Computer keyboard

• US 7,815,381 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Tritschler, Keith, Monney, Patrick, Tabasso, Alain, Merminod, Antoine
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, ANTHONY H
• Application Number:
  US11/497,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20090047053A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,540 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 400/479
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0208 Arrangements for adjusting the tilt angle of a keyboard, e.g. pivoting legs for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1667
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer keyboard having user-manipulable components for multi-media applications and additional computer interface and control purposes that are desirably designed for ease of manufacturing and cost effectiveness. A preformed roller module has a small top cover and base forming an enclosure to hold the entire roller mechanism, including the electronic components. The roller module is then attached to the keyboard. A volume control dial is provided for audio volume control. The dial desirably is also preformed and then attached to the keyboard. Keyboard feet may be provided on the rear edge of the keyboard for tilting the keyboard without taking up space at the bottom of the keyboard, so that the keyboard height profile can be kept low. An opaque keyboard frame may be placed over the key mechanisms of the keys to hide them from sight, and a translucent top case may be placed over the opaque keyboard frame. The keys protrude through openings of the opaque keyboard frame and the translucent top case.

Claims

1. A keyboard comprising:

at least one keyboard foot coupled to a backside of the keyboard and being movable between an inclined position with the keyboard foot extending downward from the backside with a portion of the keyboard foot below a bottom of the keyboard and another portion of the keyboard foot above a bottom of the keyboard and a neutral position with a whole of the keyboard foot disposed adjacent to the backside above the bottom of the keyboard.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising a hinge configured to rotatably couple the keyboard foot to the backside so that the keyboard foot is rotatable between the inclined position and the neutral position.

3. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the keyboard foot wholly folds onto the backside of the keyboard in the neutral position.

4. The keyboard of claim 1 comprising a plurality of keyboard feet.