CA2242959C - Key switch for a keyboard - Google Patents
Key switch for a keyboard Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2242959C CA2242959C CA002242959A CA2242959A CA2242959C CA 2242959 C CA2242959 C CA 2242959C CA 002242959 A CA002242959 A CA 002242959A CA 2242959 A CA2242959 A CA 2242959A CA 2242959 C CA2242959 C CA 2242959C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- key
- cap
- spring holder
- hooks
- coupling frame
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
- H01H13/705—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
- H01H2215/03—Sound
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2221/00—Actuators
- H01H2221/024—Transmission element
- H01H2221/026—Guiding or lubricating nylon
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2235/00—Springs
- H01H2235/002—Linear coil spring combined with dome spring
Landscapes
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Abstract
A key switch includes a rubber cone supported on a membrane circuit board inside a keyboard, a key base covered on the rubber cone to hold a vertically slidably key cap, a spring holder cap vertically slidably coupled to the key cap inside the key base to hold spring between the key cap and the spring holder cap, the key cap has two inner hooks respectively extended from two opposite sides of a bottom coupling frame thereof for engagement with the spring holder cap, the spring holder cap having outward hooks raised from the topmost edge thereof at two opposite sides for engagement with the inner hooks of the key cap, the rubber cone being compressed by the spring holder cap to trigger a contact at the membrane circuit board and the spring suddenly extending out to produce a click sound when the key cap is depressed.
Description
KEY SWITCH FOR A KEYBOARD
I;ACrK.~~N1) OF '1'H1~~ INVENTION
The present invention relates to a key switch for a keyboard, and more particularly to such a key switch which is easy to assemble and inexpensive to manufacture and, which produces a click sound when depressed.
Regular key switches for computer keyboards include two types. namely, the mechanical key switches and membrane key switches. Regular mechanical k.ey switches are commonly comprised of a key base, a key cap with plunger means vertically slidably mounted in the key base, return spring means, which automatically pushes the key cap back to its former position after each operation, triggering spring means, which is welded to the circuit board of the keyboard and forced to trigger a contact at the circuit board and to produce a click sound upon each down stroke of the k.ey cap. The assembly procedure of these mechanical key switches is complicated and the manufacturing cost of these mechanical key switches is high because the coupling and positioning structures of the parts of these 2U mechanical. key switches are complicated, hurthermore, when the key cap is moved vertically relative to the key base, noises tend to be produced, and the key cap tends to be jammed in the key base when depressed. In a membrane key switch, a rubber cone is mounted on a membrane cvircuit within a key base, and a key cap is v~=:rt:ically slidably coupled to the key base and depressed to compress the rubber cone, causing the rubber cone to trigger a contact. at the membrane circuit.
This structure of membrane key switch is soft in touch and produces little noise whe:~ depressed. However, this structure of membrane key switch does not produce a click sound to confirm po::~itive trigger=ing of the contact when depressed.
SZJN~IARY OF THE INVETION
The p=resen~~ invent:icn has been accomplished to provide a key switcri for a keyboard which climinates the aforesaid drawback;. It is one object of the present invention to provide a key switch which produces a click sound to confirm potitive~ trigg=Bring of the contact when depressed. It is another object of t:he present invention to provide a key switch which is easy t:o assemble. It is still another object c>f t:r.e present invention to provide a key switch which is inex:pensive to manufacture.
