The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 2021
Filed:
Aug. 08, 2019
Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);
Ian A. Guy, Cupertino, CA (US);
Ari P. Miller, San Francisco, CA (US);
Edward J. Cooper, Campbell, CA (US);
Houtan R. Farahani, San Ramon, CA (US);
Kevin M. Robinson, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Riley E. Brandt, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);
Abstract
Keyboards are disclosed that are retractable. Movable magnetic or mechanical linkage elements are configured to reposition keycaps and stabilizers between different relative positions. Structures in a movable layer can act on the keycaps or stabilizers to move the keycaps and stabilizers into a retracted position for storage and for saving space in an electronic device. The stabilizers can be scissor mechanisms, butterfly mechanisms, and similar devices. The movable layer can be moved in response to rotation of a hinge or other mechanical element in the electronic device.