US5055839A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Breakaway keyboard
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1989-12-15
•
Granted: 1991-10-08
•
Expires: 2009-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A system which is physically oriented in a vertical plane, is attached to a wall, and has a hinged keyboard. The keyboard is attached to the system solely by a hinge which has at least three positions. The hinge has a closed position to minimize space when the system is not used, an open position during normal use, and a breakway position to release the keyboard when excessive pressure is applied. The breakway keyboard eliminates damage caused by excessive pressure placed on the keyboard due to a person leaning on the board.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Davis
- 👤 John C. Irwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A system, said system comprising: a system unit, said system unit oriented in a vertical plane; a keyboard; a hinge movably attaching said keyboard to said system unit, said hinge including means for holding said keyboard in at least three distinct positions including a closed position, an operating position, and a substantially vertical downward breakaway position, said holding means having means for detecting when an excessive downward force is applied to said keyboard and further having means for enabling said keyboard, without damaging said hinge, to drop to said breakaway position when said excessive downward force is detected and to be returned to said operating position directly from said breakaway position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A system, said system comprising: a system unit, said system unit oriented in a vertical plane; a keyboard; a hinge movably attaching said keyboard to said system unit, said hinge including means for holding said keyboard in at least three distinct positions including a closed position, an operating position, and a substantially vertical downward breakaway position, said holding means having means for detecting when an excessive downward force is applied to said keyboard and further having means for enabling said keyboard, without damaging said hinge, to drop to said breakaway position when said excessive downward force is detected and to be returned to said operating position directly from said breakaway position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system, as in claim 1, wherein said system unit is attached to a wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system, as in claim 2, wherein said system unit further comprises a display vertically integrated into said system unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system, as in claim 1, wherein said system unit is attached to a movable wall bracket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system, as in claim 4, wherein said system unit further comprises a display vertically integrated into said system unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system, as in claim 1, wherein said system unit is mounted on a movable cart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system, as in claim 6, wherein said system unit further comprises a display vertically integrated into said system unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1253641A
Cited
US3254452A
Cited
US3830352A
Cited
US3902034A
Cited
US4421035A
Cited
US4496200A
Cited
US4576578A
Cited
US4693444A
Cited
US4833755A
Cited
US4735394A
Cited
US4718740A
Cited
US4815164A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-10-07 | 1995-04-08 | 1995-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-07 | 1999-04-08 | 1999-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-07 | 2003-04-08 | 2003-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |