Portable computer keyboard
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keyboard configurable for typing in one of three different selectable keyboard configurations, the keyboard comprising:
- a base having opposed first and second sides and an end extending between the sides, a first keypad, a second keypad, and a third keypad, each keypad comprising a plurality of keys;
a first connection mounting the first and second keypads on the first side of the base, the first connection selectively positioning the first and second keypads in first and second operating positions on the first side of the base, the first keypad facing away from the first side of the base in the first operating position for typing on said first keypad, the second keypad facing away from the first side of the base when in the second operating position for typing on said second keypad;
a second connection mounting the third keypad to the base, the second connection selectively positioning the third keypad in third and fourth operating positions with respect to the base, the third keypad on the second side of the base and facing away from the base when in the third operating position and adjacent the end of the base and facing the same direction as the first side of the base when in the fourth operating position;
wherein the keyboard can be placed in a first keyboard configuration with the first and second keypads in the first operating position and the third keypad in the third operating position so that the keyboard can be held between opposed right and left hands of a user for typing on the first and third keypads with said opposed hands;
wherein the keyboard can be placed in a second keyboard configuration with the first and second keypads in the first operating position and the third keypad in its fourth operating position for typing with both hands of a user on the same side of the keyboard; and
wherein the keyboard can be placed in a third keyboard configuration with the first and second keypads in the second operating position for typing on the said second keypad by a user.
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Abstract
A portable keyboard enables full QWERTY touch typing with both hands or full QWERTY typing with one hand without external support. The keyboard includes a number of keypads that are selectively positionable to configure the keyboard in different keyboard configurations for use.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A keyboard configurable for typing in one of three different selectable keyboard configurations, the keyboard comprising:
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a base having opposed first and second sides and an end extending between the sides, a first keypad, a second keypad, and a third keypad, each keypad comprising a plurality of keys; a first connection mounting the first and second keypads on the first side of the base, the first connection selectively positioning the first and second keypads in first and second operating positions on the first side of the base, the first keypad facing away from the first side of the base in the first operating position for typing on said first keypad, the second keypad facing away from the first side of the base when in the second operating position for typing on said second keypad; a second connection mounting the third keypad to the base, the second connection selectively positioning the third keypad in third and fourth operating positions with respect to the base, the third keypad on the second side of the base and facing away from the base when in the third operating position and adjacent the end of the base and facing the same direction as the first side of the base when in the fourth operating position; wherein the keyboard can be placed in a first keyboard configuration with the first and second keypads in the first operating position and the third keypad in the third operating position so that the keyboard can be held between opposed right and left hands of a user for typing on the first and third keypads with said opposed hands; wherein the keyboard can be placed in a second keyboard configuration with the first and second keypads in the first operating position and the third keypad in its fourth operating position for typing with both hands of a user on the same side of the keyboard; and wherein the keyboard can be placed in a third keyboard configuration with the first and second keypads in the second operating position for typing on the said second keypad by a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A keyboard selectively configurable for typing in at least two different keyboard configurations, the keyboard comprising:
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a base having opposed sides, first and second keypads attached to the base, each keypad comprising a plurality of keys; a connection movably attaching the first and second keypads to the base, the connection comprising a panel pivotally mounted to the base for movement about a first axis and rotationally mounted to the base to rotate the panel about a second axis transverse to the first axis, the first and second keypads located on opposite sides of the panel, the panel movable with respect to the base between first and second mutually exclusive operating positions, the operating positions representing respective first and second keyboard configurations, the first keypad facing away from one side of the base for typing on said first keypad when in the first operating position and the second keypad facing away from the one side of the base for typing on said second keypad when in the second operating position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 19)
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18. A keyboard selectively configurable for typing in at least two different keyboard configurations, the keyboard comprising:
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a base having opposed sides, first and second keypads attached to the base, each keypad comprising a plurality of keys; a connection movably attaching the first and second keypads to the base, the first and second keypads movable with respect to the base between first and second mutually exclusive operating positions, the operating positions representing respective first and second keyboard configurations, the first keypad facing away from one side of the base for typing on said first keypad when in the first operating position and the second keypad facing away from the one side of the base for typing on said second keypad when in the second operating position; wherein the keys of the first keypad are spaced at a first pitch and the keys of the second are spaced at a second pitch different from the first pitch.
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20. A keyboard selectively configurable for typing in at least two different keyboard configurations, the keyboard comprising:
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a base having opposed sides, first and second keypads attached to the base, each keypad comprising a plurality of keys; a connection movably attaching the first and second keypads to the base, the first and second keypads movable with respect to the base between first and second mutually exclusive operating positions, the operating positions representing respective first and second keyboard configurations, the first keypad facing away from one side of the base for typing on said first keypad when in the first operating position and the second keypad facing away from the one side of the base for typing on said second keypad when in the second operating position; wherein the base comprises a recess that receives the inoperative keypad when the keypads are in the first or second operating positions.
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Specification