Expandable keyboard including flexible flat cable conductors

• US 6,092,944 A
• Filed: 06/02/1999
• Issued: 07/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert B. Butler
• Original Assignee: Robert B. Butler
• Inventors: Butler, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hilten, John S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Colilla, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US09/324,102
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 400/489, 400/492, 341/22, 361/680, 345/168
• US Class Current: 400/492
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/16 Mounting or connecting key buttons on or to key levers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• 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: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 reductible in size, e.g. for transportation

Abstract

An alphanumeric keyboard whose keys are mounted on a scissor-linkage and have interlocking sides that allow said keyboard to contract to a width that is considerably less than the width of a standard desktop computer keyboard and which is operable when open or closed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for inputting data into a computer or other electronic device which includes a keyboard with several rows of electrically activated alphanumeric and operational keys in which each key in said rows has a somewhat rectangular shape except an elongate spacebar, in which

(a) said somewhat rectangular keys are arranged on a laterally flexible assembly that enables said keys to expand or contract in a direction toward their sides, in which the maximum expansion or open position of said keys has the same spacing as the keys on a standard-sized computer keyboard and the minimum contraction or closed position of said keys is substantially less, in which said laterally flexible assembly includes

(1) a plurality of essentially planar and parallel upper bars, each of which supports a plurality of keys on its top and contains electrical conductors that extend from said keys to each adjacent upper bar in said laterally flexible assembly toward one upper bar from where said conductors enter said computer or other electronic device;

as well as

(2) a plurality of essentially planar and parallel lower bars located in a plane below said upper bars;

as well as

(3) a plurality of connectors that hold together said upper and lower bars along their backs, centers, and fronts so that said upper bars can move laterally against said lower bars and vice versa in a way that enables said keys on said upper bars to open and close; and

(b) said keys have interlocking sides which enable the centers of two adjacent keys to be nearer together when they are closed than if said keys had straight sides; and

(c) the elongate spacebar is located separately from said laterally flexible assembly so that when the other keys open and close said spacebar remains laterally stationary;

whereby when said keyboard is open said keys have the same spacing as the keys on a standard keyboard and are electrically operable, and when said keyboard is closed said keys interlock and are also electrically operable, and

whereby when said keyboard is open one can type at full speed on a full-size keyboard mounted on a very small computer, and when said keyboard is closed one can type on the same computer while standing, walking, or otherwise engaging in numerous mobile activities.

2. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 in which said keys rotate when said keyboard opens and closes so that two interlocking keys can have symmetrical sides.

3. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 which includes a connector that holds a small area of said keyboard to an underlying surface while allowing all other areas of said keyboard to move laterally above said underlying surface.

4. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 which has guides on its underside that articulate said keyboard'"'"'s open and closed positions on said underlying surface.

5. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 4 in which said guides on the underside of said keyboard articulate an intermediate position of said keyboard between said open and closed positions.

6. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 which includes supports that hold up said keyboard'"'"'s outermost keys that project beyond the sides of said underlying surface when said keyboard is in open position.

7. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 6 in which each of said supports has a slidable shaft and a contiguous post, in which part of said shaft remains in the computer and part of said post connects to said keyboard'"'"'s underside and holds up a portion of said keyboard'"'"'s outermost keys.

8. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 6 in which each of said supports has a leg whose bottom rests on the plane on which said computer rests and whose top connects to said keyboard'"'"'s underside and holds up a portion of said keyboard'"'"'s outermost keys.

9. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 that includes a handle projecting from each side of said keyboard which facilitates the opening or closing of said keyboard.

10. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 that includes a plurality of flexible flat cables, each of which conducts electricity from an upper bar to an adjacent upper bar and/or from one upper bar to said computer or other electronic device whether said keyboard is open or closed.

11. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 10 wherein said flexible flat cables of said apparatus include folds that enable said cable to lengthen or shorten so that said cable conducts electricity whether it is lengthened or shortened.

12. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 that includes a plurality of conductors that conduct electricity via wireless or infrared means from an upper bar to an adjacent upper bar and/or from one upper bar to said computer or other electronic device whether said keyboard is open or closed.

13. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 in which said upper bars have a width that is greater than the minimum width of said indented keys and sides which abut the sides of adjacent upper bars when said keyboard is closed, so that said widths combined with said abutting sides keep said indented sides of any adjacent keys from touching each other when said keyboard is closed.

14. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 in which said lower bars have hooks on both sides that enable said hooks on the nearest sides of adjacent bars to interlock in a manner that determines the proper spacing between said keys when said keyboard is open.

15. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 in which a plurality of slotted mechanisms are slidably connected to the undersides of said lower bars, so that when said keyboard is opened a series of connectors in said slotted mechanisms slide until they stop in a manner that determines the proper spacing between said keys when said keyboard is open.

16. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 which includes a handle mechanism contiguous to the spacebar that urges said spacebar upward to facilitate the opening and closing of said keyboard and/or urges said spacebar downward to hold said keyboard secure when it is open or closed.

17. The apparatus for inputting data according to claim 1 which includes a mechanism under the spacebar that urges said spacebar upward to facilitate the opening and closing of said keyboard and/or urges said spacebar downward to its normal position before it is used.

18. A method further including the steps of inputting data into a computer or other electronic device which includes a keyboard with several rows of electrically activated alphanumeric and operational keys in which each key in said rows has a somewhat rectangular shape except an elongate spacebar, comprising

(a) arranging said somewhat rectangular keys on a laterally flexible assembly that enables said keys to expand or contract toward their sides, in which the maximum expansion or open position of said keys has the same spacing as the keys on a standard-sized computer keyboard and the minimum contraction or closed position of said keys is substantially less, in which said laterally flexible assembly includes

(1) a plurality of essentially planar and parallel upper bars, each of which supports a plurality of keys on its top and contains electrical conductors that extend from said keys to each adjacent upper bar in said laterally flexible assembly toward one upper bar from where said conductors enter said computer or other electronic device;

as well as

(2) a plurality of essentially planar and parallel lower bars located in a plane below said upper bars;

as well as

(3) a plurality of connectors that hold together said upper and lower bars along their backs, centers, and fronts so said upper bars can move laterally against said lower bars and vice versa in a way that enables said keys on said upper bars to open and close; and

(b) providing said keys with interlocking sides that enable the centers of two adjacent keys to be nearer together when they are closed than if said keys had straight sides; and

(c) providing said elongate spacebar with a separate location from said laterally flexible assembly so that when the other keys open and close said spacebar remains laterally stationary;

whereby when said keyboard is open said keys have the same spacing as the keys on a standard keyboard and are electrically operable, and when said keyboard is closed said keys interlock and are also electrically operable, and

whereby when said keyboard is open one can type at full speed on a full-size keyboard mounted on a very small computer, and when said keyboard is closed one can type on the same computer while standing, walking, or otherwise engaging in numerous mobile activities.

19. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of providing keys that rotate when said keyboard opens and closes so that two interlocking keys can have symmetrical sides.

20. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of providing a connector that holds a small area of said keyboard to an underlying surface while allowing all other areas of said keyboard to move laterally above said underlying surface.

21. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of providing guides on the underside of said keyboard that articulate said keyboard'"'"'s open and closed positions on said underlying surface.

22. A method according to claim 21 further including the step of providing guides on the underside of said keyboard that articulate an intermediate position of said keyboard between said open and closed positions.

23. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of providing supports that hold up said keyboard'"'"'s outermost keys that project beyond the sides of said underlying surface when said keyboard is in open position.

24. A method according to claim 23 further including the step of providing each of said supports with a slidable shaft and a contiguous post, in which part of said shaft remains in the computer and part of said post connects to said keyboard'"'"'s underside and holds up a portion of said keyboard'"'"'s outermost keys.

25. A method according to claim 23 further including the step of providing each of said supports with a leg whose bottom rests on the plane on which said computer rests and whose top connects to said keyboard'"'"'s underside and holds up a portion of said keyboard'"'"'s outermost keys.

26. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of providing a handle that projects from each side of said keyboard which facilitates the opening or closing of said keyboard.

27. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of providing a plurality of flexible flat cables, each of which conducts electricity from an upper bar to an adjacent upper bar and/or from one upper bar to said computer or other electronic device whether said keyboard is open or closed.

28. A method according to claim 27 further including the step of providing each flexible flat cable with folds that enable said cable to lengthen or shorten so that it conducts electricity whether it is lengthened or shortened.

29. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of conducting electricity via wireless or infrared means from an upper bar to an adjacent upper bar and/or from one upper bar to said computer or other electronic device whether said keyboard is open or closed.

30. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of providing said upper bars with a width that is greater than the minimum width of said indented keys and sides which abut the sides of adjacent upper bars when said keyboard is closed, so that said widths combined with said abutting sides keep said indented sides of any adjacent keys from touching each other when said keyboard is closed.

31. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of providing said lower bars with hooks on both sides that enable said hooks on the nearest sides of adjacent bars to interlock in a manner that determines the proper spacing between said keys when said keyboard is open.

32. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of providing a series of slotted mechanisms which are slidably connected to the undersides of said lower bars, so that when said keyboard is opened a series of connectors in said slotted mechanisms slide until they stop in a manner that determines the proper spacing between said keys when said keyboard is open.

33. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of providing a handle mechanism contiguous to the spacebar that urges said spacebar upward to facilitate the opening and closing of said keyboard and/or urges said spacebar downward to hold said keyboard secure when it is open or closed.

34. A method according to claim 18 further including the step of providing a mechanism under the spacebar that urges said spacebar upward to facilitate the opening and closing of said keyboard and/or urges said spacebar downward to its normal position before it is used.