Patent ID: 8870477
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: B29C,B29L,H01H

Abstract:
1. A key for a keyboard comprises: a keycap having a top surface configured to be contacted for pressing the key down, and having a bottom, wherein the keycap is substantially transparent; an intermediate layer coupled to the bottom of the keycap, wherein the intermediate layer is translucent and includes a top and a bottom, and wherein the top of the intermediate layer faces the bottom of the keycap; a character layer positioned between the bottom of the keycap and the top of the intermediate layer; a resilient member coupled to the bottom of the intermediate layer, wherein the resilient member is translucent and is configured to direct light through the intermediate layer, through the character layer, and out from the keycap, and the character layer is configured to be lighted for viewing through the keycap; a lightguide coupled to the resilient member and having a body, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a diffusion element optically coupled to the resilient member and configured to direct light from the lightguide into the resilient member, wherein the lightguide includes a plurality of surface features disposed on and protruding downward from the bottom surface of the lightguide, and wherein the surface features have a parabolic shape and are configured to reflect light upward and to focus the reflected light out through the top surface of the lightguide and out through the key to light the character formed in the character layer of the key; and a reflector wrapped around the bottom surface and side surface of the lightguide, the reflector operable to direct light escaping from the bottom surface and the side surface of the lightguide back into the body of the lightguide.