Collapsible keyboard
US6331850A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2223/052
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A collapsible keyboard assembly having, in one embodiment, a plurality of keys each of the plurality of keys having a top portion and a portion of the plurality of keys displaced adjacent one another to form at least one row. A plurality of keys are coupled to a support element which is capable of being extended to a first footprint and is capable of being contracted to a second footprint. Each of the keys includes a key top which is coupled to a key base. Each key top is designed to be pressed by a user. For each key, the key top and key base rotate on a pivot point which couples the key base to the support element. Each key base rotates as the support element is extended and contracted. One embodiment also includes a plurality of scissors linkages, each linkage having a pair of diagonally opposed leg portions coupled to one another, with a portion of the plurality of scissors linkages pivotally coupled to at least one of the keys of the row. The plurality of scissors linkages are adapted to have a first position such that the top portion of each of the keys of the row defines a substantially horizontal plane and a second position such that the top portion of each of the keys of t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.