Keycap structure with respect to engaging projections
View Patent ↗A keycap detachably provided on a guide mechanism of a key switch includes a cap main body having a front face pressed at the time of key input and a rear face on the opposite side to the front face; and a first engaging projection and a second engaging projection, both of which protrude from the rear face of the cap main body with a gap therebetween so that an engaging portion of the guide mechanism is detachably engaged into the gap. At least a part of an area around the first engaging projection and the second engaging projection in the cap main body has a thin part thinner than other parts of the cap main body. As a result, the falling off of the keycap can be prevented.
1. An electronic device comprising:
a display; and
a keyboard having a plurality of switch devices, wherein one of said switch devices includes
a guide mechanism;
a keycap having a front face and a rear face opposed to said front face; and
a first pair of engaging projections and a second pair of engaging projections, both pairs protrude from said rear face of said keycap, for detachably engaging said guide mechanism at a first opening located between said first pair of engaging projections and at a second opening located between said second pair of engaging projections, wherein said first pair of engaging projections is located in a thin area thinner than other areas of said keycap, wherein said thin area includes a first outer thin portion located adjacent to one engaging projection of said first pair of engaging projections, a second outer thin portion located adjacent to another one engaging projection of said pair of engaging projections, and a middle thin portion located between said first pair of engaging projections, wherein said first outer thin portion includes a flat region and an inclined region, and said second outer thin portion includes a flat region and an inclined region, wherein said flat regions of said first and second outer thin portion include a recess.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said middle thin portion includes a recess.
3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said thin area includes a third outer thin portion located adjacent to one engaging projection of said second pair of engaging projections, a fourth outer thin portion located adjacent to another one engaging projection of said second pair of engaging projections, and a second middle thin portion located between said second pair of engaging projections.
4. A key switch comprising:
a guide mechanism;
a keycap having a front face and a rear face opposed to said front face; and
a first pair of engaging projections and a second pair of engaging projections, both pairs protrude from said rear face of said keycap, for detachably engaging said guide mechanism at a first opening located between said first pair of engaging projections and at a second opening located between said second pair of engaging projections, wherein said first pair of engaging projections is located in a thin area thinner than other areas of said keycap, wherein said thin area includes a first outer thin portion located adjacent to one engaging projection of said first pair of engaging projections, a second outer thin portion located adjacent to another one engaging projection of said pair of engaging projections, and a middle thin portion located between said first pair of engaging projections, wherein said first outer thin portion includes a flat region and an inclined region, and said second outer thin portion includes a flat region and an inclined region, wherein said flat regions of said first and second outer thin portion include a recess.
5. The key switch of claim 4 , wherein said middle thin portion includes a recess.
6. The key switch of claim 4 , wherein said thin area includes a third outer thin portion located adjacent to one engaging projection of said second pair of engaging projections, a fourth outer thin portion located adjacent to another one engaging projection of said second pair of engaging projections, and a second middle thin portion located between said second pair of engaging projections.
7. The key switch of claim 6 , wherein said third outer thin portion includes a flat region and an inclined region, and said fourth outer thin portion includes a flat region and an inclined region.
8. A keyboard comprising:
a chassis; and
a plurality of key switches contained within said chassis, wherein one of said key switches includes
a guide mechanism;
a keycap having a front face and a rear face opposed to said front face; and
a first pair of engaging projections and a second pair of engaging projections, both pairs protrude from said rear face of said keycap, for detachably engaging said guide mechanism at a first opening located between said first pair of engaging projections and at a second opening located between said second pair of engaging projections, wherein said first pair of engaging projections is located in a thin area thinner than other areas of said keycap, wherein said thin area includes a first outer thin portion located adjacent to one engaging projection of said first pair of engaging projections, a second outer thin portion located adjacent to another one engaging projection of said pair of engaging projections, and a middle thin portion located between said first pair of engaging projections, wherein said first outer thin portion includes a flat region and an inclined region, and said second outer thin portion includes a flat region and an inclined region, wherein said flat regions of said first and second outer thin portion include a recess.
9. The keyboard of claim 8 , wherein said middle thin portion includes a recess.
10. The keyboard of claim 8 , wherein said thin area includes a third outer thin portion located adjacent to one engaging projection of said second pair of engaging projections, a fourth outer thin portion located adjacent to another one engaging projection of said second pair of engaging projections, and a second middle thin portion located between said second pair of engaging projections.
11. The keyboard of claim 10 , wherein said third outer thin portion includes a flat region and an inclined region, and said fourth outer thin portion includes a flat region and an inclined region.