U.S. patent application number 15/161038 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-28 for keyboard.
The applicant listed for this patent is Primax Electronics Ltd.. Invention is credited to YI-CHEN WANG.
Application Number | 20170278651 15/161038 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59886594 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170278651 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WANG; YI-CHEN |
September 28, 2017 |
KEYBOARD
Abstract
A keyboard includes a base plate, plural keycaps, plural
scissors-type connecting elements and a sliding plate. Each
scissors-type connecting element has a bulge. The gliding plate has
plural position-limiting structures. The keyboard is installed on a
notebook computer and connected with a top cover of the notebook
computer. For operating the keyboard, the bulge is received in a
first step part of the position-limiting structure. Consequently,
the keycap is at a higher height. Since the keycap is at a higher
height, the movable distance of the keycap is large enough to
provide better tactile feel. For storing the keyboard, the bulge of
the scissors-type connecting element is moved to the second step
part of the position-limiting structure. Consequently, the height
of the keycap is reduced, and the keyboard has a slim
appearance.
Inventors: |
WANG; YI-CHEN; (Taipei,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Primax Electronics Ltd. |
Taipei |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
59886594 |
Appl. No.: |
15/161038 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H 13/85 20130101;
G06F 1/1662 20130101; H01H 13/705 20130101; H01H 13/10 20130101;
H01H 2223/052 20130101; H01H 2231/042 20130101; H01H 3/125
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01H 13/705 20060101
H01H013/705; H01H 13/85 20060101 H01H013/85; G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16; H01H 13/10 20060101 H01H013/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 25, 2016 |
TW |
105109436 |
Claims
1. A keyboard, comprising: plural keycaps partially exposed outside
the keyboard; plural scissors-type connecting elements, wherein
each scissors-type connecting element is aligned with a
corresponding keycap and connected with the corresponding keycap,
wherein at least one of the plural scissors-type connecting
elements has a bulge, and the bulge is protruded externally from a
sidewall of the corresponding scissors-type connecting element; a
base plate connected with the plural scissors-type connecting
elements, wherein the plural keycaps and the plural scissors-type
connecting elements are supported by the base plate; and a sliding
plate disposed under the base plate, wherein when the sliding plate
is pushed, the sliding plate is moved relative to the base plate,
wherein the sliding plate comprises plural position-limiting
structures corresponding to respective bulges, and the plural
bulges are inserted into the corresponding position-limiting
structures, wherein when the sliding plate is moved relative to the
base plate, a relative position between each bulge and the
corresponding position-limiting structure is changed, so that a
height of the corresponding keycap is changed, wherein each of the
plural-limititng structures comprises: a first step part located at
a first side of the position-limiting structure to recieve the
corresponding bulge; a second step part located at a second side of
the position-limiting structure to recieve the corresponding bulge,
and the second step part is lower than the first step part; and a
junction part arranged between the first step part and the second
step part, wherein when the sliding plate is moved relative to the
base plate in a first direction, the bulge is pushed into the
second step part by the junction part.
2. (canceled)
3. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein when the bulge is
received in the first step part, the keycap is at a first height,
wherein the sliding plate is moved relative to the base plate in
the first direction, the bulge is pushed into the second step part
by the junction part and the keycap is at a second height, wherein
the first height is higher than the second height.
4. The keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising: plural
elastic elements aligned with the corresponding keycaps and
disposed under the corresponding keycaps; and a membrane switch
circuit member disposed over the base plate and contacted with the
plural elastic elements so as to be triggered by the plural elastic
elements.
5. The keyboard according to claim 4, wherein while the keycap is
depressed, the keycap is moved relative to the base plate to push
the corresponding elastic element, the corresponding elastic
element is subjected to deformation to trigger the membrane switch
circuit member to generate a corresponding key signal, and the
scissors-type connecting element is swung to move the bulge from
the first step part toward the membrane switch circuit member,
wherein when the keycap is no longer depressed, the elastic element
is restored to an original shape and provides an elastic restoring
force, the keycap is moved to an original position in response to
the elastic restoring force, and the scissors-type connecting
element is swung to return the bulge back to the first step
part.
