A key is disclosed herein. The key is disposed on a baseplate of a keyboard device, and comprises a sheet metal keycap and a supporting structure. The sheet metal keycap includes a body portion and two bending portions. The two bending portions are formed by extending downward from a side of two punching holes on the body portion, respectively. The supporting structure is disposed between the sheet metal keycap and the baseplate. Two sides of the supporting structure are pivotally connected to the bending portions and the baseplate, respectively. The key is thinner due to sheet metal keycap which is integratedly formed. A keyboard device with a plurality keys is also provided herein.

An apparatus (such as a keyboard) has a plurality of keycaps and a corresponding light guide film disposed on the underside of those keycaps. The light guide film has a periphery, and at least portions of that periphery are thicker than in an interior portion of the light guide film. So configured, more light can be made available for backlighting purposes in the thicker portions than at the thinner portions. These teachings include determining the various (different) thicknesses to employ for the light guide film based upon desired backlighting of one or more of the plurality of keycaps.

A device for thermionic arc extinction via anode ion depletion. The device includes a body including an inner compartment. The inner compartment includes at least an arc shield housing at least two arcing contacts, wherein the two arcing contacts are zinc-plated. The at least two zinc-plated arcing contacts further comprise a thickness and contact area customized based on a desired corrosion time of the zinc, wherein the corrosion time corresponds to extinction of the arc. A sensor is associated with the device. The sensor is configured to operate the movement of the at least two arcing contacts.

A device for thermionic arc extinction via anode ion depletion. The device includes a body including an inner compartment. The inner compartment includes at least an arc shield housing at least two arcing contacts, wherein the two arcing contacts are zinc-plated. The at least two zinc-plated arcing contacts further comprise a thickness and contact area customized based on a desired corrosion time of the zinc, wherein the corrosion time corresponds to extinction of the arc. A sensor is associated with the device. The sensor is configured to operate the movement of the at least two arcing contacts.