IP Library Granted Patent US 8,222,545
Granted Patent B2
US 8,222,545 · App. 12/784,192 · Granted Jul 17, 2012

Keyboard

Assignee: Chicony Electronic Co. Ltd.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,222,545
App. No.
12/784,192
Granted
Jul 17, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A keyboard includes: a membrane circuit board comprising a plurality of switches; at least one keycap provided with a plurality of contact portions, each of which corresponding to one of the plurality of switches of the membrane circuit board; and a base plate provided with a plurality of openings each of which being positioned at a location corresponding to one of the plurality of switches of the membrane circuit board and one of the plurality of contact portions of the keycap, a buffering portion being formed at a corner adjoining the base plate and one of the plurality of openings.

Claims (14)

1. A keyboard including:

a membrane circuit board comprising a plurality of switches;

at least one keycap provided with a plurality of contact portions, each of which corresponding to one of the plurality of switches of the membrane circuit board; and

a base plate provided with a plurality of openings each of which being positioned at a location corresponding to one of the plurality of switches of the membrane circuit board and one of the plurality of contact portions of the at least one keycap, a buffering portion being formed at a corner adjoining the base plate and one of the plurality of openings.

2. The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein the membrane circuit board comprises an upper layer, a middle layer and a lower layer.

3. The keyboard according to claim 2 , wherein the middle layer is provided with a through hole, and the bottom surface of the upper layer and the top surface of the lower layer are each provided with a contact corresponding to the through hole; and wherein the two contacts are arranged corresponding to each other so as to form a switch of the membrane circuit board.

4. The keyboard according to claim 3 , wherein the lower layer is provided with a gas void, the gas void being positioned at a location corresponding to the through hole of the middle layer for venting and admitting air.

5. The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of contact portions has a columnar shape and is horizontally disposed at one of the four edges or the bottom surface of the keycap.

6. The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of contact portions has a semi-cylindrical shape and is horizontally disposed at one of the four edges or the bottom surface of the keycap.

7. The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of contact portions has a trapezoidal columnar shape and is horizontally disposed at one of the four edges or the bottom surface of the keycap.

8. The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of contact portions has a circular arc shape and is horizontally disposed at one of the four edges or the bottom surface of the keycap.

9. The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein the buffering portion is a circular arc surface.

10. The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein the buffering portion is beveled surface.

11. The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein the buffering portion is an inwardly formed circular arc surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2010
From: TSAI, CHING CHENG
To: CHICONY ELECTRONIC CO. LTD.
Reel/Frame 024417/0919 →
Priority Claims (1)
TW 98127853 A · Aug 19, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110042195A1 · Feb 24, 2011