JPH07169366A - Key board - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize formation of a simulated sculpture shape by using a key top with one kind of basic shape (between respective rows) in an arrangement of a key board which is an input/output appliance. CONSTITUTION:In order to obtain a simulated sculpture arrangement, at first, the middle between the C row and the D row is used as a standard and the arrangement of key tops 2 is set in longitudinally reverse direction. As a second characteristic, regarding the A row, the B row, the E row, and the F row, their fitting parts are fitted in key stem storing parts 5, 6 of the key tops 2 and the fitting parts are raised by proper distance, so that the radius of curvature can be made smaller and the radius of the step sculpture is adjusted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard widely used as an input device in an information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 4, a conventional step sculpture type keyboard has rows A, B, C, D, and E along the curvature (4) of the sculpture array.
Generally, each row is composed of key tops having four types of shapes 1, 2, 3, and 4. As another conventional example, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a keyboard in which a key housing of the same shape is obtained by curving the key housing of FIG.
-27026, JP-A-63-37525, JP-A-60-
17819, JP-A-60-143529, JP-A-61-
62117, 62-94520, 58-1 58
75944). For example, according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-62117, as shown in FIG. 5, the key housing portion (13), the membrane sheet (15) and the reinforcing plate (16) are curved with a certain curvature so that Using key tops of various types, key touch surface (14)
Has a certain curvature (4).

[0003]

In the step sculpture type keyboard of the conventional type shown in FIG. 4, the basic shape types of the key tops are four types, and the die cost for molding the keyboard becomes expensive. There was a problem. Further, in the step sculpture type keyboard of FIG. 5, the key top (14) is of one type, but the key housing (13), the membrane sheet (15) and the reinforcing plate (16) have a certain curvature. It is necessary to bend with a curve. Especially, in the key housing, a line perpendicular to the curvature with respect to the curved curve (4) at the position where the key tops are arranged (rows A to E). Since it is necessary to provide a guide part for vertically moving the key top in (17), there is a problem in that a slide mechanism is used or a very expensive mold is produced in manufacturing the key housing mold.

[0004]

According to the present invention, when the key tops are mounted, the key tops are assembled by rotating the key tops by rotating the key tops with respect to the middle, for example by rotating them by 180 degrees. Is a pseudo step sculpture type arrangement, and is also characterized in that it has key stem housings of different heights.

[0005]

In the present invention, in order to obtain the pseudo step sculpture arrangement, first, the key tops are rotated 180 degrees with respect to the middle of the rows C and D in FIG. 1 and turned upside down. Next, in the key top part, by fitting the key stem housing part to the key stem housing part of the key top by making the key stem housing parts of two different heights, the key top part is lifted up by an appropriate amount. Is.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of an entire keyboard that employs the keytop arrangement of the present invention. In order to obtain the arrangement of the pseudo step sculptures of the present invention, when the key top (2) is attached, the A row, the B row, the C row, and Row D, E
The rows have been turned 180 degrees and turned upside down. Also, when assembling the key top (2), rows A, B, C
Row key tops (2) and row D and row E key tops (2)
Install by rotating 180 degrees so that the front and back are reversed.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the keyboard unit portion of the keyboard of FIG. 1, in which the keyboard unit portion attached to the inside of the keyboard (1) is taken out, and is placed on the flat key housing (3). A key stem storage part (5) and a key stem storage part (6) having different heights are installed in the key stem (2) and are fitted with the key top (2) and lifted by an appropriate amount. That is, row A and row B key tops (2)
In the key tops (2) of rows C and D, the key stems (5) and (6) are made to have two different heights so that the key tops (2) can be fitted together. I am lifting towards you.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the key top fitting portion and the key stem portion of FIG. (9) is a rubber switch,
(10) is a membrane sheet, (11) is a reinforcing plate, and the key stems (7) and (8) and the key stem accommodating parts (5) and (6) having two types of heights are shown. When the key top (2) is pushed down, the key stem (7) and the key stem (8) fitted with the key top (2) move downward and the membrane sheet (10) passes through the rubber (9).
A circuit is formed by closing the contacts provided above. The reinforcing plate below the membrane sheet (10) merely has the function of pushing up the membrane sheet (10) from the opposite side.

[0009]

As described above, according to the present invention, basically, one type of key top shape can be used to realize the key arrangement of the pseudo step sculpture without bending the key housing, and the die cost can be reduced. It has the effect of reducing and shortening development period.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an entire keyboard that employs a keytop arrangement according to the present invention.

2 is a detail of a keyboard unit portion of the keyboard of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a key top fitting portion and a key stem portion of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a conventional key top arrangement diagram.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a keyboard and a key top arrangement previously requested.

[Explanation of symbols] 1,12 Keyboard 2,14 Key top 3 Flat key housing 4 Curvature of sculpture arrangement 5,6 Key stem storage 7,8 Key stem 9 Rubber switch 10,15 Membrane sheet 11,16 Reinforcement plate 13 Curved Housing 17 line perpendicular to the curvature

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. When mounting a key top, the arrangement of the key tops is rotated and assembled with the middle as a reference, and the upper surfaces of the key tops are pseudo step sculpture type arrangement with the key tops of the same shape. Characteristic keyboard. 2. The keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising key stem housings having different heights.