According to t:he present invention, there is provided a key switch comprising a rubber cone supported on a membrane circuit board ins=ide a keys>oard, a key base covered on said rubx~er cone abe>ve said membrane circuit board, said key base having two longitudinally extended recessed hook holes ~il.atf~rally disposed on the inside, a spring holder cap moved up and down in said key base and supported on said ~~u.bber cone, and a key cap vertically slidably coupled to said key base depressed to force said spring holder cap against said rubber cone, causing said rubber cone to t=rigger: a c:ont.act at. said membrane ci_~cuit board, said key cap comprising a bottom coupling game L
inserted into saic:~ key base and two outer hooks respectively e~aended fc.~rm t:wo opposite sides of said bottom coupling fra:~me and respe~stively hooked in the recessed hook holes inside sai~_~ key base, and a spring inserted in saic~l bottom coupling frame of said key cap and connected between sa.:i_c:~ ke:y cap and said spring holder cap, said key cap comprising a plurality of stop flanges inside said bottom coupling frame for stopping against the topmost edge of said spring hc:~lder cap, raid key cap comprising two inner hooks respecti~,rely E=xt~=ndec~ from two second opposite sides of said bottom coupling frame for engagement with said spring holder cap, s<~:id kEey cap comprising a plurality of sloping guide ribs respectively inwardly extended from said inner hooks and said outer ruooks to an inside top wall of said bottom c:oupl i:;g f came tc~ hold said spring in said bottom coupling frame, savd spring holder cap comprising a plurality of outward rnooks raised from the topmost edge thereof at two opposite sides for engagement with the inner hooks of said key cap.
The r~_~bber cone is compressed by the spring holder cap to triggEm a contact: at the membrane circuit board and the spring ~>udc-lenl_y extending out to produce a click sound when the key cap is depressed.
Preferably, according T,o another aspect of the present invention, the inner hooks of the key cap each have a smooth guide face at: an ir_ne:r side respectively disposed in contact the cutward hooks of= t=he spring holder cap,. the outer_ hooks of the k:ey c:a~ each have a smooth Guide face an outer side respectively disposed i.n contact with a part of the key base. Therefcre, the key cap can smoothly moved up and down in the key base and the spring holder cap can be smoothly moved up and down i.n true bottom coupling frame of the key cap without causing noises.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
3a Figure 1 i.;> an ez~pl_o:~ed view of a key bewitch ~c~c-.«rc~ina t~
the present invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the key switch according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is side view in section of the key switch according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a front view in. section of the key switch according to the present invention.
Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4 but showing the key cap depressed.
Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5 but showing the rubber cone deformed, the membrane circuit board triggered.
1_)1'1'A11,TD DT~i(~R1P'1'ION C)F 7 j1 ~ PR1~~F ' T~1 TI) F1V~()1)111~F1'T'1' Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a key switch in accordance with the present invention is generally comprised of a rubber cone 6 supported o.n a membrane circuit board 7 inside a keyboard, a key base S covered on the rubber cone C above the membrane circuit board 7, a spring holder cap 4 mounted within the key base S, a key cap 2 vertically slidably coupled to the key base 5 at the top, and a spring 3 connected between the key cap 2 and the spring holder cap 4.
'The key cap 2 comprises a bottom coupling frame 20 suspended on the inside, two first downward hooks 21 respectively disposed at two first opposite sides of the bottom a coupling frame 2U, two second downward hooks 22 respectively disposed at two second Upl)oslte Sldes Of the bottom coupling frame 20, four downward guide rods 23 respectively disposed in four corners outside the bottom coupling frame 20, four stop flanges 24 respectively disposed in four corners inside the bottom coupling :frame 20, and four sloping guide ribs 2S resp~;ctively inwardly extended from the downward hooks 21,22 to 'the inside top wall of the bottom coupling frame 20. 'fhe first downward hooks 21 each have an inwardly extended hooked portion 21U at the end and a guide face 211 at an inner side above the hooked portion 210. f.hc second downward hooks 22 each have an outwardly extended hooked portion 22U at the end and a guide face 221 at an outer side above the hooked portion 220. The guide face 2.'1l or 221 can be a sloping or smoothly curved surface.
T'he spring 3 is received inside the bottom coupling iTame 0(' the k.ey cap 2 and surrounded by the sloping guide ribs 25.
