Illuminated keyboard

Abstract

A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. A preferred keyboard includes scissor actuators for guiding and stabilizing each key in its upward and downward movement. A substantially translucent elastomeric diaphragm including elastomeric domes underlies the keys for biasing the keys upwardly. A seat underlies the elastomeric domes for supporting and engaging the bottom extremities of the scissor actuators. The seat may be made of translucent plastic, which functions as a translucent upper clamshell member, or non-translucent metal having sufficiently large holes for the passage of light. A substantially translucent circuit board is positioned under the seat for the creation and transmission of signals indicating depression of key members. The seat includes central holes allowing for the depression of keys to force the elastomeric domes to engage the circuit board to create electronic signals. A planar luminescent light source is positioned under the circuit board for transmitting light upwardly through the circuit board, seat, and elastomeric domes into the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to a light pipe.

1 . A lighted computer keyboard comprising:
 a plurality of keys constructed of a substantially hard non-deformable material;   a plurality of scissor actuators with a scissor actuator underlying each key, each said scissor actuator including a pair of arms rotationally connected near their midpoints so as to rotate in scissor like manner for guiding and supporting said keys as said keys move in an upward and downward movement, said arms including upper extremities engaging said keys and lower extremities;   a plurality of elastomeric domes with an elastomeric dome underlying each key for biasing said keys in an upward direction;   a seat underlying said elastomeric domes, said seat including clips for engaging and connecting to said scissor actuators' lower extremities;   a circuit board underlying said plurality of key members said elastomeric domes and said seat, said circuit board being operational to produce signals in response to depression of said key members; and   a luminescent planar sheet for producing light, said luminescent planar sheet underlying said key members, said elastomeric domes, said seat, and said circuit board, said luminescent planar sheet being optically connected to said keys so as to permit the transmission of light to at least some of said plurality of keys.   
   
   
       2 . The lighted computer keyboard of  claim 1  wherein said luminescent planar sheet includes LEDs or LECs. 
   
   
       3 . The lighted computer keyboard of  claim 1  wherein said luminescent planar sheet is constructed as a planar light pipe made of translucent plastic connected to a light source. 
   
   
       4 . The lighted computer keyboard of  claim 3  wherein said light source includes LEDs or LECs. 
   
   
       5 . The lighted computer keyboard of  claim 1  wherein said luminescent planar sheet is an electro-luminescent panel lamp. 
   
   
       6 . The lighted computer keyboard of  claim 1  wherein said luminescent planar sheet includes fiberoptic cables connected to a light source. 
   
   
       7 . The lighted computer keyboard of  claim 6  wherein said light source includes LEDs or LECs. 
   
   
       8 . The lighted computer keyboard of  claim 1  wherein said seat including clips is made of non-translucent metal having holes allowing for the passage of light. 
   
   
       9 . The lighted computer keyboard of  claim 1  wherein said seat including clips is formed of one piece of substantially translucent plastic.