Selectively attachable keyboard bracket and lockable holder for a handheld computer
US5708560A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S248/918
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device (10) adding keyboard input to a handheld computer (12) lacking such input (such as pen computers and personal digital assistants) includes a bracket (30) having a plurality of clips (33) removably carrying the handheld computer (12), and a joint (40) secured to the keyboard (11) and the bracket (30) for positioning the keyboard (11) in a plurality of orientations relative to the handheld computer (12). These orientations include a first orientation in which the keyboard (11) is operable and at a preselected viewing angle from a display (14) that is pan of the handheld computer (12), a second orientation adjacent the display (14) in which the keyboard (11) substantially covers the display (14), and a third orientation proximate the handheld computer (12) in which the display (14) is unobstructed, thereby facilitating pen-based input through the display (14). A locking slide (51) carried in a recess (52) is selectively extended by the user to pass through a plurality of slots (53, 54 and 55) in joint (40) to secure the keyboard (11) and handheld computer (12) in the first and operational orientation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.