Collapsible portable computer keyboard with resilient preload key stabilization
First Claim
1. Collapsible keyboard apparatus comprising:
- a support structure;
a series of key structures carried on said support structure for movement relative thereto between extended and retracted positions; and
a key shifting and preload structure operative to move said key structures from said retracted positions to said extended positions, partially retract said key structures from said extended positions to operating positions from which said key structures may be manually depressed to said retracted positions, restrain the partially retracted key structures against movement thereof to said extended positions, and exert on the restrained key structures a preload force resiliently urging them toward said extended positions.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A notebook computer is provided with a collapsible keyboard structure having keys supported on scissored linkage arm assemblies. In response to closing of the computer lid, key return spring portions of the keyboard are shifted away from their normal underlying relationships with the keys, and the scissored linkage arm assemblies and keys are forcibly retracted to storage and transport orientations. When the lid is subsequently opened, the key return spring portions, and a specially designed key preload member, are shifted relative to the retracted keys through an elevation stroke. During an initial portion of the elevation stroke, the key return spring portions engage the retracted keys and move them to extended positions in which the spring portions underlie the extended keys. In response to completion of the elevation stroke, the key preload member engages the extended keys and partially retracts them to a resiliently preloaded operating positions in which they partially compress their underlying spring members which substantially preclude the keys from wobbling and rattling in their ready-to-use operating positions.
84 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. Collapsible keyboard apparatus comprising:
-
a support structure; a series of key structures carried on said support structure for movement relative thereto between extended and retracted positions; and a key shifting and preload structure operative to move said key structures from said retracted positions to said extended positions, partially retract said key structures from said extended positions to operating positions from which said key structures may be manually depressed to said retracted positions, restrain the partially retracted key structures against movement thereof to said extended positions, and exert on the restrained key structures a preload force resiliently urging them toward said extended positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. Collapsible keyboard apparatus comprising:
-
a support structure; a series of key structures carried on said support structure for movement relative thereto between extended and retracted positions; and key positioning means, including a series of resilient key return members and being supported in a manner permitting a relative shifting between said support structure and said key positioning means through an elevation stroke, for sequentially; (1) causing said key return members to engage said key structures and move them from said retracted positions to said extended positions in response to a relative shifting between said support structure and said key positioning means through an initial portion of said elevation stroke, and (2) partially retracting said key structures from said extended positions to resiliently preloaded operating positions, in which said key structures partially compress said resilient key return members, in response to a relative shifting between said support structure and said key positioning means through a final portion of said elevation stroke. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 27, 28)
-
-
13. For use in conjunction with a collapsible keyboard having a series of key structures movable between extended and retracted positions, a method of readying the keyboard for use when the key structures are in their retracted positions, said method comprising the steps of:
-
moving the key structures from their retracted positions to their extended positions; partially retracting the key structures from their extended positions to operating positions from which the key structures may be depressed to their retracted positions; restraining the partially retracted key structures against movement thereof to their extended positions; and exerting on the restrained key structures a preload force that resiliently urges them toward their extended positions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
-
-
16. A portable computer comprising:
-
a base housing; and a collapsible keyboard carried on said base housing and including; a support structure, a series of key structures carried on said support structure for movement relative thereto between extended and retracted positions, and a key shifting and preload structure operative to move said key structures from said retracted positions to said extended positions, partially retract said key structures from said extended positions to operating positions from which said key structures may be manually depressed to said retracted positions, restrain the partially retracted key structures against movement thereof to said extended positions, and exert on the restrained key structures a preload force resiliently urging them toward said extended positions. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
-
19. A portable computer comprising:
-
a base housing; and a collapsible keyboard carried on said base housing and including; a support structure; a series of key structures carried on said support structure for movement relative thereto between extended and retracted positions; and key positioning means, including a series of resilient key return members and being supported in a manner permitting a relative shifting between said support structure and said key positioning means through an elevation stroke, for sequentially; (1) causing said key return members to engage said key structures and move them from said retracted positions to said extended positions in response to a relative shifting between said support structure and said key positioning means through an initial portion of said elevation stroke, and (2) partially retracting said key structures from said extended positions to resiliently preloaded operating positions, in which said key structures partially compress said resilient key return members, in response to a relative shifting between said support structure and said key positioning means through a final portion of said elevation stroke. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification