Integral keyboard and storage organizer

• US 20040124104A1
• Filed: 12/11/2003
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dean R. Devolpi
• Original Assignee: Dean R. Devolpi
• Inventors: DeVolpi, Dean R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,892,875 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/320
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

The improved integral keyboard and storage organizer of the present invention provides a keyboard with a housing that can be hingably or slideably opened to access an integral storage organizer and has latches to maintain it in a closed arrangement, has a locking mechanism to secure the contents and has a separate access compartment for replacement of batteries and access to electronic components.

Claims

1. An improved integral keyboard and storage organizer comprising:

an upper housing, said upper housing containing and partially enclosing a keyboard switching mechanism;

said computer switching mechanism adapted to communicate with a computer;

a bottom surface of said upper housing defining the upper periphery of a storage compartment;

a lower housing shell, an inner surface of said lower housing shell defining the lower periphery of a storage compartment;

said storage compartment being physically and electrically isolated from said computer;

hinging means, for hingably connecting said upper housing to said lower housing shell in a clam shell fashion, whereby upon application of an external force the angular separation between said upper housing and said lower housing shell may be selectably increased and decreased, thereby exposing and concealing said storage compartment; and

latching means that when engaged maintain said upper housing and said lower housing shall in a state of minimal angular separation.

7. An improved integral keyboard and storage organizer according to claim 1, further comprising an electronics access compartment through which electrical components are accessible yet segregated from said storage compartment.

9. An improved integral keyboard and storage organizer according to claim 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 or 8 further comprising locking means that when engaged maintain the relationship between said upper housing shell and said lower housing shell and prevent access to said storage compartment.

2. An improved integral keyboard and storage organizer comprising:

an upper housing, said upper housing containing and partially enclosing a keyboard switching mechanism;

said computer switching mechanism adapted to communicate with a computer;

a bottom surface of said upper housing defining the upper periphery of a storage compartment;

a lower housing shell, an inner surface of said lower housing shell defining the lower periphery of a storage compartment;

said storage compartment being physically and electrically isolated from said computer;

hinging means, for hingably connecting said upper housing to said lower housing shell in a clam shell fashion, whereby upon application of an external force the angular separation between said upper housing and said lower housing shell may be selectably increased and decreased, thereby exposing and concealing said storage compartment; and

locking means that when engaged maintain the relationship between said upper housing shell and said lower housing shell and prevent access to said storage compartment.

3. An improved integral keyboard and storage organizer comprising:

an upper housing, said upper housing containing and partially enclosing a keyboard switching mechanism;

said computer switching mechanism adapted to communicate with a computer;

a bottom surface of said upper housing defining the upper periphery of a storage compartment;

a lower housing shell, an inner surface of said lower housing shell defining the lower periphery of a storage compartment;

said storage compartment being physically and electrically isolated from said computer;

hinging means, for hingably connecting said upper housing to said lower housing shell in a clam shell fashion, whereby upon application of an external force the angular separation between said upper housing and said lower housing shell may be selectably increased and decreased, thereby exposing and concealing said storage compartment; and

an electronics access compartment through which electrical components are accessible yet segregated from said storage compartment.

4. An improved integral keyboard and storage organizer comprising:

an upper housing, said upper housing containing and partially enclosing a keyboard switching mechanism;

said keyboard switching mechanism adapted to communicate with a computer;

a bottom surface of said upper housing defining the upper periphery of a storage compartment;

a lower housing shell, an inner surface of said lower housing shell defining the lower periphery of a storage compartment;

said storage compartment being physically and electrically isolated from said computer;

slideing means, for slideably connecting said upper housing to said lower housing shell, whereby upon application of an external force said upper housing may be slid in parallel alignment to said lower housing shell to selectably expose and conceal said storage compartment; and

latching means that when engaged maintain said upper housing and said lower housing shell with said storage compartment in a concealed arrangement.

8. An improved integral keyboard and storage organizer according to claim 4, further comprising an electronics access compartment through which electrical components are accessible yet segregated from said storage compartment.

5. An improved integral keyboard and storage organizer comprising:

an upper housing, said upper housing containing and partially enclosing a keyboard switching mechanism;

said keyboard switching mechanism adapted to communicate with a computer;

a bottom surface of said upper housing defining the upper periphery of a storage compartment;

a lower housing shell, an inner surface of said lower housing shell defining the lower periphery of a storage compartment;

said storage compartment being physically and electrically isolated from said computer;

slideing means, for slideably connecting said upper housing to said lower housing shell, whereby upon application of an external force said upper housing may be slid in parallel alignment to said lower housing shell to selectably expose and conceal said storage compartment; and

locking means that when engaged maintain the relationship between said upper housing shell and said lower housing shell and prevent access to said storage compartment.

6. An improved integral keyboard and storage organizer comprising:

an upper housing, said upper housing containing and partially enclosing a keyboard switching mechanism;

said keyboard switching mechanism adapted to communicate with a computer;

a bottom surface of said upper housing defining the upper periphery of a storage compartment;

a lower housing shell, an inner surface of said lower housing shell defining the lower periphery of a storage compartment;

said storage compartment being physically and electrically isolated from said computer;

slideing means, for slideably connecting said upper housing to said lower housing shell, whereby upon application of an external force said upper housing may be slid in parallel alignment to said lower housing shell to selectably expose and conceal said storage compartment; and

an electronics access compartment through which electrical components are accessible yet segregated from said storage compartment.