Keyboard with ultra-durable keys

Abstract

A keyboard includes a plurality of keys, and a keyframe into which the plurality of keys are assembled. Each of the keys includes: i) a plunger on which a character is printed, and ii) a keycap made of a transparent material. The keycap covers at least a portion of a top of the plunger.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An input device comprising:
 a flexible silicon membrane; and   a plurality of keycaps disposed on the flexible silicon membrane, wherein the silicon membrane is continuous without any holes formed therein, such that none of the plurality of keycaps can pass through.   
     
     
         26 . The input device of  claim 25  further comprising:
 a plurality of keys disposed below the flexible silicon membrane, wherein each of the plurality of keys is vertically aligned below one of the plurality of keycaps. 
 
     
     
         27 . The input device of  claim 25  wherein the flexible silicon membrane is pinched between the plurality of keycaps and the plurality of keys. 
     
     
         28 . The input device of  claim 27  wherein each of the plurality of keys includes a plunger portion, wherein the plunger portion is in contact with the flexible silicon membrane. 
     
     
         29 . The input device of  claim 25  wherein the plurality of keycaps are transparent. 
     
     
         30 . The input device of  claim 25  wherein the flexible membrane is glued to each of the plurality of keycaps. 
     
     
         31 . The input device of  claim 25  further comprising:
 a top case; and 
 a bottom case, wherein the top case and the bottom case are configured to enclose a input device, wherein the flexible membrane extends and is sealed with the bottom case. 
 
     
     
         32 . A keyboard comprising:
 a silicon membrane;   a plurality of keycaps disposed on the flexible silicon membrane, wherein the silicon membrane is continuous without any holes formed therein, such that none of the plurality of keycaps can pass through; and   a plurality of keys disposed below the flexible silicon membrane, wherein each of the plurality of keys are vertically aligned below one of the plurality of keycaps.   
     
     
         33 . The keyboard of  claim 32  wherein the flexible silicon membrane is mechanically pinched between the plurality of keycaps and the plurality of keys. 
     
     
         34 . The keyboard of  claim 33  wherein each of the plurality of keys includes a plunger portion, wherein the plunger portion is in contact with the flexible silicon membrane. 
     
     
         35 . The keyboard of  claim 32  wherein the plurality of keycaps are transparent. 
     
     
         36 . The keyboard of  claim 25  wherein the flexible membrane is glued to each of the plurality of keycaps. 
     
     
         37 . The keyboard of  claim 25  further comprising:
 a top case; and 
 a bottom case, wherein the top case and the bottom case are configured to enclose a keyboard, wherein the flexible membrane extends and is sealed with the bottom case. 
 
     
     
         38 . The keyboard of  claim 25  wherein the silicon membrane is flexible.