GB2338929A

GB2338929A - Scissors-type keyset having a first U-shaped rack snap fit engageable with a second rack

Info

Publication number: GB2338929A
Application number: GB9814498A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gino Hu
Original assignee: Silitek Corp
Current assignee: Silitek Corp
Priority date: 1998-07-01
Filing date: 1998-07-03
Publication date: 2000-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2018-07-03
Also published as: FR2781296B3; FR2781296A3; GB9814498D0; DE29811726U1; GB2338929B

Description

2338929 Improved keyset of keyboard

Field of the invention - -

The present invention relates to an improved keyset of keyboard, more particularly, to an improved keyset, which can be easily assembled and is not liable to deform or break during assembling.

Background of the invention

Tle conventional keyset for notebook computer generally comprises a key cap 2, a fu-st rack 1, a second rack 3, a flexible circuit board 4, a resilient body 6. and a base plate 5.

to As shown in Fig. I and 2, the conventional fu-st rack I and second rack 2 are arranged in a cross-over arrangement. When the key cap 2 is guided by the first rack I and the second rack 3 to move upward and downward, whereby the body 6 below the key cap 2 can press on or detach from the flexible circuit board 4 to turn on or turn offthe keying.

However, the lateral sides of the rack 1, 3 in conventional art have not sufficient strength such did the racks are liable to deform or break during &ssembling or detach. Moreover, the assembling ofthose racks is not easy and requires precise alignment to prevent jamming.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved keyset the racks there of are designed to have easy assembling without the usage of auxiliary tools, and have better strength to prevent the deforming and breaking during assembling or disassemble.

To achieve the above object, the improved keyset according to the present invention comprises a keycap, a first rack, a second rack, a plastic body, a circuit board, a resilient body and a base plate, wherein the circuit board, the resilient body and the plastic body are arranged upon the top side of the base plate, the firs second rack, the key cap and the plastic body constitute the keyset structure according-to te_ present invention, and characterized in that first rack is a U-shaped rack and the second rack has a dent portion.

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed desaion when read in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which: Brief description of drawing:

Fig. 1 is the perspective exploded view of the conventional keyset.

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of the cross-type rack in conventional keyset Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fi& 4 is the perspective view of the second rack of the preferred embodiment according to the invention Fig. 5 is the top view ofthe second rack of the preferred embodiment according to the invention.

Fig. 6 is the cross section view of the second rack of the preferred embodiment according to the invention.

Fig. 7 is the perspective view of the fir-st rack of the preferred embodiment according to the invention Fig. 8 is the top view of the first rack of the preferred embodiment according to the invention.

Fig. 9 is the cross section view of the fu-st rack of the preferred embodiment according to the invention.

Fig. 10 is a top view shows the fir-st and second racks of the preferred embodiment according to the invention in a crossover state.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view shows the fu-st and second racks of the 2 preferred embodiment according to the invention in a crossover state.

Fig. 12 is a view showing fhe operation of the preferred embodiment according to the invention.

Fig. 13 is another view showing the operation ofthe preferred embodiment 5 according to the invention.

Numeral 1. first rack 5. base plate 2. key cap 6. Resilient body 3. second rack 4. flexible circuit board 11. second rack 112. connection part 113. rack body 114. arc-shaped part 115. fourth shaft 117. third shaft 118. ax:ial hole 12. key cap 121. embedding part 123. retaining groove 13. first rack 131. rack body 133. arm portion 134. groove 135. second shaft 132. first shaft 139. connection side Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Ile improved keyset according to the present invention compresses a keycap 12, a first rack 13, a second rack 11, a plastic body 17, a flexible circuit board 142 a resilient body 16 and a base plate 15. The key cap 12 is of rectangular shape and has two embedding part 121 on one upper lateral 3 side within the inner space thereot and retaining grooves 123 on another side to clamp the firl rack 13 and the second rack 11 The first rack 13 is arranged below the key cap 12 and in cross arrangement with the second rack 11. The groove 134 of the first rack 13 engages with the embedding part 121 of the key cap 12. The forth shaft 115 of the second rack I I engages with the retaining groove 123 of the key cap 12.

