6 wherein the linking strips are formed with notches which are hooked under tenons formed in a base frame of the unit.
8. The key-pad unit of claim 7 wherein the at least one light strip includes light catchers at each end.
9. The key-pad unit of claim 1 wherein each of the respective key-caps includes an over-surface having a window displaying a key-identification marking.
10. The key-pad unit of claim 1 wherein each key-cap is urged by the web structure into a respective rest position whereby each key-cap can be depressed against the web structure.
11. An illuminated key-pad comprising:
a frame;
a set of keys assembled in at least two rows and mounted on the frame; and
at least two light strips disposed along the at least two rows of keys, the at least two light strips including a respective overface;
wherein the at least two light strips are linked at their ends by respective linking straps;
whereby the linking straps are formed with notches hooked under tenons formed in the frame.
12. The key-pad of claim 11 wherein the at least two light strips are made of a transparent or translucent material.
13. The key-pad of claim 11 further comprising a flexible web structure including block sockets.
14. The key-pad of claim 11 wherein:
each key in the set of keys includes a key-cap;
each key-cap including a visible over-surface and a non-visible under-surface;
whereby the overface of one of the light strips is in a face-to-face and a direct light-transmitting relationship with the under-surface of each of the key-caps.
15. The key-pad as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the overface of each light-strip is in direct touching contact with the under-surface of each of the key-caps.
16. The key-pad as claimed in claim 14 , wherein:
each key-cap is provided with a respective under-button; and
each of the light strips including a set of button-receiving sockets adapted to engage the respective under-buttons;
such that each button-receiving socket is arranged to position the respective under-button laterally and rotationally with respect to each light strip; and
each button-receiving socket having walls of opaque material to reflect light back into the respective under-button of each key-cap.
17. The key-pad as claimed in claim 16 , wherein each of the set of button-receiving sockets is bonded to the overface of the respective light strip.