Patent ID: 9024214
Filing Date: 2015-05-05
Classification: H01H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A key switch for an electronic device, comprising: a membrane disposed over a top surface of a base plate, the membrane including electrical switch circuitry; an elastomeric dome secured to the membrane, the elastomeric dome configured to deform to activate the electrical switch circuitry; two separate linkage structures each adjacent the elastomeric dome, wherein an upper end of each linkage structure is rotatably secured to an underside of a key cap positioned over the elastomeric dome and a lower end of each linkage structure is slidably secured to the top surface of the base plate, wherein the lower ends of the linkage structures are positioned adjacent to a center of the key cap and the upper ends of the linkage structures are positioned adjacent to the sides of the key cap such that the lower ends of the linkage structures slide toward the elastomeric dome; and a link bar rotatably secured to the underside of the key cap with each end of the link bar slidably secured to the top surface of the base plate, wherein the link bar is positioned around an outer periphery of the dome and an outer periphery of the linkage structures and the link bar has a length that spans substantially a length of the key cap to transfer a load from one side of the key cap to a center of the key cap when the key cap is depressed.