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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Sgt_4Leaf on Thu, 12 July 2018, 10:46:49

Title: Does Kailh have patents on the click bar mechanism?
Post by: Sgt_4Leaf on Thu, 12 July 2018, 10:46:49

I haven't seen any other switches with click bars...
Can it be expected that more switch manufacturers such as Gateron begin producing them any time soon?
Not that I have any problem with Kailh's, they're great! Just curious...

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Title: Re: Does Kailh have patents on the click bar mechanism?
Post by: killyou on Thu, 12 July 2018, 10:58:44

I hope Zeal makes something along with Gateron. I like his designs because they are thought through and balanced. Having my fingers crossed for mighty Clickencio!

Title: Re: Does Kailh have patents on the click bar mechanism?
Post by: Sup on Thu, 12 July 2018, 11:39:11

I don't think they are gonna replicate the Box design.

Title: Re: Does Kailh have patents on the click bar mechanism?
Post by: killyou on Thu, 12 July 2018, 11:50:34

Quote from: Sup on Thu, 12 July 2018, 11:39:11

I don't think they are gonna replicate the Box design.

Zeal already copied MX Clear stem 1:1 so you never know.

Title: Re: Does Kailh have patents on the click bar mechanism?
Post by: rich1051414 on Thu, 12 July 2018, 14:46:25

After Cherry patents expired. Zeal has never copied patented things. If the click bar mechanism is patented, any switch manufacturing will have to go through kailh, not gateron. If it's not gateron, it's not zeal.

Title: Re: Does Kailh have patents on the click bar mechanism?
Post by: Kevadu on Thu, 12 July 2018, 15:00:33

Even if the clickbar mechanism isn't patented--though I would be surprised if it wasn't--the box design itself almost certainly is.  And a standard MX switch doesn't really have anywhere to put the clickbar.

Not saying it couldn't be done but it would require a significant redesign.

Title: Re: Does Kailh have patents on the click bar mechanism?
Post by: _PixelNinja on Thu, 12 July 2018, 15:32:18

The clickbar is not exclusive to Kailhua's Box architecture though:

(http://i.imgur.com/6Yjj4Gs.jpg)
Kailh Speed switches

Title: Re: Does Kailh have patents on the click bar mechanism?
Post by: Kevadu on Thu, 12 July 2018, 16:39:35

Have to confess I didn't even realize those used clickbars...I know their low-profile switches do too but that's a totally different design.

Man Kailh makes a lot of different switches...

Title: Re: Does Kailh have patents on the click bar mechanism?
Post by: Sup on Thu, 12 July 2018, 20:30:24

Quote from: killyou on Thu, 12 July 2018, 11:50:34

Quote from: Sup on Thu, 12 July 2018, 11:39:11

I don't think they are gonna replicate the Box design.

Zeal already copied MX Clear stem 1:1 so you never know.

Yeah true. But who do you think who is going to replicate and make molds for a replicated box design switch. Even Zeal doesn't have that much money to do something like that. Zealios are just in higher quality gateron housing and a costum made stem. There is no reason to duplicate the box switch from a business standpoint. If Box switches are popular as Cherry is in the mainstream i would see companies duplicating the design otherwise i doubt it.

Title: Re: Does Kailh have patents on the click bar mechanism?
Post by: Ruskie on Tue, 17 July 2018, 14:04:49

Honestly, it would be awesome to see a company replicate the alps tactile and click leaf in an MX format switch.