Typewriting machines – Key-board or key lever-actuating mechanism – Key lever or space-bar mounting structure
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-18
2003-11-04
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2854)
Typewriting machines
Key-board or key lever-actuating mechanism
Key lever or space-bar mounting structure
C400S472000, C200S302100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06641317
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a keyboard, such as a computer keyboard, and in particular to a casing of a keyboard having a draining structure to drain liquid accidentally poured into the inside of the keyboard casing.
2. The Related Art
Keyboards are one of the most commonly employed computers input devices or man-machine interfaces. The keyboard comprises a casing inside which electric circuits and parts are arranged. Movable pushbuttons are provided on a top surface of the casing for user's access and actuation. A stroke of any one of the pushbuttons causes a physical contact between separate parts of the circuit to induce an electric signal corresponding to the pushbutton. Due to the moving parts of the pushbuttons, gaps are formed in the top surface of the keyboard casing. Liquids, such as water and soft drinks that are accidentally poured onto the keyboard may flow into the keyboard casing via the gaps and cause electric short of the circuit of the keyboard.
Thus, it is desired to provide a draining structure for keyboard in order to reduce and even eliminate the problems caused by liquid poured into the keyboard casing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a draining structure for a keyboard comprising a draining structure for guiding liquid that is accidentally poured into the keyboard casing out of the casing to eliminate electric short caused by the liquid contacting a circuit board or electric parts of the keyboard.
To achieve the above object, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a draining structure for a keyboard comprising an upper cover having a top surface forming a number of recessed areas for accommodation of movable pushbuttons. A lower cover is releasable attached to a bottom side of the upper cover. Each recessed area has at least one draining hole, preferably in the form of an elongated slot defined in a sidewall of the recessed area. The lower cover forms a groove corresponding in position to the draining holes of the upper cover for receiving liquid from the recessed areas of the upper cover via the draining holes. A number of openings or elongated slots is defined in the bottom of the groove for expelling the liquid out of the casing. A partition wall is formed in the tower cover for separating the groove from an electric part receiving space in which electric parts are arranged for preventing electric short caused by the liquid contacting the electric parts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4905173 (1990-02-01), Bianco
patent: 4948281 (1990-08-01), Werner
patent: 5421659 (1995-06-01), Liang
patent: 6156983 (2000-12-01), Chen et al.
patent: 6179500 (2001-01-01), Oura et al.
patent: 6443644 (2002-09-01), Takeda et al.
Behavior Tech Computer Corporation
Ghatt Dave A.
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
Rosenberg , Klein & Lee
LandOfFree
Draining structure for a keyboard does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Draining structure for a keyboard, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Draining structure for a keyboard will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3168331