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:
Apr. 28, 1998
Filed:
May. 09, 1997
Neal S Clark, Spokane, WA (US);
Key Tronic Corporation, Spokane, WA (US);
Abstract
A low cost self-leveling keyswitch 10 having a keytop 32 with an elongated keycap 34 that extends in a major direction. The keytop 32 has an off-set keystem 36 that is slidably mounted in a keystem bearing 26. The keytop 32 has a self-leveling projection 42 that extends downward, spaced from the keystem 36. Both the keystem 36 and the projection 42 are on opposite sides of the central axis 33 and engage an elongated plateau portion 66 of an elastomeric dome return spring 60. The elongated direction of the plateau portion is the same as the elongated direction of the keycap 34. The elongated dome return spring 60 in conjunction with the self-leveling protection 42 minimize any wobble or tilting of the keytop 32 as the keytop 32 is depressed independently of the location of the depression force. The effective size of the projection 42 is preferably more than 50% of the effective area of the elongated dome return spring 60.