Foldable keyboard

Claim 2

Keyboard means as defined in claim 1 wherein the pivotal supporting means comprises: first pivot means positioned at one side of the pluralities of keys pivotally connecting the keyboard units, and second pivot means positioned at the opposite side of said pluralities of keys pivotally connecting said keyboard units, the pivot axes of the first and second pivot means being coaxial.

Claim 3

Keyboard means as defined in claims 1 or 2 including a data processing unit integral with said first keyboard unit, said first keyboard unit having a width substantially equal to the width of said data processing unit, and said second keyboard unit having a width substantially equal to the width of said first keyboard unit.

Claim 4

Keyboard means as defined in claim 2 wherein said supporting means comprises a link pivotally connected at one end to said first keyboard unit and pivotally connected at the opposite end to said second keyboard unit whereby said second keyboard unit can be folded over said first keyboard unit.

Claim 5

Keyboard means as defined in claims 1 to 4 wherein said supporting means comprises: a pair of levers, pivotal means pivotally connecting said levers together, each of said levers being pivotally connected at one end to a respective one of said keyboard units and connected by a pin and slot arrangement to the other of said keyboard units, whereby one of the keyboard units can be moved from said operating position to said folded storing position.

Claim 6

Keyboard means comprising: a first keyboard unit carrying a first plurality of touch responsive keys, a second keyboard unit carrying a second plurality of touch responsive keys, means supporting said second keyboard unit to permit its movement from a first position wherein one end thereof lies in abutting relationship with one end of said first keyboard unit to a second position wherein said second plurality of touch responsive keys is folded over said first plurality of touch responsive keys, a flexible cover member, first connecting means connecting one end of said flexible cover member to an end of one of the keyboard units, and second connecting means connecting the opposite end of said flexible cover member to the other of the keyboard units, whereby when said second keyboard unit is moved to said second position said flexible cover member is drawn over the otherwise exposed abutting ends of said keyboard units.

Claim 7

Keyboard means as defined in claims 6 or 7 wherein the supporting means comprises pivot means.

Claim 8

Keyboard means as defined in claim 7 wherein the second connecting means comprises spring tensioning means for maintaining said flexible cover member taut at all times.

Claim 9

Keyboard means as defined in claim 8 including guide means for guiding said flexible cover member in a predetermined path upon movement of said second keyboard unit between its first and second positions.

Claim 10

Keyboard means as defined in claim 9 wherein said guide means is effective to guide said flexible cover member in an arc concentric with the pivot axis of said pivot means.

Claim 11

Keyboard means comprising: a first keyboard unit carrying a first plurality of depressible keys, a second keyboard unit carrying a second plurality of depressible keys, means supporting said second keyboard unit for movement from a first position wherein the tops of all of its depressible keys lie in a common plane, to a second position wherein said second plurality of depressible keys are folded over said first plurality of depressible keys, spring means for normally maintaining said depressible keys in raised position, and means for selectively moving said depressible keys into depressed positions.

Claim 12

Keyboard means as defined in claim 11 wherein said means supporting said second keyboard unit comprises pivot means whose pivot axis lies below the plane of the depressible key tops when the depressible keys are in raised positions and lies above the plane of said depressible key tops when said depressible keys are in depressed positions.

Claim 13

Keyboard means as defined in claim 12 wherein said means for selectively moving said depressible keys into depressed positions comprises camming means moveable from a first position to a second position for camming said keys into said depressed positions.

Claim 14

Keyboard means as defined in claim 13 wherein said camming means comprises camming members moveable in a direction at right angles to the direction of movement of said depressible keys, and connecting means between said camming members and each of said depressible keys whereby movement of said camming members in the direction of movement thereof cams all of said depressible keys into depressed positions.

Claim 15

Keyboard means as defined in claims 11 to 14 including a computing device integral with said first keyboard unit, said first keyboard unit having a width substantially equal to the width of said computing device, and said second keyboard unit having a width substantially equal to the width of said first keyboard unit.

Claim 16

Keyboard means as defined in claim 1 wherein said pivotal supporting means pivotally connects said second keyboard unit to said first keyboard unit for movement from an operating position, wherein one end of said second keyboard unit lies adjacent one end of said first keyboard unit, to said folded storing position wherein said second keyboard unit is folded over said first keyboard unit, and which includes a cover member, said pivotal supporting means serving to support said cover member to extend across the previously adjacent ends of the keyboard units when said second keyboard unit is moved to its folded storing position.

Claim 17

Keyboard means as defined in claim 1 wherein said pivotal supporting means pivotally connects said second keyboard unit to said first keyboard unit for movement from said operating position, wherein one end of said second unit lies adjacent one end of said first keyboard unit, to said folded storing position wherein said second keyboard unit is folded over said first keyboard unit, and which includes: a cover member, supporting means supporting said cover member to extend across the adjacent ends of the keyboard units when they are in said storing position, and side cover elements connected to said cover member, said side cover elements being pivotally moveable with respect to said keyboard units when said second keyboard unit is moved between said folded storing position and said operating position.

Claim 18

Keyboard means as defined in claim 17 including means for guiding said cover member in sliding engagement with the first and second keyboard units.

Claim 19

Keyboard means as defined in claim 1 wherein said pivotal supporting means includes: a first cover member pivotally connected to said first keyboard unit, a second cover member pivotally connected to said first cover member, and means pivotally connecting said second cover member to said second keyboard unit whereby when said second keyboard unit is in said folded storing position the first and second cover members will enclose adjacent ends of the keyboard units.

Claim 20

Keyboard means as defined in claim 1 wherein said keys extend in parallel rows and said pivotal supporting means supports said second keyboard unit for movement around an axis parallel to the lengths of said parallel rows.