Advanced Input Devices, Inc.

Bryan L Hardesty

Kent M Pope

A keyboard including an elastomer dome keypad (15) and rocker mounted keys (25) positioned to acutate the domes (17) of the keypad (15) is disclosed. The rocker action keys (25) include outwardly extending flanges (29) that include apertures (49, 51) positioned to receive protrusions (33) that extend downwardly along the edge of the bezel apertures (23) in which each key (25) is to be positioned. The bezel (21) is positioned such that each key aperture (23) and, thus, each key (25) overlies the dome (17) of the elastomer dome keypad (15) that the key (25) is to actuate. The dome contacting region of the keys (25) is a pair of curved webs (53, 55). The curved webs apply a broad steady orthogonal force to the top of the underlying dome causing the dome to collapse in an even, positive manner even though the keys follow an arcuate path of travel.

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Coeur d'Alene, ID, United States of America

Bryan L Hardesty