Patent ID: 8232485
Filing Date: 2012-07-31
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A key assembly for use in an electronic device, comprising: a plurality of dome switches; a plurality of single-piece keycaps, each keycap identifying a row of keyboard characters, each keycap having a plurality of character-representing portions separated by deforming portions, each character-representing portion being associated with a separate one of the plurality of dome switches; and a plurality of actuators for activating the dome switches, each actuator having a first side which is engaged by one of the character-representing portions of the keycap, each actuator having a second side which engages the dome switch associated with that character-representing portion, wherein, in a rest state in which the keycap is not depressed, at least some of the actuators preload at least some of the dome switches by exerting a force upon the dome switches.