IP Library Granted Patent US 9,455,102
Granted Patent B2
US 9,455,102 · App. 14/221,657 · Granted Sep 27, 2016

Key structure and electronic apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,455,102
App. No.
14/221,657
Granted
Sep 27, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A key structure in an electronic apparatus case includes a top portion that is exposed through a surface of the case, a shaft portion that extends from the top portion and includes a elastomer at a tip of the shaft portion, and a stopper portion that projects from a periphery of the top portion to engage and that is engaged so as to be in contact with the switch in the state where the elastomer is contracted.

Claims (27)

1. A key structure in an electronic apparatus case comprising:

a top portion that is exposed through a surface of the case;

a shaft portion having a first portion which has a first width and is in contact with an inner surface of the top portion and a second portion which has a second width smaller than the first width and extends from the first portion to a switch and including an elastomer; and

a stopper portion that projects from a periphery of the top portion and that engages with the shaft portion so as to be in contact with an inner surface of the electronic apparatus case in a state where the elastomer is contracted.

2. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the top portion is made of resin harder than elastomer.

3. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft portion includes a water stop portion which extends perpendicular from the shaft portion so as to contact a tubular portion in a water tight manner.

4. The key structure according to claim 3 , wherein the shaft portion includes a flange portion that extends from the water stop portion and projects in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the shaft portion extends.

5. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein a core material harder than elastomer is included inside the shaft portion.

6. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein a core material harder than elastomer extends inside the shaft portion from the top portion.

7. The key structure according to claim 4 , wherein drag against an advance of the shaft portion is applied to the key structure by contact between the flange portion and the case.

8. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the top portion is provided so as to cover the first portion.

9. An electronic apparatus having a key structure comprising:

a case encasing a circuit board having a switch thereon;

the case includes an internal tubular portion with a through hole formed therein;

the key structure includes:

a top portion that is exposed through a surface of the case,

a shaft portion having a first portion which has a first width and is in contact with an inner surface of the top portion and a second portion which has a second width smaller than the first width and extends from the first portion to a switch through the tubular portion, including an elastomer and contacting the switch, and

a stopper portion that projects from a periphery of the top portion and that engages with the shaft portion so as to be in contact with an inner surface of the electronic apparatus case in a state where the elastomer is contracted.

10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the shaft portion extends through the tubular portion so that a small diameter portion of the shaft portion contacts a movable axis of the switch;

the shaft portion includes a water stop portion which extends perpendicular from the shaft portion so as to contact the tubular portion in a water tight manner.

11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising:

a flange portion that extends from the water stop portion toward the top portion and reaches outside of the tubular portion.

12. The electronic apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising:

a projecting portion that projects from an outer periphery of the top portion in the case in a direction in which the shaft portion extends.

13. The electronic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the flange portion is configured so as to create drag on the shaft portion in a direction toward the switch.

14. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the projecting portion abuts the tubular portion and deforms by pressure on the top portion so as to cause resilience to the top portion.

15. The electronic apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the top portion is provided so as to cover the first portion.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2024
From: YAMATO KANZAI LIMITED
To: FCNT LLC
Reel/Frame 066908/0856 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 21, 2024
From: FCNT LIMITED
To: YAMATO KANZAI LIMITED
Reel/Frame 066854/0942 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 19, 2024
From: FUJITSU CONNECTED TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
To: FCNT LIMITED
Reel/Frame 066832/0399 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2018
From: FUJITSU LIMITED
To: FUJITSU CONNECTED TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
Reel/Frame 047609/0349 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2014
From: TAKAHASHI, JIRO; SAKURAI, TOMONORI; TOKUYAMA, YOSUI; YONEYAMA, KAZUNOBU
To: FUJITSU LIMITED
Reel/Frame 032498/0945 →