Keyboard with belt clip attachment and height adjustment

• US 6,384,810 B1
• Filed: 04/09/1999
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Selker, Edwin Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chanh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alphonse, Fritz
• Application Number:
  US09/288,669
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/162, 345/169, 345/156, 224/257, 224/625, 108/147, 248/166, 211/4
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

A keyboard or keypad or other electronic assembly is adjustably suspended from an individual at waist-level and extends to a position which is comfortable and ergonomic for operation by a standing operator. Height adjustment of the keyboard assembly is provided by a band of semi-stiff material which attaches at one end to an individual'"'"'s belt and attaches at the other end to a rotatable take-up roller located within the keyboard assembly; and two fold-out legs with a flexible strap stretched between them create a thigh stand-off assembly to angle the input device for better viewing during use. Extension and retraction of the band from the take-up roller, by manual operation, allows varying the height of the keyboard assembly according to to each individual'"'"'s bodily requirements.

Claims

1. A height adjustable electronic device attachable to a user while standing comprising:

an electronic device housing;

a retracting mechanism located within said electronic housing;

a flexible substrate having-a first and second end, said first end attached to said retracting mechanism;

a tensioning mechanism to provide resistance to coiling of said flexible substrate;

a user attachment mechanism, said flexible substrate second end attached thereto, and

wherein said electronic device is connected to a user by said user attachment mechanism and the height of said electronic device is adjusted by the coiling and uncoiling of said flexible substrate from said retracting mechanism.

2. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 1,

wherein said tensioning mechanism comprises a plurality of adjustable pressure plates.

3. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 2,

wherein said adjustable pressure plates are user adjustable.

4. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 1,

wherein said flexible substrate is comprised of any of TYVEK®

, buckram or non-memory prone plastic materials.

5. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 1,

wherein said flexible substrate further comprises conducting paths encapsulated essentially therein.

6. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 5,

wherein said conducting paths provide electronic communications externally to said electronic housing.

7. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 1,

wherein said electronic housing further comprises one or more support legs.

8. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 7,

wherein said support legs comprise two support legs with a flexible support connector therebetween.

9. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 7,

wherein said support legs are connected with electronic housing by hinges.

10. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 7,

wherein said one or more support legs comprise two support legs with a flexible connector therebetween and said electronic housing includes a recess to receive said two support legs and flexible support connector in a folded non-use position.

11. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 1,

wherein said user attachment mechanism comprises a belt clip.

12. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 11,

wherein said belt clip comprises a polycarbonate material.

13. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 1,

wherein said retracting mechanism comprises at least an elongated cylinder, spring, and retaining element.

14. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 1,

wherein said retracting mechanism comprises at least an elongated cylinder, ratchet and pawl elements.

15. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 1,

wherein said electronic housing further comprises a display area.

16. A height adjustable electronic device as per claim 15,

wherein said display area is extended at an angle with respect to said electronic housing.

17. A height adjustable support attachable to a user while standing comprising:

a support housing;

a retracting mechanism located within said support housing;

a flexible substrate having a first and second end, said first end attached to said retracting mechanism;

a tensioning mechanism to provide resistance to coiling of said flexible substrate;

a user attachment mechanism, said flexible substrate second end attached thereto, and

wherein said support is connected to a user by said user attachment mechanism and the height of said support is adjusted by the coiling and uncoiling of said flexible substrate from said retracting mechanism.

18. A height adjustable support as per claim 17,

wherein said tensioning mechanism comprises a plurality of adjustable pressure plates.

19. A height adjustable support as per claim 18,

wherein said adjustable pressure plates are user adjustable.

20. A height adjustable support as per claim 17,

wherein said flexible substrate is comprised of any of TYVEK®

, buckram or non-memory prone plastic materials.

21. A height adjustable support as per claim 17,

wherein said flexible substrate further comprises conducting paths encapsulated essentially therein.

22. A height adjustable support as per claim 21,

wherein said conducting paths provide electronic communications externally to said support housing.

23. A height adjustable support as per claim 17,

wherein said support housing further comprises one or more support legs.

24. A height adjustable support as per claim 23,

wherein said support legs comprise two support legs with a flexible support connector therebetween.

25. A height adjustable support as per claim 23,

wherein said support legs are connected with electronic housing by hinges.

26. A height adjustable support as per claim 23,

wherein said one or more support legs comprise two support legs with a flexible connector therebetween and said support housing includes a recess to receive said two support legs and flexible support connector in a folded non-use position.

27. A height adjustable support as per claim 17,

wherein said user attachment mechanism comprises a belt clip.

28. A height adjustable support as per claim 27,

wherein said belt clip comprises a polycarbonate material.

29. A height adjustable support as per claim 17,

wherein said retracting mechanism comprises at least an elongated cylinder, spring, and retaining element.

30. A height adjustable support as per claim 17,

wherein said retracting mechanism comprises at least an elongated cylinder, ratchet and pawl elements.

31. A height adjustable support as per claim 17,

wherein said support retains an electronic device.

32. A height adjustable support as per claim 31,

wherein said electronic device further comprises a display area.

33. A height adjustable support as per claim 32,

wherein said display area is extended at an angle with respect to said electronic device.

34. A height adjustable support as per claim 17,

wherein said electronic device comprises any of a keyboard, portable computer, data input device.

35. A height adjustable electronic device attachable to a user while standing comprising:

an electronic device housing;

a retracting mechanism located within said electronic housing;

a flexible substrate having a first and second end, said first end attached to said retracting mechanism;

a user attachment mechanism including a belt attachment, said flexible substrate second end attached to said belt attachment, and

wherein said electronic device is connected to a user by said user attachment mechanism and the height of said electronic device is adjusted by the coiling and uncoiling of said flexible substrate from said retracting mechanism.

36. A height adjustable support attachable to a user while standing comprising:

a support housing;

a retracting mechanism located within said support housing;

a flexible substrate having a first and second end, said first end attached to said retracting mechanism;

a user attachment mechanism including a belt attachment, said flexible substrate second end attached to said belt attachment, and

wherein said support is connected to a user by said user attachment mechanism and the height of said support is adjusted by the coiling and uncoiling of said flexible substrate from said retracting mechanism.