摘要 |
A keyboard (12) having an array of non-planar keys (14, 16) and a method for manufacturing such a keyboard (12) is provided. In one embodiment (Figs. 1, 2 and 4), the non-planar array (14, 16) is a double-concave array. Electrical connection along the keys (14, 16) and/or from the keys (14, 16) to associated electronics (50) is provided by way of a circuit board (48). The circuit board (48) has a geometry and flexibility which permits the circuit board (48) to conform to a shape which is non-planar along two non-parallel axes. In one embodiment (Figs. 2, 4 and 5-8), the circuit board (48) can be configured in a double-concave shape. The circuit board (48) includes one or more slots (98a-d) defining two or more projections (96a-e). These projections (96a-e) can be placed in a configured non-coplanar configuration along a first axis and the circuit board (48) can be flexed to a non-planar configuration along a second non-parallel axis. Circuit board (48) is formed of a flexible substrate (86a, b), and with a plurality of conductive traces (88). |