A button array panel (302, 502) for a handheld communication device (100). The button array panel (302, 502) can include buttons (304) and a continuous and seamless layer (602) covering each button (304). Each button (304) has an associated function and full recovery. A substrate layer (604) can also be provided and can be interposed between the buttons (304) and continuous and seamless layer (602). The button array panel (302, 502) can be a side button array panel (302) or a keypad button array panel (502). The button array panel (302, 502) can prevent material, such as dust or liquid, from penetrating the handheld communication device (100).

A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer, said spacer comprising at least one recess defining an active area of the switching element. At least two electrodes are arranged in the active area of the switching element between said first and second carrier foils in such a way that, in response to a pressure acting on the active area of the switching element, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the elastic carrier foils and an electrical contact is established between the at least two electrodes. According to the invention at least one of said first and second carrier foils comprises a multi-layered configuration with an inner supporting foil and an outer elastic activation layer for introducing a force acting on the switching element into a central region of said active area of said switching element.

Bauteil mit einem Grundkörper aus einem relativ harten Material und einem Überzug aus relativ weichem Material, der wenigstens die durch einen Außenumfang begrenzte Hauptfläche des Grundkörpers abdeckt, wobei ein vom Außenumfang der Hauptfläche ausgehender Randbereich des Überzugs eine Armierung aus relativ hartem Material aufweist, die an dem Grundkörper angreift.

A key switch wherein a key top (1) made of thermoplastic resin and a extruding part (2) made of thermoplastic elastomer are integrally formed, thereby improving clicking touch of a contact member, such as a metal belleville spring, a resin film dome or the like, which is placed underneath the extruding part and preventing breakage and laceration of the contact member. Further, a key switch is constructed such that extruding parts (2) of a plurality of key tops (1) are integrally linked by means of a U-shaped bridging member (3) made of thermoplastic elastomer, thereby causing elastic deformation of the bridging member (3) at the time of pressing one of the plurality of key tops (1) so that an extruding part (2) of an adjacent key top is prevented from operating together.

Bauteil mit einem Grundkörper aus einem relativ harten Material und einem Überzug aus relativ weichem Material, der wenigstens die durch einen Außenumfang begrenzte Hauptfläche des Grundkörpers abdeckt, wobei ein vom Außenumfang der Hauptfläche ausgehender Randbereich des Überzugs eine Armierung aus relativ hartem Material aufweist, die an dem Grundkörper angreift.

A push switch of the invention comprises a switching-element assembly (100) and an actuator assembly (1a) arranged on the switching-element assembly, wherein the switching-element assembly comprises first and second contacts(110a, 110b), the second contact being arranged over and elastically movable towards the first contact and making contact with the first contact when depressed by the actuator assembly. The basic type of actuator assembly includes an airtight enclosure formed by a domed-shaped elastic film and containing a gas, whereby a bottom surface (12) of the airtight enclosure depresses said second contact when the top surface (11) is pressed down. Several modified types of actuator assembly are also disclosed.

A keyboard includes a main board and at least one key structure positioned on the main board. The key structure includes a key switch and a key cap. The key cap is combined with the key switch. The key switch includes a key base and a shaft movably positioned on the key base. The keycap includes a main body and a cushion member. The main body is positioned on the shaft of the key switch. The main body is spaced apart from the contact surface of the key base. The main body is moved forward and backward relative to the key base with movement of the shaft. The cushion member is positioned at one side of the main body facing the contact surface. While the main body is moved to the contact surface, the cushion member abuts on the contact surface, so as to avoid the main body from hitting the key base directly, and hence minimizing the noise that is produced by the moving parts.