Foldable pushbutton-input device

Abstract: An improved foldable pushbutton-input device 1 conformable to human body mechanism, characterized in that a plurality of assembly-jointing sections 21 is defined by a plurality of properly spaced predetermined cutting lines 6 on a baseboard 2 ; a circuit board 3 made of a flexible material having a plurality of pushbutton-input circuit sections 31 in positions corresponding with the assembly-jointing sections 21 and also defined by the same cutting lines 6 is attached on the baseboard 2 ; a signal-output circuit section 32 is formed by extending the lateral edges of the pushbutton-input circuit sections 31 and connected therewith; and a plurality of amount predetermined key sets 4 is disposed on the circuit board 3 or on the baseboard 2 in virtue of the division cutting lines 6 to thereby construct the foldable pushbutton-input device 1 with a considerably reduced volume.

Description: This invention relates to an improved pushbutton-input device, particularly to a pushbutton-input device foldable along cutting lines for reducing surface and enhancing portability thereof. Following to maturity of the personal communication science, application of the mobile phone, the personal digital assistant (PDA), etc have been extended to the scope of the Internet transmission already, and one of the major appeals until now is emphasizing in portability and appearance that urges designers to care about surface and weight of abovesaid products. Taking the pushbutton-input device for example, some of the existing keyboards with relatively smaller pushbuttons do not conform to human body mechanism for operation, others with larger pushbuttons are awkward in portability, and it seems that the defects always accompany the merits. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved foldable pushbutton-input device portable and conformable to human body mechanism, characterized in that a plurality of assembly-jointing sections is defined by properly spaced predetermined positions of pushbuttons on a baseboard, and a plurality of pushbuttons and a circuit board made of a flexible material are assembled on the assembly-jointing sections, so that the pushbutton-input device can be folded along a plurality of cutting lines for reducing its surface. Another object of this invention is to predetermine a binding area in the baseboard for combining the assembly-jointing sections with a signal-output circuit section in order to help positioning the former. A further object of this invention is to dispose a positioning sheet made of a flexible Polyester material on the bottom face of the baseboard to serve as an auxiliary measure for positioning the assembly-jointing sections. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding to the present invention, together with further advantages or features thereof, at least one preferred embodiment will be elucidated below with reference to the annexed drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded view showing structure of this invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic three-dimension elevational view of this invention after assembled; Fig. 2A is a schematic view illustrating action of Fig. 2; Fig. 3 and 3A are schematic views illustrating folding action of this invention; Fig. 3B shows a preferred embodiment of this invention; Fig. 4 shows another preferred embodiment of this invention; and Fig. 5 shows yet another preferred embodiment of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in Fig. 1 and 2 an exploded structural view and a three-dimension elevational view this invention is to provide a foldable and portable pushbutton-input device 1 in compliance with human body mechanism, and is composed of a baseboard 2 , a circuit board 3 , and a plurality of key sets 4 . On the baseboard 2 made of a metallic or a hard plastic material, a plurality of assembly-jointing sections 21 is defined by a plurality of properly spaced cutting lines 6 according to predetermined positions of pushbuttons. The circuit board 3 made of a flexible material, such as Polyimide, having a plurality of pushbutton-input circuit sections 31 defined by the cutting lines 6 in positions corresponding with the assembly-jointing sections 21 is adhered on the baseboard 2 . The pushbutton-input circuit sections 31 are extended laterally to form a signal-output circuit section 32, which is perforated to form at least a slot 33 at a proper position corresponding to the cutting line 6 according to thickness of the pushbutton. On the circuit board 3 or the baseboard 2 , the plurality of key sets 4 is disposed on the pushbutton-input circuit sections 31 of the circuit board 3 or on the assembly-jointing sections 21 of the baseboard 2 in amount as required. Each key set 4 comprises a link (bridge) 41 pivotally mounted on the circuit board 3 or the baseboard 2 , an elastomer 42 laid in the link 41 , and a key cap 43 assembled on the top end of the elastomer 42 to joint with the link 41 . As shown in Fig. 1, a representative pivot-jointing portion 34 in the circuit board 3 or a pivot-jointing portion (not shown) in the baseboard 2 is formed by direct squeezing or pressing for pivot-jointing with a terminal of the link 41 . (As the assembling method of the key set 4 or the pivot-jointing manner of the link 41 is already known, hence, it will not be repeatedly elucidated further.) As shown in Fig. 2 and 2A, the assembly procedure is to firstly joint the pushbutton-input circuit sections 31 with the assembly-jointing sections 21 of the baseboard 2 defined by the cutting lines 6 , then install each key set 4 on each pushbutton-input circuit section 31 . (Or, it can be done by disposing the circuit board 3 and the key sets 4 on the baseboard 2 , then define the assembly-jointing sections 21 and the pushbutton-input circuit sections 31 by marking the cutting lines 6 .) The second step, as shown in Fig. 2A, is to determine a binding area in the signal-output circuit section 32 , which is to be folded and combined with the bottom face of the assembly-jointing sections 21 ; or, as shown in Fig. 5, prepare a positioning sheet 5 made of a flexible Polyester material underneath the baseboard 2 to serve as an auxiliary measure for positioning the assembly-jointing sections 21 , and meanwhile, joint a signal-output connector 35 to a lateral edge of the signal-output circuit section 32 of the circuit board 3 to thus construct a pushbutton-input device 1 . (The signal-output connector 35 can be alternatively disposed at a lateral edge of the signal-output circuit section 32 shown in Fig. 4.) Referring to folding action of this invention shown in Fig. 3 and 3A, when a user is to pack the pushbutton-input device 1 , he is supposed to fold the assembly-jointing sections 21 , 21' simultaneously with the key sets 4 disposed thereon inwards along the cutting lines 6 in virtue of the flexibility of the circuit board 3 and the slots 33 formed according to thickness of the pushbutton and thereby reduce surface of the pushbutton-input device 1 considerably for storing the same in a box 7 . (To reduce surface to one fourth of the original is possible shown as Fig. 3B.) On the contrary, when using the pushbutton-input device 1 is desired, he is supposed to unfold it by assistance of the signal-output circuit section 32 or the positioning sheet 5 (as shown in Fig. 2A), then plug transmission cord (not shown) in the signal-output connector 35 for regular operation. Although, this invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it is apparent that numerous variations and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims: A foldable pushbutton-input device ( 1 ), comprising: a baseboard ( 2 ), whereby a plurality of assembly-jointing sections ( 21 ) is defined by a plurality of cutting lines ( 6 ) in a predetermined interval; a flexible circuit board ( 3 ) attached on said baseboard ( 2 ), whereby a plurality of pushbutton-input circuit sections ( 31 ) in positions corresponding with said assembly-jointing sections ( 21 ) is also defined by said cutting lines ( 6 ); a plurality of key sets ( 4 ) disposed on the pushbutton-input circuit sections ( 31 ) of said circuit board ( 3 ), or on the assembly-jointing sections ( 21 ) of said baseboard ( 2 ) respectively characterized in that : a signal-output circuit section ( 32 ) is formed by extending a lateral edge of each said pushbutton-input circuit section ( 31 ) and connected therewith; the assembly-jointing sections ( 21 ), the pushbutton-input circuit sections ( 31 ), and the key sets ( 4 ) being synchronously foldable, reducing the surface of the pushbutton-input device ( 1 ). The foldable pushbutton-input device ( 1 ) of claim 1, characterized in that said baseboard ( 2 ) is made of a metallic or a hard plastic material. The foldable pushbutton-input device ( 1 ) of claim 1, characterized in that said circuit board ( 3 ) is made of a flexible Polyester material. The foldable pushbutton-input device ( 1 ) of claim 1, characterized in that said key set ( 4 ) comprises a link (bridge) ( 41 ) pivotally mounted on said circuit board ( 3 ) or said baseboard ( 2 ), an elastomer ( 42 ) disposed in said link ( 41 ), and a key cap ( 43 ) assembled on said elastomer ( 42 ) and jointed with said link ( 41 ). The foldable pushbutton-input device ( 1 ) of claim 1, characterized in that at least a slot ( 33 ) is formed in each signal-output circuit section ( 32 ) of said circuit board ( 3 ) at a position corresponding with each cutting line ( 6 ). The foldable pushbutton-input device ( 1 ) of claim 1, characterized in that a signal-output connector ( 35 ) is jointedly disposed at a terminal edge of the signal-output circuit section ( 32 ) of said circuit board ( 3 ). The foldable pushbutton-input device ( 1 ) of claim 1, characterized in that a binding area is predetermined in the assembly-jointing sections ( 21 ) of said baseboard ( 2 ) and the signal-output circuit section ( 32 ) of said circuit board ( 3 ) respectively in corresponding positions for folding inwardly and oppositely said assembly-jointing sections ( 21 ) and said signal-output circuit section ( 32 ) said signal-output circuit section ( 32 ) serving as a measure for positioning said assembly-jointing sections ( 21 ). The foldable pushbutton-input device ( 1 ) of claim 1, characterized in that a positioning sheet ( 5 ) made of a flexible Polyester material may be disposed on the bottom face of said baseboard ( 2 ) serving as an auxiliary measure for positioning said assembly-jointing sections ( 21 ).

Inventors: CHOU CHIN-WEN, CHOU, CHIN-WEN
Applicants: SHIN JIUH CORP, SHIN JIUH CORP.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: H01H13
IPC codes: G06F3, H04M1, H01H13