US6686549B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated keyboard switch
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 2002-02-25
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Granted: 2004-02-03
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Expires: 2022-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A cup-shaped elastic member 2 forces push button 1 upwardly that has indication part 1 A formed thereon. Light transmitting electrode layer 15 B, light-emitting layer 15 C, and back electrode layer 15 E are sequentially formed on light transmitting sheet 15 A to form EL element 15 , and the EL element is disposed on the upper or lower face of membrane switch 6 . This structure can provide an inexpensive illuminated keyboard switch that allows clear illumination of the push button and uses a smaller number of components.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigetaka Douzono
- 👤 Yoshiharu Abe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/12; H01H3/122; H01H3/125; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An illuminated keyboard switch including: a push button having an indication part for letters, symbols, and pictures formed thereon; a cup-shaped elastic member disposed under the push button and forcing said push button upwardly; a light transmitting membrane switch disposed under said elastic member, said membrane switch having an upper contact and a lower contact that are brought into/out of contact with each other by pressing operation of said push button; a baseboard disposed on a bottom face of said membrane switch, said baseboard having a plurality of through holes provided in an outer peripheral position of the contacts of said membrane switch; and an electro-luminescence (EL) element disposed on a bottom face of said baseboard, said EL element having a light transmitting electrode layer, a light-emitting layer, and a back electrode layer that are sequentially formed on a light transmitting sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
An illuminated keyboard switch including: a push button having an indication part for letters, symbols, and pictures formed thereon; a cup-shaped elastic member disposed under the push button and forcing said push button upwardly; a light transmitting membrane switch disposed under said elastic member, said membrane switch having an upper contact and a lower contact that are brought into/out of contact with each other by pressing operation of said push button; a baseboard disposed on a bottom face of said membrane switch, said baseboard having a plurality of through holes provided in an outer peripheral position of the contacts of said membrane switch; and an electro-luminescence (EL) element disposed on a bottom face of said baseboard, said EL element having a light transmitting electrode layer, a light-emitting layer, and a back electrode layer that are sequentially formed on a light transmitting sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The illuminated keyboard switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said EL element has a plurality of illumination parts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The illumination keyboard switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of illumination parts in said EL element have different illumination colors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
174 words
An illuminated keyboard switch including: a push button having an indication part for letters, symbols, and pictures formed thereon; first and second resilient frames that have top ends each engaging with a bottom face of said push button, and intermediate portions intersecting and pivotally engaging with each other in a substantially X-shape; a base member pivotally supporting bottom ends of said first and second resilient frames; a light transmitting membrane switch disposed under said base member, said membrane switch having an upper contact and a lower contact that are brought into/out of contact with each other by pressing operation of said push button; a baseboard disposed on a bottom face of said membrane switch, said baseboard having a plurality of through holes provided in an outer peripheral position of the contacts of said membrane switch; and an electro-luminescence (EL) element disposed on a bottom face of said baseboard, said EL element having a light transmitting electrode layer, a light-emitting layer, and a back electrode layer that are sequentially formed on a light transmitting sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
174 words
An illuminated keyboard switch including: a push button having an indication part for letters, symbols, and pictures formed thereon; first and second resilient frames that have top ends each engaging with a bottom face of said push button, and intermediate portions intersecting and pivotally engaging with each other in a substantially X-shape; a base member pivotally supporting bottom ends of said first and second resilient frames; a light transmitting membrane switch disposed under said base member, said membrane switch having an upper contact and a lower contact that are brought into/out of contact with each other by pressing operation of said push button; a baseboard disposed on a bottom face of said membrane switch, said baseboard having a plurality of through holes provided in an outer peripheral position of the contacts of said membrane switch; and an electro-luminescence (EL) element disposed on a bottom face of said baseboard, said EL element having a light transmitting electrode layer, a light-emitting layer, and a back electrode layer that are sequentially formed on a light transmitting sheet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-02-02 | 2007-08-04 | 2008-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-02 | 2011-08-04 | 2012-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-02 | 2015-08-04 | 2016-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |