Keyboard with biased movable keyboard sections
US5659307A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2223/052
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A keyboard assembly for a computer with movable keyboard pallets. The pallets are movable relative to each other between a compact stowing position and an extended operational position. A movement mechanism moves at least one of the pallets in a lateral direction relative to the other pallet and then towards the other pallet in a direction orthogonal to the lateral direction. The movement mechanism can be connected to the cover of the computer to automatically control movement of the pallets based upon position of the cover relative to a base of the computer. Thus, the pallets can be automatically moved from the compact stowing position, when the cover is closed, to the extended operational position when the cover is opened. Upon moving the cover from the open position to the closed position, the pallets are automatically moved from the extended operational position to the compact stowing position. The movement mechanism includes a drive arm with a spring section. The spring section allows the pallets to be biased toward each other in their stowing position. The spring section is preloaded such that it does not function as a spring until a predetermined force is applied to the spri…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.