Key switch with sliding mechanism and keyboard

Claim 2

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top; wherein said at least one elastic member is fixedly joined to said at least one of said link members and is abutted against said base.

Claim 3

The key switch of claim 1 , wherein said at least one elastic member exerts biasing force assuming a linear relationship with said shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members.

Claim 4

The key switch of claim 1 , wherein said at least one elastic member exerts biasing force in a direction substantially orthogonal to said vertical direction, onto said at least one of said link members.

Claim 5

The key switch of claim 1 , wherein said at least one of said link members is provided with a loading portion separately from said sliding portion, said loading portion being formed at a position angularly displaced from said sliding portion about a mutually connecting point of said pair of link members, said biasing force being applied onto said loading portion.

Claim 6

The key switch of claim 4 , wherein said loading portion is shifted in a motion different from said sliding portion when said sliding portion is shifted.

Claim 7

The key switch of claim 1 , wherein said elastic member comprises a compression spring.

Claim 8

The key switch of claim 1 , wherein said elastic member comprises a plate spring.

Claim 9

The key switch of claim 1 , wherein said pair of link members are arranged to mutually intersect and are pivotably connected relative to each other at an intersection thereof, wherein a first one of said link members is engaged slidably at one end thereof with said base and rotatably at another end thereof with said key top, said sliding portion being provided on said one end of said first link member, and wherein a second one of said link members is engaged rotatably at one end thereof with said base and slidably at another end thereof with said key top, said sliding portion being provided on said other end of said second link member.

Claim 10

The key switch of claim 1 , wherein said pair of link members are arranged to mutually intersect and are pivotably and slidably connected relative to each other at an intersection thereof, and wherein each of said link members is engaged slidably at one end thereof with said base and rotatably at another end thereof with said key top, said sliding portion being provided on said one end of said each link member.

Claim 11

The key switch of claim 1 , wherein said pair of link members are meshed with each other at a toothed end of each of said link members, and wherein each of said link members is engaged slidably at one end thereof with said base and rotatably at another end thereof with said key top, said sliding portion being provided on said one end of said each link member, said toothed end being provided adjacent to said other end of said each link member.

Claim 12

The key switch of claim 10 , wherein said pair of link members are arranged to intersect with each other.

Claim 13

The key switch of claim 1 , wherein said switching mechanism comprises a membrane switch arranged in an opening formed in said base beneath said key top, and an actuating member for pushing said membrane switch to close said electric circuit when said key top goes down and is located at a predetermined position above said base.

Claim 14

The key switch of claim 12 , wherein said actuating member is provided on said key top, and enters into said opening of said base to elastically push said membrane switch when said key top is located at said predetermined position.

Claim 15

The key switch of claim 12 , wherein said actuating member is provided on at least one of said link members, and enters into said opening of said base to elastically push said membrane switch when said key top is located at said predetermined position.

Claim 16

The key switch of claim 14 , further comprising an assist member movable between a first position where said assist member comes into engagement with said actuating member and a second position where said assist member is away from said actuating member, during a time when said key top is located at said predetermined position, and wherein said actuating member comes into engagement with said assist member to push said membrane switch.

Claim 17

The key switch of claim 12 , wherein said actuating member is disposed above said membrane switch, and wherein a part of said link members enters into said opening of said base to push said actuating member when said key top is located at said predetermined position, whereby said actuating member pushes said membrane switch.

Claim 18

The key switch of claim 16 , wherein said actuating member is movable between a first position where said actuating member is pushed by said part of said link members upon said key top is located at said predetermined position and a second position where said actuating member is away from said part of said link members.

Claim 19

The key switch of claim 12 , wherein said membrane switch is movable between a first position where said membrane switch is pushed by said actuating member to close said electric circuit and a second position where said membrane switch is away from said actuating member to keep said electric circuit open, during a time when said key top is located at said predetermined position.

Claim 20

The key switch of claim 1 , further comprises means for selectively securing said sliding portion of said at least one of said link members in relation to either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to hold said key top at a desired lowered position.

Claim 21

The key switch of claim 1 , wherein said base includes a fixed base element engaged with said pair of link members and a movable base element disposed under said fixed base element in such a manner as to be movable with relation to said fixed base element.

Claim 22

The key switch of claim 20 , wherein said at least one elastic member is fixedly connected to said movable base element and abutted onto said at least one of said link members.

Claim 23

The key switch of claim 20 , wherein said at least one elastic member is fixedly connected to said at least one of said link members and abutted onto at least one vertical wall fixedly joined to said movable base element.

Claim 24

The key switch of claim 20 , wherein said movable base element is moved in a direction generally parallel to a shifting direction of said sliding portion of said each link member.

