Patent · US Active

Keypad assembly for a portable electronic device

US8822861B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
4References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 22, 2011
Grant dateSep 2, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 22, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K2217/96042
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A friction device, keypad assembly and portable electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, there is provided a keypad assembly for a portable electronic device, comprising: a keypad having a number of keys each having an actuator post attached to a back side thereof; a circuit board; a light guide located between the keypad and the circuit board, the light guide defining a number of holes which provide paths for respective actuator posts to travel through to contact respective electrical switches on the circuit board; and at least one friction device located in one of the holes of the light guide, the friction device providing a physical barrier limiting movement of the actuator post in a direction normal to a direction of actuation, the friction device applying friction to at least one side of the actuator post and resisting movement of the actuator post in the direction of actuation.

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