Abstract:
A keyboard and key structure thereof includes a keycap, an elastic element, a supporting element, a base and a frame. The elastic element is located below the keycap. The supporting element has a supporting part, a connecting part and an end part, wherein the supporting part supports the keycap and the connecting part connects the supporting part and the end part. The base supports the elastic element. The frame secures the end part on the base. A keyboard includes a plurality of key structures.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 97200222, filed on Jan. 4, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a key structure and a keyboard thereof with a frame to dispose an end part of a supporting element between the frame and a base. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A computer simply processing word in the past is improved to process video, media and video gaming, and has a variety of functions nowadays. Of computer and computer devices, the keyboard is still an integral interface device for computers. The keys on the keyboard represent different functions such that a user presses the keys on the keyboard to transmit signals for controlling the computer. 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a conventional key structure. The conventional key structure  10  comprises a keycap  101 , two supporting elements  102 , an elastic element  103 , and a base  104 . The above elements are described as following. 
         [0007]    The supporting elements  102  support the keycap  101 . The elastic element  103  is disposed under the keycap  101 , and the base  104  holds the supporting elements  102  and the elastic element  103 . 
         [0008]    The supporting elements  102  are disposed and pivot on the base  104  between the keycap  101  and base  104  such that the keycap  101  moves upward and downward relative to the base  103 . 
         [0009]    However, during assembly of the conventional key structure  10 , because the supporting elements  102  are disposed and pivots on the base  104  between the keycap  101  and the base  104 , when the keycap  101  moves upward and downward relative to the base  103 , the supporting elements and the elastic element  103  are exposed and are not covered by an object. Thus, when the keycap  101  moves upward and downward, the supporting elements  102  and the base  103  are easily broken or smudged by solids or exposed to liquids. In addition, because the supporting elements  102  are disposed and pivots on the base  104 , manufacturing assembly is not very convenient. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The invention provides a key structure including a keycap, an elastic element, a supporting element, a base and a frame. The elastic element is located below the keycap. The supporting element has a supporting part, a connecting part and an end part. The supporting part supports the keycap and the connecting part connects the supporting part and the end part. The base supports the elastic element. The frame secures the end part on the base. 
         [0011]    Note that the frame comprises a groove, and the end part is disposed in the groove. 
         [0012]    Note that the base comprises a groove, and the end part is disposed in the groove. 
         [0013]    Note that the frame comprises a first groove and the base a second groove, wherein the first groove and the second groove form an accommodating space, and the end part is disposed in the accommodating space. 
         [0014]    Note that the base is fixed to the frame via fastening. 
         [0015]    Note that the base is fixed to the frame via adhesive. 
         [0016]    Note that the frame is a unitary and single member. 
         [0017]    Note that the frame is made of plastics. 
         [0018]    The invention further provides a keyboard comprising a plurality of keycaps, a plurality of elastic elements, a plurality of supporting elements, a base, and a frame. The elastic elements are disposed under the keycaps. The supporting elements comprise a plurality of supporting parts, a plurality of connecting parts and a plurality of end parts. The supporting parts support the keycaps and the connecting parts are connected to the supporting parts and the end parts. The base supports the elastic elements. The frame secures the end parts on the base. 
         [0019]    Note that the frame comprises a plurality of grooves, and the end parts are disposed in the grooves. 
         [0020]    Note that the base comprises a plurality of grooves, and the end parts are disposed in the grooves. 
         [0021]    Note that the frame comprises a plurality of first grooves and the base a plurality of second grooves, wherein the first grooves and the second grooves form a plurality of accommodating spaces, and the end parts are disposed in the accommodating spaces. 
         [0022]    Note that the base is fixed to the frame via fastening. 
         [0023]    Note that the base is fixed to the frame via adhesive. 
         [0024]    Note that the frame is a unitary and single member. 
         [0025]    Note that the frame is made of plastics. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a conventional key structure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a key structure of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a reversed schematic view of the embodiment of the key structure in  FIG. 2 , showing a base, a supporting element, a frame, and a keycap from bottom to top; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a key structure of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of another embodiment of a key structure of the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a reversed schematic view of the embodiment of a key structure of the invention in  FIG. 5 , showing a base, a supporting element, a frame, and a keycap from bottom to top; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of another embodiment of a key structure of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a reversed schematic view of the embodiment of a key structure of the invention in  FIG. 7 , showing a base, a supporting element, a frame, and a keycap from bottom to top; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of another embodiment of a key structure of the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a keyboard of the invention; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  is a reversed schematic view of the embodiment of the keyboard of the invention in  FIG. 10 , showing a base and a frame from bottom to top. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a key structure of the invention.  FIG. 3  is a reversed schematic view of the embodiment of the key structure in  FIG. 2 , showing a base, a supporting element, a frame, and a keycap from bottom to top.  FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a key structure of the invention. Please refer to FIGS.  2 ,  3 , and  4 , in this embodiment, the key structure  20  comprises a keycap  201 , a frame  202 , two supporting elements  203 , an elastic element  204 , and a base  205 . The above elements are described as follows. 
