A keyswitch device includes a base plate, a membrane circuit board, a light source, and a keyswitch assembly. The membrane circuit board is disposed on the base plate and includes a reflective film layer, a transmissive film layer, and a light guide spacer. The reflective film layer is located on the base plate. The transmissive film layer is located over the reflective film layer. The light guide spacer has an accommodating space. The reflective film layer and the transmissive film layer are respectively located at opposite sides of the light guide spacer. The light source is disposed between the reflective film layer and the transmissive film layer and located in the accommodating space. The keyswitch assembly is disposed on the membrane circuit board.

Methods for assembling low-profile, singulated keyboards by prefabricating key assemblies onto a chassis strip that is divided into individual key assemblies only after the substrate is affixed to a feature plate of keyboard. For example, a row of key assemblies is fabricated onto a chassis strip. The row corresponds to a partial or complete row of keys of the keyboard. The chassis strip is thereafter affixed to a feature plate in a specific location, thereby aligning each prefabricated key assembly to a precise location on the feature plate. While connected, each prefabricated key assembly is independently affixed to the feature plate. Thereafter, interconnecting portions of the chassis strip between the prefabricated key assemblies are removed, thereby singulating each key assembly.

A locking arrangement for a plurality of toggle switches is provided, which facilitates independent locking and independent actuation of the toggle switches. The locking arrangement restricts the movement of a lever associated with a toggle switch of the plurality of toggle switches so as to maintain the lever of the toggle switch in at least one predetermined position. The locking arrangement is adapted to receive a locking device that restricts the movement of the lever in at least one predetermined position defined by the periphery of a locking plate or a base plate of the locking arrangement.

A keyboard switch for a keyboard includes a base secured to a plunger that reciprocates with respect to the base and is biased away from the base. An electrical contact assembly is positioned within a cavity defined by the base and the plunger. The electrical contact assembly remains in an electrically open state when the plunger is furthest from the base, but the electrical contact assembly enters an electrically closed state when the plunger is longitudinally moved downwardly by force towards the base. In this regard, a cam protruding from a side portion of a body of the plunger has a profile surface that contacts the electrical contact assembly as the plunger is longitudinally moved towards the base. A curved profile of the cam that incorporates a concave arc uniquely changes the amount of force experienced by the typist at different points of the downward motion of the plunger.

A thin keyboard device is described herein. In one or more implementations, a keyboard device includes a plurality of keys, and a housing that includes a structural printed circuit board (PCB). The structural PCB includes, for each of the plurality of keys, a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace. The keyboard device further includes a key-switch mechanism for each of the plurality of keys. The key-switch mechanism includes a conductive material oriented towards the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace, and is configured to cause the conductive material to move downwards, when the key is depressed, to electrically connect the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace of the depressed key.

A key able to accept a label for a keypad used in controlling electrically operated devices, wherein the key structure accepts and secures an interchangeable label, and which forms an impermeable barrier to the electrical contacts of a programmable circuit board.

An input device includes an upper cover including a plurality of key openings and a keyboard including a base plate disposed on a back side of the upper cover, and a plurality of key tops provided in a front side of the base plate and inserted in the respective key openings. A plurality of hooks, each of which is disposed between the key tops adjacent to each other at a plurality of points and is provided upright on a back surface of the upper cover, fixes the keyboard to the upper cover.

A hand held switch having a depressible button linked to an electromechanical two-stage switch transmits first and second type electric signals in response to a depth of the button press. A pivoting lever links the button to the switch and is designed to move the switch in response to a button press for improved tactile control.

An electronic device includes a casing having an opening; a circuit board having a plurality of electrodes, which is provided inside the casing; a contact member having a plurality of contact points corresponding to the electrodes, which is provided so as to seal the opening; and a key unit (press-key unit) having a key operation unit corresponding to the contact points, which is provided to the opening. The key unit (press-key unit) is attached to the opening detachably.

A switch unit has a display part configured to display an image, and an operation part provided on the display part in a stacked manner. The operation part includes a plurality of press buttons each having a pressable top surface formed to be transparent, a transparent base having a plurality of openings which are formed so as to be spaced from each other in positions corresponding to a display region of the display part, while avoiding a peripheral edge of the display region, a transparent substrate provided below the base and mounted with an electronic component, and a top plate having openings in positions corresponding to the press buttons and provided on the base, with the press buttons mounted thereon, so as to cover the base.