US5694124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable computer with integrated circuit board and keyboard
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1996-01-31
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Granted: 1997-12-02
•
Expires: 2016-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A portable computer (40) has an integrated motherboard/keyboard/housing assembly (48) wherein the keys (50) are disposed through the motherboard (54) to contact a keyboard circuit (56) on the upper surface of the bottom layer of the main housing(44). During a keystroke, the key travels within a hole (52) in the motherboard (54), which also acts as a guide to the key. Accordingly, weight and height associated with separate assemblies is greatly reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony B. Wood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:36
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/968; H03K17/969
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A portable computer comprising: a circuit board containing processing circuitry and having a plurality of holes formed therein; and a plurality of keys disposed in said holes, said keys moving within said holes during a keystroke wherein said plurality of holes provide support to said keys to reduce lateral wobble.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
A portable computer comprising: a circuit board containing processing circuitry and having a plurality of holes formed therein; and a plurality of keys disposed in said holes, said keys moving within said holes during a keystroke wherein said plurality of holes provide support to said keys to reduce lateral wobble.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The portable computer of claim 1 wherein said circuit board includes guides in each of said holes for providing smooth movement of the key within each hole using the circuit board for support of said guides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The portable computer of claim 1 and further comprising a resilient member associated with each key for returning said key to a predetermined position after a keystroke.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The portable computer of claim 3 wherein said resilient member comprises a coiled spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The portable computer of claim 3 wherein said resilient member comprises a cup-shaped member formed of a resilient material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The portable computer of claim 1 and further comprising a housing, said circuit board disposed within said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The portable computer of claim 6 and further comprising a display coupled to said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The portable computer of claim 6 wherein a portion of said housing is disposed below said keys to provide a rigid substrate for a keyboard circuit for determining which of said keys is pressed during a keystroke.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The portable computer of claim 8 wherein said keyboard circuit is formed on said portion of said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The portable computer of claim 8 wherein said keyboard circuit is formed on a sheet of flexible material disposed above said portion of said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The portable computer of claim 7 wherein said display folds toward said main housing for storage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The portable computer of claim 11 wherein said display presses said keys downward when folded toward said main housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
A portable computer comprising: a circuit board containing processing circuitry and having a plurality of holes formed therein; a plurality of keys disposed in said holes, said keys moving within said holes during a keystroke; and a housing for enclosing said circuit board and for supplying a rigid substrate upon which said keys press during keystrokes wherein said circuit board includes guides in each of said holes for providing smooth movement of the key within each hole.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
A portable computer comprising: a circuit board containing processing circuitry and having a plurality of holes formed therein; a plurality of keys disposed in said holes, said keys moving within said holes during a keystroke; and a housing for enclosing said circuit board and for supplying a rigid substrate upon which said keys press during keystrokes wherein said circuit board includes guides in each of said holes for providing smooth movement of the key within each hole.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The portable computer of claim 13 and further comprising a resilient member associated with each key for returning said key to a predetermined position after a keystroke.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The portable computer of claim 13 and further comprising a display coupled to said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The portable computer of claim 13 wherein a portion of said housing is disposed below said keys to provide a rigid substrate for a keyboard circuit for determining which of said keys is pressed during a keystroke.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The portable computer of claim 16 wherein said keyboard circuit is formed on said portion of said housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The portable computer of claim 16 wherein said keyboard circuit is formed on a sheet of flexible material disposed above said portion of said housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The portable computer of claim 15 wherein said display folds toward said main housing for storage such that said keys are pressed downward when said display and said housing are in a closed position.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of manufacturing a portable computer, comprising the steps of: disposing a plurality of keys through respective holes in a circuit board containing processing circuitry such that said keys move within said holes during a keystroke wherein said holes provide guide support to achieve anti-wobble of said keys; and enclosing said circuit board in a housing.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of manufacturing a portable computer, comprising the steps of: disposing a plurality of keys through respective holes in a circuit board containing processing circuitry such that said keys move within said holes during a keystroke wherein said holes provide guide support to achieve anti-wobble of said keys; and enclosing said circuit board in a housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 20 and further comprising the step of disposing guides in said holes between said circuit board and said keys using the circuit board for support of said guides.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 20 and further comprising the step of disposing a resilient member between each key and said circuit board.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 20 and further comprising the step of connecting said circuit board to a display.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 20 and further comprising the step of forming a keyboard circuit on said housing for determining which of said keys is pressed during a keystroke.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-01 | 2001-06-02 | 2001-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-01 | 2005-06-02 | 2005-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-01 | 2009-06-02 | 2009-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |