US5735618A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for adjusting height of keyboard
Assignee: Dell USA LP
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Filing: 1997-01-21
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Granted: 1998-04-07
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Expires: 2017-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A computing system having a keyboard that is supported from a work surface by one or more support members. The positions of the support members relative to the keyboard are varied in accordance with a predetermined timed sequence, causing corresponding variances in the height of the housing portions corresponding to the support members. The intervals between height variances are such that the latter variances are not noticeable by the user of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Steve Gluskoter
- 👤 Andrew Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/0208; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/84
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A computer system comprising: a computer including a processor and a memory; a keyboard including a housing and a plurality of keys mounted on the housing for inputting the data to the computer; a plurality of height adjustable support members extending from a bottom surface of the housing, each of the support members being adjacent a portion of the keyboard and each support member being independently movable to a plurality of positions relative to the housing for continuously varying the height of each adjacent portion of the keyboard in each position during operation of the keyboard; a control unit for varying the position of the support members relative to the housing for varying the height of the housing; and a timer associated with the control unit for controlling the operation of the control unit, whereby each portion of the keyboard adjacent each respective support member is height adjusted independent of each other portion of the keyboard to an infinitely variable number of positions between a fully retracted and a fully extended position of each support member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A computer system comprising: a computer including a processor and a memory; a keyboard including a housing and a plurality of keys mounted on the housing for inputting the data to the computer; a plurality of height adjustable support members extending from a bottom surface of the housing, each of the support members being adjacent a portion of the keyboard and each support member being independently movable to a plurality of positions relative to the housing for continuously varying the height of each adjacent portion of the keyboard in each position during operation of the keyboard; a control unit for varying the position of the support members relative to the housing for varying the height of the housing; and a timer associated with the control unit for controlling the operation of the control unit, whereby each portion of the keyboard adjacent each respective support member is height adjusted independent of each other portion of the keyboard to an infinitely variable number of positions between a fully retracted and a fully extended position of each support member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the support members threadably extend from the bottom of the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 wherein a support member is positioned in each corner of the bottom of the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the control unit controls threaded extension of the position of each support member independently of that of the others.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the support member is a shaft whose height varies to vary the height of the housing accordingly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the positions of the support members are gradually varied by the control unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
171 words
A keyboard for inputting data to a computer, the keyboard comprising: a housing; a plurality of keys mounted on the housing for inputting the data to the computer; a plurality of height adjustable support members extending from a bottom surface of the housing, each of the support members being adjacent a portion of the keyboard and each support member being independently movable to a plurality of positions relative to the housing for continuously varying the height of each adjacent portion of the keyboard in each position during operation of the keyboard; a control unit for varying the position of the support members relative to the housing for varying the height of the housing; and a timer associated with the control unit for controlling the operation of the control unit, whereby each portion of the keyboard adjacent each respective support member is height adjusted independent of each other portion of the keyboard to an infinitely variable number of positions between a fully retracted and a fully extended position of each support member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
A keyboard for inputting data to a computer, the keyboard comprising: a housing; a plurality of keys mounted on the housing for inputting the data to the computer; a plurality of height adjustable support members extending from a bottom surface of the housing, each of the support members being adjacent a portion of the keyboard and each support member being independently movable to a plurality of positions relative to the housing for continuously varying the height of each adjacent portion of the keyboard in each position during operation of the keyboard; a control unit for varying the position of the support members relative to the housing for varying the height of the housing; and a timer associated with the control unit for controlling the operation of the control unit, whereby each portion of the keyboard adjacent each respective support member is height adjusted independent of each other portion of the keyboard to an infinitely variable number of positions between a fully retracted and a fully extended position of each support member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The keyboard of claim 7 wherein the support members threadably extend from the bottom of the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The keyboard of claim 8 wherein a support member is positioned in each corner of the bottom of the housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The keyboard of claim 8, wherein the control unit controls threaded extension of the position of each support member independently of that of the others.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The keyboard of claim 7 wherein the support member is a shaft whose height varies to vary the height of the housing accordingly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The keyboard of claim 7 wherein the positions of the support members are gradually varied by the control unit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of improving comfort for users of a computer keyboard, comprising the steps of: mounting a plurality of height adjustable support members to extend from a bottom surface of a housing for the keyboard, each of the support members being adjacent a portion of the keyboard; independently moving each support member to a plurality of extended and retracted positions relative to the housing; controllably varying the extended and retracted positions of the support members relative to the housing for continuously varying the height of the housing during operation of the keyboard; and timing the varying of the positions of the support members so that each portion of the keyboard adjacent each respective support member is height adjusted independent of each other portion of the keyboard to an infinitely variable number of positions between a fully retracted and a fully extended position of each support member.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of improving comfort for users of a computer keyboard, comprising the steps of: mounting a plurality of height adjustable support members to extend from a bottom surface of a housing for the keyboard, each of the support members being adjacent a portion of the keyboard; independently moving each support member to a plurality of extended and retracted positions relative to the housing; controllably varying the extended and retracted positions of the support members relative to the housing for continuously varying the height of the housing during operation of the keyboard; and timing the varying of the positions of the support members so that each portion of the keyboard adjacent each respective support member is height adjusted independent of each other portion of the keyboard to an infinitely variable number of positions between a fully retracted and a fully extended position of each support member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of independently moving each support member includes the step of independently changing the height of each of a plurality of corners of the keyboard.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of varying the orientation of a computer keyboard, comprising the steps of: connecting the keyboard for inputting data to the computer, the keyboard including a housing; mounting a plurality of height adjustable support members to extend from a bottom surface of the housing, each of the support members being adjacent a portion of the keyboard; independently moving each support member to a plurality of extended and retracted positions relative to the housing; controllably varying the extended and retracted positions of the support members relative to the housing for continuously varying the height of the housing during operation of the keyboard; and timing the varying of the positions of the support members so that each portion of the keyboard adjacent each respective support member is height adjusted independent of each other portion of the keyboard to an infinitely variable number of positions between a fully retracted and a fully extended position of each support member.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of varying the orientation of a computer keyboard, comprising the steps of: connecting the keyboard for inputting data to the computer, the keyboard including a housing; mounting a plurality of height adjustable support members to extend from a bottom surface of the housing, each of the support members being adjacent a portion of the keyboard; independently moving each support member to a plurality of extended and retracted positions relative to the housing; controllably varying the extended and retracted positions of the support members relative to the housing for continuously varying the height of the housing during operation of the keyboard; and timing the varying of the positions of the support members so that each portion of the keyboard adjacent each respective support member is height adjusted independent of each other portion of the keyboard to an infinitely variable number of positions between a fully retracted and a fully extended position of each support member.
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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) | 2001-04-06 | 2001-10-06 | 2002-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-06 | 2005-10-06 | 2006-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-06 | 2009-10-06 | 2010-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |