Touch pad mounting device for electronic system

Abstract

A device for mounting a touch pad in an electronic system may be constructed using a touch pad supporting case that secures the touch pad to an inner surface of the housing that encloses the electronic system. The touch pad supporting case is made of a metallic material and is free from any plastics. This allows the touch pad unit to be thinner and lighter and avoids the need for performing a plating process on a plastic touch pad supporting case. This removes a safety hazard at manufacturing plants by avoiding exposing workers to the contaminants generated by the plating process.

1. A device for mounting a touch pad in an electronic system, comprising:
 a housing enclosing said electronic system;    said housing bearing an opening facilitating tactile access, from outside said housing, to said touch pad;    a touch pad supporting case attachable to an inner surface of said housing to securely position said touch pad in a position aligning said touch pad with said opening in said housing;    said touch pad supporting case being formed of a metallic material and being free from plastic materials;    a plurality of lugs attached to said inner surface of said housing proximate to said opening; and    said touch pad supporting case bearing a plurality of slots receivably engaging said plurality of lugs to secure said touch pad supporting case to said inner surface of said housing.    
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  further comprised of said touch pad supporting case being formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , further comprised of said touch pad supporting case being under one millimeter thick. 
     
     
       4. A device for mounting a touch pad in an electronic system, comprising:
 a housing enclosing said electronic system and comprising: 
 said housing bearing a first opening facilitating tactile access, from outside said housing, to said touch pad; and  
 said housings bearing a second opening positioned operably proximate to said first opening;  
   a touch pad supporting case attachable to an inner surface of said housing to securely position said touch pad in a position aligning said touch pad with said first opening in said housing;    said touch pad supporting case being formed of a metallic material and being free from plastic materials; and    a plurality of buttons attached to an inner surface of said housing and positioned to align said plurality of buttons with said second opening, said second opening facilitating tactile contact, from outside said housing, with said plurality of buttons, mounted inside said housing;    a plurality of lugs attached to said inner surface of said housing, proximate to said first opening; and    said touch pad supporting case bearing a plurality of slots receivably engaging said plurality of lugs to secure said touch pad supporting case to said inner surface of said housing.    
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of plugs formed on the inner surface of said housing operably proximate to said first opening. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , further comprising  A device for mounting a touch pad in an electronic system, comprising:
   a housing enclosing said electronic system and comprising:    
   said housing bearing a first opening facilitating tactile access, from outside said housing, to said touch pad;    
   said housing bearing a second opening positioned operably proximate to said first opening;    
   a touch pad supporting case attachable to an inner surface of said housing to securely position said touch pad in a position aligning said touch pad with said first opening in said housing;    
   said touch pad supporting case being formed of a metallic material and being free from plastic materials;    
   a plurality of buttons attached to an inner surface of said housing and positioned to align said plurality of buttons with said second opening, said second opening facilitating tactile contact, from outside said housing, with said plurality of buttons, mounted inside said housing;    
   a plurality of lugs attached to said inner surface of said housing, proximate to said first opening;    
   said touch pad supporting case bearing a plurality of slots receivably engaging said plurality of lugs to secure said touch pad supporting case to said inner surface of said housing;    
   a plurality of plugs formed on the inner surface of said housing operably proximate to said first opening; and    
 a second plurality of slots formed on said plurality of buttons.  
 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , further comprised of said plurality of buttons are directly mounted in said second opening via said plurality of plugs being engaged with said second plurality of slots. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a button stopper attached proximate to said second opening to limit the downward movement of said plurality of buttons. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8  further comprised of said touch pad supporting case being formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , further comprised of said touch pad supporting case being under one millimeter thick. 
     
     
       11. A device for mounting a touch pad in an electronic system, comprising:
 a housing enclosing said electronic system and comprising: 
 said housing bearing a first opening, facilitating tactile access, from outside said housing, to said touch pad;  
 a plurality of lugs attached to said inner surface of said housing proximate to said first opening; and  
 said housing bearing a second opening positioned operably proximate to said first opening;  
   a touch pad supporting case attachable to an inner surface of said housing to securely position said touch pad in a position aligning said touch pad with said first opening in said housing;    said touch pad supporting case being formed of stainless steel, being free from plastic materials, being less than one millimeter thick, and bearing a plurality of slots receivably engaging said plurality of lugs of said housing to secure said touch pad supporting case to said inner surface of said housing; and    a plurality of buttons attached to an inner surface of said housing and positioned to align said plurality of buttons with said second opening, said second opening facilitating tactile contact, from outside said housing, with said plurality of buttons, mounted inside said housing.    
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of plugs formed on the inner surface of said housing operably proximate to said first opening. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , further comprising  A device for mounting a touch pad in an electronic system, comprising:
   a housing enclosing said electronic system and comprising:    
   said housing bearing a first opening, facilitating tactile access, from outside said housing, to said touch pad;    
   a plurality of lugs attached to said inner surface of said housing proximate to said first opening;    
   said housing bearing a second opening positioned operably proximate to said first opening;    
   a touch pad supporting case attachable to an inner surface of said housing to securely position said touch pad in a position aligning said touch pad with said first opening in said housing;    
   said touch pad supporting case being formed of stainless steel, being free from plastic materials, being less than one millimeter thick, and bearing a plurality of slots receivably engaging said plurality of lugs of said housing to secure said touch pad supporting case to said inner surface of said housing;    
   a plurality of buttons attached to an inner surface of said housing and positioned to align said plurality of buttons with said second opening, said second opening facilitating tactile contact, from outside said housing, with said plurality of buttons, mounted inside said housing;    
   a plurality of plugs formed on the inner surface of said housing operably proximate to said first opening; and    
 a second plurality of slots formed on said plurality of buttons.  
 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 13 , further comprised of said plurality of buttons are directly mounted in said second opening via said plurality of plugs being engaged with said second plurality of slots. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a button stopper attached proximate to said second opening to limit the downward movement of said plurality of buttons. 
     
     
       16. The housing of  claim 17   A housing for an electronic system, comprising:
   a first opening which allows tactile access to a touch pad of said electronic system from outside said housing;    
   a second opening positioned adjacent the first opening;    
   a touch pad supporting case attachable to an inner surface of said housing, said touch pad supporting case being configured to position the touch pad in alignment with the first opening, and being formed substantially of metallic material;    
   at least one button moveably attachable to the inner surface of said housing and positioned in alignment with the second opening such that the second opening allows tactile access to said button from outside said housing;    
   at least one first fixing structure formed on said inner surface of said housing;    
   at least one second fixing structure which cooperates with said at least one first fixing structure to securely fix said touch pad supporting case to the inner surface of said housing;    
   wherein said at least one first fixing structure comprises at least one lug formed on the inner surface of said housing adjacent the first opening,    
   wherein said at least one second fixing structure comprises at least one slot formed on said touch pad supporting case, and    
   wherein said at least one lug includes a hook, and said touch pad supporting case is fastened to said housing by said at least lug being held using the hook.   
 
     
     
       17. The housing of  claim 28 ,  A housing for an electronic system, comprising:
   a first opening which allows tactile access to a touch pad of said electronic system from outside said housing;    
   a second opening positioned adjacent the first opening;    
   a touch pad supporting case attachable to an inner surface of said housing, said touch pad supporting case being configured to position the touch pad in alignment with the first opening, and being formed substantially of metallic material;    
   at least one button moveably attachable to the inner surface of said housing and positioned in alignment with the second opening such that the second opening allows tactile access to said button from outside said housing;    
   at least one first fixing structure formed on said inner surface of said housing; and    
   at least one second fixing structure which cooperates with said at least one first fixing structure to securely fix said touch pad supporting case to the inner surface of said housing;    
   wherein said at least one first fixing structure comprises at least one boss formed on the inner surface of said housing adjacent the first opening,    
   wherein said at least one second fixing structure comprises at least one hole formed on said touch pad supporting case,    
   wherein said at least one button further comprises a flexible portion connected to the at least one button and which bends when the at least one button is pressed so as to allow the at least one button to move from a release position, and which allows the at least one button to return to the release position when the at least one button is released; and    
   wherein said housing has at least one protrusion; and the flexible portion has at least one hold to receivably engage the at least one protrusion.   
 
     
     
       18. The housing of  claim 17 , wherein:
   a distal end of the at least one protrusion is deformed after the at least one protrusion engages the at least one hole of the flexible portion such that the flexible portion is fixedly held to said housing.   
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 32 ,  A method of mounting a touch pad in a housing for an electronic system, the method comprising:
   mounting a touch pad supporting case formed substantially of metallic material to an inner surface of the housing so as to position a touch pad in alignment with a first opening of the housing and allow tactile access to the touch pad from outside the housing;    
   attaching at least one button, to the inner surface of the housing so as to be positioned in alignment with a second opening of the housing such that the second opening allows tactile access to the at least one button from outside the housing;    
   forming at least one fixing structure on said inner surface of said housing; and    
   forming at least one second fixing structure which cooperates with said at least one first fixing structure to securely fix said touch pad supporting case to the inner surface of said housing;    
   wherein the step of forming the at least one first fixing structure includes forming at least one lug on the inner surface of the housing adjacent the first opening;    
   wherein the step of forming the at least one second fixing structure includes forming at least one slot in said touch pad supporting case, and    
   wherein the at least one lug is formed to include a hook, and the method further comprises engaging the at least one slot using the hook so as to fasten the touch pad supporting case to the housing.   
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 43 ,  A method of mounting a touch pad in a housing for an electronic system, the method comprising:
   mounting a touch pad supporting case formed substantially of metallic material to an inner surface of the housing so as to position a touch pad in alignment with a first opening of the housing and allow tactile access to the touch pad from outside the housing;    
   attaching at least one button, to the inner surface of the housing so as to be positioned in alignment with a second opening of the housing such that the second opening allows tactile access to the at least one button from outside the housing,    
   forming at least one fixing structure on said inner surface of said housing; and    
   forming at least one second fixing structure which cooperates with said at least one first fixing structure to securely fix said touch pad supporting case to the inner surface of said housing,    
   wherein the at least one button further comprises a flexible portion connected to the at least one button and which bends when the at least one button is pressed so as to allow the at least one button to move from a release position, and which allows the at least one button to return to the release position when the at least one button is released, and    
   wherein the housing has at least one protrusion, the flexible portion has at least one hole, and said attaching the at least one button comprises receivably engaging the at least one protrusion with the at least one hole of the flexible portion.   
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the receivably engaging the at least one protrusion further comprises deforming a distal end of the at least one protrusion after the at least one protrusion engages the at least one hole of the flexible portion such that the flexible portion is fixedly held to the housing. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 31 ,  A method of mounting a touch pad in a housing for an electronic system, the method comprising:
   mounting a touch pad supporting case formed substantially of metallic material to an inner surface of the housing so as to position a touch pad in alignment with a first opening of the housing and allow tactile access to the touch pad from outside the housing;    
   attaching at least one button, to the inner surface of the housing so as to be positioned in alignment with a second opening of the housing such that the second opening allows tactile access to the at least one button from outside the housing;    
   forming at least one fixing structure on said inner surface of said housing; and    
   forming at least one second fixing structure which cooperates with said at least one first fixing structure to securely fix said touch pad supporting case to the inner surface of said housing,    
   wherein the at least one button and the touch pad supporting case are formed as one body.   
 
     
     
       23. The housing of claim 62,  A housing for an electronic system, comprising:
   a first opening which allows tactile access to a touch pad of said electronic system from outside said housing;    
   a second opening positioned adjacent the first opening;    
   a touch pad supporting case attachable to an inner surface of said housing, said touch pad supporting case being configured to position the touch pad in alignment with the first opening, and being formed substantially of metallic material;    
   at least one button moveably attachable to the inner surface of said housing and positioned in alignment with the second opening such that the second opening allows tactile access to said button from outside said housing;    
   at least one first fixing structure formed on said inner surface of said housing;    
   at least one second fixing structure which cooperates with said at least one first fixing structure to securely fix said touch pad supporting case to the inner surface of said housing;    
   a plurality of plugs formed on the inner surface of said housing operably proximate to said first opening; and    
   a plurality of slots formed on said strip,    
   wherein said at least one button is directly mounted in said second opening via said plurality of plugs being engaged with said plurality of slots formed on said strip.   
 
     
     
       24. The device of  claim 17 , wherein said touch pad supporting case further comprises:
 a receiving portion having a first surface on which the touch pad is received; and    an attachment portion which extends from at least one side of the receiving portion, the attachment portion having a second surface for attaching said touch pad supporting case to said housing.    
     
     
       25. The device of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the first surface defines a first plane, and    the second surface defines a second plane different from the first plane.    
     
     
       26. The device of  claim 24 , wherein the first surface of said touch pad supporting case has a cutout portion exposing at least a portion of said touch pad therethrough. 
     
     
       27. The device of  claim 26 , wherein the touch pad is electrically connected with the electronic system using at least one electrical wire that passes through the cutout portion. 
     
     
       28. The device of  claim 16 , wherein said button set further comprises a flexible portion connected to the at least button and which bends when the at least one button is pressed so as to allow the at least one button to move from a release position, and which allows the at least one button to return to the release position when the at least one button is released. 
     
     
       29. The device of  claim 28 , wherein:
 said housing has at least one protrusion; and  
 the flexible portion has at least one hole to receivably engage the at least one protrusion.  
 
     
     
       30. The device of  claim 29 , wherein:
 a distal end of the at least one protrusion is deformed, after the at least one protrusion engages the at least one hole such that the flexible portion is fixedly held to said housing.    
     
     
       31. A method of mounting a touch pad in an electronic system, the method comprising:
 mounting a touch pad supporting case formed at least in part of metallic material to an inner surface of a housing so as to position a touch pad in alignment with a first opening of the housing and allow tactile access to the touch pad from outside the housing; and    attaching a button set, which includes at least one button, to the inner surface of the housing so as to be positioned in alignment with a second opening of the housing such that the second opening allows tactile access to the at least one button from outside the housing,    wherein the button set is separate from the touch pad supporting case.    
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 31 , wherein said mounting the touch pad supporting case further comprises providing at least one lug on the inner surface of the housing adjacent the first opening. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 32 , wherein said mounting the touch pad supporting case further comprises engaging at least one slot of the touch pad supporting case which receivably engages the at least one lug to secure the touch pad supporting case to the inner surface of the housing. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the at least one lug includes a hook, and    the engaging the at least one slot comprises engaging the at least one slot using the hook so as to fasten the touch pad supporting case to the housing.    
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 31 , wherein said mounting the touch pad supporting case further comprises using at least one screw to attach the touch pad supporting case to the housing. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 33 , wherein said mounting the touch pad supporting case further comprises using at least one screw to attach the touch pad supporting case to the housing. 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the touch pad supporting case includes a surface area and a peripheral edge,    the peripheral edge defines a boundary of the surface area, and    the at least one slot is formed entirely within the boundary of the touch pad supporting case.    
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the touch pad supporting case includes a surface area and a peripheral edge,    the peripheral edge defines a boundary of the surface area, and    the at least one slot is formed at a location proximate to the peripheral edge such that the at least one slot forms a notch shape having at least one open end.    
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 32 , wherein said mounting the touch pad supporting case further comprises:
 receiving the touch pad on a first surface of a receiving portion of the touch pad supporting case, and    attaching a second surface of an attachment portion of the touch pad support case to the housing to attach the touch pad supporting case to the housing, the attachment portion extending from at least one side of the receiving portion.    
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 39 , wherein:
 the first surface defines a first plane, and    the second surface defines a second plane different from the first plane.    
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 39 , wherein the first surface of the touch pad supporting case has a cutout portion exposing at least a portion of the touch pad therethrough. 
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 41 , further comprising electrically connecting the touch pad with the electronic system using at least one electrical wire that passes through the cutout portion. 
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 31 , wherein the button set further comprises a flexible portion connected to the at least one button and which bends when the at least one button is pressed so as to allow the at least one button to move from a release position, and which allows the at least one button to return to the release position when the button is released. 
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 43 , wherein:
 the housing has at least one protrusion,    the flexible portion has at least one hole, and    said attaching the button set comprises receivably engaging the at least one protrusion with the at least one hole of the flexible portion.    
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 44 , wherein the receivably engaging the at least one protrusion further comprises deforming a distal end of the at least one protrusion after the at least one protrusion engages the at least one hole such that the flexible portion is fixedly held to the housing. 
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 31 , wherein the button set and the touch pad supporting case are not integrally formed so as to form a common body. 
     
