Patent ID: 8254564

Claim:
A keypad for a handheld electronic device, the keypad comprising: a plurality of keys, at least some of the keys each being actuatable along an actuation axis, the key in an actuated condition being structured to provide an input to the handheld electronic device; at least some of the keys each having an outer surface that comprises an engagement surface structured to be engaged in actuating the key, the engagement surface being oriented oblique to the actuation axis of the key and facing generally: in a direction that is one of toward and away from a first reference axis of the keypad, and in a direction that is one of toward and away from a second reference axis of the keypad, the first reference axis and the second reference axis being nonparallel; wherein at least a portion of the engagement surface has a generally convex shape; wherein at least some of the keys are each of a generally parallelogram shape and wherein the engagement surface substantially extends to three corners of the key, the three corners together being in a plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the actuation axis of the key; and wherein the three corners of the key are each disposed closer to at least one of the first reference axis and the second reference axis than a fourth corner of the key; wherein at least some of the keys each have a skirt surface; wherein at least a portion of the engagement surface of a key being disposed adjacent at least a portion of the skirt surface of the key; and wherein for at least some of the keys, the engagement surface of a given key being disposed adjacent a skirt surface of each of at least two keys adjacent the given key.