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:
Oct. 17, 2017

Filed:

Sep. 30, 2014
Applicant:

Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);

Inventors:

John M. Brock, San Carlos, CA (US);

Patrick Kessler, Cupertino, CA (US);

Craig C. Leong, Cupertino, CA (US);

Keith J. Hendren, Cupertino, CA (US);

James J. Niu, Cupertino, CA (US);

Assignee:

APPLE INC., Cupertino, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01H 3/12 (2006.01); H01H 13/83 (2006.01); H05K 1/18 (2006.01); H01H 13/52 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H01H 3/125 (2013.01); H01H 13/52 (2013.01); H01H 13/83 (2013.01); H05K 1/18 (2013.01); H01H 2201/022 (2013.01); H01H 2227/022 (2013.01);
Abstract

Embodiments described herein provide a low travel switch mechanism. The low travel switch mechanism may include a substrate, a dome coupled to the substrate, a keycap, and an integrated pivot component disposed between the keycap and the dome. The integrated pivot component may include a hinge assembly coupled to a light guide structure. The hinge assembly may secure to the substrate, via one or more hinge interconnects, joints, or interlock features to form a pivot point. When the keycap receives a keystroke, the integrated pivot component may be operative to pivot about the pivot point and contact the dome to cause a switching event or operation.


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