The spring holder cap 4 is covered on the bottom end of the spring 3, having a center through hole 42, four axially extended 20 peripheral guide ribs 40 raised fi-onl the periphery in four corners thereof; and a plurality o:f outward hooks 41 outwardly raised from the topmost edge lhercof at two opposite sides. When the spring 3 is inserted into the bottom coupling frame 20 of the key s cap 2, the spring holder cap 4 is covered on the bottom end of the spring 3 and coupled to the key cap 2 by forcing the outward hooks 4:1 into engagement with the hooked portions 211) of the first downward hooks 21 of the key cap 2 respectively (see Figure S 3).
The key base S rcce.ives the bottom coupling frame 2U of the key cap 2, having two longitudinally extended r. cccssed hook holes SU bilaterally disposed on the inside for engagement with the hooked portions 220 ol.'the second downward hooks 22 of the 1Q key cap 2. When the bottom coupling fl-a.lne 20 of the key cap 2 is inserted into the key base S, the rubber cone G imparts an upward pressure to the spring holder cap 4, and the hooked portions 220 of the second downward hooks 22 of the key cap 2 are respectively moved to th.e upper limit pos.itic~n and hooked on the 1S top ends of the recessed hook holes SU (see Figure 4).
As indicated above, the assembly procedure o:1' the; key switch is simple, and comprises only two steps, namely, the first step o ' putting the spring 3 in the spring holder cap 4 and then inserting the spring holder cap 4 info 'the bottom coupling frame 20 20 of the key cap 2, enabling the outward hooks ~1 of the sprilig holder cap 4 to be respectively forced into engagement with the hooked portions 21U of the :first downward hooks 21 of the key cap 2 and the axially extended guide rids 40 of the spring holder cap 4 to be respectively inserted into longitudinally grooved four corners inside the bottom coupling frame 20 of the key cap 2, and the second step of inserting the bottom coupling frame 20 of the key cap 2 into the key base 5, enabling the hooked portions 220 S of the second downward hooks 22 of the key cap 2 to be;
respectively forced into engagement with the recessed hook holes 50 in the key base 5 and the downward guide; rods 2'3 to be respectively inserted into longitudinally grooved four corners inside the k.ey base 5.
Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, when the key cap 2 is pressed down witrl the hand, the hooked porl.ions 220 of the second downward hooks 22 of the key cap 2 are moved downwards from the top ends of the recessed hook holes 50 to the bottom ends thereof' and disengaged arom the outward hooks 41 of the spring holder cap 4. At the .initial stage during the down stroke of the key cap 2, the spring holder cap 4 is forced by the upward pressure o:f the rubber cone 6 to compress the spring 2 against the downward moving key cap 2 (see Figure 5). When the key cap 2 is continuously pressed down and the compressive Force surpasses the bearing power of the rubber cone G (about SSg), the four axially extellded peripheral ribs 4U of the spring holder cap 4 are stopped at the stop :flanges 24 inside the bottom coupling frame 2U of the key cap 2, and the spring 3 suddenly extends out to produce a click sound, anal at the same time the rubber cone G is vertically down.wardly deformed to touch a corresponding contact at the membrane circuit board 7, causing the membrane circuit board 7 to produce a corresponding electrical signal (see Figure 6). F3ecause the key cap 2 has guide faces 211 respectively disposed at the first downward hooks 21 above the respective hooked portions 21U and maintained in contact with the outward hooks 41 of the spring holder cap 4, sudden. downward movcmcn.t of the spring holder cap 4 does not cause the outward hooks 41 of the spring holder cap 4 to directly strike the hooked portions 21U of the first downward hooks 21 of the key cap 2 in producing a noise.