         [0040]    The base  205  simultaneously supports the frame  202 , the supporting elements  203 , and the elastic element  204 . The base  205  and the frame  202  are fixed via fastening or adhesion. The frame  202  comprises a groove  202   a  thereunder. The frame  202  is made of plastics and is a unitary and single member. 
         [0041]    The supporting element  203  has a supporting part  203   a , a connecting part  203   b  and an end part  203   c.    
         [0042]    The supporting part  203   a  of the supporting element  203  supports the keycap  201 . The elastic element  204  is disposed under the keycap  201 . The end part  203   c  of the supporting element  203  is installed in the groove  202   a  of the frame  202 . 
         [0043]    The end part  203   c  of the supporting element  203  slides or rotates in the groove  202   a  of the frame  202  such that the keycap  201  moves upward and downward relative to the base  205 . The steps to assemble the key structure  20  of the invention are first, to install the end part  203   c  of the supporting element  203  in the groove  202   a  of the frame  202 . Next, the end part  203   c  of the supporting element  203  is secured between the base  205  and the frame  202  (in the groove  202   a ) via the base  205 , supporting the supporting element  203 , the frame  202  and the elastic element  204 . When the keycap  201  moves upward and downward relative to the base  205 , the supporting element  203  and the elastic element  204  are covered by the frame  202  to prevent the supporting element  203  and the elastic element  204  from damage and pollutants. By directly installing the end part  203   c  of the supporting element  203  in the groove  202   a , the assembly and manufacturing of the key structure of the invention is simplified, thus improving manufacturing efficiency, decreasing assembly and manufacturing time, and decreasing costs. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of another embodiment of a key structure of the invention.  FIG. 6  is a reversed schematic view of the embodiment of a key structure of the invention in  FIG. 5 , showing a base, a supporting element, a frame, and a keycap from bottom to top. Please refer to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in this embodiment, the key structure  30  comprises a keycap  301 , a frame  302 , two supporting elements  303 , an elastic element  304 , and a base  305 . The above elements are described as follows. 
         [0045]    The base  305  simultaneously supports the frame  302 , the supporting elements  303 , and the elastic element  304 . The base  305  and the frame  302  are fixed via fastening or adhesion. The frame  302  is made of plastics and is a unitary and single member. The base  305  comprises a groove  305   a  thereunder. 
         [0046]    The supporting element  303  has a supporting part  303   a , a connecting part  303   b  and an end part  303   c . The connecting part  303   b  is connected to the supporting part  303   a  and the end part  303   c.    
         [0047]    The supporting part  303   a  supports the keycap  301 . The elastic element  304  is disposed under the keycap  301 . The end part  303   c  of the supporting element  303  is installed in the groove  305   a  of the base  305 . 
         [0048]    The end part  303   c  of the supporting element  303  slides or rotates in the groove  305   a  of the base  305  such that the keycap  301  moves upward and downward relative to the base  305 . The steps to assemble the key structure  30  of the invention are first, to install the end part  303   c  of the supporting element  303  in the groove  305   a  of the base  305 . Next, the end part  303   c  of the supporting element  303  is secured between the base  305  and the frame  302  (in the groove  305   a ) via the base  305 , supporting the supporting element  303 , the frame  302  and the elastic element  304 . When the keycap  301  moves upward and downward relative to the base  305 , the supporting element  303  and the elastic element  304  are covered by the frame  302  to prevent the supporting element  303  and the elastic element  304  from damage and pollutants. By directly installing the end part  303   c  of the supporting element  303  in the groove  305   a , the assembly and manufacturing of the key structure of the invention is simplified, thus improving manufacturing efficiency, decreasing assembly and manufacturing time, and decreasing costs. 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of another embodiment of a key structure of the invention.  FIG. 8  is a reversed schematic view of the embodiment of a key structure of the invention in  FIG. 7 , showing a base, a supporting element, a frame, and a keycap from bottom to top.  FIG. 9  is a schematic view of another embodiment of a key structure of the invention. Please refer to  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 , in this embodiment, the key structure  40  comprises a keycap  401 , a frame  402 , two supporting elements  403 , an elastic element  404 , and a base  405 . The above elements are described as follows. 
         [0050]    The base  405  simultaneously supports the frame  402 , the supporting elements  403 , and the elastic element  404 . The base  405  and the frame  402  are fixed via fastening or adhesion. The frame  402  comprises a first groove  402   a  thereunder. The base  405  comprises a second groove  405   a  thereover. The first groove  402   a  and the second groove  405   a  form an accommodating space  406  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). The frame  402  is made of plastics and is a unitary and single member. 
         [0051]    The supporting element  403  has a supporting part  403   a , a connecting part  403   b  and an end part  403   c.    
         [0052]    The supporting part  403   a  of the supporting element  403  supports the keycap  401 . The elastic element  404  is disposed under the keycap  401 . The end part  403   c  of the supporting element  403  is installed in the accommodating space  406 . 
         [0053]    The supporting part  403   c  of the supporting element  403  slides or rotates in the accommodating space  406  such that the keycap  401  moves upward and downward relative to the base  405 . The steps to assemble the key structure  40  of the invention are first, to install the end part  403   c  of the supporting element  403  in the accommodating space  406 . Next, the end part  403   c  of the supporting element  403  is secured between the base  405  and the frame  402  (in the accommodating space  406 ) via the base  405 , supporting the supporting element  403 , the frame  402  and the elastic element  404 . When the keycap  401  moves upward and downward relative to the base  405 , the supporting element  403  and the elastic element  404  are covered by the frame  402  to prevent the supporting element  403  and the elastic element  404  from damage and pollutants. By directly installing the end part  403   c  of the supporting element  403  in the accommodating space  406 , the assembly and manufacturing of the key structure of the invention is simplified, thus improving manufacturing efficiency, decreasing assembly and manufacturing time, and decreasing costs. 
         [0054]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a keyboard of the invention.  FIG. 11  is a reversed schematic view of the embodiment of the keyboard of the invention in  FIG. 10 , showing a base and a frame from bottom to top. Please refer to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in this embodiment, the keyboard  500  comprises a plurality of keycaps  501 , a frame  502 , a plurality of supporting elements  503 , a plurality of elastic elements  504 , and a base  505 . The above elements are described as follows. 
         [0055]    The base  505  simultaneously supports the frame  502 , the supporting elements  503 , and the elastic elements  504 . The base  505  and the frame  502  are fixed via fastening or adhesion. The frame  502  comprises a plurality of grooves  502   a  thereunder. The frame  502  is made of plastics and is a unitary and single member. 
         [0056]    Each supporting element  503  has a supporting part  503   a , a connecting part  503   b  and an end part  503   c.    
         [0057]    The supporting part  503   a  of the supporting element  503  supports the keycap  501 . The elastic element  504  is disposed under the keycap  501 . The end part  503   c  of the supporting element  503  is installed in the groove  502   a  of the frame  502 . 
         [0058]    The end part  503   c  of the supporting element  503  slides or rotates in the groove  502   a  of the frame  502  such that the keycap  501  moves upward and downward relative to the base  505 . 
         [0059]    The steps to assemble the keyboard  500  of the invention are first to install the end part  503   c  of the supporting element  503  in the groove  502   a  of the frame  502 . Next, the end part  503   c  of the supporting element  503  is secured between the base  505  and the frame  502  (in the groove  502   a ) via the base  505  supporting the supporting element  503 , the frame  502  and the elastic element  504 . When the keycap  501  moves upward and downward relative to the base  505 , the supporting element  503  and the elastic element  504  are covered by the frame  502  to prevent the supporting element  503  and the elastic element  504  from damage and pollutants. By directly installing the end part  503   c  of the supporting element  503  in the groove  502   a , the assembly and manufacturing of the keyboard of the invention is simplified, thus improving manufacturing efficiency, decreasing assembly and manufacturing time, and decreasing costs. 
         [0060]    In addition, the grooves of the keyboard of the invention can be installed on the top of the base (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) such that the end part of the supporting element is installed in the groove to secure the end part between the base and the frame. Or, the frame of the keyboard can comprise a plurality of first grooves on the bottom thereof and the base of the keyboard can comprise a plurality of second grooves on the top thereof. The first grooves and the second grooves can form a plurality of accommodating spaces (as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) such that the end part of the supporting element can be installed in the accommodating space to secure the end part between the base and the frame. 
         [0061]    While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.