A keyboard that comprises a flexible film of a thickness having a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface by the thickness of the film; a plurality of shallow wells in the flexible film, each shallow well including a chamber formed into the flexible film from the first surface and corresponds to one key of the keyboard; a plurality of sensor, each sensor is configured in the chamber of one of the shallow wells; a patterned conductive layer on the flexible film; and an adhesive layer on the patterned conductive layer.

A method of manufacturing key tops for push button switches is provided, which method includes the step of embossing three dimensional shapes formed in a first mold and/or a second mold into a resin member heated to a predetermined temperature by using the first mold and the second mold to integrally form the resin member into a sheet-like resin member including three dimensionally shaped key tops, with a predetermined gap provided between a first face and a second face of the three dimensionally shaped key top, which respectively face the first mold and the second mold.

A handset has a keypad structure for inputting information. The keypad structure comprises a keypad assembly having a plurality of keys being interconnected by a foil, said plurality of keys are provided with activation pins, a keypad base part having switching means being activated by an associated activation pin when a respective key is depressed, and support means arranged in between the keypad assembly and the keypad base part supporting the foil of the keypad in between the keys.

Damit bei einem Tastenfeld (1) für eine elektrisches oder elektronisches Gerät mit einem Tastenkörper (4), der innerhalb eines Tastenrahmens (6) gehalten ist, bei welchem der Tastenrahmen (6) und der Tastenkörper (4) aus einem relativ steifen Kunststoff bestehen, das Eindringen von Schmutz dauerhaft und mit hoher Sicherheit vermieden werden kann, ist vorgesehen, daß der Tastenkörper (4) seitlich mit einem elastischen Kunststoff (8) umgeben ist, welcher in den seitlichen Zwischenraum zwischen Tastenkörper (4) und Tastenrahmen (6) eingespritzt ist.

A cover member (1) for an illuminated push button switch which is capable of providing a hard touch with fingers when it is incorporated in a switch unit is disclosed. It facilitates formation of a symbol/character display section (23) exhibits distinct display and aesthetic properties. In the cover member, key tops (20) each are provided at a distal end thereof with a hard resin section (21). The resin section is integrally mounted thereon with a rubber section (22) and then the symbol/character display section is formed on a flat surface of the rubber section. The rubber section is fixed on the flat surface thereof to a movable section (12) of a substrate (10). Such construction provides a user with a satisfactory feel in operation, effectively prevents wearing of the symbol/character display section, provides the symbol/character display section with an aesthetic appearance without any defect and ensures increased durability of the cover member.

An electroluminescent lamp includes a flexible dome-shaped, light transmissive substrate (48) defining a top side (48B) and a bottom side thereof. An upper light transmissive electrode layer (54) is disposed on at least a portion of the bottom side of the dome-shaped substrate (48). An electroluminescent layer (58) is disposed below the upper light transmissive electrode layer (54). A lower electrode layer (62) is disposed below the electroluminescent layer (58). A method is contemplated whereby the layers are applied to the top of the substrate, the substrate is inverted and then formed into its dome-shaped configuration.