Claim 25

The key switch of claim 20 , wherein said movable base element is moved in a direction generally orthogonal to a shifting direction of said sliding portion of said each link member.

Claim 26

A keyboard comprising a plurality of key switches, each of said key switches being one defined in claim 20 , wherein said movable base element of said each key switch is formed as a single large plate extending over said plurality of key switches, said single large plate being movably disposed under a plurality of fixed base elements of said key switches.

Claim 27

A keyboard comprising a plurality of key switches, each of said key switches being one defined in claim 1 .

Claim 28

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a guide member operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, said guide member including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; an elastic member disposed between said guide member and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said guide member in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top; wherein said elastic member is fixedly joined to said guide member and is abutted against said base.

Claim 29

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a guide member operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, said guide member including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; an elastic member disposed between said guide member and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said guide member in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top; wherein said elastic member is fixedly joined to said guide member and is abutted against said base.

Claim 30

The key switch of claim 27 , wherein said guide member is structured from a plurality of link members interlocked to one another, each of said link members being operatively engaged with said base and said key top and including said sliding portion, and wherein at least one of said link members is associated with at least one said elastic member.

Claim 31

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top; wherein said at least one of said link members is provided with a loading portion separate from said sliding portion, said loading portion being formed at a position angularly displaced from said sliding portion about a mutually connecting point of said pair of link members, said biasing force being applied onto said loading portion.

Claim 32

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top; wherein said at least one of said link members is provided with a loading portion separate from said sliding portion, said loading portion being formed at a position angularly displaced from said sliding portion about a mutually connecting point of said pair of link members, said biasing force being applied onto said loading portion.

Claim 33

The key switch of claim 29 , wherein said loading portion is shifted in a motion different from said sliding portion when said sliding portion is shifted.

Claim 34

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top, wherein said pair of link members are arranged to mutually intersect and are pivotably and slidably connected relative to each other at an intersection thereof, and wherein each of said link members is engaged slidably at one end thereof with said base and rotatably at another end thereof with said key top, said sliding portion being provided on said one end of said each link member.

Claim 35

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top, wherein said pair of link members are arranged to mutually intersect and are pivotably and slidably connected relative to each other at an intersection thereof, and wherein each of said link members is engaged slidably at one end thereof with said base and rotatably at another end thereof with said key top, said sliding portion being provided on said one end of said each link member.

Claim 36

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top wherein said pair of link members are meshed with each other at a toothed end of each of said link members, and wherein each of said link members is engaged slidably at one end thereof with said base and rotatably at another end thereof with said key top, said sliding portion being provided on said one end of said each link member, said toothed end being provided adjacent to said other end of said each link member.

Claim 37

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top wherein said pair of link members are meshed with each other at a toothed end of each of said link members, and wherein each of said link members is engaged slidably at one end thereof with said base and rotatably at another end thereof with said key top, said sliding portion being provided on said one end of said each link member, said toothed end being provided adjacent to said other end of said each link member.

Claim 38

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top wherein said pair of link members are arranged to intersect with each other at a toothed end of each of said link members, and wherein each of said link members is engaged slidably at one end thereof with said base and rotatably at another end thereof with said key top, said sliding portion being provided on said one end of said each link member, said toothed end being provided adjacent to said other end of said each link member.

Claim 39

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top wherein said pair of link members are arranged to intersect with each other at a toothed end of each of said link members, and wherein each of said link members is engaged slidably at one end thereof with said base and rotatably at another end thereof with said key top, said sliding portion being provided on said one end of said each link member, said toothed end being provided adjacent to said other end of said each link member.

Claim 40

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top, said switching mechanism comprised of a membrane switch arranged in an opening formed in said base beneath said key top, and an actuating member for pushing said membrane switch to close said electric circuit when said key top goes down and is located at a predetermined position above said base, said actuating member is provided on at least one of said link members, and enters into said opening of said base to elastically push said membrane switch when said key top is located at said predetermined position.

Claim 41

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top, said switching mechanism comprised of a membrane switch arranged in an opening formed in said base beneath said key top, and an actuating member for pushing said membrane switch to close said electric circuit when said key top goes down and is located at a predetermined position above said base, said actuating member is provided on at least one of said link members, and enters into said opening of said base to elastically push said membrane switch when said key top is located at said predetermined position.

Claim 42

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top, said switching mechanism comprised of a membrane switch arranged in an opening formed in said base beneath said key top, and an actuating member for pushing said membrane switch to close said electric circuit when said key top goes down and is located at a predetermined position above said base, said actuating member is provided on at least one of said link members, and enters into said opening of said base to elastically push said membrane switch when said key top is located at said predetermined position; and an assist member movable between a first position where said assist member comes into engagement with said actuating member and a second position where said assist member is away from said actuating member, during a time when said key top is located at said predetermined position, and wherein said actuating member comes into engagement with said assist member to push said membrane switch.

