Office Action 1: Notice of Allowance (2024-09-13)

CLAIMS:
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1\. A keyboard, applied to an electronic device, wherein the keyboard comprises at least the following:
a keyboard assembly, comprising a key; and
a keyboard frame assembly, comprising an outer metal frame, an inner metal frame, and a key avoidance hole, wherein the inner metal frame is connected to the outer metal frame, the key avoidance hole penetrates through the outer metal frame and the inner metal frame, the keyboard assembly is connected to the inner metal frame, the inner metal frame is located between the outer metal frame and the keyboard assembly, the inner metal frame is configured to carry the keyboard assembly, and the key is disposed in correspondence with the key avoidance hole.

2\. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard assembly is detachably connected to the inner metal frame.

3\. The keyboard according to claim 2, wherein the keyboard assembly further comprises a circuit board unit, the key is disposed on the circuit board unit, the circuit board unit is disposed on a side that is of the inner metal frame and that faces away from the outer metal frame, and the circuit board unit is detachably connected to the inner metal frame.

4\. The keyboard according to claim 3, wherein the keyboard further comprises an adaptation piece, and the circuit board unit is detachably connected to the inner metal frame by using the adaptation piece.

5\. The keyboard according to claim 4, wherein the adaptation piece comprises a first component and a second component, the first component is disposed on the inner metal frame, and the first component and the second component are fastened to connect the circuit board unit and the inner metal frame.

6\. The keyboard according to claim 5, wherein the first component is threaded with the

second component.

7\. The keyboard according to claim 6, wherein the first component is a nut, the inner metal frame comprises a mounting hole, the first component is inserted into the mounting hole, the second component comprises a bolt and a cap portion connected to the bolt, the bolt is threaded with the first component, and the cap portion abuts against the circuit board unit to apply, to the circuit board unit, a pressure stress toward the inner metal frame.

8\. The keyboard according to claim 7, wherein the circuit board unit comprises a circuit board, a metal sheet, and a backlight module, the circuit board is disposed on a side that is of the metal sheet and that faces the inner metal frame, the backlight module is disposed on a side that is of the metal sheet and that faces away from the inner metal frame, the circuit board comprises a first avoidance hole, the metal sheet comprises a second avoidance hole, the backlight module comprises a third avoidance hole, the first component is inserted into the first avoidance hole and the second avoidance hole, and the cap portion is acconnodated in the third avoidance hole and abuts against a surface that is of the metal sheet and that faces away from the circuit board.

9\. The keyboard according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the inner metal frame comprises a transverse spacer and a longitudinal spacer, the transverse spacer and the longitudinal spacer are alternately disposed around thekey avoidance hole, and the first component is disposed in an intersection region of the transverse spacer and the longitudinal spacer.

10\. The keyboard according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the outer metal frame and the inner metal frame are detachably connected.

11\. The keyboard according to claim 10, wherein the outer metal frame comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, and the inner metal frame is stuck to the inner surface.

12\. The keyboard according to claim 11, wherein there is an annular accommodation cavity between the inner metal frame and the inner surface, the keyboard frame assembly

further comprises a first adhesive member disposed within the annular accommodation cavity, the key avoidance hole is located within a region limited by the annular accommodation cavity, and the first adhesive member connects the outer metal frame and the inner metal frame.

13\. The keyboard according to claim 11, wherein the inner metal frame comprises a transverse spacer and a longitudinal spacer, and the transverse spacer and the longitudinal spacer are alternately disposed around the key avoidance hole;
there is a first chamber between the transverse spacer and the inner surface, and the keyboard frame assembly further comprises a second adhesive member disposed in the first chamber; or there is a second chamber between the longitudinal spacer and the inner surface, and the keyboard frame assembly further comprises a second adhesive member disposed in the second chamber; or there is a first chamber between the transverse spacer and the inner surface, there is a second chamber between the longitudinal spacer and the inner surface, and the keyboard frame assembly further comprises a second adhesive member disposed in the first chamber and the second chamber; and
the second adhesive member connects the outer metal frame and the inner metal frame.

14\. An electronic device, comprising the keyboard according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

OFFICE ACTION:
Allowable Subject Matter
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Claims 1, 3-4, 6-22 are allowed.
Kitamura et al. US 20210216120, FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an electronic apparatus 10 according to an embodiment. The electronic apparatus 10 includes an apparatus chassis 14 equipped with a keyboard 12 and a display chassis 18 equipped with a display 16. The electronic apparatus 10 is a clamshell laptop PC in which the apparatus chassis 14 and the display chassis 18 are connected by a hinge 20 so as to be relatively rotatable. The keyboard 12 is provided on a top surface 14a of the apparatus chassis 14. The keyboard 12 includes a plurality of key switches 24. The keyboard 12 is an isolation keyboard in which the surrounding area of a key top 24a that is an operating surface of each of the key switches 24 is partitioned by a frame (isolation frame) 26. The frame 26 is formed of resin, metal, or the like. The frame 26 is a net-like frame. The frame 26 according to the present embodiment is integrally formed with a cover member 27 that forms the top surface 14a of the apparatus chassis 14. The frame 26 may be configured separately from the cover member 27. The frame 26 includes a plurality of holes 26a into which the key tops 24a can move vertically. The frame 26 includes the holes 26a that are portions surrounded by horizontal frame portions 26b extending in the right-left direction and vertical frame portions 26c extending in the front-and-rear direction. The display chassis 18 includes the display 16 on the front surface. The display 16 is a liquid crystal display, for example. The bottom end of the display chassis 18 is connected to the rear end of the apparatus chassis 14 via the hinge 20.
Na et al. US 20060028793, FIGS. 5A to 5D show in detail the configuration of the hinge frame 60. It is preferred that a frame body 61 of the hinge frame 60 be made of a metal material to provide a desired strength and/or to shield electromagnetic waves. However, if the function of shielding electromagnetic waves is not required, the frame body 61 may be molded from a synthetic resin.[0050] The frame body 61 is formed with a perforated portion 61' at a certain position thereof. The perforated portion 61' is formed by vertically perforating the frame body 61 and used to allow the parts installed on the main board 50 to be exposed to the outside when the frame body 61 is mounted on the main board 50. The size, the position, etc. of the perforated portion 61' should vary with the positions of parts mounted on the main board 50. A first covering portion 62 is provided at a certain position on the frame body 61. The first covering portion 62 is formed in such a manner that it protrudes at a top face of the frame body 61 and appears as a recess with respect to a bottom face of the frame body. The first covering portion 62 is open toward the opening 43 of the rear wall 42 and the bottom of the frame body 61. The first covering portion 62 serves to cover the modem connector 52 and the LAN connector 53. Accordingly, the modem and LAN connectors 52 and 53 mounted on the main board 50 are seated in the first covering portion 62. When the frame body 61 is fastened to the main board 50, the modem and LAN connectors 52 and 53 are firmly positioned in a space defined by the main board 50 and the first covering portion 62 of the frame body 61. A hinge fastening portion 63 is provided at a position adjacent to the first covering portion 62. The hinge unit 35 is fastened to the hinge fastening portion 63. A plurality of fastening holes 63' are perforated through the hinge fastening portion 63.
None of the references cited in record discloses a keyboard, comprising: an adaptation piece comprising a first component and a second component; a keyboard assembly comprising a key and a circuit board assembly; and a keyboard frame assembly comprising an outer metal frame, an inner metal frame, and a key avoidance hole, wherein the inner metal frame is connected to the outer metal frame, the key avoidance hole penetrates through the outer metal frame and the inner metal frame, the keyboard assembly is connected to the inner metal frame, the inner metal frame is located between the outer metal frame and the keyboard assembly, the inner metal frame is configured to carry the keyboard assembly, and the key is disposed in correspondence with the key avoidance hole; wherein the keyboard assembly is detachably connected to the inner metal frame; and wherein the first component is disposed on the inner metal frame, and the first component and the second component are fastened to connect the circuit board assembly and the inner metal frame.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion



CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20230367373A1: Claims:
A keyboard, comprising: a button switch, and a keyboard frame and a mechanical part connected through adhesive dispensing, wherein the keyboard frame comprises a transverse frame and a longitudinal frame, the transverse frame extends in a row direction and is continuously disposed, the longitudinal frame extends in a column direction and is connected between two adjacent transverse frames, a plurality of longitudinal frames are arranged in a staggered manner in the column direction, and the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame cross to form a first button accommodating hole; and the mechanical part comprises a transverse support rib and a longitudinal support rib, the transverse support rib and the longitudinal support rib cross to form a second button accommodating hole, and the first button accommodating hole and the second button accommodating hole are correspondingly provided and are jointly used to accommodate the button switch; and on a side that is of the keyboard frame and that is connected to the mechanical part, the longitudinal frame protrudes relative to the transverse frame, the longitudinal frame abuts and is attached to the transverse support rib, and an adhesive-accommodating gap for accommodating adhesive is formed between the transverse frame and the transverse support rib.
the keyboard frame comprises a transverse frame and a longitudinal frame, the transverse frame extends in a row direction and is continuously disposed, the longitudinal frame extends in a column direction and is connected between two adjacent transverse frames, a plurality of longitudinal frames are arranged in a staggered manner in the column direction, and the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame cross to form a first button accommodating hole; and the mechanical part comprises a transverse support rib and a longitudinal support rib, the transverse support rib and the longitudinal support rib cross to form a second button accommodating hole, and the first button accommodating hole and the second button accommodating hole are correspondingly provided and are jointly used to accommodate the button switch; and
on a side that is of the keyboard frame and that is connected to the mechanical part, the longitudinal frame protrudes relative to the transverse frame, the longitudinal frame abuts and is attached to the transverse support rib, and an adhesive-accommodating gap for accommodating adhesive is formed between the transverse frame and the transverse support rib.
The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein the keyboard frame further comprises an outer frame, the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame are connected in the outer frame, the mechanical part further comprises an outer support rib, the transverse support rib and the longitudinal support rib are connected in the outer support rib, and on the side that is of the keyboard frame and that is connected to the mechanical part, the longitudinal frame protrudes relative to the outer frame, and an adhesive-accommodating gap for accommodating adhesive is formed between the outer frame and the outer support rib.
The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein an end face of a protrusion of the longitudinal frame relative to the transverse frame is aligned with an edge of the transverse frame, and surfaces of the transverse frame that are used to construct the adhesive-accommodating gap are on a same plane and have a same width.
The keyboard according to claim 3 , wherein a height of the protrusion of the longitudinal frame relative to the transverse frame falls with a range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm.
The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein a width of the transverse support rib is greater than a width of the transverse frame, and a width of the longitudinal support rib is greater than a width of the longitudinal frame.
The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame have a same width.
The keyboard according to claim 6 , wherein the width of the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame falls within a range of 1 mm to 1.5 mm.
The keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein the keyboard frame is a plastic part, and the mechanical part is a metal part.
An electronic device, comprising a keyboard, wherein the keyboard comprises: a button switch, and a keyboard frame and a mechanical part connected through adhesive dispensing, wherein the keyboard frame comprises a transverse frame and a longitudinal frame, the transverse frame extends in a row direction and is continuously disposed, the longitudinal frame extends in a column direction and is connected between two adjacent transverse frames, a plurality of longitudinal frames are arranged in a staggered manner in the column direction, and the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame cross to form a first button accommodating hole; and the mechanical part comprises a transverse support rib and a longitudinal support rib, the transverse support rib and the longitudinal support rib cross to form a second button accommodating hole, and the first button accommodating hole and the second button accommodating hole are correspondingly provided and are jointly used to accommodate the button switch; and on a side that is of the keyboard frame and that is connected to the mechanical part, the longitudinal frame protrudes relative to the transverse frame, the longitudinal frame abuts and is attached to the transverse support rib, and an adhesive-accommodating gap for accommodating adhesive is formed between the transverse frame and the transverse support rib.
The keyboard according to claim 9 , wherein the keyboard frame further comprises an outer frame, the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame are connected in the outer frame, the mechanical part further comprises an outer support rib, the transverse support rib and the longitudinal support rib are connected in the outer support rib, and on the side that is of the keyboard frame and that is connected to the mechanical part, the longitudinal frame protrudes relative to the outer frame, and an adhesive-accommodating gap for accommodating adhesive is formed between the outer frame and the outer support rib.
The keyboard according to claim 9 , wherein an end face of a protrusion of the longitudinal frame relative to the transverse frame is aligned with an edge of the transverse frame, and surfaces of the transverse frame that are used to construct the adhesive-accommodating gap are on a same plane and have a same width.
The keyboard according to claim 11 , wherein a height of the protrusion of the longitudinal frame relative to the transverse frame falls with a range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm.
The keyboard according to claim 9 , wherein a width of the transverse support rib is greater than a width of the transverse frame, and a width of the longitudinal support rib is greater than a width of the longitudinal frame.
The keyboard according to claim 9 , wherein the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame have a same width.
The keyboard according to claim 14 , wherein the width of the transverse frame and the longitudinal frame falls within a range of 1 mm to 1.5 mm.
The keyboard according to claim 9 , wherein the keyboard frame is a plastic part, and the mechanical part is a metal part.
The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the electronic device is a notebook computer, the notebook computer comprises a first body and a second body that are connected by a rotating shaft, a display is disposed on the first body, the keyboard and a touchpad are disposed on the second body, and a mechanical part of the keyboard is a shell that is of the second body and that faces the first body.
Ref US20230341611A1: Claims:
A keyboard unit comprising: a plurality of keytops; a baseplate supporting the plurality of keytops; a light-emitting module having a light guide plate, a first reflective sheet covering a top surface of the light guide plate, and a second reflective sheet covering a bottom surface of the light guide plate, wherein the light-emitting module is stacked on a bottom surface of the baseplate; and a hole vertically penetrating the light-emitting module, the light-emitting module including at a periphery of the hole, a light-shielding portion where the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are in contact with each other, the light-shielding portion covering an edge of the light guide plate; and an adhesive portion located closer to the hole than the light-shielding portion, and at the adhesive portion, the second reflective sheet covers an edge of the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet adheres to the bottom surface of the baseplate.
a plurality of keytops;
a baseplate supporting the plurality of keytops;
a light-emitting module having a light guide plate, a first reflective sheet covering a top surface of the light guide plate, and a second reflective sheet covering a bottom surface of the light guide plate, wherein the light-emitting module is stacked on a bottom surface of the baseplate; and
a hole vertically penetrating the light-emitting module,
the light-emitting module including at a periphery of the hole, a light-shielding portion where the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are in contact with each other, the light-shielding portion covering an edge of the light guide plate; and an adhesive portion located closer to the hole than the light-shielding portion, and at the adhesive portion, the second reflective sheet covers an edge of the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet adheres to the bottom surface of the baseplate.
a light-shielding portion where the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are in contact with each other, the light-shielding portion covering an edge of the light guide plate; and
an adhesive portion located closer to the hole than the light-shielding portion, and at the adhesive portion, the second reflective sheet covers an edge of the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet adheres to the bottom surface of the baseplate.
The keyboard unit according to claim 1 , wherein the light-shielding portion includes: an inter-sheet adhesive section adjacent to an the of the light guide plate, wherein the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are bonded to each other; and a non-adhesive section between the inter-sheet adhesive section and the adhesive portion, the non-adhesive section having no adhesive between the first and second reflective sheets.
the light-shielding portion includes: an inter-sheet adhesive section adjacent to an the of the light guide plate, wherein the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are bonded to each other; and a non-adhesive section between the inter-sheet adhesive section and the adhesive portion, the non-adhesive section having no adhesive between the first and second reflective sheets.
an inter-sheet adhesive section adjacent to an the of the light guide plate, wherein the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are bonded to each other; and
a non-adhesive section between the inter-sheet adhesive section and the adhesive portion, the non-adhesive section having no adhesive between the first and second reflective sheets.
The keyboard unit according to claim 2 , wherein the second reflective sheet has a stepwise bend between the inter-sheet adhesive section and the adhesive portion, and the non-adhesive section is at the bend.
the second reflective sheet has a stepwise bend between the inter-sheet adhesive section and the adhesive portion, and
the non-adhesive section is at the bend.
An electronic apparatus comprising: a chassis; and a keyboard unit including a plurality of keytops; a baseplate supporting the plurality of keytops; and a light-emitting module stacked on a bottom surface of the baseplate; wherein the keyboard unit faces a top surface of the chassis, the light-emitting module including: a light guide plate; a first reflective sheet covering a top surface of the light guide plate; a second reflective sheet covering a bottom surface of the light guide plate; and a hole vertically penetrating the light-emitting module, the light-emitting module including at a periphery of the hole, a light-shielding portion where the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are in contact with each other, wherein the light-shielding portion covers an edge of the light guide plate; and an adhesive portion located closer to the hole than the light-shielding portion, and at the adhesive portion, the second reflective sheet covers an edge of the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet adheres to the bottom surface of the baseplate.
a keyboard unit including a plurality of keytops; a baseplate supporting the plurality of keytops; and a light-emitting module stacked on a bottom surface of the baseplate; wherein the keyboard unit faces a top surface of the chassis,
the light-emitting module including: a light guide plate; a first reflective sheet covering a top surface of the light guide plate; a second reflective sheet covering a bottom surface of the light guide plate; and a hole vertically penetrating the light-emitting module,
a light guide plate;
a first reflective sheet covering a top surface of the light guide plate;
a second reflective sheet covering a bottom surface of the light guide plate; and
the light-emitting module including at a periphery of the hole, a light-shielding portion where the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are in contact with each other, wherein the light-shielding portion covers an edge of the light guide plate; and an adhesive portion located closer to the hole than the light-shielding portion, and at the adhesive portion, the second reflective sheet covers an edge of the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet adheres to the bottom surface of the baseplate.
a light-shielding portion where the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are in contact with each other, wherein the light-shielding portion covers an edge of the light guide plate; and
The electronic apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the light-shielding portion includes: an inter-sheet adhesive section adjacent to the edge of the light guide plate, wherein the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are bonded to each other; and a non-adhesive section between the inter-sheet adhesive section and the adhesive portion, wherein the non-adhesive section has no adhesive between the first and second reflective sheets.
the light-shielding portion includes: an inter-sheet adhesive section adjacent to the edge of the light guide plate, wherein the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are bonded to each other; and a non-adhesive section between the inter-sheet adhesive section and the adhesive portion, wherein the non-adhesive section has no adhesive between the first and second reflective sheets.
an inter-sheet adhesive section adjacent to the edge of the light guide plate, wherein the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet are bonded to each other; and
a non-adhesive section between the inter-sheet adhesive section and the adhesive portion, wherein the non-adhesive section has no adhesive between the first and second reflective sheets.
The electronic apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising: a frame between the plurality of keytops, wherein the keyboard unit has a plurality of vertical through holes, and the through holes are each part of the hole.
a frame between the plurality of keytops, wherein
the keyboard unit has a plurality of vertical through holes, and the through holes are each part of the hole.
The electronic apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein in one of the through holes, a coupler that couples the keyboard unit to the frame is inserted therein.
in one of the through holes, a coupler that couples the keyboard unit to the frame is inserted therein.
The electronic apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising: a component below the keyboard unit, wherein a support member supporting the component is inserted into the hole.
a component below the keyboard unit, wherein
a support member supporting the component is inserted into the hole.
Ref US20210216120A1: Claims:
An electronic apparatus comprising: an apparatus chassis including therein an electronic board; a keyboard on a top of the apparatus chassis; and a fan device that includes: a fan chassis that includes a first air intake formed on a bottom surface of the fan chassis, a second air intake formed on a top surface of the fan chassis, and an air outlet formed on a side surface of the fan chassis; and a blade part that rotates inside the fan chassis, the fan device is between a basal plate of the apparatus chassis and a bottom surface of the keyboard, and is inside the apparatus chassis, wherein the basal plate includes a first inlet at a position overlapping the first air intake, the keyboard includes, at a position overlapping the second air intake, a second inlet that makes air pass through the keyboard, and the electronic apparatus further comprises a first water stop member that surrounds at least a part of the first air intake, lies between the bottom surface of the fan chassis and an inner surface of the basal plate, and separates the first air intake from the electronic board.
an apparatus chassis including therein an electronic board;
a keyboard on a top of the apparatus chassis; and
a fan device that includes: a fan chassis that includes a first air intake formed on a bottom surface of the fan chassis, a second air intake formed on a top surface of the fan chassis, and an air outlet formed on a side surface of the fan chassis; and
a fan chassis that includes a first air intake formed on a bottom surface of the fan chassis, a second air intake formed on a top surface of the fan chassis, and an air outlet formed on a side surface of the fan chassis; and
a blade part that rotates inside the fan chassis,
the fan device is between a basal plate of the apparatus chassis and a bottom surface of the keyboard, and is inside the apparatus chassis, wherein
the basal plate includes a first inlet at a position overlapping the first air intake,
the keyboard includes, at a position overlapping the second air intake, a second inlet that makes air pass through the keyboard, and
the electronic apparatus further comprises a first water stop member that surrounds at least a part of the first air intake, lies between the bottom surface of the fan chassis and an inner surface of the basal plate, and separates the first air intake from the electronic board.
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second water stop member that surrounds at least a part of the second air intake, lies between the top surface of the fan chassis and the bottom surface of the keyboard, and separates the second air intake from the electronic board.
a second water stop member that surrounds at least a part of the second air intake, lies between the top surface of the fan chassis and the bottom surface of the keyboard, and separates the second air intake from the electronic board.
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a cooling fin at the air outlet of the fan device; and a third water stop member that lies at least between a bottom surface of the cooling fin and the inner surface of the basal plate.
a cooling fin at the air outlet of the fan device; and
a third water stop member that lies at least between a bottom surface of the cooling fin and the inner surface of the basal plate.
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the keyboard includes: a plurality of key tops; and a net-like frame that separates the key tops from each other, and the second inlet includes a long hole a
[Truncated to input limit]