Portable computer keyboard

• US 10,365,725 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2017
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Futaihua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Futaihua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Wang, Ning-Hua, Su, Zhi-Bai
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US15/809,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20190094986A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666

Abstract

A travel-proofed portable computer keyboard with keys sealed against dust and minor impacts includes an alphanumeric keyboard, a numeric keypad, and a first locking mechanism. The alphanumeric keyboard includes an open cavity. The numeric keypad is received in or protruding from the cavity. The numeric keypad includes a first notch and a second notch. The first locking mechanism includes an engaging member which can lock the numeric keypad in place. The numeric keypad is held in the cavity of the alphanumeric keyboard when the engaging member engages the first notch of the numeric keypad, thereby facilitating the carrying of the computer keyboard. The numeric keypad is held to protrude from the cavity of the alphanumeric keyboard when the engaging member engages the second notch of the numeric keypad, thereby enabling the use of the computer keyboard.

Claims

1. A portable computer keyboard comprising:

an alphanumeric keyboard comprising a cavity with an opening;

a numeric keypad movable between a first position received in the cavity of the alphanumeric keyboard and a second position protruding from the opening of the cavity of the alphanumeric keyboard, the numeric keypad comprising a first notch and a second notch; and

a first locking mechanism configured to lock the numeric keypad in either of the first or second positions, the first locking mechanism comprising;

a compression spring having;

a first end attached to the alphanumeric keyboard; and

a second end attached to the numeric keypad; and

an engaging member;

wherein when the engaging member engages the first notch of the numeric keypad, the numeric keypad is locked in the first position and the compression spring is compressed;

wherein when the engaging member engages the second notch of the numeric keypad, the numeric keypad is locked in the second position and the compression spring is released;

wherein the first locking mechanism further comprises;

a button;

a first resilient member; and

a lever pivotally connected to the alphanumeric keyboard, and the lever having two ends, one end connected to the engaging member and the other end connected to the button;

wherein the button is movable through the alphanumeric keyboard, and the button has an end which can protrude from the alphanumeric keyboard; and

wherein the engaging member is connected to the alphanumeric keyboard by the first resilient member.

2. The portable computer keyboard of claim 1,

wherein the first locking mechanism further comprises a mounting member secured to the alphanumeric keyboard;

and

wherein the first resilient member is connected to the alphanumeric keyboard by the mounting member.

3. The portable computer keyboard of claim 1,

wherein the alphanumeric keyboard further comprises a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, and a side portion;

wherein the cavity is defined between the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall, and the side portion; and

wherein the opening of the cavity is opposite to the side portion.

4. The portable computer keyboard of claim 3,

wherein the first end of the compression spring is attached to the side portion of the alphanumeric keyboard;

wherein the lever is pivotally connected to the front wall of the alphanumeric keyboard by a pivot; and

wherein the button is movable through the top wall of the alphanumeric keyboard, and the end of the button can protrude from the top wall of the alphanumeric keyboard.

5. The portable computer keyboard of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover pivotally connected to the alphanumeric keyboard; and

a second locking mechanism configured to lock the cover in a position covering the alphanumeric keyboard.

6. The portable computer keyboard of claim 2, further comprising:

a cover pivotally connected to the alphanumeric keyboard; and

a second locking mechanism configured to lock the cover in a position covering the alphanumeric keyboard.

7. The portable computer keyboard of claim 3, further comprising:

a cover pivotally connected to the alphanumeric keyboard; and

a second locking mechanism configured to lock the cover in a position covering the alphanumeric keyboard.

8. The portable computer keyboard of claim 5,

wherein the numeric keypad further comprises a locking recess;

wherein the cover has a guide recess;

wherein the second locking mechanism comprises;

a moving member; and

an operating member attached to the moving member and movable along the guide recess of the cover; and

wherein when the moving member engages the locking recess of the numeric keypad, the cover is held to cover the alphanumeric keyboard.

9. The portable computer keyboard of claim 6,

wherein the numeric keypad further comprises a locking recess;

wherein the cover has a guide recess;

wherein the second locking mechanism comprises;

a moving member; and

an operating member attached to the moving member and movable along the guide recess of the cover; and

wherein when the moving member engages the locking recess of the numeric keypad, the cover is held to cover the alphanumeric keyboard.

10. The portable computer keyboard of claim 7,

wherein the numeric keypad further comprises a locking recess;

wherein the cover has a guide recess;

wherein the second locking mechanism comprises;

a moving member; and

an operating member attached to the moving member and movable along the guide recess of the cover; and

wherein when the moving member engages the locking recess of the numeric keypad, the cover is held to cover the alphanumeric keyboard.

11. The portable computer keyboard of claim 8,

wherein the second locking mechanism further comprises a second resilient member;

and

wherein the moving member is connected to the cover by the second resilient member.

12. The portable computer keyboard of claim 9,

wherein the second locking mechanism further comprises a second resilient member;

and

wherein the moving member is connected to the cover by the second resilient member.

13. The portable computer keyboard of claim 10,

wherein the second locking mechanism further comprises a second resilient member;

and

wherein the moving member is connected to the cover by the second resilient member.

14. The portable computer keyboard of claim 5, wherein the cover comprises:

a first cover portion hinged to the alphanumeric keyboard by a first hinge; and

a second cover portion hinged to the first cover portion by a second hinge.

15. The portable computer keyboard of claim 6, wherein the cover comprises:

a first cover portion hinged to the alphanumeric keyboard by a first hinge; and

a second cover portion hinged to the first cover portion by a second hinge.