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.

Date of Patent:
Jul. 26, 2022

Filed:

May. 30, 2019
Applicant:

Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);

Inventors:

Paul X. Wang, Cupertino, CA (US);

Dinesh C. Mathew, San Francisco, CA (US);

Keith J. Hendren, San Francisco, CA (US);

Shan Wu, Cupertino, CA (US);

Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, San Jose, CA (US);

Assignee:

APPLE INC., Cupertino, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01H 3/02 (2006.01); G06F 3/02 (2006.01); H01H 13/7065 (2006.01); H01H 13/704 (2006.01); H01H 13/703 (2006.01); H01H 13/83 (2006.01); H01H 13/82 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G06F 3/0202 (2013.01); H01H 13/703 (2013.01); H01H 13/704 (2013.01); H01H 13/7065 (2013.01); H01H 13/82 (2013.01); H01H 13/83 (2013.01); H01H 2219/036 (2013.01); H01H 2223/002 (2013.01); H01H 2233/07 (2013.01);
Abstract

Keyboards and other input devices are provided with membranes that extend under the keycaps or buttons. The membranes are flexible and can support conductive structures, traces, and electrical switch connections to enable effective key switches, lighting, and fluid-tightness for the keyboard. The flexible membrane is positioned near the keycaps to prevent ingress of fluids and debris into the lower portions of the key assemblies. In some cases, the flexible membrane also provides support for an interstitial layer that extends between keycaps.


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