Key input device
US7138978B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2239/03
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A key input device in which an input key is oscillated with respect to an opposing surface facing a bottom portion thereof and in which depression of the opposing surface with the input key at a normal operating point situated above a contact portion of a board causes the input key to tilt in a normal oscillating direction to effect input at the contact portion. Either the bottom portion of the input key or the opposing surface is equipped with guide protrusions arranged symmetrically with respect to an imaginary line extending along the normal oscillating direction of the input key. Depression of the opposing surface with the input key at an erroneous operating point deviated from the normal operating point results in the guide protrusions guiding the input key to tilt in the normal oscillating direction while abutting either the bottom portion of the input key or the opposing surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.