When the key cap 2 is released from the hand, the rubber cone G immediately returns to its former shape to push the spring holder cap 4 and the key cap 2 upwards. F3ecause the spring holder cap 4 has a center through hole 42, no vacuum is produced in the spring holder cah 4 during the up stroke of the spring holder cap 4. When the key cap 2 is pushed back, the hooked portions 22U of 'the second downward hooks 22 are respectively forced into engagement with the top ends of the recessed hook holes 50 inside the key base 5, and the hooked portions 21 U of the First downward hooks 21 are respectively forced into engagement with the outward hooks 41 of the spring holder cap 4 again. By H
means of the guide faces 211 of the first downward hooks 21 arc maintained in contact with the outward hooks 41 of the spring holder cap 4, and the guide .f"aces 220 oa' the second downward hooks 22 are rnainiaincd in contact with a part of the key base 5, the spring holder cap 4 can be smoothly stably moved up and down in the key base 5 without producing a noise.
While only one cmbodimcnt of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various modifications al~.d changes could be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed.
I;ACrK.~~N1) OF '1'H1~~ INVENTION
The present invention relates to a key switch for a keyboard, and more particularly to such a key switch which is easy to assemble and inexpensive to manufacture and, which produces a click sound when depressed.
Regular key switches for computer keyboards include two types. namely, the mechanical key switches and membrane key switches. Regular mechanical k.ey switches are commonly comprised of a key base, a key cap with plunger means vertically slidably mounted in the key base, return spring means, which automatically pushes the key cap back to its former position after each operation, triggering spring means, which is welded to the circuit board of the keyboard and forced to trigger a contact at the circuit board and to produce a click sound upon each down stroke of the k.ey cap. The assembly procedure of these mechanical key switches is complicated and the manufacturing cost of these mechanical key switches is high because the coupling and positioning structures of the parts of these 2U mechanical. key switches are complicated, hurthermore, when the key cap is moved vertically relative to the key base, noises tend to be produced, and the key cap tends to be jammed in the key base when depressed. In a membrane key switch, a rubber cone is mounted on a membrane cvircuit within a key base, and a key cap is v~=:rt:ically slidably coupled to the key base and depressed to compress the rubber cone, causing the rubber cone to trigger a contact. at the membrane circuit.
This structure of membrane key switch is soft in touch and produces little noise whe:~ depressed. However, this structure of membrane key switch does not produce a click sound to confirm po::~itive trigger=ing of the contact when depressed.
SZJN~IARY OF THE INVETION
The p=resen~~ invent:icn has been accomplished to provide a key switcri for a keyboard which climinates the aforesaid drawback;. It is one object of the present invention to provide a key switch which produces a click sound to confirm potitive~ trigg=Bring of the contact when depressed. It is another object of t:he present invention to provide a key switch which is easy t:o assemble. It is still another object c>f t:r.e present invention to provide a key switch which is inex:pensive to manufacture.
According to t:he present invention, there is provided a key switch comprising a rubber cone supported on a membrane circuit board ins=ide a keys>oard, a key base covered on said rubx~er cone abe>ve said membrane circuit board, said key base having two longitudinally extended recessed hook holes ~il.atf~rally disposed on the inside, a spring holder cap moved up and down in said key base and supported on said ~~u.bber cone, and a key cap vertically slidably coupled to said key base depressed to force said spring holder cap against said rubber cone, causing said rubber cone to t=rigger: a c:ont.act at. said membrane ci_~cuit board, said key cap comprising a bottom coupling game L
inserted into saic:~ key base and two outer hooks respectively e~aended fc.~rm t:wo opposite sides of said bottom coupling fra:~me and respe~stively hooked in the recessed hook holes inside sai~_~ key base, and a spring inserted in saic~l bottom coupling frame of said key cap and connected between sa.:i_c:~ ke:y cap and said spring holder cap, said key cap comprising a plurality of stop flanges inside said bottom coupling frame for stopping against the topmost edge of said spring hc:~lder cap, raid key cap comprising two inner hooks respecti~,rely E=xt~=ndec~ from two second opposite sides of said bottom coupling frame for engagement with said spring holder cap, s<~:id kEey cap comprising a plurality of sloping guide ribs respectively inwardly extended from said inner hooks and said outer ruooks to an inside top wall of said bottom c:oupl i:;g f came tc~ hold said spring in said bottom coupling frame, savd spring holder cap comprising a plurality of outward rnooks raised from the topmost edge thereof at two opposite sides for engagement with the inner hooks of said key cap.
The r~_~bber cone is compressed by the spring holder cap to triggEm a contact: at the membrane circuit board and the spring ~>udc-lenl_y extending out to produce a click sound when the key cap is depressed.
Preferably, according T,o another aspect of the present invention, the inner hooks of the key cap each have a smooth guide face at: an ir_ne:r side respectively disposed in contact the cutward hooks of= t=he spring holder cap,. the outer_ hooks of the k:ey c:a~ each have a smooth Guide face an outer side respectively disposed i.n contact with a part of the key base. Therefcre, the key cap can smoothly moved up and down in the key base and the spring holder cap can be smoothly moved up and down i.n true bottom coupling frame of the key cap without causing noises.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
3a Figure 1 i.;> an ez~pl_o:~ed view of a key bewitch ~c~c-.«rc~ina t~
the present invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the key switch according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is side view in section of the key switch according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a front view in. section of the key switch according to the present invention.
Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4 but showing the key cap depressed.
Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5 but showing the rubber cone deformed, the membrane circuit board triggered.
1_)1'1'A11,TD DT~i(~R1P'1'ION C)F 7 j1 ~ PR1~~F ' T~1 TI) F1V~()1)111~F1'T'1' Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a key switch in accordance with the present invention is generally comprised of a rubber cone 6 supported o.n a membrane circuit board 7 inside a keyboard, a key base S covered on the rubber cone C above the membrane circuit board 7, a spring holder cap 4 mounted within the key base S, a key cap 2 vertically slidably coupled to the key base 5 at the top, and a spring 3 connected between the key cap 2 and the spring holder cap 4.
'The key cap 2 comprises a bottom coupling frame 20 suspended on the inside, two first downward hooks 21 respectively disposed at two first opposite sides of the bottom a coupling frame 2U, two second downward hooks 22 respectively disposed at two second Upl)oslte Sldes Of the bottom coupling frame 20, four downward guide rods 23 respectively disposed in four corners outside the bottom coupling frame 20, four stop flanges 24 respectively disposed in four corners inside the bottom coupling :frame 20, and four sloping guide ribs 2S resp~;ctively inwardly extended from the downward hooks 21,22 to 'the inside top wall of the bottom coupling frame 20. 'fhe first downward hooks 21 each have an inwardly extended hooked portion 21U at the end and a guide face 211 at an inner side above the hooked portion 210. f.hc second downward hooks 22 each have an outwardly extended hooked portion 22U at the end and a guide face 221 at an outer side above the hooked portion 220. The guide face 2.'1l or 221 can be a sloping or smoothly curved surface.
T'he spring 3 is received inside the bottom coupling iTame 0(' the k.ey cap 2 and surrounded by the sloping guide ribs 25.
The spring holder cap 4 is covered on the bottom end of the spring 3, having a center through hole 42, four axially extended 20 peripheral guide ribs 40 raised fi-onl the periphery in four corners thereof; and a plurality o:f outward hooks 41 outwardly raised from the topmost edge lhercof at two opposite sides. When the spring 3 is inserted into the bottom coupling frame 20 of the key s cap 2, the spring holder cap 4 is covered on the bottom end of the spring 3 and coupled to the key cap 2 by forcing the outward hooks 4:1 into engagement with the hooked portions 211) of the first downward hooks 21 of the key cap 2 respectively (see Figure S 3).
The key base S rcce.ives the bottom coupling frame 2U of the key cap 2, having two longitudinally extended r. cccssed hook holes SU bilaterally disposed on the inside for engagement with the hooked portions 220 ol.'the second downward hooks 22 of the 1Q key cap 2. When the bottom coupling fl-a.lne 20 of the key cap 2 is inserted into the key base S, the rubber cone G imparts an upward pressure to the spring holder cap 4, and the hooked portions 220 of the second downward hooks 22 of the key cap 2 are respectively moved to th.e upper limit pos.itic~n and hooked on the 1S top ends of the recessed hook holes SU (see Figure 4).
As indicated above, the assembly procedure o:1' the; key switch is simple, and comprises only two steps, namely, the first step o ' putting the spring 3 in the spring holder cap 4 and then inserting the spring holder cap 4 info 'the bottom coupling frame 20 20 of the key cap 2, enabling the outward hooks ~1 of the sprilig holder cap 4 to be respectively forced into engagement with the hooked portions 21U of the :first downward hooks 21 of the key cap 2 and the axially extended guide rids 40 of the spring holder cap 4 to be respectively inserted into longitudinally grooved four corners inside the bottom coupling frame 20 of the key cap 2, and the second step of inserting the bottom coupling frame 20 of the key cap 2 into the key base 5, enabling the hooked portions 220 S of the second downward hooks 22 of the key cap 2 to be;
respectively forced into engagement with the recessed hook holes 50 in the key base 5 and the downward guide; rods 2'3 to be respectively inserted into longitudinally grooved four corners inside the k.ey base 5.
Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, when the key cap 2 is pressed down witrl the hand, the hooked porl.ions 220 of the second downward hooks 22 of the key cap 2 are moved downwards from the top ends of the recessed hook holes 50 to the bottom ends thereof' and disengaged arom the outward hooks 41 of the spring holder cap 4. At the .initial stage during the down stroke of the key cap 2, the spring holder cap 4 is forced by the upward pressure o:f the rubber cone 6 to compress the spring 2 against the downward moving key cap 2 (see Figure 5). When the key cap 2 is continuously pressed down and the compressive Force surpasses the bearing power of the rubber cone G (about SSg), the four axially extellded peripheral ribs 4U of the spring holder cap 4 are stopped at the stop :flanges 24 inside the bottom coupling frame 2U of the key cap 2, and the spring 3 suddenly extends out to produce a click sound, anal at the same time the rubber cone G is vertically down.wardly deformed to touch a corresponding contact at the membrane circuit board 7, causing the membrane circuit board 7 to produce a corresponding electrical signal (see Figure 6). F3ecause the key cap 2 has guide faces 211 respectively disposed at the first downward hooks 21 above the respective hooked portions 21U and maintained in contact with the outward hooks 41 of the spring holder cap 4, sudden. downward movcmcn.t of the spring holder cap 4 does not cause the outward hooks 41 of the spring holder cap 4 to directly strike the hooked portions 21U of the first downward hooks 21 of the key cap 2 in producing a noise.
When the key cap 2 is released from the hand, the rubber cone G immediately returns to its former shape to push the spring holder cap 4 and the key cap 2 upwards. F3ecause the spring holder cap 4 has a center through hole 42, no vacuum is produced in the spring holder cah 4 during the up stroke of the spring holder cap 4. When the key cap 2 is pushed back, the hooked portions 22U of 'the second downward hooks 22 are respectively forced into engagement with the top ends of the recessed hook holes 50 inside the key base 5, and the hooked portions 21 U of the First downward hooks 21 are respectively forced into engagement with the outward hooks 41 of the spring holder cap 4 again. By H
means of the guide faces 211 of the first downward hooks 21 arc maintained in contact with the outward hooks 41 of the spring holder cap 4, and the guide .f"aces 220 oa' the second downward hooks 22 are rnainiaincd in contact with a part of the key base 5, the spring holder cap 4 can be smoothly stably moved up and down in the key base 5 without producing a noise.
While only one cmbodimcnt of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various modifications al~.d changes could be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed.
