Configuration for a computer input device

• US 5,818,360 A
• Filed: 04/28/1997
• Issued: 10/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acer, Inc., Wistron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Acer, Inc.
• Inventors: Fiore, Michele, Chu, Chou-Ming
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US08/845,772
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/20, 364/708.1, 364/709.12, 364/189, 345/168, 345/169, 361/680, 361/683, 400/472, 400/488, 400/489, 400/682, 400/715, 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/118.5
• 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 1/1667 Arrangements for adjusting the tilt angle of the integrated keyboard independently from the main body adjusting the tilt angle integrally with the main body G06F1/166

Abstract

This invention discloses an ergonomically designed keyboard which alleviates carpal tunnel syndrome. It comprises a keyboard and a tilting mechanism which tilts the keyboard so that the keys proximate to the user become elevated relative to the keys farther away from the user; that is, the keyboard slopes downwards away from the user. The tilting mechanism allows automatic keyboard tilting upon opening a notebook computer'"'"'s screen lid, and also manual angular adjustment of the keyboard to fit the user'"'"'s needs.

Claims

1. A data input device, comprising:

a keyboard having a surface and a plurality of keys disposed thereon, said plurality of keys including a space bar key;

a supporting member coupled to said keyboard for supporting said keyboard in a tilted position so that the portion of said surface containing said space bar key is at an elevated position relative to at least one of said plurality of keys, said supporting member having first and second ends, the first end pivotally coupled to said keyboard;

a pair of overlapping arms having a first arm pivotally coupled to the end of said keyboard farther away from said space bar key, a second arm pivotally coupled to the second end of said supporting member, and a locking means for locking said first arm and said second arm into one of a plurality of predetermined overlapping lengths;

wherein said keyboard, said supporting member, and said pair of overlapping arms form a triangular shape when said keyboard is tilted, and by configuring the length of overlap between said first arm and said second arm, said keyboard is tilted at one of a plurality of predetermined tilting angles.

2. A key-in apparatus for a portable computer, comprising:

a housing having a support surface, an edge and a lid pivotally attached thereto, said lid being movable between an open position and a closed position, said support surface having a distal end and a proximal end;

a keyboard being contained in said housing, and having a distal end and a proximal end;

linking means, coupled to said lid and to the distal end of said keyboard, for linking movement of said lid with said keyboard, pushing said keyboard in a direction away from said edge when said lid is moved to the open position;

a palm rest pivotally coupled to the proximal end of said keyboard and said support surface;

whereby said keyboard and said palm rest moves between a position wherein said keyboard and said palm rest is substantially parallel to said support surface when said lid is moved to the closed position, and a position wherein said keyboard is inclined downwards towards the distal end of said support surface and said palm rest is inclined downwards towards the proximal end of said support surface when said lid is moved to the open position.

3. The key-in apparatus of claim 2, wherein said lid comprises a display screen.

4. The key-in apparatus of claim 2, wherein said linking means comprises:

pinion means rotationally responsive to the pivotal movement of said lid between said closed position and said open position;

a rack rail coupled to said pinion and to said keyboard;

wherein rotation of said pinion means translates the pivotal movement of said lid to a translational movement of said rack rail, thereby causing said keyboard, in cooperation with said palm rest, to be inclined downwards towards the portion of said support surface proximate to said edge when said lid is moved to the open position.

5. The key-in apparatus of claim 4, further comprising coupling means for coupling said keyboard to said rack rail thereby linking the movement of said keyboard with said rack rail.

6. The key-in apparatus of claim 4, further comprising disabling means for decoupling said keyboard from said rack rail, thereby de-linking the movement of said keyboard from said rack rail.

7. The key-in apparatus of claim 6, wherein said coupling means comprises a dowel inserted between a hole disposed in said keyboard at the distal end of said keyboard and a hole disposed in said rack rail.

8. The key-in apparatus of claim 7, wherein said disabling means comprises:

a peg inserted in said hole disposed in said keyboard, said peg movable between a first position and a second position within said hole;

a spring disposed between one end of said dowel and said rack rail, whereby said dowel is movable between a first position wherein said dowel is coupled to said keyboard when said spring is substantially relaxed, and a second position wherein said dowel is decoupled from said keyboard when said spring is compressed;

wherein said dowel is. substantially within said hole in said keyboard when said peg is in said first position, and said dowel is forcibly moved by said peg against said spring when said peg is in said second position thereby being removed from said hole in said keyboard, thereby decoupling said keyboard from said rack rail.

9. An input device for a user to input data and control signals in a portable computing system, comprising:

a keyboard having a plurality of keys, comprising a proximal part being closer to the user, and a distal part being relatively farther from the user;

a base, having guiding means for slidably receiving the distal part of said keyboard, said guiding means having a plurality of indents for stopping said keyboard at a plurality of predetermined locations on said guiding means;

a palm rest, having first and second ends, the first end pivotally coupled to the proximal part of said keyboard, the second end pivotally coupled to said base;

whereby said distal part of said keyboard upon being moved along said guiding means in a direction towards the user, said palm rest and said keyboard arch upward from said base, wherein said palm rest slopes upwards and said keyboard slopes downwards from the user.

10. The input device of claim 9, wherein said tilting means further comprises a push bar adjacent to the distal end of said keyboard for forcibly moving the distal end of said keyboard towards the user, the ends of said push bar having stoppers disposed thereon, said stoppers being coupled to a pair of said plurality of indents for securing said keyboard at one of a plurality of predetermined positions so as to tilt said keyboard at one of a plurality of predetermined tilting angles.

11. A keyboard input apparatus for use in a portable musical instrument, comprising:

a housing having a support surface, an edge and a lid pivotally attached thereto, said lid being movable between a closed position where said lid is substantially parallel to said support surface, and an open position where said lid is at a substantial angle relative to said support surface;

a musical keyboard being contained in said housing, said musical keyboard having a distal end and a proximal end;

linking means, coupled to said lid and to the distal end of said musical keyboard, for linking movement of said lid with said musical keyboard;

a palm rest pivotally coupled to the proximal end of said musical keyboard and said support surface;

whereby said musical keyboard and said palm rest moves between a position wherein said musical keyboard and said palm rest is substantially parallel to said support surface when said lid is moved to the closed position, and a position wherein said keyboard is inclined downwards towards the distal end of said support surface and said palm rest is inclined downwards towards the proximal end of said support surface when said lid is moved to the open position.