6. A keyboard comprising: plural keycaps partially exposed outside
the keyboard; plural scissors-type connecting elements, wherein
each scissors-type connecting element is aligned with a
corresponding keycap and connected with the corresponding keycap,
wherein at least one of the plural scissors-type connecting element
has a bulge, and the bulge is protruded externally from a sidewall
of the corresponding scissor-type connecting element; a base plate
connected with the plural scissors-type connecting elements,
wherein the plural keycaps and the plural scissors-type connecting
elements are supported by the base plate; and a sliding plate
disposed under the base plate, wherein when the sliding plate is
pushed, the sliding plate is moved relative to the base plate,
wherein the sliding plate comprises plural position-limiting
structures corresponding to respective bulges, and the plural
bulges are inserted into the corresponding position-limiting
structures, wherein when the sliding plate is moved relative to the
base plate, a relative position between each bulge and the
correspinding position-limiting structure is changed, so that a
height of the corresponding keycap is changed, wherein each
scissors-type connecting element comprises: an inner frame, wherein
a first end of the inner frame is connected with the corresponding
keycap, and a second end of the inner frame is connected with the
base plate; and an outer frame combined with the inner frame and
rotatable relative to the inner frame, wherein a first end of the
outer frame is connected with the base plate, a second end of the
outer frame is connected with the corresponding keycap, and the
bulge is disposed on a sidewall of the outer frame.
7. The keyboard according to claim 6, wherein the bulge is
integrally formed with the outer frame.
8. The keyboard according to claim 6, wherein the keycap further
comprises: a first keycap hook located at a first side of the
keycap and connected with the first end of the inner frame; and a
second keycap hook located at a second side of the keycap and
connected with the second end of the outer frame.
9. The keyboard according to claim 6, wherein the base plate
further comprises: plural first base plate hook, wherein each first
base plate hook is connected with the first end of the
corresponding outer frame; and plural second base plate hooks,
wherein each second base plate hook is connected with the second
end of the corresponding inner frame.
10. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard further
comprises a keyboard base, and the keyboard base is connected with
a top cover, wherein the keyboard base comprises at least one
linkage element, and the at least one linkage element is contacted
with the sliding plate, wherein while the top cover is closed to
cover the keyboard base, the at least one linkage element is pushed
by the top cover, and the sliding plate is pushed by the at least
one linkage element, so that the sliding plate is moved relative to
the base plate.
11. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard further
comprises a keyboard base, the keyboard base is connected with a
top cover, and the top cover comprises at least one linkage
element, wherein while the top cover is closed to cover the
keyboard base, the sliding plate is pushed by the at least one
linkage element, so that the sliding plate is moved relative to the
base plate.
12. The keyboard according to claim 6, wherein the keyboard further
comprises a keyboard base, and the keyboard base is connected with
a top cover, wherein the keyboard base comprises at least one
linkage element, and the at least one linkage element is contacted
with the sliding plate, wherein while the top cover is closed to
cover the keyboard base, the at least one linkage element is pushed
by the top cover, and the sliding plate is pushed by the at least
one linkage element, so that the sliding plate is moved relative to
the base plate.
13. The keyboard according to claim 6, wherein the keyboard further
comprises a keyboard base, the keyboard base is connected with a
top cover, and the top cover comprises at least one linkage
element, wherein while the top cover is closed to cover the
keyboard base, the sliding plate is pushed by the at least one
linkage element, so that the sliding plate is moved relative to the
base plate.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a keyboard, and more
particularly to a slim-type keyboard.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, the widely-used peripheral input device of a
computer system includes for example a mouse, a keyboard, a
trackball, or the like. Via the keyboard, characters or symbols can
be directly inputted into the computer system. As a consequence,
most users and most manufacturers of input devices pay much
attention to the development of keyboards. As known, a keyboard
with scissors-type connecting elements is one of the widely-used
keyboards.
[0003] The structure of a keyboard with scissors-type connecting
elements will be illustrated as follows. For succinctness, only one
key structure of the keyboard is shown. FIG. 1 is a schematic side
cross-sectional view illustrating a key structure of a conventional
keyboard. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional key structure 1
comprises a keycap 11, a scissors-type connecting element 12, a
rubbery elastomer 13, a membrane switch circuit member 14 and a
base plate 15. The keycap 11, the scissors-type connecting element
12, the rubbery elastomer 13 and the membrane switch circuit member
14 are supported by the base plate 15. The scissors-type connecting
element 12 is used for connecting the base plate 15 and the keycap
11.
