Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Low-travel illuminated key mechanism
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Application No.: US17806118Application Date: 2022-06-09
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Publication No.: US11868542B2Publication Date: 2024-01-09
- Inventor: Michelle R. Goldberg , Kathleen A. Bergeron , Paul X. Wang , Alex J. Lehmann , William P. Yarak, III , Kevin C. Armendariz , Zheng Gao
- Applicant: Apple Inc.
- Applicant Address: US CA Cupertino
- Assignee: APPLE INC.
- Current Assignee: APPLE INC.
- Current Assignee Address: US CA Cupertino
- Agency: DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
- Main IPC: H01H13/14
- IPC: H01H13/14 ; G06F3/02 ; H01H13/83 ; H01H13/705 ; H01H11/00 ; H01H3/12 ; H01H13/7065 ; H01H13/88

Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to a low profile key for a keyboard having an overmolded support structure. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap having an illuminable symbol. A support structure having a pair of overmolded wings may pivotally couple to the key cap. A switch housing may surround the support structure and connect each of the first and second wings. A tactile dome may be at least partially positioned within the switch housing and configured to bias the key cap upward. A sensing membrane may be positioned along an underside surface of the tactile dome and configured to trigger a switch event in response to a collapsing of the tactile dome caused by a depression of the key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the sensing membrane. A light guide panel may define at least one light extraction feature that may be configured to propagate light toward the key cap and cause illumination of the illuminable symbol.
Public/Granted literature
- US20220300088A1 LOW-TRAVEL ILLUMINATED KEY MECHANISM Public/Granted day:2022-09-22
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