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A washable switch that may be used in a keyboard is disclosed. In an embodiment, a housing of the keyboard may include a key opening and a support layer may be mounted in the housing. Key silos may be mounted on the support layer and input keys with support legs may be mounted in the key silos. In

A washable switch that may be used in a keyboard is disclosed. In an embodiment, a housing of the keyboard may include a key opening and a support layer may be mounted in the housing. Key silos may be mounted on the support layer and input keys with support legs may be mounted in the key silos. In an embodiment the key silos may comprise an internally lubricated resin. An actuation unit and a keyboard circuitry may be in communication and encapsulated in a first and second barrier layer so as to provide a keyboard that may be safely placed in a dishwasher. If the keyboard is configured for wireless use, a sealable power source compartment sealably coupled to the keyboard circuitry may be provided with a removable door so as to allow the user, in operation, to access and replace a power source. The keyboard may include an externally exposed connector that may be sealed with a plug that may be attached to the housing by a tether.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A washable switch, comprising: a housing having a key opening; a key silo positioned in the key opening; an input key including a support leg and mounted in the key silo and configured to be depressed, wherein one of the key silo and the support leg comprises an internally lubricated r

We claim: 1. A washable switch, comprising: a housing having a key opening; a key silo positioned in the key opening; an input key including a support leg and mounted in the key silo and configured to be depressed, wherein one of the key silo and the support leg comprises an internally lubricated resin; an actuation unit positioned in the housing and configured to provide a closed circuit in response to the depression of the input key, the actuation unit encapsulated in a first barrier layer; and a switch circuitry encapsulated in a second barrier layer and positioned in the housing and in sealed communication with the actuation unit and a potential power source, the switch circuitry configured to translate the closed circuit into a digital signal, wherein the switch circuitry encapsulated in the second barrier layer comprises shrink tubing. 2. The washable switch of claim 1, further comprising a support layer positioned in the housing and configured to support the key silo. 3. The washable switch of claim 2, wherein the key silo is indexed so as to control orientation of the key silo when mounted to the support layer. 4. The washable switch of claim 3, wherein the key silo comprises the internally lubricated resin. 5. The washable switch of claim 1, further comprising: an external connector sealably coupled to the switch circuitry; and a plug for sealing the external connector. 6. The washable switch of claim 5, further comprising a tether with a first end coupled to the plug and a second end coupled to the housing. 7. The washable switch of claim 1, further comprising a sealed compartment for holding the power source, the compartment including a removeable door configured to allow sealable access to the power source, wherein the switch circuitry is configured to wirelessly communicate the digital signal. 8. A keyboard for use in a computer system, comprising: a housing comprising a key opening; a support layer positioned in the housing; a plurality of key silos positioned in the key opening and mounted on the support layer; a plurality of input keys configured to be translated, each including a support leg mounted in one of the plurality of key silos, wherein for each of the plurality of input keys one of the key silo and the support leg comprises an internally lubricated resin; an encapsulated actuation unit positioned in the housing and configured to provide a plurality of closed circuits in response to translation of respective input keys, wherein the encapsulated actuation unit comprises a three layer membrane surrounded by a silicone barrier layer; and an encapsulated keyboard circuitry in communication with the actuation unit, the keyboard circuitry configured to translate the respective closed circuits into digital signals. 9. The keyboard of claim 8, wherein the encapsulated keyboard circuitry is potted. 10. The keyboard of claim 8, wherein silicone barrier layer comprises a plurality of wear plates aligned with the support legs of the plurality of input keys. 11. The keyboard of claim 8, wherein the plurality of key silos comprise the internally lubricated resin. 12. The keyboard of claim 8, further comprising a cable connector configured to accept a removable cable and a plug configured to seal the cable connector. 13. The keyboard of claim 8, wherein the keyboard circuitry includes a wireless interface and further comprises a sealable power source compartment in electrical connection with the encapsulated keyboard circuitry, the power source compartment comprising a door configured to removably seal the power source compartment when installed, whereby a user, in operation, may remove the door and replace a power source positioned in the power source compartment. 14. A computer keyboard system, comprising: a housing comprising an upper surface a key opening and a drain hole; a support layer positioned in the key opening; a plurality of indexed key silos mounted on the support layer; a plurality of depressible input keys respectively positioned in the plurality of indexed key silos; an actuation unit configured to provide a plurality of closed circuits in response to a depression of the plurality of depressible input keys, the actuation unit encapsulated in a first barrier layer, wherein the first barrier layer is silicone; and an encapsulated keyboard circuitry in communication with the actuation unit, the keyboard circuitry configured to provide a digital signal in response to respective depression of one of the plurality of input keys, wherein the encapsulated keyboard circuitry is enclosed in a second barrier layer comprising shrink tubing. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a power source compartment in sealed communication with the keyboard circuitry, the power source compartment comprising a door that is sealably mountable to the power source compartment, wherein the keyboard circuitry is configured for wireless communication. 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a receiver configured to receive wireless signals from the keyboard circuitry, the receiver configured to be coupled to a computer. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the housing comprises a recessed area and the drain hole is positioned in the recessed area. 18. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of key silos comprise an internally lubricated resin.