Key switch

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application takes priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-014245 filed Jan. 23, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a key switch for a keyboard used as an input device in a personal computer and so on, and more particularly to such a key switch which can promote miniaturization and thinner-shaping of the keyboard, realize a large key stroke, and secure a key input and key operating feeling by imparting a clicking sensation at the time of key operation. Particularly, this key switch has a simple overall construction and thus enables assembly processes thereof to be easily and simply performed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

While a key has been more and more thinly formed in accordance with a tendency of thinner-shaping of keyboards in recent years, a large key stroke and clear key operating feeling with respect to key operation are required so as to enhance operability of a key input and to secure certainty of the key input. Various key switches have been proposed to be used for this kind of keyboard.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 8-279316 proposed the following key switch.

In the proposed key switch, means for guiding the vertical movement of a key top is constituted by a first link member and a second link member joined with each other in a form of a character “X” to guide the vertical movement of the key top. The first link member is formed with a spring member having a switch operating part at its end, and a supporting plate is formed with an inclined projection part having an inclined surface. When the key top is pushed down, pressure load of the key top is increased as the spring member is slid along the inclined surface of the inclined projection part. If the spring member is slid beyond the inclined projection part and then falls onto a switch sheet surface, the pressure load of the key top is suddenly lowered to impart a clicking sensation to a user. Simultaneously, the switch operating part of the spring member comes into pressing-contact with a switching section to achieve a switching-on key action.

This key switch can realize miniaturization and thinner-shaping of the keyboard by using the guiding member of the link structure instead of using a rubber spring. The key switch also imparts the clicking sensation by forming the inclined projection part in the supporting plate and sliding the switch operating part of the spring member beyond the inclined projection part to change the pressure load of the key top.

Since this conventional guiding member of the link structure is constituted by the first and second link members and is manufactured by assembling these link members, however, there is a drawback in that a number of processes are required for the assembly of the link members, thus increasing a manufacturing cost of the key switch.

The manufacturing cost is further raised because mechanical working of the supporting plate, such as forming the inclined projection part in the supporting plate, is needed to obtain the clicking sensation.

Also, the key top descends and collides directly with the frame without means of shock absorption, with the result that there is another problem of causing a noise.

Moreover, a pivot coupling is used for joining a keyboard frame and the links with each other, and the projection (pivot axis) of the pivot coupling is directly contacted with the frame, thereby causing still another problem in that the projection made of soft material is apt to be worn away by friction with the frame made of aluminum, etc. and so the life span of the overall key switch is shortened.

Furthermore, since a FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) lying on the frame is not fixed, but may be moved to deviate a contact of the FPC from a point to which the pressure of the key top is applied, there is still another problem in that the key top does not exactly press the contact of the FPC even when it is pushed down, which results in a failure of the key input operation.

On the other hand, a multiple key switch for use in special keys such as a “space” key, an “enter” key and the like is so long that the pressure from the key top is not transmitted uniformly to the links and the key top gets crooked during the operation, thereby making it difficult to obtain a reliable contact force. In order to solve this problem, a link bar, etc. is used to transmit the pressure uniformly, but this requires additional assembly processes and so increases manufacturing costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to overcome the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a downsized, thin and inexpensive key switch by forming a guiding member having a simple link structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a key switch, which imparts a clicking sensation using a simple structure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a key switch, which generates less noise and realizes precise key switch actions.

It is further still another object of the present invention to provide a key switch, which transmits pressure uniformly when used as a multiple key switch.

To accomplish this object, there is provided a key switch in accordance with the present invention, the key switch comprising: a key top for receiving pressure from a user's finger; a link for lowering the key top when pressure is applied to the key top and pushing the key top upwardly when the pressure is released; and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) provided on an upper surface of a keyboard frame for recognizing the key action by a pressing-contact of the link therewith, wherein the link has a first and a second legs being pivot-coupled with each other, a return plate spring applying a returning force to the key top, and a contact plate spring coming into pressing-contact with the FPC, the first leg being also pivot-coupled with the frame and the second leg being also freely pivot-coupled with the frame through an slot-shaped hole, so that the second leg and the frame are slid relative to each other along the slot-shaped hole and stops the relative sliding movement at an end of the slot-shaped hole when the key top is pushed down against a resilient force of the return plate spring, and if the pressure load of the key top is further increased, the return plate spring takes a nearly rectilinear shape to abruptly reduce the pressure load, thereby imparting a clicking sensation.

Preferably, a contact projection is formed on a lower surface of the contact plate spring.

It is preferred that two return plate springs are formed while the contact plate spring being formed between the return plate springs, but the return plate spring is one in number and the contact plate spring is one in number.

Preferably, the first leg, the second leg, the return plate spring and the contact plate spring are integrally formed to constitute the link, the return plate spring may be separately formed of resilient metallic material such as steel, etc. and then is assembled to or insert-molded into the link, which is desirable in view of securing durability.

The first leg is simply and easily attached to and detached from the frame if resilience having a tendency to be outwardly bent.

The link can be simply manufactured at a low cost if it is formed by a mold.

It is also preferred that a pair of upright holes are formed in the frame, projections formed at both ends of the second leg are inserted into the upright holes, and the FPC is located between the projections and the frame. At least one of the upright holes is preferably located in an upper end portion of the frame and is opened upwardly.

Preferably, a projection is formed on a lower surface of the key top and the contact plate spring is formed in a nearly stair-like shape so that the pressure of the key top is absorbed by the contact plate spring after the return plate spring takes a nearly rectilinear shape.

The contact plate spring is preferably provided parallel to wings of the link so as to form the wing portions of the link with large thickness.

It is also preferred that the link is wholly received within a recess of the frame to reduce the overall height of the key switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a key switch in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2A

,

2

B and

2

C are respectively a plan view, a side view and a partially cutaway side view showing the key switch in an unpressed state;

FIGS. 3A

,

3

B and

3

C are respectively a plan view, a side view and a partially cut-out side view showing the key switch in a pressed and depressed state;

FIGS. 4A

,

4

B and

4

C are respectively a perspective view of a link in accordance with the present invention prior to assembly, a plan view thereof after assembly and a side view thereof after assembly, respectively;

FIGS. 5A and 5B

are views showing other embodiments of the present invention, in which one return plate spring is formed (FIG.

5

A), or a contact spring is connected with both wings of a frame (FIG.

5

B);

FIG. 6

is a view showing a relative movement between a projection for a second leg and a hole of the second leg in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7

is a graph showing a relationship between a load applied to a key top and a stroke;

FIG. 8

is a view showing connection of the frame and the link by means of a projection formed in the second leg and a hole formed in the frame;

FIG. 9

is a view showing a modified embodiment of the contact plate spring as a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A

,

10

B, and

10

C are an enlarged view showing only the contact plate spring and the key top in the second embodiment of

FIG. 9

;

FIG. 11

is a view showing the contact plate spring formed parallel to the wings in a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12

is a view showing a modified embodiment of a hole for receiving the second leg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. In the following description and all drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and so repetition of the description of the same or similar components will be omitted.

EXAMPLE 1

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a key switch in accordance with the present invention, and

FIG. 2

is a view showing the key switch whose key top is in the initial unpressed state of being not subjected to pressure from a user. Also,

FIG. 3

is a view showing the key switch whose key top is pressed by a user's finger to its lowest position.

As seen from

FIGS. 1

to

3

, the key switch of the present invention is generally constituted by a key top

1

, a link

2

, a frame

3

and a FPC

4

, which are arranged in order of the key top

1

, the link

2

, the FPC

4

and the frame

3

from the top to the bottom of the drawings, that is, from a top surface of a keyboard to a bottom thereof.

The key top

1

is located on the top surface of the keyboard, etc., and a numeral (0, 1, 2, 3, . . . ), a character (a, b, c, d, . . . , , , , . . . , , , . . . , !, @, . . . ) or other function abbreviation (Esc, Ctrl, Alt, PgUp, . . . ) is printed on an upper surface of the key top. The key top is vertically moved in such a manner that it is pressed and moved downwardly by pressure applied from a user's finger to perform a key input, and returns to its initial state by pressure applied from the link as described below. The key top is a substantially rectangular roof-shaped member, and generally formed of plastic or the like.

