Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6139207?dq=7,346,545
Timestamp: 2013-12-12 13:56:23
Document Index: 799096692

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 48', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4']

Patent US6139207 - Keyboard apparatus - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Advanced Patent Search | Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA key base side pivot point on one side of a pantograph is supported on a key base and a key top height adjusting mechanism that has a holder that supports the other key base side pivot point and a reciprocating link that links swingably to this holder is also supported thereon, the holder of this key...http://www.google.com/patents/US6139207?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6139207 - Keyboard apparatusPublication numberUS6139207 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/313,633Publication dateOct 31, 2000Filing dateMay 18, 1999Priority dateAug 10, 1998Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS6270268Publication number09313633, 313633, US 6139207 A, US 6139207A, US-A-6139207, US6139207 A, US6139207AInventorsShigeru KawabeOriginal AssigneeNec CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (10), Referenced by (2), Classifications (13), Legal Events (10) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetKeyboard apparatusUS 6139207 AAbstract A key base side pivot point on one side of a pantograph is supported on a key base and a key top height adjusting mechanism that has a holder that supports the other key base side pivot point and a reciprocating link that links swingably to this holder is also supported thereon, the holder of this key top height adjusting mechanism being caused to swing by a reciprocating movement of the reciprocating link.
What is claimed is: 1. A keyboard apparatus comprising a key base, a plurality of key tops that are disposed on said key base in matrixed configuration and a plurality of pantograph mechanisms each being provided for each one of said key tops, respectively, so as to connect each of said key tops to said key base, respectively, wherein said pantograph mechanism comprises first and second pantograph units, first end portions of said first and second pantograph units being pivotally connected to said key top, while a second end portion of said first pantograph unit being pivotally connected to a first portion of said key base and a second end portion of said second pantograph unit being detachably connected to a second portion of said key base,wherein said second end portion of said second pantograph unit is configured so as to pivotally move with respect to a connected portion formed between said second end portion of said first pantograph unit and said first portion of said key base, as a center of axis, wherein said pivotal movement of said second end portion of said second pantograph unit is caused in response to a reciprocating motion of a reciprocating link in parallel with said key base, said reciprocating link being adjacently provided to said key base, wherein said second end portion of said second pantograph unit is connected to one end portion of a holder, the other end portion of said holder being connected to a portion of said reciprocating link, and wherein said holder is provided with a bending portion on a portion of said holder. 2. A keyboard apparatus comprising a key base, a plurality of key tops that are disposed on said key base in matrixed configuration and a plurality of pantograph mechanisms each being provided for each one of said key tops, respectively, so as to connect each of said key tops to said key base, respectively, wherein said pantograph mechanism comprises first and second pantograph units, first end portions of said first and second pantograph units being pivotally connected to said key top, while a second end portion of said first pantograph unit being pivotally connected to a first portion of said key base and a second end portion of said second pantograph unit being detachably connected to a second portion of said key base,wherein said second end portion of said second pantograph unit is configured so as to pivotally move with respect to a connected portion formed between said second end portion of said first pantograph unit and said first portion of said key base, as a center of axis, wherein said pivotal movement of said second end portion of said second pantograph unit is caused in response to a reciprocating motion of a reciprocating link in parallel with said key base, said reciprocating link being adjacently provided to said key base, wherein said second end portion of said second pantograph unit is connected to one end portion of a holder, the other end portion of said holder being connected to a portion of said reciprocating link, and wherein a portion of said holder is contacted to a part of a holder supporting member, said holder supporting member being disposed on said key base. 3. A keyboard apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said holder supporting member is slidably disposed in a longitudinal direction of said holder on said key base.
4. A keyboard apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said holder supporting member is disposed along respective lines, in each of said lines a plurality of said key tops being adjacently arranged to each other.
5. A keyboard apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a position of said holder supporting member is adjusted with an operation lever provided on a peripheral surface area of said keyboard apparatus.
6. A keyboard apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a height of said key top can be adjusted by controlling a position of said holder supporting member.
