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:
Nov. 21, 2023
Filed:
Jul. 07, 2021
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);
Assignee:
APPLE INC., Cupertino, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G06F 1/16 (2006.01); G06F 3/02 (2006.01); G06F 3/023 (2006.01); G06F 3/041 (2006.01); H01H 13/86 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H01H 13/86 (2013.01); G06F 1/1662 (2013.01); G06F 3/0202 (2013.01); G06F 3/023 (2013.01); G06F 3/041 (2013.01); G06F 1/1616 (2013.01); H01H 2223/003 (2013.01); H01H 2233/08 (2013.01);
Abstract
Keyboards and other input devices are provided with at least one flexible layer that extends over or under the keycaps. The flexible layer spans interkey spaces and provides finger support and key definition as the user feels the top surface of the keycaps and flexible layer. The flexible layer therefore smooths the top surface of the keyboard, supports fingers during key travel, prevents ingress of contaminants, fluids, or debris into the keyboard, and provides a surface that can be used as a touch interface that coincides with the keyboard.