[0004] The membrane switch circuit member 14 comprises plural key
intersections (not shown). When one of the plural key intersections
is triggered, a corresponding key signal is generated. The rubbery
elastomer 13 is disposed on the membrane switch circuit member 14.
Each rubbery elastomer 13 is aligned with a corresponding key
intersection. When the rubbery elastomer 13 is depressed, the
rubbery elastomer 13 is subjected to deformation to push the
corresponding key intersection of the membrane switch circuit
member 14. Consequently, the corresponding key signal is
generated.
[0005] The scissors-type connecting element 12 is arranged between
the base plate 15 and the keycap 11, and the base plate 15 and the
keycap 11 are connected with each other through the scissors-type
connecting element 12. The scissors-type connecting element 12
comprises a first frame 121 and a second frame 122. A first end of
the first frame 121 is connected with the keycap 11. A second end
of the first frame 121 is connected with the base plate 15. The
rubbery elastomer 13 is enclosed by the scissors-type connecting
element 12. Moreover, the first frame 121 comprises a first keycap
post 1211 and a first base plate post 1212. The first frame 121 is
connected with the keycap 11 through the first keycap post 1211.
The first frame 121 is connected with the base plate 15 through the
first base plate post 1212. The second frame 122 is combined with
the first frame 121. A first end of the second frame 122 is
connected with the base plate 15. A second end of the second frame
122 is connected with the keycap 11. Moreover, the second frame 122
comprises a second keycap post 1221 and a second base plate post
1222. The second frame 122 is connected with the keycap 11 through
the second keycap post 1221. The second frame 122 is connected with
the base plate 15 through the second base plate post 1222.
[0006] The operations of the conventional key structure 1 in
response to the depressing action of the user will be illustrated
as follows. Please refer to FIG. 1 again. When the keycap 11 is
depressed, the keycap 11 is moved downwardly to push the
scissors-type connecting element 12 in response to the depressing
force. As the keycap 11 is moved downwardly relative to the base
plate 15, the keycap 11 pushes the corresponding rubbery elastomer
13. At the same time, the rubbery elastomer 13 is subjected to
deformation to push the membrane switch circuit member 14 and
trigger the corresponding key intersection of the membrane switch
circuit member 14. Consequently, the membrane switch circuit member
14 generates a corresponding key signal. When the keycap 11 is no
longer depressed by the user, no external force is applied to the
keycap 11 and the rubbery elastomer 13 is no longer pushed by the
keycap 11. In response to the elasticity of the rubbery elastomer
13, the rubbery elastomer 13 is restored to its original shape to
provide an upward elastic restoring force. Consequently, the keycap
11 is returned to its original position where it is not
depressed.
[0007] Recently, the general trends of designing electronic devices
and their peripheral devices are toward slimness, light weightiness
an easy portability. Consequently, keyboard devices and other
peripheral devices need to meet the requirements of slimness. For
achieving this purpose, the manufacturers make efforts in
minimizing the thickness of the keyboard. Conventionally, two
approaches are used to reduce the thickness of the keyboard. In a
first approach, the thicknesses of some components or all
components of the key structure are decreased. In a second
approach, the movable distance of the keycap (also referred as a
travelling distance) is shortened. However, these approaches still
have some drawbacks. In case that the first approach is adopted,
the structural strength of the key structure is impaired, and thus
the key structure is easily damaged. In case that the second
approach is adopted, the tactile feel of depressing the key
structure is deteriorated. In other words, it is difficult to
reduce the thickness of the keyboard while obtaining the desired
tactile feel.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need of providing a keyboard with
reduced thickness and enhanced tactile feel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a keyboard with reduced
thickness and enhanced tactile feel.
[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a keyboard. The keyboard includes plural keycaps,
plural scissors-type connecting elements, a base plate and a
sliding plate. The plural keycaps are partially exposed outside the
keyboard. Each scissors-type connecting element is aligned with a
corresponding keycap and connected with the corresponding keycap.
At least one of the plural scissors-type connecting elements has a
bulge. The bulge is protruded externally from a sidewall of the
corresponding scissors-type connecting element. The base plate is
connected with the plural scissors-type connecting elements. The
plural keycaps and the plural scissors-type connecting elements are
supported by the base plate. The sliding plate is disposed under
the base plate. When the sliding plate is pushed, the sliding plate
is moved relative to the base plate. The sliding plate includes
plural position-limiting structures corresponding to respective
bulges. The plural bulges are inserted into the corresponding
position-limiting structures. When the sliding plate is moved
relative to the base plate, a relative position between each bulge
and the corresponding position-limiting structure is changed, so
that a height of the corresponding keycap is changed.
