Electronic device including keypad with keys having a ridged surface profile
According to one aspect, a portable electronic device having a base portion having a keypad, and a sliding portion. The sliding portion is coupled to the base portion and slideable relative thereto between a closed position wherein the keypad is covered by the sliding portion, and an open position wherein the keypad is exposed. The keypad includes a plurality of keys, at least some of the plurality of keys having a ridge that extends upwardly from the top surface of the key. Each ridge extends between a lower edge of the key and an upper edge of the key and is curved therebetween. Each ridge is offset from a midline of each key.
1. A keypad for a portable electronic device comprising:
a plurality of keys, at least some of the plurality of keys having:
a ridge that extends upwardly from a top surface of the key, the ridge extending between a lower edge of the key and an upper edge of the key and being curved therebetween, the entirety of the ridge being offset from a midline of the key;
a chamfered edge adjacent the ridge, the chamfered edge being on the same side of the midline of the key as the ridge;
a first concave dip adjacent the ridge on the side of the key opposite the chamfered edge;
a convex rise adjacent the first concave dip; and
a second dip adjacent the convex rise, the second dip extending to a further edge of the key;
wherein the convex rise peaks between the first concave dip and the second concave dip.
2. The keypad according to claim 1 , wherein the chamfered edge cooperates with a second dip from an adjacent key to create extra space between two adjacent keys.
3. The keypad according to claim 2 , wherein the second dip is on a side of the adjacent key opposite a chamfered edge of the adjacent key.
4. The keypad according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ridges has a height that varies along its length.
5. The keypad according to claim 1 , wherein at least one key has two ridges on more than one side of the key.
6. The keypad according to claim 1 , wherein the keypad is provided on a base portion of the portable electronic device, the device further including a sliding portion configured for sliding relative to the base between an open configuration and a closed configuration.
7. A portable electronic device comprising:
a keypad having a plurality of keys, at least some of the plurality of keys having:
a ridge that extends upwardly from a top surface of the key, the ridge extending between a lower edge of the key and an upper edge of the key and being curved therebetween, the entirety of the ridge being offset from a midline of the key;
a chamfered edge adjacent the ridge, the chamfered edge being on the same side of the midline of the key as the ridge;
a first concave dip adjacent the ridge on the side of the key opposite the chamfered edge;
a convex rise adjacent the first concave dip; and
a second dip adjacent the convex rise, the second dip extending to a further edge of the key;
wherein the convex rise peaks between the first concave dip and the second concave dip.
8. The portable electronic device according to claim 7 , wherein the chamfered edge cooperates with a second dip from an adjacent key to create extra space between two adjacent keys.
9. The portable electronic device according to claim 8 , wherein the dip is on a side of the adjacent key opposite a chamfered edge of the adjacent key.
10. The portable electronic device according to claim 7 , wherein at least one of the ridges has a height that varies along its length.
11. The portable electronic device according to claim 7 , wherein at least one key has two ridges on more than one side of the key.
12. The portable electronic device according to claim 7 , further comprising:
a base portion having the keypad provided thereon; and
a sliding portion coupled to the base portion and slideable relative thereto between a closed position wherein the keypad is covered by the sliding portion and an open position wherein the keypad is exposed.