Input apparatus for wireless communications with a portable computerized apparatus

• US 6,496,365 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2001
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tsai, Huo-Lu
• Original Assignee: Tsai, Huo-Lu
• Inventors: Tsai, Huo-Lu
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash N.
• Application Number:
  US09/833,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20020149908A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679, 361/680, 361/683, 361/724-727, 361/728, 361/796, 361/801, 235/145.R, 235/146, 312/223.1, 312/223.4, 345/168, 345/169
• US Class Current: 361/679.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards

Abstract

An input apparatus is adapted to communicate wirelessly with a portable computerized apparatus that has a wireless communications device. The input apparatus includes a wireless communications unit adapted to establish wireless communication between a keyboard module and the wireless communications device, a computerized apparatus support member coupled to the keyboard module and adapted to support the portable computerized apparatus, and a communications unit support member having a lower section coupled to the keyboard module and an upper section mounted with the wireless communications unit.

Claims

1. An input apparatus adapted to communicate wirelessly with a portable computerized apparatus having top, bottom, left, right and rear portions, the top portion of the portable computerized apparatus being provided with a wireless communications device, said input apparatus comprising:

a keyboard module having front and rear ends, a bottom surface, and a top surface provided with a plurality of keys thereon;

a wireless communications unit coupled electrically to said keyboard module and adapted to establish wireless communication between said keyboard module and the wireless communications device of the portable computerized apparatus;

a computerized apparatus support member coupled to said rear end of said keyboard module and adapted to support the rear and bottom portions of the portable computerized apparatus such that the portable computerized apparatus forms an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to said top surface of said keyboard module; and

a communications unit support member having a lower section coupled to said keyboard module and an upper section mounted with said wireless communications unit, said upper section of said communications unit support member being adapted to extend beyond the top portion of the portable computerized apparatus when the portable computerized apparatus is supported on said computerized apparatus support member so as to dispose said wireless communications unit proximate to the wireless communications device.

2. The input apparatus of claim 1, wherein said computerized apparatus support member includes a first support face adapted to support the rear portion of the portable computerized apparatus, and a second support face adapted to support the bottom portion of the portable computerized apparatus.

3. The input apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a plate member having a rear end connected to said rear end of said keyboard module, a front end opposite to said rear end, an inner surface, and an outer surface opposite to said inner surface, said first support face being formed on said inner surface of said plate member, said second support face being formed on said rear end of said plate member.

4. The input apparatus of claim 3, wherein said rear end of said plate member is connected pivotally to said rear end of said keyboard module such that said plate member is movable relative to said keyboard module between a closed position, where said inner surface of said plate member overlies said top surface of said keyboard module, and an opened position, where said inner surface of said plate member forms the angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to said top surface of said keyboard module.

5. The input apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a stop member provided on said top surface of said keyboard module adjacent to said rear end of said keyboard module, said stop member abutting against said outer surface of said plate member adjacent to said rear end of said plate member for limiting pivoting movement of said plate member at the opened position.

6. The input apparatus of claim 3, wherein said communications unit support member is provided on said plate member.

7. The input apparatus of claim 6, wherein said communications unit support member includes a mounting plate formed with said upper and lower sections, said lower section being mounted on said inner surface of said plate member so as to connect said mounting plate to said keyboard module.

8. The input apparatus of claim 7, wherein said lower section is mounted movably on said plate member such that said mounting plate is movable between a retracted position, where said upper section does not extend beyond said front end of said plate member, and an extended position, where said upper section extends beyond said front end of said plate member.

9. The input apparatus of claim 8, wherein said lower section is mounted pivotally on said plate member such that said mounting plate is pivotable between the retracted and extended positions.

10. The input apparatus of claim 2, further comprising releasable clamping means disposed on said first support face for clamping releasably the left and right portions of the portable computerized apparatus when the portable computerized apparatus is supported by said computerized apparatus support member.

11. The input apparatus of claim 10, wherein said releasable clamping means includes a pair of clamping units, each of which includes:

a shell body mounted on said first support face and cooperating with said first support face to confine a horizontal slide groove and an opening for access into said slide groove, said opening confronting the other one of said clamping units;

a slide body having a first portion slidably retained in said slide groove, and a second portion opposite to said first portion; and

a spring member disposed in said shell body and biasing said slide body such that said second portion extends out of said opening.

12. The input apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of said clamping units further includes a clamping plate connected pivotally to said second portion of said slide body and pivotable between a first state, where said clamping plate lies parallel to said first support face, and a second state, where said clamping plate extends transverse to said first support face.

13. The input apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing unit mounted on said keyboard module to resist overturning of said input apparatus when the portable computerized apparatus is disposed on said computerized apparatus support member.

14. The input apparatus of claim 13, wherein said bottom surface of said keyboard module is formed with a receiving groove that opens to said rear end of said keyboard module, said stabilizing unit including a support frame disposed in said receiving groove and movable between a first position, where said support frame is concealed in said receiving groove, and a second position, where said support frame extends out of said receiving groove and projects relative to said rear end of said keyboard module.

15. The input apparatus of claim 14, wherein said support frame has a pivot end portion coupled pivotally to said keyboard module such that said support frame is pivoted by an angle of substantially 180 degrees from said bottom surface of said keyboard module when moved from the first position to the second position.