[0011] In an embodiment, each of the plural position-limiting
structures includes a first step part, a second step part and a
junction part. The first step part is located at a first side of
the position-limiting structure to receive the corresponding bulge.
The second step part is located at a second side of the
position-limiting structure to receive the corresponding bulge. The
second step part is lower than the first step part. The junction
part is arranged between the first step part and the second step
part. When the sliding plate is moved relative to the base plate in
a first direction, the bulge is pushed into the second step part by
the junction part.
[0012] From the above descriptions, the keyboard of the present
invention has the function of changing the heights of the keys. For
operating the keyboard, the bulge of the scissors-type connecting
element is controlled to be received in the first step part of the
position-limiting structure. Consequently, the keycap is at a
higher height. Since the height of the keycap is not limited during
the normal operation of the keyboard, the movable distance of the
keycap is still large enough to provide better tactile feel. For
storing the keyboard, the bulge of the scissors-type connecting
element is controlled to be received in the second step part of the
position-limiting structure. Consequently, the height of the keycap
is reduced, and the keyboard has a slim appearance. In other words,
the keyboard of the present invention is capable of effectively
solving the drawbacks of the conventional technologies.
[0013] The above objects and advantages of the present invention
will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in
the art after reviewing the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view illustrating
a key structure of a conventional keyboard;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view illustrating
a keyboard according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a portion
of the keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic assembled view illustrating a portion
of the keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating a portion of
the keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view illustrating a portion of
the keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present
invention, in which the keycap is depressed and the keycap is not
shown;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view illustrating a portion of
the keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present
invention, in which the keyboard is in a stored status;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic side cross-sectional view illustrating
a keyboard according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic side cross-sectional views
illustrating a portion of a keyboard according to a third
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0023] FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic side cross-sectional views
illustrating a portion of a keyboard according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] For solving the drawbacks of the conventional technologies,
the present invention provides a keyboard with enhanced structural
strength and slim appearance.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view illustrating
a keyboard according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a
portion of the keyboard according to the first embodiment of the
present invention. Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. The keyboard 2 is
installed on a notebook computer 200. The keyboard 2 comprises a
keyboard base 20, plural keycaps 21, plural scissors-type
connecting elements 22, plural elastic elements 23, a membrane
switch circuit member 24, a base plate 25 and a sliding plate 26.
The keyboard base 20 is connected with a top cover 27. The top
cover 27 is rotatable relative to the keyboard base 20 to cover the
keyboard base 20. Moreover, an outer shell of the notebook computer
200 is defined by the keyboard base 20 and the top cover 27
collaboratively.
[0026] The plural keycaps 21 are exposed outside the keyboard 2 so
as to be pressed by the user. Each scissors-type connecting element
22 is aligned with a corresponding keycap 21 and connected with the
corresponding keycap 21. Each keycap 21 comprises a first keycap
hook 211 and a second keycap hook 212. The first keycap hook 211 is
located at a first side of the keycap 21. The second keycap hook
212 is located at a second side of the keycap 21. The base plate 25
is connected with the plural scissors-type connecting elements 22.
The plural keycaps 21, the plural scissors-type connecting elements
22, the plural elastic elements 23 and the membrane switch circuit
member 24 are supported by the base plate 25. Moreover, the base
plate 25 comprises plural first base plate hooks 251 and plural
second base plate hooks 252.
[0027] Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3 again. The scissors-type
connecting member 22 comprises an inner frame 221 and an outer
frame 222. A first end of the inner frame 221 is connected with the
first keycap hook 211 of the keycap 21. A second end of the inner
frame 221 is connected with the second base plate hooks 252 of the
base plate 25. The outer frame 222 and the inner frame 221 are
combined with each other. Moreover, the outer frame 222 is
rotatable relative to the inner frame 221. A first end of the outer
frame 222 is connected with the first base plate hooks 251 of the
base plate 25. A second end of the outer frame 222 is connected
with the second keycap hook 212 of the keycap 21. The outer frame
222 further comprises a bulge 223. The bulge 223 is disposed on a
sidewall of the outer frame 222 and protruded externally from the
sidewall of the outer frame 222. Preferably but not exclusively,
the bulge 223 is integrally formed with the outer frame 222.
