Keyswitch device

Claim 2

A keyswitch device comprising: a keytop having a pair of first holding portions and a pair of second holding portions formed on a back surface of the keytop, a holder member having a pair of third holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the first holding portions, and a pair of fourth holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the second holding portions, the holder member being arranged under the keytop, a guide support member for guiding the keytop in upward and downward directions, the guide support member having a first hinge member including a first engaging means for rotatably engaging the first holding portions and a second engaging means for slidably engaging the third holding portions and a second hinge member including a third engaging means for slidably engaging the second holding portions and a fourth engaging means for rotatably engaging the fourth holding portions, the first and the second hinge members being rotatably supported with each other, and a switching means for conducting switching action according to movement of the keytop adapted to be actuated upon depression of the keytop, wherein each of the third holding portions and the fourth holding portions has a sliding slot formed therein, both sliding slots opening in the same direction and both the second engaging means and the fourth engaging means are slid into the sliding slots from the same direction.

Claim 3

The keyswitch device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first holding portions has a slot for rotatably holding the first engaging means therein.

Claim 4

The keyswitch device according to claim 2, wherein each of the second holding portions has a lateral long slot for slidably holding the third engaging means therein.

Claim 5

The keyswitch device according to claim 3, wherein each of the first holding portions has a first guide portion continuously formed therefrom so as to guide the first engaging means into the slot and each of the second holding portions has a second guide portion so as to guide the third engaging means into the lateral long slot, and wherein the keytop and the guide support member are interconnected by slightly pressing the keytop downward after positioning the first guide portions over the first engaging means and the second guide portions over the third engaging means.

Claim 6

The keyswitch device according to claim 4, wherein each of the first guide portions is open at a lower end thereof so as to become gradually wider and wider in a direction away from the keytop.

Claim 7

The keyswitch device according to claim 4, wherein each of the second guide portions has an inclined surface which is outwardly inclined in a direction away from the keytop, thereby the second guide portion is tapered so that thickness thereof becomes thinner and thinner in a direction away from the keytop.

Claim 8

The keyswitch device according to claim 1, wherein the first hinge member includes a pair of first plates being mutually opposed, each of which has a first end and a second end and wherein the first engaging means is a rod formed between the first ends and the second engaging means is a pin formed at each of the second ends.

Claim 9

The keyswitch device according to claim 7, wherein each of the first plates has a shaft formed at a central position on as inner surface thereof.

Claim 10

The keyswitch device according to claim 8, wherein the second hinge member includes a pair of second plates being mutually opposed, each of which has a first end and a second end and wherein the fourth engaging means is a rod formed between the first ends and the third engaging means is a pin formed at each of the second ends.

Claim 11

The keyswitch device according to claim 9, wherein each of the second plates has a shaft hole formed at a central position on an outer surface thereof and the shafts on the first plates are rotatably supported in the shaft holes on the second plates.

Claim 12

The keyswitch device according to claim 10, wherein the switching means includes a rubber spring made of elastic rubber, a movable electrode fixed to an upper wall inside the rubber spring and a circuit board on which a fixed electrode is formed oppositely to the movable electrode.

Claim 13

The keyswitch device according to claim 11, wherein the second hinge member has a pressing rod formed between the second plates and the pressing rod is put on the rubber spring.

Claim 14

The keyswitch device according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper member formed in each of the sliding slots formed in the fourth holding portions.

Claim 15

The keyswitch device according to claim 13, wherein the stopper member has an inclined surface through which the fourth engaging means is guided into the sliding slots.

Claim 16

The keyswitch device according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of guiding walls each of which is formed between the third holding portion and the fourth holding portion on the holder member and wherein the guide support member is guided between the guiding walls when the second engaging means and the fourth engaging means are slid into the sliding slots.

Claim 17

A keyswitch device comprising: a keytop having a pair of first holding portions each of which has a first guide portion and a pair of second holding portions each of which has a second guide portion, both the first holding portions and the second holding portions being formed on a back surface thereof, a holder member having a pair of third holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the first holding portions and a pair of fourth holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the second holding portions, the holder member being arranged under the keytop, a guide support member for guiding the keytop in upward and downward directions, the guide support member having a first hinge member including a first engaging means for rotatably engaging the first holding portions through the first guide portions and a second engaging means for slidably engaging the third holding portions and a second hinge member including third engaging means for slidably engaging the second holding portions through the second guide portions and a fourth engaging means for rotatably engaging the fourth holding portions, the first and the second hinge members being rotatably supported with each other, a switching means for conducting switching action according to movement of the keytop adapted to be actuated upon depression of the keytop, wherein each of the third holding portions and the fourth holding portions has a sliding slot formed therein, both slots opening in the same direction and a stopper is formed in the sliding slot of each of the fourth holding portions, and wherein both the second engaging means and the fourth engaging means are slid into the sliding slots from the same direction.

