Apple Inc.

William P Yarak, Iii

Zheng Gao

Paul Xiaopeng Wang

Alex Joseph Lehmann

Michelle Rae Goldberg

Kathleen A Bergeron

Kevin C Armendariz

John M Brock

Euan S Abraham

Erik T Stefansson

Keith J Hendren

Craig C Leong

Robert Sean Murphy

James J Niu

Nicole M Wells

Robert L Coish

Chia Chi Wu

Karan S Jain

Harold James Welch

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.

Low-travel illuminated key mechanism

This disclosure relates to touch-sensitive mechanical keyboards and methods for detecting touch events and key depression events on the touch-sensitive mechanical keyboard. The keypad can include a plurality of domes, a plurality of key make electrodes, first touch electrodes, and second touch electrodes. The first touch electrodes may be located underneath the plurality of key make electrodes, and the second touch electrodes may not. Both touch electrodes can detect touch events based on self-capacitance sensing. A key depression event can cause the key make electrode to make electrical contact with a corresponding first touch electrode, creating a short circuit that may cause the measured signal to saturate. The keyboard can include a plurality of sensing circuits coupled to the key make electrodes, the first touch electrodes, and the second touch electrodes. The plurality of sensing circuits can be used to detect both touch events and key depression events.

Touch-sensitive mechanical keyboard with sensing circuits for touch events and key depression events

A keyboard device includes a shell having a set of aperture formed into a top surface. A group of keys are disposed in the set of apertures. A platform is disposed under the group of keys and substantially fills an interior of the shell. The platform has a cavity formed in a lower surface of the platform. A circuit board, which is operable to control the keyboard is disposed within the cavity. The platform is configured to prevent ingress of liquid and debris that may enter the set of apertures. In some cases, the shell may have a rear aperture formed into a side wall, which may be configured as an antenna that is tuned to transmit a wireless signals at a transmission frequency.

System level features of a keyboard

A key supported by a scissor mechanism including interlocking scissor members assembled to mutually pivot along a pivot track. A first scissor member may include a pivot track and an up-stop track and a second scissor member may include at least a first and second extension portion positioned within the pivot track and the up-stop track respectively. When the key is depressed, the first extension portion may slide and at least partially pivot or rotate within the pivot track, and the second extension portion may slide within the up-stop track.

Scissor mechanism features for a keyboard

A keyswitch mechanism having reduced key rattle and a keyboard having reduced key rattle. A rattle suppression mechanism may be formed on a portion of the scissor mechanism or on a portion of the keycap. The rattle suppression mechanism is configured to maintain force on the portion of the scissor mechanism abutting the keycap.

Rattle-free keyswitch mechanism

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

William P Yarak, Iii