A keyboard includes a first housing having a plurality of first magnetic elements, a keystroke module having a key portion disposed on the first housing, a second housing combining with the first housing and has an opening, and an actuating assembly. The keystroke module is disposed corresponding to the opening. The actuating assembly is disposed movably on the second housing and has a plurality of second magnetic elements. The keystroke module is not protruded from the opening and is at a packing position. When the actuating assembly is moved along an actuating direction, at least one first magnetic element and at least one second magnetic element attract to each other to shorten the distance, which brings the second housing to move relatively to the first housing so that the key portion of the keystroke module passes though the opening and is at a using position.

A keypad for a mobile device having a housing comprises a plurality of keys coupled to the housing. Each of the keys has means for making the selection of smaller key sizes easier for a user. The keys may incorporate a flexible or resilient upper part, or be configured to transform to a larger surface area upon the application of pressure. The keys may be configured to rotate away from a selected key. The keys adjacent a selected key may be configured to lock mechanically or electrically. The keys may have multiple parts that are movable relative to one another. The upper part of the key may include a fluid, with a selection rod positioned inside the upper part to enter the fluid.

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Taste mit einem zentralen Bereich und einem den zentralen Bereich umgebenden Randbereich, wobei die Taste in einem aktiven Zustand als Drucktaste betätigbar ist und der zentrale Bereich der Taste aus einer durch den Randbereich festgelegten Oberflächenebene vorsteht und wobei die Taste in einem inaktiven Zustand nicht als Drucktaste betätigbar ist und sich der zentrale Bereich (32; 84) der Taste (30; 80) im wesentlichen in der vom Randbereich (34; 82) definierten Oberflächenebene erstreckt. Die Erfindung betrifft außerdem ein Bedienfeld für ein Fahrzeug mit mindestens einer derartigen Taste.

The present invention offers a switching device in which the intermediate part of shape-memory-alloy wire (17) is retained by actuator (9) connected to one end of link mechanism (4), and both ends of shape-memory-alloy wire (17) are fixedly retained by printed-circuit board (13). Both end parts of shape-memory-alloy wire (17) are fixed on printed-circuit board (13). This shape-memory-alloy wire (17) generates heat due to electric power supplied from the circuit, generates the shape-memory effect to deform. This causes actuator (9) to operate. On this occasion, because the electrically connected part is fixed, even for frequent repetitive operations, damage due to fatigue does not occur, thus improving reliability. In addition, the device can be simplified because it dispenses with a separate part such as a current-carrying wire, and not requiring a process such as an installation work for current-carrying wires offers low-cost switching devices.

A notebook computer is provided with a collapsible keyboard structure in which, in response to closing of the computer housing lid, the key return spring portions of the keyboard are shifted horizontally away from their normal underlying relationships with the keys and the keys are forcibly retracted downwardly to a storage/transport orientation in which the overall vertical thickness of the keyboard structure is reduced by an amount somewhat greater than the stroke distance of the keys. Each key has a relatively rigid top side portion with a periphery around which is secured a downwardly and horizontally outwardly sloped resilient skirt structure. In response to the forcible downward movement of the keys to their retracted positions the skirt structures are pressed and vertically compressed against a bottom side portion of the monoblock member that operatively carries the keys, thereby reducing the vertical height of the keyboard by more than the normal stroke distance of the keys when the computer is in its closed storage and transport orientation. When the lid is subsequently opened, the key return spring portions are upwardly shifted back to their normal underlying relationships with the keys, and the keys are forced upwardly by the return spring portions to their extended, operative orientations above the return spring portions.

A compact notebook computer, when opened, exposes a keyboard structure in a folded storage and transport orientation in which opposite end segments of the keyboard are inwardly pivoted onto a central segment of the keyboard, and the keys are in fully retracted, inoperative positions. To use the keyboard its end segments are outwardly pivoted to a use orientation in which they project outwardly beyond opposite ends of the computer base housing and are vertically aligned with the central keyboard segment. A top side portion of the keyboard structure is then horizontally shifted in a first direction relative to a base portion thereof. This shifting automatically raises the keyboard keys to fully extended operative positions thereof, thereby readying the keyboard for typing thereon. To return the keyboard structure to its storage and transport orientation, the top keyboard side portion is horizontally shifted relative to the base portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction. This shifting automatically retracts the keys to their original inoperative positions. The opposite keyboard end segments are then folded inwardly onto the central segment to permit the computer lid housing to be closed again.

A keyboard (1) has an array of flexible keys (8, 10) in apertures (4, 6) arranged in a grid (50) forming the keyboard and a cover plate (30) dimensioned to span a flexible key member and to provide a tight fit within an aperture defining a key. The cover plate has a thickness providing a substantially inflexible configuration in response to normal operator manipulation and a plurality of corner support pedestals (32, 34, 36, 38) contacting respective corners of the flexible key when the cover plate is inserted in a key aperture. Thus, the pedestals provide a support between the cover plate and the flexible key member at the edges of the key member to preclude, in combination with the inflexible structural characteristic of the cover, an actuation of the flexible key member under the cover.

Bei einer alphanumerischen Tastatur, umfassend eine Viel­zahl von durch Tasten betätigbaren Schaltern (14, 16) und einen die Schalter (14, 16) überdeckenden Deckrahmen (22) mit Führungsansätzen (24) für Tastenstößel (26), die mit die Führungsansätze (24) übergreifenden Tastenknöpfen (28) verbunden sind, ist mindestens eine Taste mindestens zwei Schaltern (14, 16) zugeordnet mit einem mindestens zwei Führungsansätze (24) übergreifenden Tastenkopf (28), wobei mindestens ein Stößel (26) dieser Taste parallel zur Tast­richtung verstellbar an dem Tastenkopf (28) gelagert ist.

A keyboard (1) has an array of flexible keys (8, 10) in apertures (4, 6) arranged in a grid (50) forming the keyboard and a cover plate (30) dimensioned to span a flexible key member and to provide a tight fit within an aperture defining a key. The cover plate has a thickness providing a substantially inflexible configuration in response to normal operator manipulation and a plurality of corner support pedestals (32, 34, 36, 38) contacting respective corners of the flexible key when the cover plate is inserted in a key aperture. Thus, the pedestals provide a support between the cover plate and the flexible key member at the edges of the key member to preclude, in combination with the inflexible structural characteristic of the cover, an actuation of the flexible key member under the cover.