Claim 18

A keyswitch device comprising: a keytop having a pair of first holding portions each of which has a first guide portion and a pair of second holding portions each of which has a second guide portion, both the first holding portions and the second holding portions being formed on a back surface thereof, a holder member having a pair of third holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the first holding portions and a pair of fourth holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the second holding portions, the holder member being arranged under the keytop, a guide support member for guiding the keytop in upward and downward directions, the guide support member having a first hinge member including a first engaging means for rotatably engaging the first holding portions through the first guide portions and a second engaging means for slidably engaging the third holding portions and a second hinge member including third engaging means for slidably engaging the second holding portions through the second guide portions and a fourth engaging means for rotatably engaging the fourth holding portions, the first and the second hinge members being rotatably supported with each other, a switching means for conducting switching action according to movement of the keytop adapted to be actuated upon depression of the keytop, wherein each of the third holding portions and the fourth holding portions has a sliding slot formed therein, both slots opening in the same direction and a stopper is formed in the sliding slot of each of the fourth holding portions, and wherein both the second engaging means and the fourth engaging means are slid into the sliding slots from the same direction.

Claim 19

A keyswitch device comprising: a keytop having a pair of first holding portions and a pair of second holding portions formed on a back surface thereof, a holder member having a pair of third holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the first holding portions and a pair of fourth holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the second holding portions, the holder member being arranged under the keytop, a guide support member for guiding the keytop in upward and downward directions, the guide support member having a first hinge member including a first engaging means for rotatably engaging the first holding portions and a second engaging means for slidably engaging the third holding portions and a second hinge member including a third engaging means for slidably engaging the second holding portions and a fourth engaging means for rotatably engaging the fourth holding portions, the first and the second hinge members being rotatably supported with each other, a switching means for conducting switching action according to movement of the keytop adapted to be actuated upon depression of the keytop, wherein each of the first holding portions has a slot for rotatably holding the first engaging means therein and each of the second holding portions has a lateral long slot for slidably holding the third engaging means therein, wherein each of the first holding portions has a first guide portion continuously formed therefrom to guide the first engaging means into the slot, wherein each of the first guide portions is open at a lower end thereof and becomes gradually wider in a direction away from the keytop, and each of the second holding portions has a second guide portion to guide the third engaging means into the lateral long slot, and wherein the keytop and the guide support member are interconnected by slightly pressing the keytop downward after positioning the first guide portions and the first engaging means together and the second guide portions and the third engaging means together.

Claim 20

A keyswitch device comprising: a keytop having a pair of first holding portions and a pair of second holding portions formed on a back surface thereof, a holder member having a pair of third holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the first holding portions and a pair of fourth holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the second holding portions, the holder member being arranged under the keytop, a guide support member for guiding the keytop in upward and downward directions, the guide support member having a first hinge member including a first engaging means for rotatably engaging the first holding portions and a second engaging means for slidably engaging the third holding portions and a second hinge member including a third engaging means for slidably engaging the second holding portions and a fourth engaging means for rotatably engaging the fourth holding portions, the first and the second hinge members being rotatably supported with each other, a switching means for conducting switching action according to movement of the keytop adapted to be actuated upon depression of the keytop, wherein each of the first holding portions has a slot for rotatably holding the first engaging means therein and each of the second holding portions has a lateral long slot for slidably holding the third engaging means therein, wherein each of the first holding portions has a first guide portion continuously formed therefrom to guide the first engaging means into the slot, wherein each of the first guide portions is open at a lower end thereof and becomes gradually wider in a direction away from the keytop, and each of the second holding portions has a second guide portion to guide the third engaging means into the lateral long slot, and wherein the keytop and the guide support member are interconnected by slightly pressing the keytop downward after positioning the first guide portions and the first engaging means together and the second guide portions and the third engaging means together.

Claim 21

A keyswitch device comprising: a keytop having a pair of first holding portions and a pair of second holding portions formed on a back surface thereof, a holder member having a pair of third holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the first holding portions and a pair of fourth holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the second holding portions, the holder member being arranged under the keytop, a guide support member for guiding the keytop in upward and downward directions, the guide support member having a first hinge member including a first engaging means for rotatably engaging the first holding portions and a second engaging means for slidably engaging the third holding portions and a second hinge member including a third engaging means for slidably engaging the second holding portions and a fourth engaging means for rotatably engaging the fourth holding portions, the first and the second hinge members being rotatably supported with each other, a switching means for conducting switching action according to movement of the keytop adapted to be actuated upon depression of the keytop, wherein each of the first holding portions has a slot for rotatably holding the first engaging means therein and each of the second holding portions has a lateral long slot for slidably holding the third engaging means therein, wherein each of the first holding portions has a first guide portion continuously formed therefrom to guide the first engaging means into the slot and each of the second holding portions has a second guide portion to guide the third engaging means into the lateral long slot, wherein each of the second guide portions has an inclined surface that is outwardly inclined in a direction away from the keytop, thereby the second guide portion is tapered so that thickness thereof becomes thinner in a direction away from the keytop, and wherein the keytop and the guide support member are interconnected by slightly pressing the keytop downward after positioning the first guide portions and the first engaging means together and the second guide portions and the third engaging means together.

