Split rotatable keyboard

• US 5,596,480 A
• Filed: 03/28/1994
• Issued: 01/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: Zenith Data Systems Corp. (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Manser, Brian E., Ojeda, IV, Peter A., Poole, Anton R., Guoming, Frank W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US08/218,625
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, 364/708.1, 400/472, 400/489, 400/682, 400/691-693, 341/22, 312/223.2, 235/145 R, 361/680
• US Class Current: 361/679.14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1664 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards

Abstract

An adjustable keyboard assembly for a portable personal computer includes a keyboard, split along a predetermined breakline defining two keyboard sections, removable from the portable personal computer. In order to facilitate angular positioning of the keyboard sections as well as removal of the keyboard sections from the portable personal computer housing, the keyboard sections are mechanically coupled together, for example, with a hinge at one end of the breakline. Such a configuration enables the relative angular positions of the keyboard sections to be custom positioned by the individual user for maximum adjustability in accordance with the user'"'"'s preference both on and removed from the portable personal computer housing. Unlike other known keyboards, the keyboard, in accordance with the present invention, is formed in standard QWERTY format so as not to require retraining of users.

Claims

1. A keyboard assembly for a portable personal computer comprising:

a keyboard, split at a predetermined breakline, defining two keyboard sections;

means for rotatably coupling said keyboard sections together about a predetermined pivot axis, adjacent one end of said breakline, to enable said keyboard sections to be rotated relative to one another from a first position, wherein said keyboard sections are adjacent one another to a second position wherein said keyboard sections are split apart; and

means for preventing movement of said keyboard sections in a direction generally parallel to said pivot axis, wherein said preventing means includes a pair of predetermined notches formed adjacent opposing ends of said breakline in said keyboard sections, said predetermined notches adapted to receive a pin with an enlarged head in a predetermined position to prevent movement of said keyboard sections in a direction generally parallel to said pivot axis.

2. In a portable personal computer having a housing with a base portion for carrying a keyboard and a cover, the improvement comprising:

a keyboard split at a predetermined breakline defining two keyboard sections;

means for enabling said two keyboard sections to rotate relative to one another from a first position wherein said keyboard sections are adjacent one another to a second position wherein said keyboard sections are split apart, wherein said enabling means includes means for rotatably coupling said keyboard sections together about a predetermined pivot axis adjacent one end of said breakline to enable said keyboard sections be rotated relative to one another, wherein said predetermined pivot axis moves in a direction generally perpendicular to said pivot axis when said keyboard sections are rotated relative to one another; and

means for limiting translational movement of said keyboard sections, wherein said limiting means includes means for limiting translational movement of an end of each keyboard section opposite said breakline in a direction generally perpendicular to said predetermined pivot axis and wherein said translational movement limiting means includes pins rigidly carried by one or the other of said keyboard sections or said base of said portable personal computer and cooperating predetermined apertures formed in the other of said keyboard sections or base portion for capturing the ends of said keyboard sections opposite said breakline.

3. In a portable personal computer having a housing with a base portion for carrying a keyboard and a cover, the improvement comprising:

a keyboard split at a predetermined breakline defining two keyboard sections;

means for enabling said two keyboard sections to rotate relative to one another from a first position wherein said keyboard sections are adjacent one another to a second position wherein said keyboard sections are split apart, wherein said enabling means includes means for rotatably coupling said keyboard sections together about a predetermined pivot axis adjacent one end of said breakline to enable said keyboard sections be rotated relative to one another; and

means for preventing movement of said keyboard sections in a direction generally parallel to said predetermined pivot axis when said keyboard sections are in a first position, wherein said preventing means includes means for capturing said keyboard sections in a first position to prevent movement generally parallel to said predetermined pivot axis and wherein said capturing means includes predetermined notches formed in said keyboard sections and a fixed pin with an enlarged head portion fixed to said base portion of said portable personal computer at a location selected to be received by notches in said keyboard sections in said first position.

4. In a portable personal computer having a housing with a base portion for carrying a keyboard and a cover, the improvement comprising:

a keyboard split at a predetermined breakline defining two keyboard sections;

means for enabling said two keyboard sections to rotate relative to one another from a first position, wherein said keyboard sections are adjacent one another to a second position wherein said keyboard sections are split apart, wherein said enabling means includes means for rotatably coupling said keyboard sections together about a predetermined pivot axis adjacent one end of said breakline to enable said keyboard sections be rotated relative to one another; and

means for facilitating rotation of said keyboard sections while said keyboard is in use, wherein said facilitating means includes notches formed in each of said keyboard sections adjacent said breakline at an end opposite said coupling means, said notches being disposed to be contiguous when said keyboard sections are in a first position.