The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 05, 2022
Filed:
Mar. 14, 2019
Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);
Michelle R. Goldberg, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Kathleen A. Bergeron, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Paul X. Wang, Cupertino, CA (US);
Alex J. Lehmann, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
William P. Yarak, III, San Francisco, CA (US);
Kevin C. Armendariz, San Francisco, CA (US);
Zheng Gao, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
APPLE INC., Cupertino, CA (US);
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.