The link

2

is a member for guiding the vertical movement of the key top

1

, is subjected to the pressure of the key top to be depressed, and provides a clicking sensation when the return plate spring takes a nearly rectilinear shape.

The FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit)

4

is a circuit whose contacts are short-circuited by descent of the key top to recognize the character or the like corresponding to each key top, and is usually formed as a matrix circuit.

The frame

3

is provided with a mechanism for joining the frame

2

with the link

2

, and supports the link

2

and thus the key top

1

.

A description will be given for the respective members of the link and joining mechanisms connecting the respective members below.

A rear surface of the key top

1

is formed with a pair of link-fixing hooks

1

A and a pair of link-fixing grooves

1

B for being joined with the link

2

.

The link-fixing hook

1

A is a hooked member engaged with a front key top-fixing bar

2

C of the link

2

to support a rotational movement and a sliding movement of the front key top-fixing bar

2

C in accordance with the ascent and descent of the link

2

.

The link-fixing groove

1

B is a circular groove engaged with a rear key top-fixing bar

2

D to support a rotational movement of the rear key top-fixing bar

2

D.

In this embodiment, the link-fixing hook

1

A is positioned on a front side and the link-fixing groove

1

B is positioned on a rear side of the rear surface of the key top

1

, but such a positioning may be suitably adjusted according to the positions of the fixing bars of the link

2

. Also, it doesn't matter if the hook or the groove is formed in the link

2

and the fixing bar is formed in the key top

1

.

The frame

3

is formed with two pairs of projections for joining the frame

3

with the link

2

, that is, a pair of corresponding projections

3

A for being engaged into second leg holes

2

I of a second leg

21

of the link

2

and a pair of corresponding projections

3

B for being engaged into first leg holes

2

G of a first leg

22

of the link

2

. These projections

3

A,

3

B support sliding movements and circle movements of the second leg holes

2

I and the first leg holes

2

G, respectively.

These projections

3

A,

3

B may be formed in the link

2

. That is to say, it doesn't matter that the link

2

is formed with the projections and the frame

3

is formed with holes corresponding to the first leg holes and the second leg holes

2

I.

For example, as shown in

FIG. 8

, it is possible that the second leg

21

is formed with a pair of second leg projections

21

A, the frame

3

is formed with a pair of corresponding upright holes

3

C, and the second leg projections

21

A are inserted and engaged into the corresponding upright holes

3

C. In this case, the FPC

4

is located between the second leg projection

21

A and the frame

3

, thus preventing the upward floating and free movement of the FPC

4

by the second leg projections

21

A. Contacts of the FPC

4

, therefore, are always maintained at predetermined positions, and are exactly pushed down by the descent of the link

2

, thereby realizing a secure key input.

In order to strengthen the clicking sensation, the link

2

is required to be positioned higher. For this aim, the corresponding upright holes

3

C into which the second leg projections

21

A are inserted are formed in an upper end portion of the frame

3

to increase overall height of the link

2

and thus to strengthen the clicking sensation.

The clicking sensation is further strengthened because a peak load point can be pulled forwardly due to positioning of the upright holes

3

C in the upper end portion of the frame

3

. This effect of improving the clicking sensation can be maximized if the upright holes

3

C are positioned far higher by having a shape opened upwardly as shown in FIG.

12

.

Next, a description will be given for the link

2

, each constituent member thereof and connections between the respective members of the link

2

and other members of the key switch with reference to

FIGS. 1 and 4

.

FIG. 4

is a view showing a detailed construction of the link

2

, in particular, a perspective view prior to connection with other members (FIG.

4

A), a plan view after connection with other members (

FIG. 4B

) and a side view after connection of other members (FIG.

4

C).

The link

2

is a substantially rectangular structure and is integrally molded by injection molding.

Reference numeral “

2

A” denotes a pair of return plate springs so formed as to be connected with both wings

2

X,

2

Y of the link

2

. The return plate spring

2

A has resilient force by taking an arched band shape, so that it serves as a force source to push up and restore the key top to its initial state when the link

2

is subjected to pressure.

In this embodiment, a pair of return plate spring

2

A is formed, but only one return plate spring

2

A may be formed when the area of the key top is small as shown in FIG.