     
       47. A device for mounting a touch pad in an electronic system, the device comprising:
 a housing enclosing the electronic system, said housing having: 
 a first opening which allows tactile access to the touch pad from outside said housing, and  
 a second opening positioned adjacent the first opening;  
   a touch pad supporting case attachable to an inner surface of said housing, said touch pad supporting case to position the touch pad in alignment with the first opening, and being formed of a first material; and    a button set attached to the inner surface of said housing, and including at least one button positioned in alignment with the second opening such that the second opening allows tactile access to said at least one button from outside said housing,    wherein said button set is formed of a second material which is different from the first material.    
     
     
       48. The device of  claim 47 , wherein the first material comprises an electro-magnetic shielding material. 
     
     
       49. The device of  claim 47 , wherein the first material comprises a metal. 
     
     
       50. The device of  claim 49 , wherein the metal comprises a steel. 
     
     
       51. The device of  claim 50 , wherein the steel comprises a stainless steel. 
     
     
       52. The device of  claim 51 , wherein touch pad supporting case is formed of a thin plate having a thickness of 1 mm or less. 
     
     
       53. A device for mounting a touch pad in an electronic system, the device comprising:
 a housing enclosing the electronic system, said housing having:    a first opening which allows tactile access to the touch pad from outside said housing, and    a second opening positioned adjacent the first opening;    a touch pad supporting case attachable to an inner surface of said housing, said touch pad supporting case to position the touch pad in alignment with the first opening, and being formed of at least in part of a metallic material; and    a button set attached to the inner surface of said housing, and including a button positioned in alignment with the second opening such that the second opening allows tactile access to said button from outside said housing, said button set being formed of another material which is not the metallic material.    
     
     
       54. The device of  claim 53 , wherein the metallic material comprises stainless steel, and the another material does not include stainless steel. 
     
     
       55. A device for mounting a touch pad in an electronic system, the device comprising:
 a housing enclosing the electronic system, said housing having:    a first opening which allows tactile access to the touch pad from outside said housing, and    a second opening positioned adjacent the first opening;    a touch pad supporting case attachable to an inner surface of said housing, said housing pad supporting case to position the touch pad in alignment with the first opening; and    a button set attached to the inner surface of said housing, and including a button positioned in alignment with the second opening such that the second opening allows tactile access to said button from outside said housing,    wherein said button set is not integral with the touch pad supporting case.    
     
     
       56. The device of  claim 55 , wherein the touch pad supporting case is formed of a first material, and the button set is formed of a second material which is different from the first material. 
     
     
       57. The device of  claim 56 , wherein one of the first and second materials comprises a metal. 
     
     
       58. The device of  claim 56 , wherein one of the first and second materials comprises an electro-magnetic shielding material.