Patent ID: 6252184
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: G06F,H01H

Abstract:
A moisture resistant keyboard for a computer comprising:(a) a base;(b) a sealed circuit membrane set disposed on said base defining a plurality of switch contact portions;(c) a mounting plate disposed on said circuit membrane, said mounting plate having formed therein a plurality of through holes and a plurality of retaining parts disposed thereabout;(d) a plurality of keyswitch assemblies coupled to said mounting plate, each said keyswitch assembly including:(1) a key cap having a plurality of locking parts formed thereon;(2) a lever set collapsibly supporting said key cap, said lever set extending between said locking parts of said key cap and preselected ones of said retaining parts of said mounting plate; and,(3) a rubber cone deflectively disposed between said key cap and said circuit membrane set for engaging one of said switch contact portions of said circuit membrane set responsive to actuation of said key cap, said rubber cone being received in one of said through holes of said mounting plate; and,(e) an opaque plate disposed on said mounting plate, said opaque plate having formed therein a plurality of openings and slits for the passage of said rubber cones and portions of said lever sets respectively therethrough, each of said openings engaging in a peripherally overlapped manner at least a portion of a corresponding one of said rubber cones for the secure retention thereof.