Patent · US Active

Backlighted key for a keypad of an electronic device

US7977593B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
8References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 17, 2009
Grant dateJul 12, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 17, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04M1/23
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a key plunger and a key assembly for a key of an electronic device. The plunger comprises: a stalk made of a first material allowing light to pass through and a body section connected to the top of the plinth. In the plunger, the body section is made of a second material and shaped to fit snugly within an interior of a cap for the key and to extend horizontally about the stalk. The second material is a translucent, light-diffusing material; the first material allows more light to pass therethrough than the second material. The key assembly comprises: a key plunger; a key cap shaped to fit over the key plunger; and a backlight to illuminate an interior of the key cap. The backlight may be located underneath the key plunger and to a side of the stalk.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.