IP Library Granted Patent US 8,820,949
Granted Patent B2
US 8,820,949 · App. 12/344,739 · Granted Sep 2, 2014

Key sheet, light blocking effect sheet, push button switch and key sheet manufacturing method

Inventor: Yasunori Takeda (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: Polymatech Co., Ltd.
H01H13/83H01H2219/064H01H2219/056H01H2219/044H01H2219/034H01H2219/062H01H2219/03
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,820,949
App. No.
12/344,739
Granted
Sep 2, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a key sheet or a lightproof light guiding sheet guiding light efficiently through an interior of the key sheet and preventing light leakage through a periphery of key tops. On a base sheet, a transparent resin layer, and further, a lightproof dark print layer are provided as needed, with at least one of the transparent resin layer and the lightproof dark print layer being formed of a non-corrosive coating liquid. Further, a smooth surface is formed between the base sheet and the dark print layer.

Claims (50)

1. A key sheet allowing illumination, comprising:

a base sheet formed of a transparent resin film having a smooth surface, the base sheet being a light guiding sheet;

at least one depressing operation portion having at least an operation surface for operation by a user; and

a dark print layer provided on the smooth surface,

wherein the dark print layer absorbs light between the dark print layer and a circuit board, and

wherein the smooth surface reflects light which is directed toward the dark print layer within the base sheet without diffusion.

2. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the dark print layer is formed of a cured body of a coating liquid non-corrosive to the base sheet.

3. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein a transparent resin layer is provided between the base sheet and the dark print layer.

4. A key sheet according to claim 3 , wherein the transparent resin layer is formed of a cured body of a coating liquid non-corrosive to the base sheet.

5. A key sheet according to claim 3 , wherein the transparent resin layer is formed of a cured body of one of a non-solvent type coating liquid, an aqueous solvent type coating liquid, and an alcoholic solvent type coating liquid, which are non-corrosive to the base sheet.

6. A key sheet according to claim 3 , wherein the dark print layer is formed of a cured body of a coating liquid non-corrosive to the transparent resin layer.

7. A key sheet according to claim 1 ,

wherein the base sheet has a top surface and a bottom surface,

the dark print layer is provided on the entire bottom surface of the base sheet.

8. A key sheet according to claim 1 , wherein, on at least one surface of the base sheet, diffusion portions turning an opposing surface of the base sheet into a rough surface and transmitting light propagated in a surface direction of the base sheet to the at least one depressing operation portion are provided.

9. A key sheet according to claim 8 , wherein diffusion configurations of the diffusion portions form display elements.

10. A lightproof light guiding sheet, comprising:

a light guiding sheet having a smooth surface; and

a dark print layer provided on the smooth surface,

wherein the dark print layer absorbs light between the dark print layer and a circuit board, and

wherein the smooth surface reflects light which is directed toward the dark print layer within the base sheet without diffusion.

11. A lightproof light guiding sheet according to claim 10 , wherein a transparent resin layer is provided between the light guiding sheet and the dark print layer.

12. A key sheet according to claim 10 ,

wherein the base sheet has a top surface and a bottom surface,

the dark print layer is provided on the entire bottom surface of the base sheet.

13. A pushbutton switch, comprising:

a key sheet allowing illumination, comprising,

a base sheet formed of a transparent resin film having a smooth surface, the base sheet being a light guide sheet,

at least one depressing operation portion having at least an operation surface for operation by a user, and

a dark print layer provided on the smooth surface; and

a circuit board comprising a contact switch and an inner light source,

wherein the dark print layer absorbs light between the dark print layer and the circuit board, and

wherein the smooth surface reflects light which is directed toward the dark print layer within the base sheet without diffusion.

14. A pushbutton switch according to claim 13 , wherein a transparent resin layer is provided between the base sheet and the dark print layer.

15. A pushbutton switch according to claim 13 ,

wherein the dark print layer is provided on a top surface of the base sheet, and

wherein the dark print layer covers intervals between the depressing operation portions on the base sheet.

16. A pushbutton switch according to claim 14 ,

wherein the dark print layer is provided on a top surface of the base sheet, and

wherein the dark print layer covers intervals between the depressing operation portions on the base sheet.

17. A method of manufacturing a key sheet,

the key sheet allowing illumination, comprising:

a base sheet formed of a transparent resin film having a smooth surface, the base sheet being a light guide sheet,

at least one depressing operation portion having at least an operation surface for operation by user; and

a dark print layer provided on the smooth surface by applying and curing a coating liquid,

wherein the smooth surface is maintained as the smooth surface without being roughened, and

wherein the dark print layer absorbs light between the dark print layer and a circuit board.

18. A method of manufacturing a key sheet according to claim 17 , comprising forming the dark print layer in which the dark print layer is formed by applying and curing a coating liquid non-corrosive to the base sheet.

19. A method of manufacturing a key sheet allowing illumination according to claim 17 , further comprising executing providing a transparent resin layer between the base sheet and the dark print layer.

20. A method of manufacturing a key sheet allowing illumination according to claim 19 , wherein, in forming the transparent resin layer, at least one of providing the transparent resin layer by applying and curing a coating liquid non-corrosive to the base sheet and providing the dark print layer by applying and curing a coating liquid non-corrosive to the transparent resin layer in executed.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 1, 2018
From: POLYMATECH JAPAN CO., LTD.
To: SEKISUI POLYMATECH CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 045964/0914 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2015
From: POLYMATECH CO., LTD.
To: POLYMATECH JAPAN CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 035301/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2009
From: TAKEDA, YASUNORI
To: POLYMATECH CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 022422/0713 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2008-320179 · Dec 16, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100147661A1 · Jun 17, 2010