IP Library Granted Patent US 10,832,879
Granted Patent B1
US 10,832,879 · App. 16/558,313 · Granted Nov 10, 2020

Input device and electronic apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,832,879
App. No.
16/558,313
Granted
Nov 10, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

An input device includes a base plate and a push button rotatably provided on a top surface of the base plate. The base plate has a bearing part protruding from the top surface. The push button has an operation surface part receiving a push down operation and a positioning part rotatably supported by the bearing part. The positioning part positions the push button in the plate thickness direction of the bearing part by an abutting part abutting on a first face of the bearing part and a pushing part resiliently biased toward and pushing a second face of the bearing part.

Claims (35)

1. An input device comprising:

a base plate; and

a rotatable push button on a top surface of the base plate, wherein:

the base plate has a bearing part protruding from the top surface,

the push button has an operation surface part configured to receive a push down operation and a positioning part rotatably supported by the bearing part, and

the positioning part has an abutting part abutting a first face of the bearing part and a pushing part resiliently biased toward and pushing a second face opposite to the first face, the abutting part and the pushing part position the push button in a plate thickness direction of the bearing part.

2. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein a position where the abutting part abuts on the first face and a position where the pushing part pushes the second face are deviated from each other in a direction along the first face of the bearing part.

3. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the abutting part and the pushing part are at positions deviated from the operation surface part in a plan view, and

a rotating shaft between the positioning part and the bearing part is outside the operation surface part in a plan view.

4. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning part further has:

a first arm extending from an edge of the operation surface part; and

a second arm extending from another edge of the operation surface part, the second arm being aligned with the first arm and provided with the pushing part on a tip thereof.

5. The input device according to claim 4 , wherein:

the bearing part has a hook shape erected from the top surface of the base plate and bent, and

the positioning part further has a support part on which a bottom end face of the bearing part abuts so as to be relatively movable in the plate thickness direction.

6. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the base plate further has a second bearing part protruding from the top surface and being parallel to the bearing part,

the push button further has a rotation support part configured to be aligned with the positioning part in a width direction of the operation surface part and rotatably supported by the second bearing part, and

the rotation support part is supported by the second bearing part such that the rotation support part is movable along a plate thickness direction of the second bearing part.

7. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the base plate further has a projection piece erected from the top surface,

the push button further has a positioning hole on a bottom surface thereof, the projection piece being slidably insertable into the positioning hole, and

the projection piece is insertable into the positioning hole so as not to be relatively movable in a direction that is perpendicular to at least the plate thickness direction as well as in a direction that is parallel to the top surface.

8. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a keyboard device having an input device;

the input device comprising:

a base plate; and

a rotatable push button on a top surface of the base plate, wherein:

the base plate has a bearing part protruding from the top surface,

the push button has an operation surface part configured to receive a push down operation and a positioning part rotatably supported by the bearing part, and

the positioning part has an abutting part abutting a first face of the bearing part and a pushing part resiliently biased toward and pushing a second face opposite to the first face, the abutting part and the pushing part position the push button in a plate thickness direction of the bearing part

a plurality of key tops supported on a top surface of the base plate so as to be movable in a top-bottom direction;

a main body chassis with the keyboard device; and

a display chassis pivotably connected to the main body chassis and having a display.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2025
From: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
To: LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 069870/0670 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2022
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 060638/0220 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: KITAMURA, MASAHIRO; DOUZONO, SATOSHI; KOIKE, TAKANORI; NAKAJU, KAZUMI
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 050236/0802 →