Keyboard switch
US6759614B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H3/125
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a keyboard switch structure that allows the height of a keyboard switch to be sufficiently minimized so as to be suitable for notebook personal computers or other portable devices. The present invention also provides a keyboard switch assembly that allows the keytop attached to the keyboard switch to be removed and replaced in a simple manner without destroying or damaging the keyboard switch. The keyboard switch is configured in a pantograph structure having cross arms that intersect each other to form an X-like structure. The upper portion of the pantograph structure is movably attached to a coupling plate on the underside of the keytop and the lower portion of the structure is movably attached to a base plate so as provide the keytop with movement in the vertical direction. The keyboard switch has two frame members that each have two cross arms that are parallel and fixed relative to each other. The first and second frame members intersect and engage each other so as to allow at least partial rotational movement about an intersection point lower than the center of each cross arm and in such a manner as to minimize the height of the keyboard switch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.