Claim 22

A keyswitch device comprising: a keytop having a pair of first holding portions and a pair of second holding portions formed on a back surface thereof, a holder member having a pair of third holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the first holding portions and a pair of fourth holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the second holding portions, the holder member being arranged under the keytop, a guide support member for guiding the keytop in upward and downward directions, the guide support member having a first hinge member including a first engaging means for rotatably engaging the first holding portions and a second engaging means for slidably engaging the third holding portions and a second hinge member including a third engaging means for slidably engaging the second holding portions and a fourth engaging means for rotatably engaging the fourth holding portions, the first and the second hinge members being rotatably supported with each other, a switching means for conducting switching action according to movement of the keytop adapted to be actuated upon depression of the keytop, wherein each of the first holding portions has a slot for rotatably holding the first engaging means therein and each of the second holding portions has a lateral long slot for slidably holding the third engaging means therein, wherein each of the first holding portions has a first guide portion continuously formed therefrom to guide the first engaging means into the slot and each of the second holding portions has a second guide portion to guide the third engaging means into the lateral long slot, wherein each of the second guide portions has an inclined surface that is outwardly inclined in a direction away from the keytop, thereby the second guide portion is tapered so that thickness thereof becomes thinner in a direction away from the keytop, and wherein the keytop and the guide support member are interconnected by slightly pressing the keytop downward after positioning the first guide portions and the first engaging means together and the second guide portions and the third engaging means together.

Claim 23

A process for assembling a keyswitch device including a keytop having a pair of first holding portions, each of the first holding portions having a slot and a first guide portion continuously formed therefrom, and a pair of second holding portions, each of the second holding portions having a lateral long slot and a second guide portion, both the first and the second holding portions being formed on a back surface of the keytop, a holder member having a pair of third holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the first holding portions and a pair of fourth holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the second holding portions, each of the third holding portions and the fourth holding portions having a sliding slot formed therein that opens in the same direction, the holder member being arranged under the keytop, a guide support member for guiding the keytop in upward and downward directions, the guide support member having a first hinge member including a first engaging mechanism and a second engaging mechanism and a second hinge member including a third engaging mechanism and a fourth engaging mechanism, the first and the second hinge members being rotatably supported with each other, and a switch that conducts switching action according to movement of the keytop adapted to be actuated upon depression of the keytop, the process comprising the steps of: sliding the second engaging mechanism and the fourth engaging mechanism into the sliding slots from the same direction after positioning the second engaging mechanism and the fourth engaging mechanism at the sliding slots, thereby slidably engaging the second engaging mechanism into the sliding slots of the third holding portions and rotatably engaging the fourth engaging mechanism into the sliding slots of the fourth holding portions, and slightly pressing the keytop downward after positioning both the first engaging mechanism and the slots of the first holding portions and both the second engaging mechanism and the lateral long slots of the second holding portions, thereby interconnecting the keytop and the guide support member.

Claim 24

A process for assembling a keyswitch device including a keytop having a pair of first holding portions, each of the first holding portions having a slot and a first guide portion continuously formed therefrom, and a pair of second holding portions, each of the second holding portions having a lateral long slot and a second guide portion, both the first and the second holding portions being formed on a back surface of the keytop, a holder member having a pair of third holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the first holding portions and a pair of fourth holding portions formed thereon at diagonal positions from the second holding portions, each of the third holding portions and the fourth holding portions having a sliding slot formed therein that opens in the same direction, the holder member being arranged under the keytop, a guide support member for guiding the keytop in upward and downward directions, the guide support member having a first hinge member including a first engaging mechanism and a second engaging mechanism and a second hinge member including a third engaging mechanism and a fourth engaging mechanism, the first and the second hinge members being rotatably supported with each other, and a switch that conducts switching action according to movement of the keytop adapted to be actuated upon depression of the keytop, the process comprising the steps of: sliding the second engaging mechanism and the fourth engaging mechanism into the sliding slots from the same direction after positioning the second engaging mechanism and the fourth engaging mechanism at the sliding slots, thereby slidably engaging the second engaging mechanism into the sliding slots of the third holding portions and rotatably engaging the fourth engaging mechanism into the sliding slots of the fourth holding portions, and slightly pressing the keytop downward after positioning both the first engaging mechanism and the slots of the first holding portions and both the second engaging mechanism and the lateral long slots of the second holding portions, thereby interconnecting the keytop and the guide support member.