An expandable keyboard in accordance with the present invention provides a full-size or expanded keyboard for typing which folds to minimize size during transport or storage, and can be converted to substantially twice its folded length for use. Its use of sliding segments permits a straight hinge line for folding. Its operating mechanism supports a large number of electrical interconnections between the hinged wing section or sections and the central platform, and provides for straight-line engagement as well as environmental and ESD protection of the mating electrical connectors. It permits the operation of removable modules such as PCMCIA cards or fixed circuitry such as speakers or keypads in the wing section or sections in both their open and closed positions. It includes a central keyboard assembly and a first assembly comprising a first segment and a first wing. The central keyboard assembly includes one or more keys and a platform. The first wing is pivotally connected along one side to one side of the platform about a first axis and is pivotable to a closed position where the first wing rests substantially on the platform and to an open position where the first wing provides an extension of the platform. The first segment is slidably connected to the first wing and is moveable to a first position which exposes the first axis and permits the first wing to pivot about the first axis and to a second position which covers the first axis and substantially prevents the first wing from pivoting about the first axis. The expandable keyboard may also include a second assembly comprising a second segment and a second wing, pivotally connected along one side of the platform about a second axis, which operates in the same manner as the first wing.
A remote controller is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a monitor or TV as well as providing functions such as Internet access or other functions requiring a keyboard and/or a mouse. The remote controller includes a folding housing and maybe operated in a closed or opened configuration. A first limited set of control inputs are provided on the outer surface of the housing. The housing may be opened, thereby doubling the surface area of the remote controller, to expose a keyboard and mouse type multi-directional controller. First and second wireless transmitters are oriented at 90 degrees to each other and respectively controlled by the first set of control inputs and the keyboard and mouse. The remote controller may be conveniently held in one hand of a user when in the folded or closed position and conveniently rested on the lap of the user or arm of a sofa when in the opened position and used as a keyboard.
A keyboard device, in which the rotation of a cover to a closed position is transferred to racks via pawls attached to the shaft of the cover. The force applied by the pawls forces the racks to slide in the direction E and causes cam gears to rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Cam grooves in the cam gears also move in the rotated direction of the cam gears, forcing operating pins engaged in the cam grooves to slide from a first engaging position to a second engaging position. While the operating pins slide relative to the cam grooves, sliding of a circuit board orthogonal to the direction C is corrected by the engaged condition of guide slots and guide pins. Therefore, the operating pins are pressed against the supporting shaft sides of the cam grooves and slid in the C direction, relative to the cam grooves, to the second engaging position. Accordingly, a reinforcer on which the operating pin is fixed and the circuit board are slid in the direction C.
A keyboard is severed along a boundary line between adjacent keytops located generally in the center of the length into keyboard parts (2, 3). An elongated cover plate (11) is pivotally attached on one side edge thereof to the lower portion of the severed face of one (2) of the divided keyboard parts, the cover plate (11) having opposed brackets (12) bent and extending in the same direction from the opposite ends thereof and opposed slide pins (19) provided one on each of the brackets toward the other side edge of the cover plate opposite from the severed face, the slide pins (19) being slidably received in corresponding elongated grooves (16) formed in the front and rear outside surfaces of the other divided keyboard part (3), and pins (17, 18) provided on the front and rear side panels of each of the divided keyboard parts being slidably and loosely fitted in elongated slots in moving links (13).
A collapsible keyboard. The collapsible keyboard includes a keyboard chassis, a right track frame, a right key set and a main key set. The right track frame is disposed on the keyboard chassis and slides rightward and leftward. The right track frame has a first sloped sliding groove. The left portion of the first sloped sliding groove is higher than the right portion of the first sloped sliding groove. The right key set is connected to the right track frame. The right track frame is moved rightward to a right expansion position when the right key set moves rightward. The right track frame is moved leftward to a right contraction position when the right key set moves leftward. The main key set has a right protruding element. The right protruding element is formed on the right side of the main key set and slides in the first sloped sliding groove.
The present invention relates to a foldable keyboard, and more particularly, to a foldable keyboard adapted for a point stick and/or at least one hot key. Two or more keypad portions are hingably connected by a connection board on which a point stick or at least one hot key is disposed. When the keyboard is in a deployed configuration, the keypad portions slide along the keyboard plane to combine with the point stick or the hot keys so that a complete keyboard is formed. The connection board of the present invention may further include a circuit board to be electrically connected with each key and the point stick or the hot keys in order to receive and decode the signals from each key and the point stick or the hot keys.
