Other

Daniel I Sternglass

Donald F Grube

A portable or stationary electronic device equipped with a typing keyboard, such as a notebook or desktop personal computer or screen-phone, with a retractable palmrest in accordance with the present invention includes a platform, circuitry, a display, a keyboard, and the retractable palmrest. The palmrest provides ergonomic benefit for typing and a suitable location for a full-size track pad (mouse pad) pointing device, mouse buttons and other low-profile peripheral devices. By retracting, and optionally folding, it reduces the size of the electronic device during storage or transport. The platform includes a front surface, opposing side surfaces, a back surface, and a top surface. The circuitry is connected to the platform. Keys forming a keyboard are connected to the top surface of the platform and are coupled to the circuitry along with the display. The palmrest includes a surface with a front edge, opposing side edges, and a back edge and is slidably connected to the platform to move to a retracted position substantially behind the front surface, in between the side surfaces, and in front of the back surface, and to an extended position substantially in front of the front surface.

Retractable palmrest for keyboard-equipped electronic products

An expandable keyboard in accordance with the present invention provides a full-size or expanded keyboard for typing which folds to minimize size during transport or storage, and can be converted to substantially twice its folded length for use. Its use of sliding segments permits a straight hinge line for folding. Its operating mechanism supports a large number of electrical interconnections between the hinged wing section or sections and the central platform, and provides for straight-line engagement as well as environmental and ESD protection of the mating electrical connectors. It permits the operation of removable modules such as PCMCIA cards or fixed circuitry such as speakers or keypads in the wing section or sections in both their open and closed positions. It includes a central keyboard assembly and a first assembly comprising a first segment and a first wing. The central keyboard assembly includes one or more keys and a platform. The first wing is pivotally connected along one side to one side of the platform about a first axis and is pivotable to a closed position where the first wing rests substantially on the platform and to an open position where the first wing provides an extension of the platform. The first segment is slidably connected to the first wing and is moveable to a first position which exposes the first axis and permits the first wing to pivot about the first axis and to a second position which covers the first axis and substantially prevents the first wing from pivoting about the first axis. The expandable keyboard may also include a second assembly comprising a second segment and a second wing, pivotally connected along one side of the platform about a second axis, which operates in the same manner as the first wing.

Folding keyboard with sliding segments for electronic products

An electronic product, such as a personal computer or electronic organizer with an open-surfaced receptacle or slot is described. An electronic product incorporating such a receptacle is able to accommodate an insertable electronic module, such as a PCMCIA card, that is thicker than could be incorporated in the receptacle if a portion of the inserted module were not permitted to protrude through the receptacle along the open surface. One embodiment of the invention includes a display, a platform, circuitry, a keyboard, the receptacle, an electrical connector in the receptacle, protective sliding shutters and a door. The platform includes at least two opposing surfaces and at least one side. The inserted card is connected to the circuitry in the platform via the electrical connector located in the receptacle. The keyboard is connected to one of the opposing surfaces and is also coupled to the circuitry. The receptacle has a length, a width and a height and extends into the platform from the side to define an opening in one of the opposing surfaces which extends into the platform along substantially the length and width of the receptacle.

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Ithaca, NY, United States of America

Daniel I Sternglass