Scissor mechanism features for a keyboard

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9779889-B2
Application number	US-201514667117-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 24, 2015
Priority date	Mar 24, 2014
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

A key supported by a scissor mechanism including interlocking scissor members assembled to mutually pivot along a pivot track. A first scissor member may include a pivot track and an up-stop track and a second scissor member may include at least a first and second extension portion positioned within the pivot track and the up-stop track respectively. When the key is depressed, the first extension portion may slide and at least partially pivot or rotate within the pivot track, and the second extension portion may slide within the up-stop track.

First claim

We claim:

1. A key comprising:
a keycap;
a scissor mechanism disposed below the keycap and comprising:
a first scissor member defining a pivot track and an up-stop track; and
a second scissor member comprising a first extension portion positioned within the pivot track and a second extension portion positioned within the up-stop track; and

an elastomeric dome disposed at least partially below the scissor mechanism; wherein
the second extension portion engages the up-stop track to limit an upward stroke of the key.

2. The key of claim 1 , further comprising a retaining feature to pivotally interface with an end portion of the second scissor member.

3. The key of claim 1 , further comprising a baseplate disposed below the scissor mechanism.

4. The key of claim 1 , wherein the second scissor member is sized to at least partially fit within an aperture defined by the first scissor member.

5. The key of claim 1 , wherein the first scissor member is sized to at least partially fit within an aperture defined by the second scissor member.

6. The key of claim 1 , wherein the first scissor member at least partially overlaps a portion of the second scissor member.

7. A scissor mechanism for a key comprising:
a first scissor member comprising a pivot track and a stopper track; and
a second scissor member comprising a first extension portion positioned within the pivot track and a second extension portion positioned within the stopper track;
wherein:
upon compression of the scissor mechanism, the first extension portion at least partially pivots and at least partially slides within the pivot track; and
the second extension portion at least partially slides within the stopper track and defines a limit to an expansion of the scissor mechanism by engaging a portion of the stopper track.

8. The scissor mechanism of claim 7 , wherein an end portion of the second scissor mechanism is configured to pivotally interface with a retaining feature of a keycap.

9. The scissor mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the pivot track is at least partially curved.

10. The scissor mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the pivot track is at least partially angled with respect to a bottom surface of the first scissor member.

11. The scissor mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the second scissor member is sized to at least partially fit within an aperture within the first scissor member.

12. The scissor mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the first scissor member is sized to at least partially fit within an aperture within the second scissor member.

13. The scissor mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the first scissor member at least partially overlaps a portion of the second scissor member.

14. A method of assembling a key comprising:
positioning a membrane over a base plate comprising a first and second retaining feature;
positioning, over the membrane, a scissor mechanism comprising:
a first scissor member comprising a pivot track and a stopper track; and
a second scissor member comprising a first extension portion positioned within the pivot track and a second extension portion positioned within the stopper track, the stopper track configured to define an upper height of the key when the second extension portion engages a portion of the stopper track;

aligning a first end of the first scissor member with the first retaining feature; and
aligning a first end of the second scissor member with the second retaining feature.

15. A keyboard comprising:
a plurality of keys, each key comprising:
a keycap;
a scissor mechanism disposed below the keycap and comprising:
a first scissor member comprising a pivot track and an up-stop track; and
a second scissor member comprising a first extension portion positioned within the pivot track and a second extension portion positioned within the up-stop track;

an elastomeric dome disposed at least partially below the scissor mechanism; and
electronic switch circuitry disposed below the elastomeric dome, wherein:
the up-stop track constrains movement of the scissor mechanism due to an engagement of the up-stop track with the second extension portion.

16. The keyboard of claim 15 , each keycap of each of the plurality of keys further comprising a retaining feature to pivotally interface with an end portion of the second scissor member.

17. The keyboard of claim 15 , further comprising a baseplate disposed below the plurality of keys.

18. The keyboard of claim 17 , the baseplate further comprising a plurality of retaining features, each retaining feature positioned to pivotally interface with an end portion of a respective first scissor member of a respective one key of the plurality of keys.

19. A keyboard comprising:
a plurality of keys, each key comprising:
a keycap;
a scissor mechanism disposed below the keycap and comprising:
a first scissor member comprising an up-stop track; and
a second scissor member comprising an extension portion positioned within the up-stop track;

an elastomeric dome disposed at least partially below the scissor mechanism; and
electronic switch circuitry disposed below the elastomeric dome;
wherein:
the first scissor member and the second scissor member are coupled to pivot about a fixed point with respect to one another; and
the extension portion contacts a portion of the up-stop to limit an upper stroke of the key.

20. The keyboard of claim 19 , each keycap of each of the plurality of keys further comprising a retaining feature to slidably interface with an end portion of the second scissor member.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Yarak Iii William P
• Abraham Euan S
• Stefansson Erik T
• Brock John M

Classifications

• H01H13/70

  having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard (mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B) · CPC title

• H01H2215/006

  Only mechanical function · CPC title

• H01H3/125 Primary

  using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser · CPC title

• Y10T29/49105

  Switch making · CPC title