Claim 43

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top, said switching mechanism comprised of a membrane switch arranged in an opening formed in said base beneath said key top, and an actuating member for pushing said membrane switch to close said electric circuit when said key top goes down and is located at a predetermined position above said base, said actuating member is provided on at least one of said link members, and enters into said opening of said base to elastically push said membrane switch when said key top is located at said predetermined position; and an assist member movable between a first position where said assist member comes into engagement with said actuating member and a second position where said assist member is away from said actuating member, during a time when said key top is located at said predetermined position, and wherein said actuating member comes into engagement with said assist member to push said membrane switch.

Claim 44

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top, said switching mechanism comprised of a membrane switch arranged in an opening formed in said base beneath said key top, and an actuating member, disposed above said membrane switch, for pushing said membrane switch to close said electric circuit when said key top goes down and is located at a predetermined position above said base, wherein a part of said link members enters into said opening of said base to push said actuating member when said key top is located at said predetermined position, whereby said actuating member pushes said membrane switch.

Claim 45

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top, said switching mechanism comprised of a membrane switch arranged in an opening formed in said base beneath said key top, and an actuating member, disposed above said membrane switch, for pushing said membrane switch to close said electric circuit when said key top goes down and is located at a predetermined position above said base, wherein a part of said link members enters into said opening of said base to push said actuating member when said key top is located at said predetermined position, whereby said actuating member pushes said membrane switch.

Claim 46

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top, said switching mechanism comprised of a membrane switch arranged in an opening formed in said base beneath said key top, and an actuating member, for pushing said membrane switch to close said electric circuit when said key top goes down and is located at a predetermined position above said base, said actuating member disposed above said membrane switch, and movable between a first position where said actuating member is pushed by said part of said link members upon said key top is located at said predetermined position and a second position where said actuating member is away from said part of said link members, wherein a part of said link members enters into said opening of said base to push said actuating member when said key top is located at said predetermined position, whereby said actuating member pushes said membrane switch.

Claim 47

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top, said switching mechanism comprised of a membrane switch arranged in an opening formed in said base beneath said key top, and an actuating member, for pushing said membrane switch to close said electric circuit when said key top goes down and is located at a predetermined position above said base, said actuating member disposed above said membrane switch, and movable between a first position where said actuating member is pushed by said part of said link members upon said key top is located at said predetermined position and a second position where said actuating member is away from said part of said link members, wherein a part of said link members enters into said opening of said base to push said actuating member when said key top is located at said predetermined position, whereby said actuating member pushes said membrane switch.

Claim 48

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top; wherein said base includes a fixed base element engaged with said pair of link members and a movable base element disposed under said fixed base element in such a manner as to be movable with relation to said fixed base element and said at least one elastic member is fixedly connected to said at least one of said link members and abutted onto at least one vertical wall fixedly joined to said moveable base element.

Claim 49

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top; wherein said base includes a fixed base element engaged with said pair of link members and a movable base element disposed under said fixed base element in such a manner as to be movable with relation to said fixed base element and said at least one elastic member is fixedly connected to said at least one of said link members and abutted onto at least one vertical wall fixedly joined to said moveable base element.

Claim 50

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top wherein said base includes a fixed base element engaged with said pair of link members and a movable base element disposed under said fixed base element in such a manner as to be movable with relation to said fixed base element, and said at least one elastic member is fixedly connected to said movable base element and abutted onto said at least one of said link members.

Claim 51

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with said base and said key top to support said key top above said base and direct said key top in a vertical direction, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction; and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of said key top wherein said base includes a fixed base element engaged with said pair of link members and a movable base element disposed under said fixed base element in such a manner as to be movable with relation to said fixed base element, and said at least one elastic member is fixedly connected to said movable base element and abutted onto said at least one of said link members.

Claim 52

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other to support said key top above said base, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; and at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction, wherein said at least one elastic member is fixedly joined to said at least one of said link members and is abutted against said base.

Claim 53

A key switch comprising: a base; a key top arranged above said base; a pair of link members interlocked to each other to support said key top above said base, each of said link members including a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of said base and said key top; and at least one elastic member disposed between at least one of said link members and either one of said base and said key top with which said sliding portion is engaged, to exert biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of said sliding portion, onto said at least one of said link members in a direction different from said vertical direction, wherein said at least one elastic member is fixedly joined to said at least one of said link members and is abutted against said base.