Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Including keyboard
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-29
2001-10-02
Liang, Regina (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Including keyboard
C400S490000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06297809
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a keyboard apparatus in which fitting of an incorrect key-top on a key-switch body in the type of the key-top and fitting direction thereof is avoided when each key-top corresponding to each of plural kinds of the key-switch bodies arranged on a keyboard base is fitted thereto.
2. Description of the Related Art
On a keyboard base of a computer, a word processor, etc. numerous key-switches
100
. . . are arranged, as shown in
FIG. 6
for example. To these key-switches
100
. . . are fitted key-tops for being pushed by a finger having various shapes in a top view thereof, such as roughly rectangular shapes, half-size shapes, crosswise shapes, odd size L-shapes, etc. Moreover, when taking only the half size shaped key-switch (referred to “a half key” below), as an example, there are subtle differences in the shapes thereof in accordance with arranged positions thereof, as shown by key-switches
100
a
,
100
b
,
100
c
,
100
d
,
100
e
, and
100
f.
The key-switch generally comprises a key-top
110
and a key-switch body (referred to simply “a body” below)
120
, as shown in
FIGS. 7A and 7B
, as an example. The key-top
110
comprises a top plate
11
being pushed by a finger, a stem portion
12
extending below the top plate
11
through an axis “X” of the key-top
110
, a hook portion
13
disposed in the both sides of the stem portion
12
sandwiched therebetween, and a side wall
14
extending below the periphery of the top plate
11
.
The body
120
comprises a housing
21
accommodating the body
120
, a rubber spring
22
connected to the bottom end of the stem portion
12
having a shape of a bowl inverted on the surface, and a membrane switch
24
disposed underneath a pushing portion
23
of the rubber spring
22
, being formed below the center apex of the rubber spring
22
. In the housing
21
formed are a socket
25
into which the stem portion
12
is vertically slidably inserted, and a hook holding hole
26
with which the hook portion
13
engages so that the key-top
110
cannot be pulled out from the body
120
.
In order to fit the key-top
110
to the body
120
, the key-top
110
is oriented relative to the body
120
so that the hook portion
13
engages with the hook holding hole
26
relative to the axis “X”; the end of the stem portion
12
is inserted into the socket
25
; and the key-top
110
may be only pushed downward in this state. At this time, the stem portion
12
is connected to the rubber spring
22
by fitting an annular portion
29
of the rubber spring
22
formed upward protrudingly from the center apex thereof into the end of the stem portion
12
; simultaneously the end portion of the hook portion
13
is inserted into and brought into engagement with the hook holding hole
26
so as to be not pulled out therefrom; and fitting is completed.
In this key-switch, when the top plate
11
is pushed by a finger, the stem portion
12
slides downward in the socket
25
such that the end of the stem portion
12
pushes the rubber spring
22
downward to buckle it. Thereby, the membrane switch
24
is pushed by the pushing portion
23
so as to be brought into conduction. When the finger is separated from the top plate
11
, the key-top
110
returns to the original position thereof by a repulsion force of the rubber spring
22
to thereby turn the membrane switch
24
off.
When the keyboard is assembled, each key-switch body having a specific function is arranged at and assembled in the corresponding position of the keyboard in advance; each key-top corresponding to the body is fitted thereto; and a specific symbol such as an alphabet is printed afterward on the top plate surface of the key-top by a laser for example.
When key-tops having distinct different shapes and sizes are assembled, fitting thereof to each of corresponding bodies is comparatively easy due to easy recognition thereof. However, in order immediately to recognize key-tops having subtle differences in the shapes thereof, as half keys
100
a
to
100
f
, to fit them to corresponding bodies, considerable attention is needed, such that key-tops of the different type are prone to be incorrectly fitted. Once the different type of key-top is incorrectly fitted, it cannot be pulled out because the hook portion
13
engages with the hook holding hole
26
as described above, resulting in decreasing productivity so that it is eliminated from the production line as a failed product, for example.
Even the same type of key-top generally has a shape being unsymmetrical between back and foreground sides of the keyboard surface, so that fitting of key-tops inverting back and foreground sides has been done.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the above-described problems. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard apparatus in which incorrect fitting in types and fitting directions of key-tops is prevented when plural types of key-tops are fitted to corresponding types of key-switch bodies arranged on a keyboard base.
In order to solve the above-described problems, in a keyboard apparatus according to the present invention, the key-top comprises a key-top side assortment cord formed of a combination of convex portions and concave portions which is determined by the type thereof, and the key-switch body comprises a body side assortment cord formed of a combination of convex portions and concave portions and which is brought into engagement with the key-top side assortment cord in pairs, wherein the key-top can be fitted to the key-switch body only when the key-top side assortment cord is brought into engagement with the body side assortment cord.
In this keyboard apparatus, the key-top can be fitted to the corresponding key-switch body only when the key-top side assortment cord formed of a combination of convex portions and concave portions which is determined by the type of the key-top is brought into engagement with the corresponding body side assortment cord in pairs. Accordingly, another type of key-top having a assortment cord which is not brought into engagement with the body side assortment cord cannot be fitted to the body, resulting in prevention of a mistake in which a different key-top is fitted wrong to the body.
In a keyboard apparatus according to the present invention, the key-top side assortment cord may be formed below a port on of a side wall of the key-top, and the body side assortment cord may be formed above a housing of the key-switch body.
Thereby key-top side and body-side assortment cords are easily formed and cannot be also in sight from outside, resulting in non-loss of design and appearance thereof.
In a keyboard apparatus according to the present invention, the key-top may further comprise a key-top side direction cord for defining the fitting direction disposed in a different position from that of the key-top side assortment cord having a convex portion or a concave portion, and the key-switch body may further comprise a body side direction cord disposed in the engaging position with the key-top side direction cord having a concave portion or a convex portion, and wherein the key-top can be fitted to the key-switch body only when the key-top side direction cord is brought into engagement with the body side direction cord.
Since the key-top can be fitted to the key-switch body only when the key-top side direction cord is brought into engagement with the body side direction cord, the key-top cannot be fitted in the inverted direction.
In a keyboard apparatus according to the present invention, the key-top side direction cord may be formed in the foreground position of the keyboard or the back position thereof.
Thereby the key-top side direction cord is easily formed and cannot be also in sight from outside, resulting in non-loss of design and appearance. Since the direction cord can be visually checked it can be used as a sign for checking the inserting direction of the key-top before insertion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5209588 (1
Alps Electric Co. ,Ltd.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Liang Regina
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