7. A keyboard apparatus comprising a key base, a plurality of key tops that are disposed on said key base in matrixed configuration and a plurality of pantograph mechanisms each being provided for each one of said key tops, respectively, so as to connect each of said key tops to said key base, respectively, wherein said pantograph mechanism comprises first and second pantograph units, first end portions of said first and second pantograph units being pivotally connected to said key top, while a second end portion of said first pantograph unit being pivotally connected to a first portion of said key base and a second end portion of said second pantograph unit being detachably connected to a second portion of said key base,wherein said plurality of key tops are arranged in groups, each of said groups being constituted by one or more columns, or one or more rows of said matrix configuration, a height of each one of key tops in one group of said groups can be adjusted simultaneously and independently from those of other key tops of other of said groups. 8. A keyboard apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of said key tops belonging to said one group, forming one line of said keyboard in a keyboard apparatus.
9. A keyboard apparatus comprising:a key base that has a plurality of pantograph pivot point support pairs that are arranged in a line with a predetermined spacing therebetween, and a plurality of key tops that are disposed on said key base via a plurality of X-shaped pantographs, respectively so as to freely move upward and downward, each of said key tops having pantograph pivot point linking pairs that respectively correspond to each of the pantograph pivot point support pairs, wherein one of a key base pivot point pair provided on each of said X-shaped pantographs is supported on said key base, said keyboard apparatus further comprising: a key top height adjusting mechanism that has a holder that supports the other key base side pivot point of said key side pivot point pair, and a reciprocating link that links said holder in a swingable manner, the holder being swung in response to a reciprocating motion of said reciprocating link. 10. A keyboard apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said holder comprises a swinging link comprising a horizonal part that is positioned at the pantograph side and an inclined part that is positioned at the reciprocating link side.
11. A keyboard apparatus according to claim 9, said apparatus comprising a holder supporting member that supports said holder on said key base.
12. A keyboard apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said holder support member is movable in a direction that is parallel to the direction of reciprocation of said reciprocating link.
13. A keyboard apparatus according to claim 9, said apparatus comprising an operating lever that applies forward and reverse force to said reciprocating link, said lever being provided in a freely swingable manner on said key base.
14. A keyboard apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said operating lever swings in response to the opening and closing of a key top cover.
The pantograph pivot point support pair 46 has two pantograph pivot point supports 46a and 46b, which are arranged in a line.
The pantograph pivot point link pair 47 has pantograph pivot point links 47a and 47b, which correspond to the pantograph pivot point supports 46a and 46b.
This pantograph 44 is an X-shaped pantograph that has two links 48 and 49 to which are linked the link center parts 48a and 49a so as to be able to freely rock to each other, the pantograph being disposed between the key base 42 and each one of the key tops 43 so as to allow free expansion and contraction therebetween.
The ends of the links 48 and 49 each have key base side pivot points 48A and 49A, which correspond to the pantograph pivot point supports 46a and 46b, and key top side pivot points 48B and 49B, which correspond to the pantograph pivot point links 47a and 47b.
The resilient member 45 is made of rubber and includes within it a contact part (not shown in the drawing) which corresponds to a contact part on the key base 42, and is disposed between each of the key tops 43 and the key base 42.
In the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 8-22348, there is a proposal of an "information processing apparatus" which has a large number of key tops that can be supported by rubber springs on a base so as to freely rise and fall, and a balloon, which is disposed between these key tops and the base, and which is linked to a tube for the purpose of supplying and exhausting air.
In this type of keyboard mechanism, because the movement stroke of the keys in the key top height direction is adjusted by means of the air pressure the balloon, the tube to supply air to within the balloon and a valve to open and close the tube are required as a mechanism for adjustment of the key top height, this making the key top height adjustment mechanism complex.
In the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 5-290673, there is a disclosure of prior art directed at a "keyboard apparatus" that has a guiding support member that guides and supports a pantograph in the up and down direction, and in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 5-298000, there is disclosure of prior art directed at a "keyboard apparatus" that has a cover that has a sliding groove which guides the up and down movement of a sheet member.