5

A.

Reference numeral “

2

B” denotes a contact plate spring, which descends and serves to cause a contact surface of the FPC

4

, i.e., the matrix switch to be short-circuited when the link

2

is retracted due to the pressure of the key top

1

. The contact plate spring

2

B takes a circular arched band shape and is formed with a contact projection

2

H in a portion corresponding to the contact surface of the FPC

4

in order to apply a positive contacting force to the FPC

4

. If the contact plate spring

2

B is bent in an arched shape, however, it doesn't matter that no contact projection

2

H is formed.

In this embodiment, the contact plate spring

2

B is so formed as to be connected with only one wing

2

X, but it may be so formed to be connected with both wings

2

X,

2

Y as shown in FIG.

5

B.

Also, in this embodiment, the contact plate spring

2

B is formed integrally with other members of the link

2

, but it may be manufactured of resilient metal such as steel or the like and then be assembled to or insert-molded into the link

2

in order to enhance its strength.

One wing

2

Y of the link

2

is formed with a pair of second legs

21

facing inward. The second leg

21

has a second leg hole

2

I as a slot-shaped hole for being connected with the frame

3

. The second leg hole

2

I is engaged with a corresponding projection

3

A of the frame

3

to cause a sliding movement of the corresponding projection

3

A for the second leg and to ultimately stop the sliding movement, thereby serving to impart a clicking sensation. That is, the second leg

21

and the frame

3

are pivot-coupled with each other through the slot-shaped hole

2

I, which pivot coupling axis is not fixed, but can be moved. Because of this, such a pivot coupling is defined as a free pivot coupling in the present invention.

The second leg

21

is also formed with a leg-pivot coupling hole

2

F. This leg-pivot coupling hole

2

F is engaged with a leg-pivot coupling projection

2

E of a first leg

22

as described below to support a scissoring movement of the second and first legs

21

,

22

.

On the other hand, the other wing

2

X of the link

2

is formed with a pair of first legs

22

facing inward. The first leg

22

is so formed as to possess resilience having a tendency of widening toward right and left sides.

The first leg

22

is formed with a leg-pivot coupling projection

2

E for being engaged into the leg-pivot coupling hole

2

F of the second leg

21

. The leg-pivot coupling projection

2

E is not only engaged into and supported to the leg-pivot coupling hole

2

F, but is rotationally moved to perform a scissoring movement of the second and first legs

21

,

22

in accordance with the descending movement of the key top

1

.

Herein, the leg-pivot coupling hole

2

F and the leg-pivot coupling projection

2

E may exchange their positions. That is, it is possible that the projection

2

E is formed in the second leg

21

and the hole

2

F is formed in the first leg

22

.

The first leg

22

is also formed with a first leg hole

2

G for being engaged with a corresponding projection

3

B of the frame

3

. The first leg hole

2

G is engaged with the corresponding projection

3

B to cause the first leg

22

to be rotated.

An end of the wing

2

X of the link

2

is formed with a front key top-fixing bar

2

S for joining the link

2

with a link-fixing hook

1

A of the key top

1

. The link

2

is joined with the link-fixing hook

1

A through a link-fixing groove formed in the front key top-fixing bar

2

C. A rear key top-fixing bar

2

D is also formed to be joined with a link-fixing groove of the key top

1

.

The constituent members of the link

2

are wholly received within a recess formed in the frame

3

when the link

2

goes down. In this way, the overall height of the key switch can be reduced.

Now, assembly of the so constructed key switch will be described.

The first leg

22

of the link

2

injection-molded into a state as shown in

FIG. 4A

is subjected to an inwardly directed force by hand or pliers so that the leg-pivot coupling projection

2

E is engaged into the leg-pivot coupling hole

2

F. This engagement state is shown in the plan view of FIG.

4

B and the side view of FIG.

4

C. It can be seen that the first leg

22

and the second leg

21

are joined with each other in a form of scissors in this engagement state.

The link

2

with the first and second legs

22

,

21

joined with each other in the form of scissors is coupled with the frame

3

with the FPC

4

attached thereto as shown in FIG.

1

. That is, the second leg hole

2

I of the second leg

21

of the link

2

is engaged with the corresponding projection

3

A of the frame

3

and the first leg hole

2

G of the first leg

22

of the link

2

is engaged with the corresponding projection

3

B of the frame

3

.

In turn, the link-fixing hook

1

A of the key top

1

is locked in the groove of the front key top-fixing bar

2

C and the link-fixing groove

1

B is engaged with the rear key-top-fixing bar

2

D to fix the key top

1

to the link

2

.

FIG. 2

shows the key switch thus completed.

The key switch of the above construction operates as described hereinafter.

If the key top

1

is pushed down by a user's finger, etc. in the state of

FIG. 2

, the key top

1

acts against the resilient force of the return plate spring

2

A of the link

2

. At this time, the first leg

22

of the link

2

is rotated in a counterclockwise direction about the corresponding projection

3

B of the frame

3

. Thus, the leg-pivot coupling projection

2

E of the first leg

22

also comes to descend. On the other hand, the second leg

21

is rotated in a clockwise direction about the leg-pivot coupling projection

2

E in the manner of scissors opening. At this time, the leg-pivot coupling projection

2

E descends and so the second leg hole

2

I is subjected to a force and is pushed in a left-downward direction. Consequently, the corresponding projection

3

A of the frame

3

is relatively moved in a right-upward direction along an inclined surface of the slot-shaped second leg hole

2

I (moved from a state designated by a dotted line to a state designated by a solid line in FIG.

6

).

When the key top

1

descends in this way, the return plate spring

2

A performs a widening movement of its arched shape to produce a force having a tendency of raising the key top

1

.

If the key top

1

is further pressed, the corresponding projection

3

A reaches a right end of the second leg hole

2

I (the state designated by the solid line in

FIG. 6

) to prevent the relative movement of the second leg

21

, so that the second leg

21

tends not to descend any more.

Thus, larger load is abruptly applied to the key top

1

, additional movement of the second leg

21

is impossible by the corresponding projection

3

A if the load exceeds critical load, and the link

2

made of plastic or the like having elasticity begins to be deformed in such a state. If the load is further applied, the return plate spring

2

A takes a nearly rectilinear shape from its original circular arched shape. That is, the return spring does not produce a larger force having a tendency of raising the key top

1

. As a result, the key top

1

to which a large force has been applied can descend suddenly with small pressure, thereby imparting the clicking sensation to the user.

Simultaneously, the contact plate spring

2

B and the contact projection

2

H thereof come into press-contact with the PC

4

to achieve the key input.

On the other hand, if the load applied to the key top is released, the return plate spring

2

A restores its resilient force to raise and return the key top

1

to its initial state.

The load applied to the key top

1

will be described with reference to FIG.

7

.

In the drawing, the transverse axis designates a stoke, i.e., a descending distance of the key top

1

, and the longitudinal axis designates pressure load applied to the key top

1

. Section “A” of

FIG. 7

is a region where the key top

1

begins to descend slowly according to being subjected to pressure in its initial state.

Section “B” of

FIG. 7

is a region where the corresponding projection

3

A of the frame

3

begins to interrupt the descending movement of the link

2

, i.e., the descending movement of the key top

1

, so that abrupt larger load is required to continue the descending movement of the key top

1

. A point at which a boundary line between the sections “B” and “C” meets the load curve is the point of critical pressure load as described above.

Section “C” of

FIG. 7

is a region where the return plate spring

2

A takes a nearly rectilinear shape, so that the ascending force of the return plate spring

2

A and thus the pressure load of the key top

1

are abruptly reduced, thereby imparting the clicking sensation to the user.

Section “D” is a region where the key top

1

further descends beyond the point of the critical pressure load of the return plate spring

2

A, so that the contact plate spring

2

B or the contact projection

2

H thereof comes into press-contact with the FPC

4

to achieve the key input.

If the load reaches the section “D” and then is released, the return plate spring

2

A restores its resilient force to raise the key top

1

with the load forming a hysteresis curve.

