Patent ID: 7355590

Claim:
A switch-operating device for use with a mobile station having a plurality of key openings, the openings formed in an external housing of the mobile station for access to switches within the mobile station, said switch-operating device comprising: a plurality of keys; a web interconnecting the plurality of keys; and a key-pin grid, comprising a network of branches interconnecting a plurality of interconnected key pins, wherein the plurality of interconnected key pins are held in a substantially fixed relationship relative to the network of branches; wherein in use the key-pin grid is disposed within the external housing and the web and the plurality of interconnected keys are disposed outside the external housing, wherein each key pin extends through one of said plurality of key openings for transmitting user-applied force from one of the keys to one of the switches, wherein the web and the plurality of interconnected keys are not directly connected to the external housing with the web and the plurality of interconnected keys being attached to the mobile station solely by, each of the plurality of keys being removably attached to a corresponding one of the key pins and held together with a corresponding one of the key pins by friction force, and wherein at least one key of the plurality of keys forms an opening for receiving a key pin.