Improvements in key switches

Claim 2

A key switch assembly for an electronic apparatus and mounted in a casing of the apparatus, the assembly comprising at least one switch and a key pad, characterised in that the key pa d comprises at least one key movable in a downward direction responsive to a pushing force applied by an operator to change the state of the switch from a first state to a second state, wherein the key pad is positioned so a first surface portion of the key pad containing the key extends through an opening provided in the casing and a second surface portion of the key pad surrounding the first portion is secured to an edge portion of the casing adjacent the opening.

Claim 3

An assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a substrate constructed of a light transmitting material for supporting said key pad and said switch.

Claim 4

An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 further comprising lighting means disposed below said switch and said key pad for illuminating said key.

Claim 5

An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said switch comprises at least two electrodes disposed in spaced relationship and positioned to come in contact responsive to depression of said key.

Claim 6

An assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said switch further comprises spacer means positioned between said electrodes, and having an opening provided at a location corresponding to the location of said key.

Claim 7

An assembly as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein said switch comprises elastic means disposed adjacent said key pad and having a generally hemispherical projection positioned at a location corresponding to the location of said key, said projection being inverted responsive to depression of said key to cause said electrodes to come into contact.

Claim 8

An electronic apparatus incorporated in a casing having an opening, at least one switch, and a key pad characterised in that the key pad has at least one key movable in a downward direction responsive to a pushing force applied by an operator to change the state of the switch from a first state to a second state, wherein the key pad is positioned so a first surface portion of the key pad containing the key extends through an opening provided in the casing and a second surface portion of the key pad surrounding the first portion is secured to an edge portion of the casing adjacent the opening, said key pad and said switch being constructed of a light transmitting material.

Claim 9

An electronic apparatus incorporated in a casing having an opening, at least one switch, and a key pad characterised in that the key pad has at least one key movable in a downward direction responsive to a pushing force applied by an operator to change the state of the switch from a first state to a second state, wherein the key pad is positioned so a first surface portion of the key pad containing the key extends through an opening provided in the casing and a second surface portion of the key pad surrounding the first portion is secured to an edge portion of the casing adjacent the opening, said key pad and said switch being constructed of a light transmitting material.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a substrate for supporting said key pad and said switch.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8 further comprising lighting means disposed below said key pad and said switch for illuminating said key.

Claim 12

A key switch assembly for an electronic apparatus and mounted in a casing of the apparatus characterised in that the assembly comprises: a substrate, a first electrode sheet disposed on said substrate and having a plurality of first electrodes, a second electrode sheet disposed on said substrate and having a plurality of second electrodes, a spacer sheet disposed between said first electrode sheet and said second electrode sheet and having a plurality of openings positioned to coincide with the intersections of said first electrodes and second electrodes, a click substrate disposed on said second electrode sheet and having a plurality of elastic projections located at positions corresponding to said openings, said projections being deformable responsive to a deflecting force applied by an operator to cause said first electrodes to contact said second electrodes, and a key pad, disposed on said click substrate and having a plurality of keys located at positions corresponding to said projections, each of said keys being movable in a downward direction responsive to a pushing force applied by an operator to cause said projection to be deformed, said key pad being positioned within the casing so a first surface portion of said key pad containing the keys extends through an opening provided in the casing and a second surface portion of said key pad surrounding said first portion is secured to an edge portion of said casing adjacent said opening.

Claim 13

A key switch assembly for an electronic apparatus and mounted in a casing of the apparatus characterised in that the assembly comprises: a substrate, a first electrode sheet disposed on said substrate and having a plurality of first electrodes, a second electrode sheet disposed on said substrate and having a plurality of second electrodes, a spacer sheet disposed between said first electrode sheet and said second electrode sheet and having a plurality of openings positioned to coincide with the intersections of said first electrodes and second electrodes, a click substrate disposed on said second electrode sheet and having a plurality of elastic projections located at positions corresponding to said openings, said projections being deformable responsive to a deflecting force applied by an operator to cause said first electrodes to contact said second electrodes, and a key pad, disposed on said click substrate and having a plurality of keys located at positions corresponding to said projections, each of said keys being movable in a downward direction responsive to a pushing force applied by an operator to cause said projection to be deformed, said key pad being positioned within the casing so a first surface portion of said key pad containing the keys extends through an opening provided in the casing and a second surface portion of said key pad surrounding said first portion is secured to an edge portion of said casing adjacent said opening.

Claim 14

The assembly of claim 10 further comprising lighting means disposed below said substrate for illuminating said key pad.