Me plastic body 17 is arranged below the first rack 13 and the second rack 11. 'Me plastic body 17 is provided with a through hole for the penetration of the resilient body 16 on locations corresponding to each key cap 12, first rack 13 and second rack 11, and two joint holes on both side thereof and corresponding to the first rack 13 and the second rack 11.

The resilient body 16 is arranged below the first rack 13 and the second rack 11, and within the through hole of the plastic body 17. The resilient body 16 is functioned to support the first rack 13 and the second rack 11.

The flexible circuit board 14 is arranged below the plastic body 17 and has a plurality of punched holes on location corresponding to key cap 12, first rack 13 and second rack 11. Moreover, the punched holes have been applied with adhesive paste to fix above elements. The base plate 15 is placed below the flexible circuit board 14 to support the elements mounting above.

As shown in Figs. 4-6, the second rack 11 has two opposite rack body 113, wherein one end of each rack body 113 is connected with a connection part 112 and another end of each rack body 113 is connected with an arc-shaped part 114.

The second rack 11 is arranged below the key cap 12 and has fourth shaft 115 extending from another end of the rack body 113 and corresponding to the retaining groove 123 of the key cap 12. A third shaft 117 is a=ged on one 4 end of the rack body 113 and corresponding to the join hole of the plastic body 17. Ile rack body 113 has an axial hole 118 corresponding to the first rack 13, the axial hole 118 has an opening.

As shown in Figs.7-9, the first rack 13 has a inverse-U shaped rack body 131 which has a U-shaped arm portion 133 on inner side thereof 'Me arm portion 133 has a second shaft 135 on each lateral side, which is corresponding to the axial hole 118 of the second rack 11.

The first rack 13 is arranged below the key cap 12 and has a groove 134 on each end of connection side 139 of the rack body 13 1, which is corresponding to the embedding part 121 of the key cap 12. ne rack body 131 has a first shaft 132 on each connection side 139 thereot which is corresponding to the join hole of the plastic body 17.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the first rack 13 has been provided with arm portion 133 on inner side thereo therefore the contact area between the first rack 13 and second rack I I increases. The shaky problem of the key cap 12 can be prevented, and the assembling and disassembling of the key cap 12 is easier.

By the special design of the second rack 11, that is the opening on the second rack I I has suitable orientation such that the second rack I I can be assembled with most ease. Moreover, the bearing of the second rack 12 is on the inner most side of the arm portion 133 of the first rack 13. The distortion or breaking of those two racks can be prevented.

As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, when the key cap 12 is pressed down, it will be guided by the first rack 13 and the second rack 11 to move downward in vertical direction. The key cap 12 will lead the resilient body 16 to press on the flexible circuit board 14, thus turning on the keying as shown in Fig. 13.

Moreover, if the force acting on the key cap 12 is released, the key cap 12 will be moved upward by the resilient force of the resilient body 16 and guided by the two rack 11 and 13. The resilient body will be detached from the fleidble circuit board 14, thus tuming off the keying, as shown Mi Fig. 12.

To surn up, the inventive keyset can solve the assembling and poor strength problems of the conventional keyset of notebook computer, therefore it is of industrial interest.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof Various substitutions and modifications have suggested in the foregoing description, and other will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. 'Merefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

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Claims

1. An improved keyset comprising a keycap, a first rack, a second rack, a plastic body, a circuit board, a resilient body and a base plate, wherein said circuit board, said resilient body and said plastic body are arranged upon the top side of said base plate, said first rack, said second rack, said key cap and said plastic body constitute the keyset structure according to the present invention, and characterized in that said first rack is a U-shaped rack and said second rack has a dent portion.

2. A keyset comprising:

switching means, a keycap adapted for operation of said switching means by movement relative to said switching means, guiding means for guiding movement of said keycap relative to the switching means, said guiding means including a first rack and a second rack, each rack having a first end adapted for pivotal engagement with the keycap and a second end adapted for pivotal engagement with the switching means, the first and second racks being pivotally interconnectable at locations between their respective first and second ends, wherein the first rack is substantially U-shaped and has pivots located on legs of the U-shaped rack and the second rack has pivot apertures adapted pivotally to receive said pivots respectively, said pivot apertures being provided with constricted lateral openings such that the pivots may be snap fitted into the pivot apertures through the constricted openings, pivotally to connect the first rack to the second rack, without substantially flexing the racks.

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3. A keyset substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 3 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.

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