[0028] Each elastic element 23 is aligned with a corresponding
keycap 21 and disposed under the corresponding keycap 21. The
membrane switch circuit member 24 is disposed over the base plate
25, and contacted with the plural elastic elements 23. When the
membrane switch circuit member 24 is triggered by one of the plural
elastic elements 23, a corresponding key signal is generated. The
structure of the membrane switch circuit member 24 is similar to
that of the conventional key structure, and is not redundantly
described herein.
[0029] In this embodiment, the elastic elements 23 are rubbery
elastomers. Moreover, the sliding plate 26 is disposed under the
base plate 25. When the sliding plate 26 is pushed, the sliding
plate 26 is moved relative to the base plate 25. Moreover, the
sliding plate 26 comprises plural position-limiting structures 261
corresponding to respective bulges 223. The bulge 223 is inserted
into the corresponding position-limiting structure 261. When the
sliding plate 26 is moved relative to the base plate 25, the
relative positions between the bulges 223 and the corresponding
position-limiting structures 261 are changed. Consequently, the
height of the keycap 21 is correspondingly changed.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic assembled view illustrating a portion
of the keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating a portion
of the keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. Please refer to FIGS. 4 and 5. Each position-limiting
structure 261 comprises a first step part 262, a second step part
263 and a junction part 264. The first step part 262 is located at
a first side of the position-limiting structure 261. The first step
part 262 is used for receiving the bulge 223. The second step part
263 is located at a second side of the position-limiting structure
261. The second step part 263 is also used for receiving the bulge
223. The height Hb of the second step part 263 is lower than the
height Ha of the first step part 262 with respect to a bottom
surface of the sliding plate 26. The junction part 264 is arranged
between the first step part 262 and the second step part 263. In
case that the sliding plate 26 is moved relative to the base plate
25 in a first direction D, the bulge 223 is pushed into the second
step part 263 by the junction part 264.
[0031] Please refer to FIG. 2 again. The keyboard base 20 comprises
plural linkage elements 201. For succinctness, only one linkage
element 201 is shown in FIG. 2. The linkage element 201 is disposed
within the keyboard base 20 and partially protruded out of the
keyboard base 20. The part of the linkage element 201 within the
keyboard base 20 is contacted with the sliding plate 26. In this
embodiment, a bottom of the linkage element 201 has a first guiding
slant 2011, and a lateral side of the sliding plate 26 has a second
guiding slant 260. The first guiding slant 2011 and the second
guiding slant 260 are contacted with each other. While the top
cover 27 is closed to cover the keyboard base 20, the top cover 27
is rotated downwardly to push the plural linkage elements 201. As
the plural linkage elements 201 are pushed by the top cover 27, the
second guiding slant 260 of the sliding plate 26 is pushed by the
first guiding slants 2011 of the plural linkage elements 201.
Consequently, the sliding plate 26 is moved relative to the base
plate 25 in the first direction D.
[0032] The operations of the key structure 3 in response to the
depressing action of the user will be illustrated as follows.
Please also refer to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view
illustrating a portion of the keyboard according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, in which the keycap is
depressed and the keycap is not shown. When the keycap 21 is
depressed, the keycap 21 is moved downwardly to push the
corresponding scissors-type connecting element 22 in response to
the depressing force. As the outer frame 222 is rotated relative to
the inner frame 221, the scissors-type connecting element 22 is
swung. Meanwhile, the bulge 223 in the first step part 262 is moved
downwardly toward the membrane switch circuit member 24 and away
from the first step part 262. Moreover, as the keycap 21 is moved
downwardly to push the corresponding elastic element 23, the
elastic element 23 is subjected to deformation to press the
membrane switch circuit member 24 and trigger the corresponding key
intersection (not shown) of the membrane switch circuit member 24.
Consequently, the membrane switch circuit member 24 generates a
corresponding key signal. The key structure in the depressed state
is shown in FIG. 6.
[0033] When the keycap 21 is no longer depressed by the user, no
external force is applied to the keycap 21 and the elastic element
23 is no longer pushed by the keycap 21. In response to the
elasticity of the elastic element 23, the elastic element 23 is
restored to its original shape to provide an upward elastic
restoring force to the keycap 21. As the outer frame 222 is rotated
relative to the inner frame 221, the scissors-type connecting
element 22 is swung. Consequently, the keycap 21 is returned to its
original position where it is not depressed. As shown in FIG. 5,
the bulge 223 is returned to the original position so as to be
received in the first step part 262. In this embodiment, the range
of moving the bulge 223 upwardly or downwardly is specially
designed according to the travelling distance of the keycap 21.
Consequently, the action of the depressing the keycap 21 is not
influenced by the upward or downward movement of the bulge 223.
[0034] Hereinafter, a process of storing the keyboard will be
illustrated with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7. FIG. 7 is a schematic
side view illustrating a portion of the keyboard according to the
first embodiment of the present invention, in which the keyboard is
in a stored status. In case that the top cover 27 is opened, the
bulge 223 is received in the first step part 262 (see FIG. 5).
Meanwhile, the keycap 21 is at a first height H1. While the top
cover 27 is closed to cover the keyboard base 20, the top cover 27
is rotated downwardly to push the plural linkage elements 201. As
the plural linkage elements 201 are pushed by the top cover 27, the
sliding plate 26 is pushed by the plural linkage elements 201.
Consequently, the sliding plate 26 is moved relative to the base
plate 25 in the first direction D, and the bulge 223 is pushed into
the second step part 263 by the junction part 264. Meanwhile, the
keycap 21 is at a second height H2. The first height H1 is higher
than the second height H2.
[0035] In this embodiment, the keyboard base 20 further comprises
an elastic mechanism 202 (e.g., a spring). The elastic mechanism
202 is disposed within the keyboard base 20 and contacted with the
sliding plate 26. While the top cover 27 is closed to cover the
keyboard base 20, the sliding plate 26 is moved in response to the
above operation. Consequently, the elastic mechanism 202 is
compressed by the sliding plate 26. When the top cover 27 is opened
and uplifted, the elastic mechanism 202 is no longer compressed by
the sliding plate 26 and thus provides an elastic force to the
sliding plate 26. In response to the elastic force, the sliding
plate 26 is moved to push the plural linkage elements 201.
Consequently, the plural linkage elements 201 are returned to their
original positions where they are not pushed by the top cover. It
is noted that numerous modifications and alterations may be made
while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, in
another embodiment, the elastic mechanism is installed in the
plural linkage elements. When the top cover is opened and uplifted,
the elastic mechanism provides an elastic force to the sliding
plate. In response to the elastic force, the plural linkage
elements are returned to their original positions where they are
not pushed by the top cover. Since the sliding plate is no longer
pushed by the plural linkage elements, the sliding plate is slid in
a direction opposite to the first direction. Under this
circumstance, the bulge is received in the first step part, and the
keycap is returned to the original position at the first height. In
some other embodiments, the plural linkage elements are pushed by
hand and not pushed through the top cover. When the keyboard 2 is
in the stored status, the thickness of the keyboard 2 is reduced.
Due to the slim appearance, the keyboard can be easily carrier.
[0036] As mentioned above, the sliding plate 26 is disposed under
the base plate 25, and the sliding plate 26 is not contacted with
the membrane switch circuit member 24. Consequently, when the
sliding plate 26 is moved relative to the base plate 25, the
sliding plate 26 does not rub against the membrane switch circuit
member 24. In other words, the membrane switch circuit member 24 is
not abraded by the sliding plate 26. Moreover, since the sliding
plate 26 is disposed under the base plate 25, the sliding plate 26
is pressed by the weights of the keycaps 21, the scissors-type
connecting elements 22, the elastic elements 23, the membrane
switch circuit member 24 and the base plate 25. Consequently, when
the sliding plate 26 is moved relative to the base plate 25, the
sliding plate 26 is not upturned and the action of the sliding
plate 26 is kept stable.
[0037] The present invention further provides a second embodiment,
which is distinguished from the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a
schematic side cross-sectional view illustrating a keyboard
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The
keyboard 3 comprises a keyboard base 30, plural keycaps 31, plural
scissors-type connecting elements 32, plural elastic elements 33, a
membrane switch circuit member 34, a base plate 35 and a sliding
plate 36. The keyboard base 30 is connected with a top cover 37.
