IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,545,316
Granted Patent B2
US 11,545,316 · App. 17/506,586 · Granted Jan 3, 2023

Input device and image forming apparatus including ihe same

Inventor: Yasushi Nakamura (Sakai, JP)
Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
H01H13/14G06F3/0202H01H13/20H04N1/00384
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,545,316
App. No.
17/506,586
Granted
Jan 3, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An input device including an operation key arranged in an opening of a panel is provided. The input device also includes a light source and a push button switch each being arranged in a position opposite an opening on a board. The operation key includes: a key top having a pressing part extending toward the push button switch. The pressing part is arranged in a position separated from a center position in planar view of the key top on a line that is parallel to a line connecting connection parts of the key top, which are connected with one pair out of one or more pairs of arms, and passes through the center position. The push button switch is arranged in a position on the board opposite an arrangement position of the pressing part.

Claims (19)

1. An input device comprising:

an operation key arranged in an opening of a panel; and

a light source and a push button switch each arranged in a position opposite to the opening on a board,

wherein the operation key includes:

a key top having a pressing part extending toward the push button switch;

a frame formed with a wall surrounding the light source and the push button switch; and

one or more pairs of arms extending from connection parts that are provided in positions opposite to each other in a peripheral portion of the key top, respectively, to sandwich the key top between the connection parts toward the frame and connected to the frame,

wherein the pressing part is arranged in a position separated from a center position in planar view of the key top on a line that is parallel to a line connecting the connection parts of the key top, which are connected with one pair out of the one or more pairs of arms, and passes through the center position, and

wherein the push button switch is arranged in a position on the board opposite to an arrangement position of the pressing part.

2. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein, in the operation key; the key top and the one or more pairs of arms are arranged on a side of the frame closer to the panel.

3. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein stoppers that extend toward the board and come into contact with the hoard when the key top is pushed toward the push button switch are provided on a periphery of the key top.

4. The input device according to claim 3 ,

wherein the stoppers are provided on the connection parts of the key top, and

wherein the connection parts are each formed in a position distant from an end portion of the key top in a direction toward the frame.

5. The input device according to claim 3 ,

wherein the stoppers are provided on a locking part that causes the key top to lock to the panel, and

wherein the locking part is provided in a place where the peripheral portion of the key top is made to protrude toward the frame, and in a position lower than a surface of the key top.

6. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the panel has a sloping portion on a periphery of the opening that slopes towards inside the opening and down to the board.

7. An image forming apparatus comprising the input device according to claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2021
From: NAKAMURA, YASUSHI
To: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 057855/0850 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2020-183061 · Oct 30, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220139645A1 · May 5, 2022
Cited By (1)
US 12,426,183