Data processing device with a keyboard having pop-up keys

• US 5,635,928 A
• Filed: 12/08/1995
• Issued: 06/03/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Suzuki, Yukio, Takagi, Takeyuki, Okada, Hiroaki, Yamamoto, Yoshijiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US08/569,943
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 361/680, 400/682, 400/691, 341/22, 345/168, 345/169
• US Class Current: 341/22
• 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 1/1666 Arrangements for reducing the size of the integrated keyboard for transport, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F1/1664 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/705 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/068 having a not operable condition
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/125 using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser

Abstract

A data processing device including a keyboard with a key; a lid provided to an edge of the keyboard so as to be pivotable from a closed position, to a predetermined angle, and further to an open position; a key support mechanism movable between a first position for supporting the key in an operation condition and a second position wherein the key is not supported; a follower in connection with the key support mechanism so that the follower and the key support move in association; and a driver connected with the lid so as to operate in association with pivotal movement of the lid, the driver driving the follower only when the lid is pivoted between the closed position and the predetermined angle so that the key support mechanism moves from the first position into the second position when the lid is pivoted open between the closed position to the predetermined angle and the key support mechanism remains in the second position when the lid is pivoted open to the predetermined angle or greater.

Claims

1. A data processing device comprising:

a keyboard with a key;

a lid provided to an edge of the keyboard so as to be pivotable from a closed position, to a predetermined intermediate angle, and further to an open position;

a key support mechanism movable between a first position for supporting the key in an operation condition in which switching actuation is enabled upon depression of the support mechanism and a second position in which switching actuation is disabled wherein the key is not supported for operation;

follower means in connection with said key support mechanism so that said follower means and said key support mechanism move in association; and

drive means connected with said lid so as to operate in association with pivotal movement of said lid, said drive means driving said follower means only when said lid is pivoted between the closed position and the predetermined intermediate angle so that said key support mechanism moves from the second position into the first position when said lid is pivoted open from the closed position to the predetermined angle and said key support mechanism remains in the first position when said lid is pivoted open from the predetermined angle and greater.

2. A data processing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a gap is opened between opposing edges of the rack member and the holder member, the gap allowing the rack member to move between the first position and the second position, edges of the rack member and the holder member confronting the gap formed with meshable protrusions and recesses.

3. A data processing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a member extending from one end of said keyboard to another end in a lengthwise direction of the keyboard.

4. A data processing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said lid further includes a shaft by which said lid is pivotably provided to the edge of the keyboard and said key support mechanism further includes a sliding member slidably supported on a plate-shaped member;

said follower means includes a rack member with a rack, the sliding member and the rack member in connection with each other so as to move in association between the first position and the second position; and

said drive means includes a partial gear rotating in association with pivoting movement of the shaft and engaged with the rack when the lid is between the closed position and the predetermined angle and disengaged with the rack when the lid is opened to or greater than the predetermined angle.

5. A data processing device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a holder member formed with a slot in which the rack member is disposed, a gap opened between opposing edges of the rack member and the holder member, the gap allowing the rack member to move between the first position and the second position, edges of the rack member and the holder member facing the gap formed with meshable protrusions and recesses.

6. A data processing device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an urging means connected with said follower means and wherein said follower means disengages from said drive means when said lid is pivoted open to or greater than the predetermined angle, said urging means urging said follower means into the first position.

7. A data processing device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said key support mechanism further includes a sliding member slidably supported on a plate-shaped member;

wherein said follower means includes;

a reinforcement member in connection with the sliding member so as to move in association with the sliding member between the first position and the second position; and

a slide member connected with the reinforcement member and formed with a recess; and

wherein said drive means includes a pawl protruding from the lid, the pawl pivoting in association with pivoting movement of the lid and, when the lid is pivoted between the closed condition and the predetermined angle, engaging with the recess so as to slide the slide member.

8. A data processing device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said urging means includes at least two urging units provided at opposite ends of said keyboard in a lengthwise direction thereof.

9. A data processing device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a plurality of other urging means provided between the at least two urging units.

10. A data processing device as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a holder member formed with a slot in which the reinforcement member is disposed, a gap opened between opposing edges of the reinforcement member and the holder member, the gap allowing the reinforcement member to move between the first position and the second position, opposing edges of the reinforcement member and the holder member formed with meshable protrusions and recesses.

11. A data processing device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the urging means is provided between the slide member and the reinforcement member for connecting the slide member and the reinforcement member.

12. A data processing device as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a holder member formed with a slot in which the reinforcement member is disposed, a gap opened between opposing edges of the reinforcement member and the holder member, the gap allowing the reinforcement member to move between the first position and the second position, opposing edges of the reinforcement member and the holder member formed with meshable protrusions and recesses.

13. A keyboard comprising:

a key;

a key support mechanism supporting said key for upward and downward movement for switching actuation in an operation condition wherein switching is enabled when in a first position and in a non-operation condition wherein switching is disabled when in a second position;

a sliding member connected to said key support mechanism so that said sliding member and said key support mechanism move in association between the first position and the second position;

a holder member formed with an elongated slot of predetermined size;

a shifting member formed smaller than the elongated slot and disposed in the elongated slot so as to be shiftable in the elongated slot, said shifting member provided in connection with said sliding member so that shifting of said shifting member moves said sliding member between the first position in which said key is operable and the second position in which said key is inoperable; and

an operation member connected to the shifting member, wherein operation of the operation member shifts said shifting member in the elongated slot.

