Patent · US Active

Low-travel key mechanism for an input device

US9997308B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
206References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 13, 2016
Grant dateJun 12, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 27, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H3/125
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A key mechanism for an electronic device includes a switch housing and a hinged structure. As one example, the hinged structure can be a butterfly hinge. The switch housing includes switch pin retaining mechanisms on opposing sides of the switch housing. The hinged structure includes two separate wings that are positioned adjacent to each other such that a cavity is formed between the two wings. The two wings are coupled together by coupling elements. The wings of the hinged structure can include switch housing pins on each arm of the wing that extend into the cavity and couple to the switch pin retaining mechanisms in the switch housing. Various configurations of switch pin retaining mechanisms and switch housing pins can be used to attach the hinged structure to the switch housing.

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