Touchsurface assembly with level and planar translational responsiveness via a buckling elastic component
US9218927B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2013 |
| Grant date | Dec 22, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2221/044
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for a touchsurface assembly such as a key assembly are described. The touchsurface assembly includes a keycap, a base and an elastic component coupled to the keycap and the base. The elastic component supports the keycap away from the base in an unpressed position, and directionally buckles during movement of the keycap toward a pressed position responsive to a press force. The press force moves the keycap in a press direction toward the pressed position, and the directionally buckling of the elastic component allows the keycap to move in a second direction orthogonal to the press direction. Upon release of the press force, the elastic component moves the keycap toward the unpressed position after release of the press force.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.