Collapsible notebook computer keyboard structure with horizontally and downwardly shiftable key return domes
First Claim
1. A collapsible keyboard structure for a portable computer, comprising:
- a first support structure having top and bottom sides;
a series of keys each carried on said top side of said first support structure for vertical movement relative thereto, through a vertical key stroke distance, between extended and retracted positions separated by a vertical distance greater than said key stroke vertical distance;
a second support structure carried beneath said first support structure and having a top side facing said bottom side of said first support structure; and
a spaced series of resilient key return members anchored to said second support structure and having top end portions projecting upwardly beyond said top side of said second support structure,said first and second support structures being horizontally and vertically shiftable relative to one another between a first position in which said key return members underlie and resiliently hold said keys in said extended positions thereof and permit said keys to be resiliently moved downwardly from said extended position through said key stroke distance, and a second position in which said key return members are horizontally and downwardly shifted in a manner permitting said keys to be moved from said extended positions thereof to said retracted positions thereof without vertically compressing said resilient key return members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A notebook computer is provided with a collapsible keyboard structure in which, in response to closing of the computer housing lid, the key return spring portions of the keyboard are shifted horizontally and downwardly away from their normal underlying relationships with the keys and the keys are forcibly retracted downwardly to a storage/transport orientation in which the overall vertical thickness of the keyboard structure is reduced bV an amount somewhat greater than the stroke distance of the keys. When the lid is subsequently opened, the key return spring portions are upwardly shifted back to their normal underlying relationships with the keys, and the keys are forced upwardly by the return spring portions to their extended, operative orientations above the return spring portions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A collapsible keyboard structure for a portable computer, comprising:
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a first support structure having top and bottom sides; a series of keys each carried on said top side of said first support structure for vertical movement relative thereto, through a vertical key stroke distance, between extended and retracted positions separated by a vertical distance greater than said key stroke vertical distance; a second support structure carried beneath said first support structure and having a top side facing said bottom side of said first support structure; and a spaced series of resilient key return members anchored to said second support structure and having top end portions projecting upwardly beyond said top side of said second support structure, said first and second support structures being horizontally and vertically shiftable relative to one another between a first position in which said key return members underlie and resiliently hold said keys in said extended positions thereof and permit said keys to be resiliently moved downwardly from said extended position through said key stroke distance, and a second position in which said key return members are horizontally and downwardly shifted in a manner permitting said keys to be moved from said extended positions thereof to said retracted positions thereof without vertically compressing said resilient key return members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A portable computer comprising:
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a base housing portion having a top side; a lid housing portion secured to said base housing portion for pivotal movement relative thereto between a closed position in which said lid housing portion extends across and covers said top side, and an open position in which said lid housing portion uncovers and exposes said top side; and a collapsible keyboard structure including; a first support structure extending across said top side of said base housing portion and having top and bottom sides, a series of keys each carried on said top side of said first support structure for vertical movement relative thereto, through a vertical key stroke distance, between extended and retracted positions separated by a vertical distance greater than said key stroke vertical distance, a second support structure carried beneath said first support structure and having a top side facing said bottom side of said first support structure, and a spaced series of resilient key return members anchored to said second support structure and having top end portions projecting upwardly beyond said top side of said second support structure, said first and second support structures being horizontally and vertically shiftable relative to one another between a first position in which said key return members underlie and resiliently hold said keys in said extended positions thereof and permit said keys to be resiliently moved downwardly from said extended position through said key stroke distance, and a second position in which said key return members are horizontally and downwardly shifted in a manner permitting said keys to be moved from said extended positions thereof to said retracted positions thereof without vertically compressing said resilient key return members. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification