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. 10, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 18, 1999
Junichi Maruyama, Tokyo, JP;
Toshiaki Tanaka, Tokyo, JP;
Kazutoshi Hayashi, Tokyo, JP;
Goro Watanabe, Kawasaki, JP;
Other;
Abstract
A key switch comprising a base, a key top arranged above the base, a pair of link members interlocked to each other and operatively engaged with the base and the key top to support the key top above the base and direct the key top in a vertical direction, a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of the key top. Each of the link members includes a sliding portion slidably and shiftably engaged with either one of the base and the key top. At least one elastic member is disposed between at least one of the link members and either one of the base and the key top with which the sliding portion of each link member is engaged. The elastic member exerts biasing force, relative to a displacement or shifting amount of the sliding portion, onto at least one of the link members in a direction different from, e.g., substantially orthogonal to, the vertical shifting direction of the key top. Preferably, the biasing force assumes a linear relationship with the shifting amount of the sliding portion.