The top cover 37 is rotatable relative to the keyboard base 30 to
cover the keyboard base 30. Moreover, a notebook computer 300 is
defined by the keyboard base 30 and the top cover 37
collaboratively. The structures of the components of the keyboard 3
which are identical to those of the first embodiment are not
redundantly described herein. In comparison with the first
embodiment, the top cover 37 comprises plural linkage elements 371.
For succinctness, only one linkage element 371 is shown in FIG. 8.
While the top cover 37 is closed to cover the keyboard base 30, the
plural linkage elements 371 are inserted into the keyboard base 30
to push the sliding plate 36. Consequently, the sliding plate 36 is
moved relative to the base plate 35. The operating principles of
the keyboard 3 of this embodiment are similar to the keyboard 2 of
the first embodiment, and are not redundantly described herein.
[0038] The present invention further provides a third embodiment,
which is distinguished from the above embodiments. FIGS. 9A and 9B
are schematic side cross-sectional views illustrating a portion of
a keyboard according to a third embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the partial structure of
the keyboard 4 comprises a keyboard base 40, a sliding plate 46, a
top cover 47, a rotary shaft 48 and a linkage lever 49. The
structures of the keycaps, the scissors-type connecting elements,
the elastic elements, the membrane switch circuit member and the
base plate of the keyboard 4 are similar to those of the first
embodiment. Consequently, these components are not shown in the
drawings, and the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0039] The operations of the keyboard 4 will be illustrated as
follows. While the top cover 47 is closed to cover the keyboard
base 40, the rotary shaft 48 coupled with the top cover 47 is
rotated in a counterclockwise direction to push the linkage lever
49. The linkage lever 49 is connected with the sliding plate 46.
Consequently, the sliding plate 46 is moved with the linkage lever
49, and the sliding plate 46 is moved in a first direction D.
Because of the cooperation of the sliding plate 46 and the
position-limiting structures, the keycap is at the second height
(i.e., the lower height). While the top cover 47 is opened and
uplifted, the rotary shaft 48 is rotated in a clockwise direction
to pull the linkage lever 49. Consequently, the sliding plate 46 is
moved to its original direction, and the keycap is returned to the
higher height (i.e., the higher height).
[0040] The present invention further provides a fourth embodiment,
which is distinguished from the above embodiments. FIGS. 10A and
10B are schematic side cross-sectional views illustrating a portion
of a keyboard according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the partial structure of
the keyboard 5 comprises a keyboard base 50, a sliding plate 56, a
top cover 57 and a driving mechanism 58. The driving mechanism 58
is connected with the top cover 57 and the sliding plate 56. The
structures of the keycaps, the scissors-type connecting elements,
the elastic elements, the membrane switch circuit member and the
base plate of the keyboard 5 are similar to those of the first
embodiment. Consequently, these components are not shown in the
drawings, and the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0041] The operations of the keyboard 5 will be illustrated as
follows. While the top cover 57 is closed to cover the keyboard
base 50, the driving mechanism 58 coupled with the top cover 57 is
triggered and rotated in a counterclockwise direction to move the
sliding plate 56 in a first direction D. Because of the cooperation
of the sliding plate 56 and the position-limiting structures, the
keycap is at the second height (i.e., the lower height). While the
top cover 57 is opened and uplifted, the driving mechanism 58 is
triggered and rotated in a clockwise direction. Consequently, the
sliding plate 56 is moved to its original direction, and the keycap
is returned to the higher height (i.e., the higher height).
[0042] From the above descriptions, the keyboard of the present
invention has the function of changing the heights of the keys. For
operating the keyboard, the bulge of the scissors-type connecting
element is controlled to be received in the first step part of the
position-limiting structure. Consequently, the keycap is at a
higher height. Since the height of the keycap is not limited during
the normal operation of the keyboard, the movable distance of the
keycap is still large enough to provide better tactile feel. For
storing the keyboard, the bulge of the scissors-type connecting
element is controlled to be received in the second step part of the
position-limiting structure. Consequently, the height of the keycap
is reduced, and the keyboard has a slim appearance. In other words,
the keyboard of the present invention is capable of effectively
solving the drawbacks of the conventional technologies.
[0043] While the invention has been described in terms of what is
presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be
limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which
are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all modifications and similar structures.
* * * * *