KEYBOARD HOLD DOWN MECHANISM

• US 20120032821A1
• Filed: 10/20/2009
• Published: 02/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Senatori, Mark David
• Granted Patent: US 9,134,766 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/014 located in recess
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/028 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/042 Briefcase; Note-book

Abstract

A keyboard is within a cavity of a receptacle. A keyboard hold down mechanism is connected to the receptacle outward of a perimeter of the keyboard and is connected to the keyboard at a central portion of the keyboard inward of the perimeter.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a receptacle having a cavity;

a keyboard within the cavity, the keyboard having a bottom, a top and a perimeter; and

a keyboard hold down mechanism connected to the receptacle outward of the perimeter and connected to the keyboard at a central portion of the keyboard inward of the perimeter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one of a catch and a projection on the bottom of the keyboard, wherein the keyboard hold down mechanism comprises the other of the catch and the projection and wherein the catch and the projection releasably engage one another.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the keyboard hold down mechanism slides relative to the receptacle between a catch engaged position and a catch disengaged position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the keyboard has a catch projecting from the bottom and extending through an opening in the receptacle and wherein the catch releasably receives the keyboard hold down mechanism which extends between the catch and the receptacle.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the receptacle includes a second catch releasably receiving the keyboard hold down mechanism.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the keyboard hold down mechanism extends through an aperture in the receptacle into abutment with the top of the keyboard.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the perimeter has a front edge and a rear edge space from the front edge by a distance D and wherein the central portion spaced from the front edge and the rear edge by at least ⅓

D.

8. The apparatus of claims 1, wherein the keyboard has a first degree of rigidity and wherein the keyboard hold down mechanism has a second degree of rigidity greater than the first degree of rigidity.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the keyboard hold down mechanism is releasably connected to the keyboard.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the keyboard hold down mechanism is releasably connected to the receptacle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the keyboard hold down mechanism is movable relative to the keyboard and the receptacle in a direction non-perpendicular to the keyboard between a first position securing the keyboard to the receptacle and a second position releasing the keyboard from the receptacle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom extends substantially in a plane and wherein the keyboard hold down mechanism is movable relative to the receptacle parallel to the plane.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display screen hinged to the receptacle.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board in the receptacle, opposite the keyboard and beneath the keyboard.

15. A method comprising:

disposing a keyboard having a bottom, a top and a perimeter into a cavity of a receptacle; and

connecting a keyboard mounting mechanism connected to the keyboard at a central portion of the keyboard inward of the perimeter of the keyboard to the receptacle outward of the perimeter of the keyboard.