US6166342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pushbutton in keyboard (2)
Assignee: SHIN JUIH CORP
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Filing: 1999-11-10
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Granted: 2000-12-26
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Expires: 2019-11-10
Abstract
Abstract An improved positioning structure of pushbutton in keyboard (2) comprises a base, a printed circuit board (PCB) attached on the base having a plurality of pivot-jointing portions protrusively disposed on its surface for defining a plurality of enclosed assembly-jointing sections, a link (bridge) disposed at the assembly-jointing section having a movable shaft axially jointed with the pivot-jointing portion, an elastomer arranged on the link, and a key cap disposed on the elastomer being coupled with a positioning shaft at one end of the link. By assembling the abovesaid components, a waterproof and thinner keyboard at lower cost is realizable.
Inventors
- 👤 Chin-Wen Chou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/12; H01H3/122; H01H3/125; H01H2213/00; H01H2213/01; H01H2213/016; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/004; H01H2215/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An improved positioning structure of pushbutton in keyboard (2), comprising: a base; a printed circuit board (PCB) attached on said base having a plurality of pivot-jointing portions protrusively disposed on its surface for defining a plurality of enclosed assembly-jointing sections; a link (bridge) combinably mounted on the assembly-jointing section of said PCB, wherein a positioning shaft and two movable shafts, which, the latter, are axially jointed with said pivot-jointing portion, are disposed at two ends of said link respectively; an elastomer disposed on said link; and a key cap combinably mounted on said elastomer and coupled with the positioning shaft of said link; By virtue of abovesaid components, a waterproof and thinner keyboard made in a relatively lower cost being realizable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An improved positioning structure of pushbutton in keyboard (2), comprising: a base; a printed circuit board (PCB) attached on said base having a plurality of pivot-jointing portions protrusively disposed on its surface for defining a plurality of enclosed assembly-jointing sections; a link (bridge) combinably mounted on the assembly-jointing section of said PCB, wherein a positioning shaft and two movable shafts, which, the latter, are axially jointed with said pivot-jointing portion, are disposed at two ends of said link respectively; an elastomer disposed on said link; and a key cap combinably mounted on said elastomer and coupled with the positioning shaft of said link; By virtue of abovesaid components, a waterproof and thinner keyboard made in a relatively lower cost being realizable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved positioning structure of pushbutton in keyboard (2) according to claim 1, wherein said PCB is a membrane circuit board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improved positioning structure of pushbutton in keyboard (2) according to claim 1, wherein said PCB comprises a first and a second printed circuit layer and an insulating partition layer interposed therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
The improved positioning structure of pushbutton in keyboard (2) according to claim 1, wherein each set of said pivot-jointing portion by cutting predetermined cutting lines in different lengths on said PCB to define a set of piece bodies in different lengths which is then extruded to form two pivot-jointing holes in different inner diameters, wherein said movable shaft at one end of said link is pivotally mounted in a pair of relatively smaller pivot-jointing holes while said movable shaft at the other is pivotally mounted in a pair of larger pivot-jointing holes; and said movable shaft may have relative motion to said movable shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improved positioning structure of pushbutton in keyboard (2) according to claim 3, wherein said pivot-jointing portion is made by cutting predetermined cutting lines on said first printed circuit layer to define said piece body, then by an extrusion forming process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improved positioning structure of pushbutton in keyboard (2) according to claim 3, wherein said pivot-jointing portion is made by cutting predetermined cutting lines on a combined trinity of said first and said second printed circuit layer and said insulating partition layer to define said piece body, then by an extrusion forming process.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improved positioning structure of pushbutton in keyboard (2) according to claim 4, wherein said pivot-jointing holes under said piece bodies can be formed by heat treatment, ultrasonic, hydraulic or equivalent extrusion forming methods.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5438177A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |