Protective cover for keyboards or control panels

• US 5,527,122 A
• Filed: 04/27/1992
• Issued: 06/18/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gesina C. Carter
• Original Assignee: Gesina C. Carter
• Inventors: Carter, Gesina C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anthony H.
• Application Number:
  US07/874,036
• Time in Patent Office: 1,513 Days
• Field of Search: 400/496, 400/467, 400/714, 400/713, 400/676, 400/677, 312/7.2, 312/284, 248/918
• US Class Current: 400/496
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/12 Guards, shields or dust excluders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/044 Protecting cover

Abstract

This invention is a protective cover for a keyboard or other control panel with attachment means, using different options as preferred for specific equipment. The cover can be separately obtained and secured to the housing or chassis of various equipment. The purpose of the cover is to allow owners of equipment with control panels and keyboards, including touch pads, to separately purchase a protective cover that can be secured to the equipment. The cover is for protection against inadvertent key or button depression, settling of dust, spattering of liquid, and other adverse effects.

The invention consists of (1) a lid, also referred to as a plate in this disclosure, and (2) a frame that is attachable to the housing of keyboards by adhesive regions on the bottom of the frame or other means as described in this patent. Adhesive regions can consist of peel-off adhesive, suction cups, stick-on VELCRO regions, snaps, and the like. Other means include spring-loaded clamps that fit snugly onto the chassis. The plate can be permanently hinged to the frame of the cover or it can be removable at the hinge by snapping it in and out of the frame, or can be otherwise detaching.

Claims

1. A protective cover for a keyboard or control panel comprising a plate, said plate having a flat bottom surface without recesses to accept keys or control means, a frame which essentially circumscribes said keyboard or control panel, and attachment means to attach said frame to a chassis surface which fully supports said cover, said protective plate being mounted to said frame for movement between closed and open positions, said frame serving as the sole support for said protective plate in its closed position and holding said protective plate, when in its closed position, spaced above said keyboard or control panel.

2. A cover of claim 1 wherein the attachment means is VELCRO.

3. A cover of claim 1 wherein the attachment means is a snap means.

4. A cover of claim 1 wherein the attachment means is magnetic.

5. A cover of claim 1 wherein the attachment means is suction cups.

6. A cover of claim 1 wherein the attachment means is a hinge pin on the cover which interacts with a snap hinge receptor attached to the chassis.

7. A cover of claim 1 wherein the attachment means is an adhesive strip.

8. A cover of claim 1 wherein the hinge means is a pin hinge.

9. A cover of claim 1 wherein the hinge means is a flexible, low-fatigue fabric.