Claims (4)
1. A key switch comprising a rubber cone supported on a membrane circuit board inside a keyboard, a key base covered on said rubber cone above said membrane circuit board, said key base having two longitudinally extended recessed hook holes bilaterally disposed on the inside, a spring holder cap moved up and down in said key base and supported on said rubber cone, and a key cap vertically slidably coupled to said key base depressed to force said spring holder cap against said rubber cone, causing said rubber cone to trigger a contact at said membrane circuit board, said key cap comprising a bottom coupling frame inserted into said key base and two outer hooks respectively extended form two opposite sides of said bottom coupling frame and respectively hooked in the recessed hook holes inside said key base, and a spring inserted in said bottom coupling frame of said key cap and connected between said key cap and said spring holder cap, said key cap comprising a plurality of stop flanges inside said bottom coupling frame for stopping against the topmost edge of said spring holder cap, said key cap comprising two inner hooks respectively extended from two second opposite sides of said bottom coupling frame for engagement with said spring holder cap, said key cap comprising a plurality of sloping guide ribs respectively inwardly extended from said inner hooks and said outer hooks to an inside top wall of said bottom coupling frame to hold said spring in said bottom coupling frame, said spring holder cap comprising a plurality of outward hooks raised from the topmost edge thereof at two opposite sides for engagement with the inner hooks of said key cap.
2. The key switch of claim 1, wherein the inner hooks of said key cap each have a smooth guide face at an inner side respectively disposed in contact the outward hooks of said spring holder cap.
3. The key switch of claim 1, wherein said spring holder cap has a plurality of axially extended peripheral ribs corresponding to the stop flanges inside the bottom coupling frame of said key cap.
4. The key switch of claim 2, wherein the outer hooks of said key cap each have a smooth guide face at an outer side respectively disposed in contact with a part of said key base.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002242959A CA2242959C (en) | 1998-08-25 | 1998-08-25 | Key switch for a keyboard |
| GB9818867A GB2341005B (en) | 1998-08-25 | 1998-08-28 | Key switch for a keyboard |
| FR9811030A FR2783086B3 (en) | 1998-08-25 | 1998-09-03 | KEY SWITCH FOR KEYBOARD |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002242959A CA2242959C (en) | 1998-08-25 | 1998-08-25 | Key switch for a keyboard |
| GB9818867A GB2341005B (en) | 1998-08-25 | 1998-08-28 | Key switch for a keyboard |
| FR9811030A FR2783086B3 (en) | 1998-08-25 | 1998-09-03 | KEY SWITCH FOR KEYBOARD |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2242959A1 CA2242959A1 (en) | 2000-02-25 |
| CA2242959C true CA2242959C (en) | 2002-07-09 |
Family
ID=33032756
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002242959A Expired - Fee Related CA2242959C (en) | 1998-08-25 | 1998-08-25 | Key switch for a keyboard |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2242959C (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2783086B3 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2341005B (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2463341B (en) * | 2009-06-04 | 2011-09-14 | Cheng Uei Prec Ind Co Ltd | Key switch |
| CN108305804B (en) * | 2017-01-13 | 2019-08-16 | 光宝电子(广州)有限公司 | Mechanical switch structure |
| CN111180240B (en) * | 2018-11-09 | 2022-01-21 | 光宝电子(广州)有限公司 | Key structure and keyboard |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT1155954B (en) * | 1982-09-28 | 1987-01-28 | Olivetti & Co Spa | CONTACT KEYBOARD |
| US5442152A (en) * | 1994-09-28 | 1995-08-15 | Focus Electronic Co., Ltd. | Computer key switch |
-
1998
- 1998-08-25 CA CA002242959A patent/CA2242959C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-08-28 GB GB9818867A patent/GB2341005B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-09-03 FR FR9811030A patent/FR2783086B3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2783086B3 (en) | 2000-08-11 |
| CA2242959A1 (en) | 2000-02-25 |
| GB2341005A (en) | 2000-03-01 |
| FR2783086A3 (en) | 2000-03-10 |
| GB2341005B (en) | 2002-12-11 |
| GB9818867D0 (en) | 1998-10-21 |
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