Patent ID: 6225586
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A keyboard apparatus comprising:a key top;a plurality of supporting members which support the underside of the key top so that the key top may move up and down;a plurality of receiving members, each receiving member engaging a proximal end of one of the plurality of supporting members, said receiving members comprising at least one first retaining member and at least one second retaining member, said first retaining member comprising an upwardly projecting U-shaped fitting groove configured to pivotally engage a columnar protuberance formed on the proximal end of the supporting member, said second retaining member comprising a laterally projecting C-shaped slide groove configured to slidably engage the columnar protuberance formed on the proximal end of the supporting member;an elastic member which urges the key top upward at all times; anda membrane switch provided on the underside of the supporting member;wherein the receiving members are directly fixed to a base supporting the membrane switch, said receiving members being configured so that a lower-most portion of the fitting groove and a lower-most portion of the slide groove are positioned not above an upper surface of the membrane switch.