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:
Dec. 31, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 06, 2000
Kazutoshi Hayashi, Tokyo, JP;
Toshiaki Tanaka, Tokyo, JP;
Junichi Maruyama, 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, and 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 plate spring 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 is engaged, to exert a biasing force, relative to a shifting amount of the sliding portion, onto at least one of the link members in a direction different from the vertical direction. The plate spring includes, in an integral manner, a first spring portion extending along a fixed-end side in a direction substantially parallel to a shifting direction of the sliding portion of each link member and a second spring portion extending along a free-end side in a direction intersecting the first spring portion.