Assemblable keyboard and assemblable key

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9898094-B2
Application number	US-201615189393-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2016
Priority date	Apr 22, 2016
Publication date	Feb 20, 2018
Grant date	Feb 20, 2018

Abstract

An assemblable keyboard includes plural assemblable keys and a main control key. Each assemblable key can be triggered to generate a key signal. The assemblable key includes a pedestal, a key structure and a conductive structure. The main control key includes a key processor and a transmission interface. The assemblable key includes plural coupling structures with the conductive structure. Every two adjacent assemblable keys are combined together and electrically connected with each other through the corresponding coupling structures. After the key signal generated by each assemblable key is transmitted to the main control key, the key signal is further outputted to a computer host. The layout space of the assemblable keyboard is reduced. Moreover, the assembling flexibility of the keyboard is enhanced.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An assemblable keyboard, comprising:
plural assemblable keys, wherein each of the plural assemblable keys comprises:
a pedestal comprising a frame and a first coupling structure or a second coupling structure, wherein the first coupling structure or the second coupling structure is formed on a lateral wall of the frame;
a key structure disposed within the frame of the pedestal to generate a key signal, wherein one of the plural assemblable keys with the first coupling structure and an adjacent assemblable key of the plural assemblable keys with the second coupling structure are combined together through engagement between the first coupling structure and the second coupling structure; and
a conductive structure disposed under the key structure and extended to the first coupling structure or the second coupling structure of the frame, wherein when the key structure is depressed, the key signal is generated and the key signal is transmitted to the adjacent assemblable key through the first coupling structure and the second coupling structure; and

a main control key electrically connected with a specified assemblable key of the plural assemblable keys, and comprising a keyboard processor and a transmission interface, wherein the key signal is processed by the keyboard processor, the transmission interface is electrically connected with the keyboard processor, and the key signal is transmitted to a computer host through the transmission interface.

2. The assemblable keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plural assemblable keys further comprises a bottom plate, wherein the bottom plate is disposed under the pedestal, and the conductive structure is formed on the bottom plate.

3. The assemblable keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein the main control key further comprises a wireless signal receiver to receive and transmit the key signal.

4. The assemblable keyboard according to claim 3 , wherein the keyboard processor further comprises a key defining program, and the wireless signal receiver receives a key edit command from an application program and transmits the key edit command to the keyboard processor, wherein the key defining program defines a symbol or a function of each assemblable key according to the key edit command.

5. The assemblable keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein the key structure comprises:
a keycap to be depressed;
an operating post connected to a bottom surface of the keycap; and
a triggering element disposed under the operating post, and comprising a conductive contact, wherein when the keycap is depressed, the operating post is moved downwardly to push the triggering element, so that the conductive contact of the triggering element and the conductive structure are electrically connected with each other to generate the key signal.

6. The assemblable keyboard according to claim 5 , wherein the triggering element is a rubbery elastomer.

7. The assemblable keyboard according to claim 6 , wherein the main control key further comprises:
a main control key pedestal with the frame and the first coupling structure or the second coupling structure of the assemblable key, wherein the first coupling structure or the second coupling structure is formed on a lateral wall of the frame;
the key structure disposed within the frame of the main control key pedestal; and
the conductive structure disposed under the key structure and extended to the first coupling structure or the second coupling structure of the frame of the main control key, wherein the key processor and the transmission interface are disposed within the main control key pedestal.

8. The assemblable keyboard according to claim 1 , wherein a shape of the first coupling structure and a shape of the second coupling structure are complementary to each other, so that the first coupling structure and the second coupling structure are engaged with each other.

9. An assemblable key, comprising:
a pedestal comprising a frame and a first coupling structure or a second coupling structure, wherein the first coupling structure or the second coupling structure is formed on a lateral wall of the frame;
a key structure disposed within the frame of the pedestal to generate a key signal, wherein the assemblable key with the first coupling structure and an adjacent assemblable key with the second coupling structure are combined together through engagement between the first coupling structure and the second coupling structure; and
a conductive structure disposed under the key structure and extended to the first coupling structure or the second coupling structure of the frame, wherein when the key structure is depressed, the key signal is generated and the key signal is transmitted to the adjacent assemblable key through the first coupling structure and the second coupling structure.

10. The assemblable key according to claim 9 , wherein the assemblable key further comprises a bottom plate, wherein the bottom plate is disposed under the frame, and the conductive structure is formed on the bottom plate.

11. The assemblable key according to claim 9 , wherein the key structure comprises:
a keycap to be depressed;
an operating post connected to a bottom surface of the keycap; and
a triggering element disposed under the operating post, and comprising a conductive contact, wherein when the keycap is depressed, the operating post is moved downwardly to push the triggering element, so that the conductive contact of the triggering element and the conductive structure are electrically connected with each other to generate the key signal.

12. The assemblable key according to claim 11 , wherein the triggering element is a rubbery elastomer.

Assignees

• Primax Electronics Ltd

Inventors

• Huang Wei Yung

Classifications

• G06F3/0216 Primary

  Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard (for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1664) · CPC title

• H01H13/84

  characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback (legends H01H13/83) · CPC title

• H01H2227/026

  Separate dome contact · CPC title

• G06F3/0233

  Character input methods · CPC title

• H01H13/86

  characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size · CPC title