Multifunction keyboard accessory

• US 20030044213A1
• Filed: 09/04/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Franks, Chris H., Lee, June, Mori, Robert F., Stanton, James Mark
• Application Number:
  US09/947,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20030044213A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

A multifunction keyboard accessory may be coupled to a keyboard. In an initial position, the multifunction keyboard accessory may function as a keyboard cover that inhibits unintentional activation of keys and protects the keyboard from spills and entry of other material between the keyboard keys. The multifunction keyboard accessory may be rotated from the initial position so that the keyboard accessory functions as a document holder. Alternately, the multifunction keyboard accessory may slide forward to function as a palmrest/wrist support.

Claims

1. A keyboard assembly, comprising:

a first member comprising a first side and a second side;

a keyboard comprising a first side and a second side; and

an engager extending from the first member, the engager configured to slidably and rotatably attach the first member to the first and second sides of the keyboard;

wherein the first member is configured to slide and rotate along the first and second sides of the keyboard.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein an initial position of the first member is positioned over a top side of the keyboard, wherein the first member is further configured to function as a cover to the keyboard.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first member is slidably and rotatably positionable in front of the keyboard, wherein the first member is further configured to function as a palmrest/wrist support during use.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first member is slidably and rotatably positionable on a back side of the keyboard, wherein the first member is further configured to function as a document holder during use.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a retainer for thin media.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the retainer comprises articulated arms attached to the first and second sides of the keyboard.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the keyboard further comprises grooves on the first and second sides, and wherein the engager comprises pins extending from the first and second sides of the first member, the pins configured to slidably and rotatably couple the first member to the keyboard within the grooves on the first and second sides of the keyboard.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein first member is slidably and rotatably positionable in front of the keyboard, and wherein a front end of the grooves are curved to prevent movement of the first member from the second position.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first member further comprises a transparent material.

10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a grooved track, wherein the grooved track is coupled to the first and second sides of the keyboard with adjustable clamps, and wherein the engager comprises pins extending from the first and second sides of the first member, the pins configured to slidably and rotatably couple the first member to the keyboard within the grooved track on the first and second sides of the keyboard.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first member further comprises support members.

12. The keyboard assembly, comprising:

a first member comprising a first side and a second side;

a second member comprising a first side and a second side;

a keyboard comprising a first side and a second side; and

an engager extending from the first and second members, the engager configured to slidably and rotatably attach the first and second members to the first and second sides of the keyboard;

wherein the first and second members are configured to slide and rotate along the first and second sides of the keyboard.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein an initial position of the first member and the second member is positioned over a top side of the keyboard, wherein the first and second members are further configured to function as a cover to the keyboard.

14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the first member is slidably and rotatably positionable on a back side of the keyboard, wherein the first member is further configured to function as a document holder during use.

15. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising a retainer for thin media.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the retainer comprises articulated arms attached to the first and second sides of the keyboard.

17. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the second member is slidably and rotatably positionable in front of the keyboard, wherein the second member is further configured to function as a palmrest/wrist support during use.

18. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the keyboard further comprises grooves on the first and second sides, and wherein the engager comprises pins extending from the first and second sides of the first and second members, the pins configured to slidably and rotatably couple the first and second members to the keyboard within the grooves on the first and second sides of the keyboard.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the second member is slidably and rotatably positionable in front of the keyboard, and wherein a front end of the grooves are curved to prevent movement of the second member from the at least second position during use.

20. The assembly of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the first member and second member further comprises a transparent material.

21. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the first and second members further comprise support members.

22. A keyboard assembly, comprising:

at least one member comprising a first side and a second side;

a keyboard comprising a first side and a second side; and

a means for coupling the at least one member to the keyboard;

wherein the at least one member is configured to slide and rotate along the first and the second sides of the keyboard from an initial position to a first position and a second position.

23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein an initial position of the at least one member is positioned over a top side of the keyboard, wherein the at least one member is further configured to function as a cover to the keyboard.

24. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the at least one member is slidably and rotatably positionable in front of the keyboard, wherein the at least one member is further configured to function as a palmrest/wrist support during use.

25. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the at least one member is slidably and rotatably positionable on a back side of the keyboard, wherein the at least one member is further configured to function as a document holder during use.

26. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the means for coupling the at least one member to the keyboard comprises:

at least one set of grooves on the first and second sides of the keyboard; and

pins extending from the first and second sides of the at least one member;

wherein the pins are configured to slidably and rotatably couple the at least one member to the keyboard within the at least one set of grooves on the first and second sides of the keyboard.

27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the at least one member is slidably and rotatably positionable in front of the keyboard, and wherein a front end of the at least one set of grooves are curved to prevent movement of the at least one member from the second position during use.

28. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the means for coupling the at least one member to the keyboard comprises:

a grooved track coupled to the first and second sides of the keyboard; and

pins extending from the first and second sides of the at least one member;

wherein the grooved track is coupled to the first and second sides of the keyboard with adjustable clamps, and wherein the pins are configured to slidably and rotatably couple the at least one member to the keyboard within the grooved track on the first and second sides of the keyboard.