US6256017B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible keyboard and display mechanism for a computer system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-08-15
•
Granted: 2001-07-03
•
Expires: 2015-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible keyboard and display mechanism for a computer system includes a collapsible keyboard having at least two independent keyboard sections and a first hinge device for enabling at least two of the keyboard sections to fold together in face to face relationship; and an independent display section disposed between the two keyboard sections in the collapsed condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward T. Bullister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/86; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1637; G06F1/1641; G06F1/1662; G06F1/1666; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/0221; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/046; H01H2223/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A collapsible keyboard and display mechanism for a computer system comprising: a) A collapsible keyboard housing having at least two keyboard sections, said housing having a first hinge for enabling two of said keyboard sections to fold together in a face to face relationship, each of said keyboard sections having a substantially planar top surface with keys projecting above said top surface, said keys movable in a direction perpendicular to said top surface; and b) a planar display section sandwiched between said two of said keyboard sections with said display in face to face relationships with said top surfaces of both said keyboard sections when said keyboard sections are in a collapsed condition such that: i) said planar display section is substantially parallel with said top surfaces and portions of said top surfaces are movable in a direction toward and substantially perpendicular with respect to said planar display section during bending of said keyboard sections; and, ii) said collapsible keyboard and display mechanism are oriented such that said planar display section remains substantially planar during said bending of said keyboard sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A collapsible keyboard and display mechanism for a computer system comprising: a) A collapsible keyboard housing having at least two keyboard sections, said housing having a first hinge for enabling two of said keyboard sections to fold together in a face to face relationship, each of said keyboard sections having a substantially planar top surface with keys projecting above said top surface, said keys movable in a direction perpendicular to said top surface; and b) a planar display section sandwiched between said two of said keyboard sections with said display in face to face relationships with said top surfaces of both said keyboard sections when said keyboard sections are in a collapsed condition such that: i) said planar display section is substantially parallel with said top surfaces and portions of said top surfaces are movable in a direction toward and substantially perpendicular with respect to said planar display section during bending of said keyboard sections; and, ii) said collapsible keyboard and display mechanism are oriented such that said planar display section remains substantially planar during said bending of said keyboard sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The collapsible keyboard and display mechanism for a computer system of claim 1 , wherein: said planar display section is spaced away from both of said top surfaces in said collapsed condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computing device, comprising: a) a first keyboard section, comprising: i) a top surface; ii) a plurality of keys protruding from the said top surface; b) a second keyboard section, said second keyboard section pivotally attached to said first keyboard section; c) a display pivotally connected to said first keyboard section such that: i) through a rotating motion, said display can rotate from a first orientation parallel to said top surface of said first keyboard section to a second orientation not parallel to said top surface of said first keyboard section ii) through a translating motion, said display can translate from a first position adjacent to and face to face with said top surface of said first keyboard section to a second position spaced from said top surface of said first keyboard section; and d) a scissors mechanism connecting said display to the said first keyboard section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computing device, comprising: a) a first keyboard section, comprising: i) a top surface; ii) a plurality of keys protruding from the said top surface; b) a second keyboard section, said second keyboard section pivotally attached to said first keyboard section; c) a display pivotally connected to said first keyboard section such that: i) through a rotating motion, said display can rotate from a first orientation parallel to said top surface of said first keyboard section to a second orientation not parallel to said top surface of said first keyboard section ii) through a translating motion, said display can translate from a first position adjacent to and face to face with said top surface of said first keyboard section to a second position spaced from said top surface of said first keyboard section; and d) a scissors mechanism connecting said display to the said first keyboard section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
A collapsible keyboard for a computer, comprising: a) a collapsible keyboard housing having at least two keyboard sections, said housing having a first hinge for enabling two of the keyboard sections to fold together from an extended, co-planar state to a face to face relationship, said two of the keyboard sections having movable keys projecting above top surfaces of each of the said two of the keyboard sections; b) a second hinge which: ii) permits relative rotational movement between said two keyboard sections; iii) retracts to a position below a keytop surface formed by said movable keys when the said collapsible keyboard is in said extended, co-planar state; c) a CPU located within said keyboard housing; and d) a mass storage device located within said keyboard housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
A collapsible keyboard for a computer, comprising: a) a collapsible keyboard housing having at least two keyboard sections, said housing having a first hinge for enabling two of the keyboard sections to fold together from an extended, co-planar state to a face to face relationship, said two of the keyboard sections having movable keys projecting above top surfaces of each of the said two of the keyboard sections; b) a second hinge which: ii) permits relative rotational movement between said two keyboard sections; iii) retracts to a position below a keytop surface formed by said movable keys when the said collapsible keyboard is in said extended, co-planar state; c) a CPU located within said keyboard housing; and d) a mass storage device located within said keyboard housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A collapsible keyboard for a computer of claim 4 , further comprising a display attached to one of said at least two keyboard sections.
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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) | 2004-07-02 | 2005-01-01 | 2005-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-02 | 2009-01-01 | 2009-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-02 | 2013-01-01 | 2013-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |