Abstract:
A computer keyboard in one embodiment includes a plurality of keys, each of the keys including a suspension structure and a key body supported by the suspension structure, the key body comprising a color body member, a transparent colorless protective cover formed on the body member, and at least one character formed on the body member by laser engraving through the protective cover onto the body member wherein the body member has a flat top.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to computer keyboards and more particularly to a computer keyboard having transparent covers each for protecting character(s) on a key top. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Keyboards are used in a variety of applications for entry of alphanumeric and other types of data into a computer. Keyboards are typically light weight, low in cost, and easy to manufacture. 
         [0005]    One problem of typical keyboards is that characters printed on tops of keys may become blurry due to long time contact with the hands in use. Hence, how to protect characters on the keys has become an issue in the manufacture of keyboards. 
         [0006]    There have been numerous suggestions in prior patents for providing means to protect characters on the keys of a computer keyboard. For example, Taiwanese Publication Application No. 207,796 discloses an improved computer keyboard which is characterized as follows. A transparent protective cover is fastened on a key by snapping. Characters on the keys are thus protected. The protective cover may be flat, recessed, or raised. A recess is formed on either side of an inner surface of the key. End latches of the protective cover are adapted to securely engage with the recesses for securing the protective cover and the key together. 
         [0007]    But this is unsatisfactory for the purpose for which the invention is concerned for the following reasons: The latching engagement is not reliable. Hence, it may loosen after a short period time of use. Further, the keys are relatively thick due to the provision of the protective covers thereon. Hence, the desire of manufacturing a thin keyboard is cannot be fulfilled and this further contracts the trends of miniaturization. Moreover, it is visually unaesthetic. Thus, the need for improvement still exists. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a computer keyboard having transparent covers each for protecting character(s) on a key top. 
         [0009]    One aspect of the invention is to provide a computer keyboard including a plurality of keys, each of the keys including a suspension structure and a key body supported by the suspension structure, the key body comprising a color body member, a transparent colorless protective cover formed on the body member, and at least one character formed on the body member by laser engraving through the protective cover onto the body member wherein the body member has a flush top. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the invention is to provide a computer keyboard including a plurality of keys, each of the keys including a suspension structure and a key body supported by the suspension structure, the key body comprising a body member having a top recess, a protective cover secured onto the top recess, and a transparent layer coated on an underside of the protective cover and having at least one character formed thereon by printing. 
         [0011]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a keyboard according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention where a key body being detached; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged, exploded view of the detached key of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a longitudinal sectional view of a key mounted on the keyboard of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the key body of  FIG. 2  with the characters removed; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the assembled key body of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  where the finished key body with characters formed thereon is shown; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view of the key body of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a longitudinal sectional view of one of keys of a computer keyboard according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the key body of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the assembled key body of  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a longitudinal sectional view of the key body of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 7 , a keyboard  1  in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The keyboard  1  comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
         [0024]    A substantially rectangular monoblock  10  comprises a plurality of distinct rectangular zones (not numbered) each with one of a plurality of keys  1  mounted thereon. As shown in  FIG. 2 , each zone is provided with two first fastening grooves  11  at two upper corners, two second fastening grooves  12  at two lower corners, and a resilient dome  13  projecting upward from a center, the dome  13  having an upper, annular flange  131  and a guide stem  132  having a contact switch (not numbered) on a bottom. 
         [0025]    The monoblock  10  further comprises a transparent membrane  14  provided beneath an underside of the monoblock  10  with the domes  13  formed thereon, a membrane circuit board  15  provided below the transparent membrane  14 , and a bottom plate  16  provided below the membrane circuit board  15 . 
         [0026]    A plurality of suspension structures  20  each comprises a substantially U-shaped first member  21  having two pins  23  at both sides of one end and a pivot  22  at the other end, and a substantially U-shaped second member  21 ′ having a pivot  22 ′ at the other end and two pins  23 ′ at both sides of one end. The first and second members  21 ,  21 ′ are pivotably secured together at both sides thereof to form the suspension structure  20  having a section of “X” as shown in  FIG. 3  with a central hole  201  being defined. The pivot  22 ′ is secured to the second fastening grooves  12  by snapping and the pins  23  are secured to the first fastening grooves  11  by snapping with the dome  13  inserted through the hole  201 . 
         [0027]    A plurality of rectangular key bodies  30  each comprises an opaque color body member  31  having a raised top  311 , and a transparent colorless protective cover  32  on the body member  31 . The protective cover  32  and the body member  31  can be either (i) manufactured separately and secured together by adhering or (ii) formed integrally by injection molding by employing two plastic materials of different colors (see  FIG. 5 ). Note that the body member  31  may have one of a plurality of different colors in other embodiments. Alternatively, the body member  31  may be transparent in other embodiments. 
         [0028]    The key body  30  further comprises, for example, a set of four unique characters  33  formed on four corners of the top  311  by laser engraving through the protective cover  32  onto the top  311  of the body member  31 . The characters  33  is flush with the top  311  of the body member  31 , i.e., the top  311  is flat after forming the characters  33  thereon. On an inner surface of the body member  31  there are provided two first joints  34  each having a trough  341  proximate the other end, two second joints  35  each having a channel  351  proximate one end, and a key stem  36  extending downward from a center. The key stem  36  is disposed in the annular flange  131 , the pivots  22  are pivotably disposed in the troughs  341  of the first joints  34 , and the pins  23 ′ are pivotably disposed in the channels  351  of the second joints  35  when the key body  30  is installed on the suspension structure  20 . As a result, the key body  30  is mounted on the suspension structure  20 . The key body  30  is capable of upward or downward moving when it is depressed by the finger. 
         [0029]    It is envisaged by the invention that the characters  33  are protected by the protective cover  32 . Further, the protective cover  32  is thin and light weight. Thus, the keys  1  are aesthetic with only a minimum of additional weight being added thereon. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 to 11 , a keyboard in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are detailed below. A plurality of rectangular key bodies  40  each comprises an opaque, rectangular body member  41  having a recessed top  411 , a transparent, colorless protective cover  43  shaped to conform to the rectangular top  411  so as to fit thereon, and a transparent layer  42  coated on an underside of the protective cover  43  and having, for example, a set of four unique characters  421  formed on four corners of the transparent layer  42  by printing in reverse. Note that the transparent layer  42  may have one of a plurality of different colors. Also, the edge of the protective cover  43  is higher than the body member  41 . Hence, the key  1  has an uneven top (see  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0031]    On an inner surface of the body member  41  there are provided two first joints  44  each having a trough  441  proximate the other end, two second joint  45  each having a channel  451  proximate one end, and a key stem  46  extending downward from a center. The key stem  46  is disposed in the annular flange  131 , the pivots  22  are pivotably disposed in the troughs  441  of the first joints  44 , and the pins  23 ′ are pivotably disposed in the channels  451  of the second joints  45  when the key body  40  is installed on the suspension structure  20 . As a result, the key body  40  is mounted on the suspension structure  20 . The key body  40  is capable of upward or downward moving when it is depressed by the finger. 
         [0032]    It is envisaged by the invention that the fastening of the protective cover  43  and the body member  41  is secured. Further, the characters  421  are protected by the protective cover  43 . Furthermore, the protective cover  43  is thin and light weight. Thus, the keys  1  are aesthetic with only a minimum of additional weight being added thereon. 
         [0033]    Note that in either embodiment the contact switch of the guide stem  132  may electrically connect to a circuit (not shown) for conducting the circuit so that a signal representing the depressed key can be generated as known in the art. 
         [0034]    While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.