14. A keyboard as claimed in claim 13 wherein said shifting member includes a member provided in the elongated slot so as to extend from one end of the keyboard to another end in a lengthwise direction of the keyboard.

15. A keyboard as claimed in claim 13 wherein said holder member is formed with a recess drawn away from the elongated slot and wherein said shifting member is formed with a protrusion extending toward the recess of said holder member.

16. A keyboard as claimed in claim 15 wherein said holder member is formed with a first notch and a second notch drawn away from the elongated slot and wherein said shifting member is formed with a holding protrusion, the holding protrusion engaging in the first notch while said key support mechanism is in the first position and engaging in the second notch while said key support mechanism is in the second position.

17. A keyboard as claimed in claim 15 wherein:

said key has a key cap;

said key support mechanism supports and guides vertical movement of the key cap and is attached to said holder member;

said sliding member includes a flexible circuit board slidably disposed beneath said holder member and formed with a predetermined circuit pattern including a fixed electrode at a position corresponding to the key support mechanism; and

said shifting member is provided in connection with said flexible circuit board so that shifting of said shifting member slides said flexible circuit board over said support member

and further comprising;

a support member supporting said flexible circuit board; and

a switching member disposed on said circuit board at a position in correspondence with the fixed electrode, said switching member movable with sliding movements of said circuit board between a second position wherein said switching member is shifted aside from said guide support member and a first position wherein said switching member supports said guide support member and wherein depressing the key top lowers said switching member to connect a circuit with the fixed electrode.

18. A keyboard as claimed in claim 17 wherein said holder member is formed with a recess drawn away from the elongated slot and wherein said shifting member is formed with a protrusion extending toward the recess of said holder member.

19. A data processing device comprising:

a keyboard with a key having a key cap;

a support shaft provided on one edge of said keyboard;

a lid provided with a display and pivotable on said support shaft from a closed position, to a predetermined angle, and further to an open position;

a guide support member supporting and guiding vertical movement of the key cap;

a holder member to which said guide support member is attached;

a circuit board slidably disposed beneath said holder member and formed with a predetermined circuit pattern including a fixed electrode at a position corresponding to said guide support;

a switching member disposed on said circuit board at a position in correspondence with the fixed electrode, said switching member movable with sliding movements of said circuit board between a second position, wherein said switching member is shifted aside from said guide support member, and a first position, wherein said switching member supports said guide support member and depressing the key top lowers said switching member to connect a circuit with the fixed electrode;

a support member supporting said circuit board;

follower means in connection with said circuit board so that said follower means and said circuit board slide in association;

drive means connected with said lid so as to operate in association with pivotal movement of said lid, said drive means driving movement of said follower means only while said lid is between the closed position and the predetermined angle, said drive means engaging said follower means while said lid is between the closed position and the predetermined angle so that when said lid is pivoted open from the closed position to the predetermined angle, said circuit board slides over said support member in a predetermined direction, thereby shifting said switching member from the second position to the first position, said drive means and said follower means falling out of engagement when said lid is pivoted open to or greater than the predetermined angle; and

an urging means connected with said follower means and for maintaining said switching means in the first position when said lid is pivoted open to or greater than the predetermined angle.

20. A data processing device as claimed in claim 19 wherein a gap for allowing said switching member to move between the first position and the second position is provided between opposing edges of the reinforcement member and the said holder member, the opposing edges being formed with a meshable protrusion and recess.

21. A data processing device as claimed in claim 19 wherein said drive means includes a member extending from one end of said keyboard to another in a lengthwise direction of the keyboard.

22. A data processing device as claimed in claim 19 wherein said follower means includes a reinforcement member fixed to said circuit board, the reinforcement member having a rack formed on one surface thereof and wherein said drive means includes a partial gear engaged with the rack when the lid is between the closed position and the predetermined angle.

23. A data processing device as claimed in claim 22 wherein a gap for allowing said switching member to move between the first position and the second position is provided between opposing edges of the reinforcement member and the said holder member, the opposing edges being formed with a meshable protrusion and recess.

24. A data processing device as claimed in claim 19 wherein:

said follower means includes;

a reinforcement member fixed to said circuit board; and

a slide member connected with the reinforcement member and formed with a recess; and

wherein

said drive means includes a pawl protruding from the lid, the pawl pivoting in association with the lid and, when the lid is pivoted between the closed condition and the predetermined angle, engaging with the recess so as to slide the slide member.

25. A data processing device as claimed in claim 24 wherein a gap for allowing said switching member to move between the first position and the second position is provided between opposing edges of the reinforcement member and the said holder member, the opposing edges being formed with a meshable protrusion and recess.

26. A data processing device as claimed in claim 24 wherein the urging means is provided between the slide member and the reinforcement member for connecting the slide member and the reinforcement member.