In the above-noted example of prior art, the adjustment of the movement stroke of the keys in the key top direction in the former case (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 5-290673) is that of moving a pantograph pivot point in a straight line direction, and in the latter case is that of performing this adjustment by moving inside of a cam groove, so that there is no change in the front-to-back movement of the key top, this causing the problem of poor visibility of the marking on the key top.
On the other hand, in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 61-80718, although a key board used for electric devices is disclosed, it only shows a thin film key board without using a plurality of independent key tops but with a plurality of resilient plates each forming a respective switching means.
Accordingly, in consideration of the above-noted problems accompanying the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard mechanism which, by causing the pivot at one side of the pantograph to move with a swinging motion so as to apart from a surface of a key base, enables a reduction of the size of the keyboard in the height direction while simplifying the mechanism for adjusting the key top height, and also achieves good visibility of the marking on the key top.
The first aspect of a keyboard apparatus of the present invention comprises a key base, a plurality of key tops that are disposed on the key base in matrixes configuration and a plurality of pantograph mechanisms each being provided on each one of the key tops, respectively so as to connect each of the key top to the key base, respectively, wherein the pantograph mechanism comprises a first and a second pantograph units, a first end portion of the first and second pantograph units being pivotally connected to a part of the key top, while a second end portion of the first pantograph unit being pivotally connected to a portion of the key base and a second end portion of the second pantograph unit being detachably connected to a portion of the key base.
FIG. 1 is an enlarged side view of that shows the internal construction of a keyboard apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view that shows the internal construction of the above-noted keyboard according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view that shows a keyboard apparatus according to the present invention, with elements in FIG. 3 that are identical with elements in FIG. 4 being assigned the same reference numerals.
Further, in the keyboard apparatus of the present invention, the pivotally movement of the second end portion 22 of the second pantograph unit 48 is caused in response to a reciprocating motion of a reciprocating link 6 in parallel with the key base 42, and the reciprocating link 6 being adjacently provided to the key base 42.
On the other hand, in the present invention, the reciprocating link 6 is caused to be reciprocally moved in response to an opening or a closing operation of a key top cover (not shown in Figures) of the key board apparatus 1.
Further, in the present invention, the holder means supporting member 5 being disposed along a respective lines 50, 51, 52, 53, . . . in each of which a plurality of the key tops 43 are adjacently arranged to each other.
The apparatus enclosure 2 has a large number of apertures 2a which are arranged in lines on both sides of the surface of the front thereof, from the space bar side (operator side) to the function key side, and houses within it the constituent components of the keyboard apparatus 1, which includes the key base 42 and the key top height adjusting mechanism 3.
The holder means 4 is formed by a swinging link that has a horizontal part 4a that is positioned on the pantograph side and an inclined part 4b that is positioned on the reciprocating link side, the reciprocating link 6 being pivotally supported via the holder pivot point 4c, so as to swing freely in the a1 and a2 directions.
The horizontal part 4a is linked to the key base side pivot point 48a of the pantograph 44. The inclined part 4b of the holder means 4 is linked by the reciprocating link 6 and supported by the holder means support member 5.
By virtue of this arrangement, when the swing of the holder means 4 causes the key base side pivot point 48A to be displaced from above the key base 42 in the direction of the arrow a1, not only is the inclined part 4b, but also the horizontal part 4a is also inclined with respect to the base surface 42a of the key base 42, and when the key base side pivot point 48A is supported on the key base 42, the horizontal part 4a is parallel to the base surface 42a of the key base 42.
As shown in FIG. 6, which is a cross sectional view of an end portion of the holder means support member 5, seeing from the A-A' line, the movement operating lever 8 of the holder means support member 5, which is shown in FIG. 3, is positioned within the aperture 2a, and protrudes at both ends of the holder means support member 5.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, which is a cross sectional view of an end portion of the holder means support member 5, seeing from the B-B' line, both ends of the holder means support member 5 are pressed down against the inside bottom 61 of a depression 60 on the top of the key base 42 by a support member positioning leaf spring 58.
FIG. 5 show a plane view of one embodiment of the holder means support member 5 of the present invention and it shows the configuration of one line of the key top lines 50, . . . 55.
Then, as a result of the motion of the reciprocating link 6 in one direction, the holder means 4 receives a swinging force from the holder means support member 5 in the direction of the arrow a1, the result being that the holding position of the holder means 4 is displaced from the horizontal part 4a to the inclined part 4b.
Thus, it is possible to raise the key top 43.
In this case, the key top 43 moves in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction so as to become inclined with respect to the base surface 42a of the key base 42.
The forward movement of the reciprocating link 6 cause the holder means 4 to receive a swinging force in the direction of the arrow a2, the result being that the holding position of the holder means support member 5 is displaced from the inclined part 4b to the horizontal part 4a.
Thus the key top 43 can be operated to be lowered.
In this case, for example, the bottom of the pantograph pivot point side (horizontal part 4a) of the holder means 4 shown in FIG. 1 is formed as a protrusion in an approximate parabolic shape, with the end part thereof being provided with a contact point so as to be opposite a contact point on the key base 42, so that when in use the key base side contact point and the holder side contact are brought into contact by means of the elastic deflection of the holder caused by a pressure applied to the key top, and when not in use, even if the key top is at the bottom-most position, the above-noted contact points are not in contact with one another.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5695047 *Jul 16, 1996Dec 9, 1997Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaKey switch deviceUS5735390 *Jun 19, 1996Apr 7, 1998Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaKeyswitch deviceUS5767464 *Dec 5, 1996Jun 16, 1998Texas Instruments IncorporatedElectronic device low profile keyboard switch assembly with deployed and stored actuating mechanismUS5793605 *Apr 1, 1997Aug 11, 1998Compaq Computer CorporationCollapsible portable computer keyboard with resilient preload key stabilizationUS5874696 *Dec 31, 1996Feb 23, 1999Fujitsu Takamisawa Component LimitedKey switch, keyboard and portable information processing unit with keyboardJPH0636649A * Title not availableJPH0822348A * Title not availableJPH05290673A * Title not availableJPH05298000A * Title not availableJPS6180718A * Title not available* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS20130033431 *Aug 3, 2011Feb 7, 2013Research In Motion LimitedHandheld device having pivotally retractable keypad assemblyEP2555079A1 *Aug 3, 2011Feb 6, 2013Research In Motion LimitedHandheld device having pivotally retractable keypad assembly* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification400/488, 200/341, 400/495.1International ClassificationH01H3/12, G06F3/02, G06F1/16Cooperative ClassificationG06F1/1666, G06F1/1616, H01H3/125, H01H2227/028European ClassificationG06F1/16P1F, G06F1/16P9K4, H01H3/12B2Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionAug 1, 2013ASAssignmentEffective date: 20130718Owner name: HTC CORPORATION, TAIWANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RPX CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:030935/0943Jul 24, 2013ASAssignmentFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HTC CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:030870/0450Effective date: 20130703Owner name: RPX CORPORATION, CALIFORNIAMay 2, 2012ASAssignmentFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:OAR ISLAND LLC;REEL/FRAME:028146/0023Owner name: RPX CORPORATION, CALIFORNIAEffective date: 20120420Apr 19, 2012FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12Jul 18, 2009ASAssignmentOwner name: CRESCENT MOON, LLC, CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NEC CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:022973/0261Effective date: 20090616Oct 3, 2008FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Oct 3, 2008SULPSurcharge for late paymentYear of fee payment: 7May 12, 2008REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedMar 23, 2004FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4May 18, 1999ASAssignmentOwner name: NEC CORPORATION, JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KAWABE, SHIGERU;REEL/FRAME:009976/0028Effective date: 19990331RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google