EXAMPLE 2

FIG. 9

shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10

is an enlarged view showing only the key top

1

and the contact plate spring

2

B in the second embodiment. The key switch in accordance with this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a key top projection

11

is formed on a lower surface of the key top

1

and the contact spring takes a nearly stair-like shape. Since other constructions of the key switch are the same as those of the first embodiment, a description and a depiction thereof will be omitted.

The second embodiment operates as follows:

The pressure of the key top

1

is transmitted to the link

2

by descent of the key top

1

to press down the contact plate spring

2

B. If the key top

1

continues its descending, the key top projection

11

of the key top

1

presses a curved portion

2

B

1

of the contact plate spring

2

B and a projection

2

B

2

of the contact plate spring

2

B begins to come into contact with the contact of the FPC

4

(see

FIG. 10B

) . If the key top

1

further descends, the return plate spring

2

A is bent, so that the key top

1

abruptly descends. At this time, the key top projection

11

of the key top

1

comes into contact with the curved portion

2

B

1

of the contact plate spring

2

B to transmit the descending pressure to the contact plate spring

2

B. Since the contact plate spring

2

B takes a nearly stair-like shape, it absorbs the pressure of the key top

1

while changing its shape. Thus, the key top

1

relatively smoothly descends and comes into contact with the frame

3

, thereby removing a noise caused by abrupt descent of the key top

1

and collision of the key top with the frame

3

.

Also, since the key top projection

11

reinforces the key top

1

, there is an effect that the key switch having high durability is provided.

EXAMPLE 3

FIG. 11

shows only the link part

2

of the key switch in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Since other constructions of the key switch are the same as those of the first embodiment, a description and a depiction thereof will be omitted.

The key switch of this embodiment is used as a multiple key having a large traverse length for use in a special key such as a “space” key or a “enter” key.

The link

2

used for this key switch includes the wing

2

X having large area. This is provided for the purpose of transmitting the pressure of the key top

1

uniformly and reliably to the whole link

2

. That is, it serves as a substitute for the existing link bar.

Also, the contact plate spring

2

B is provided parallel to the wing

2

X. While the length of the contact spring

2

B must be more than a certain value in order to secure a resilient force of the contact spring, the length of the contact spring

2

B is obliged to be short in order to make the wing thick. Thus, the contact spring

2

B is formed in such a manner that it is rotated by 90° with respect to the position of the first and second embodiments.

Consequently, not only the wing of the link

2

becomes thick enough to reinforce the link

2

, but also the resilient force of the contact spring

2

B can be maintained adequately.

As described above, the present invention make it possible to produce the key switch at a low cost because the link is integrally formed by injection molding. Also, the first leg is easily and simply assembled to the frame only by pressing the first leg inwardly.

The clicking sensation can be simply obtained in such a manner that the slot-shaped hole formed in the second leg is engaged with the projection of the frame, the projection interrupts the sliding movement of the hole, and the return plate spring takes a nearly rectilinear shape to abruptly reduce load applied to the key top when the load exceeds the critical pressure load. That is, the clicking sensation can be generated by a simple structure in which the slot-shaped hole and the corresponding projection are formed in the return plate spring or the frame.

Also, the contact of the FPC is exactly pressed on descent of the key top because the FPC is prevented from moving by inserting the second leg projection formed in the second leg into the corresponding hole formed in the frame and locating the FPC between the projection and the frame. The clicking sensation is further strengthened because a peak load point can be pulled forwardly due to positioning of the hole in an upper end portion of the frame. Furthermore, the clicking sensation can be maximized if the hole is opened upwardly and so is positioned higher.

A noise caused by collision of the key top with the frame can be reduced because the pressure of the key top is absorbed by the return plate after the return plate spring takes the nearly rectilinear shape by forming the key top projection on the lower surface of the key top and forming the return plate spring in the nearly stair-like shape. Owing to this, the contact of the FPC can be reliably pressed.

The key switch can be used as the multiple key because the return spring is sufficiently long and simultaneously the wing is adequately thick by forming the return plate spring parallel to the wing of the link.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Number	Name	Date	Kind
5488210	Shigetaka et al.	Jan 1996	A
5562203	Mochizuki	Oct 1996	A
6118092	Hayashi	Sep 2000	A
6297461	Kamishima	Oct 2001	B1

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