Patent ID: 7825899
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A keypad for a handheld electronic device that comprises a light source, the keypad comprising: a key sheet comprising a base and a number of key bodies, at least some of the key bodies each being disposed on the base and being movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position, the key body in the actuated position being structured to complete a circuit of the handheld electronic device, at least a portion of the key sheet being translucent; and a light guide comprising a frame and a number of supports, at least some of the supports extending in a common direction from the frame, at least a portion of the frame being disposed adjacent at least a portion of the base, at least some of the supports each engaging the base and being structured to resist movement of the base in a direction transverse to the common direction, at least a portion of the light guide being translucent and being structured to transmit light between the light source and the key sheet, wherein the base comprises a web and a leg network, the leg network protruding from the web and being structured to engage a substrate of the handheld electronic device, a portion of the web peripheral to a particular key body being movable between an undeflected position and a deflected position, the portion of the web being in the undeflected position when the particular key body is in the unactuated position, the portion of the web being in the deflected position when the particular key body is in the actuated position.