Integrated key plate for an input device
US10627920B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 2019 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0362
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An input device can include a chassis, a housing coupled to the chassis and forming a top surface of the input device, a depressible key plate integrated with and forming a part of the housing, a biasing mechanism (e.g., a spring) disposed within the housing and coupled to a bottom portion of the key plate to provide a downward force on the key plate, and a force sensor (e.g., switch) disposed in the chassis and in contact with the bottom portion of the key plate to activate in response to receiving a threshold force by the bottom surface of the key plate. The key plate may depress in response to receiving at least a predetermined depression force on the top surface. In some cases, the downward force provided by the biasing mechanism can be substantially equal to the predetermined depression force.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.