Patent · US Active

Leveled touchsurface with planar translational responsiveness to vertical travel

US8309870B2 · kind B2 · utility

36Cited by
113References
26Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 12, 2011
Grant dateNov 13, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 12, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2227/036
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Described herein are techniques related to a leveled touchsurface with planar translational responsiveness to vertical travel. Examples of a touchsurface include a key of a keyboard, touchpad of a laptop, or a touchscreen of a smartphone or tablet computer. With the techniques described herein, the touchsurface is constrained to remain in a level orientation during planar translational movement between depressed and unpressed positions along a diagonal line with respect to a vertical axis. Also, with the techniques described herein, a planar-translation-effecting mechanism imparts a planar translation to the touchsurface while it travels vertically (e.g., downward) as the user presses the touchsurface. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

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