Collapsible keyboard structure for a notebook computer, responsive to opening and closing of the computer's lid via relatively shiftable key support member and shift member

A collapsible keyboard structure for an electronic device, such as a portable computer, comprising:

• a key support structure having top and bottom sides;
• a series of keys disposed on said top side of said key support structure;
• a series of scissored linkage arm assemblies interconnected between said keys and said key support structure and permitting said keys to be vertically moved relative to said key support structure, through a vertical key stroke distance, between extended and retracted positions, each of said scissored linkage arm assemblies having a central portion with mutually angled bearing and cam surfaces thereon;
• and
• a multilayered signal pad structure carried beneath said key support structure and having a top side facing said bottom side of said key support structure, said signal pad structure having a spaced series of closeable electrical contact structures thereon, and a spaced series of elastomeric key return dome members secured to a shift member slidably disposed on said top side of said signal pad structure and overlying said contact structures, each of said key return dome members having an upper end and a sloping side surface,
• said key support structure and said shift member being horizontally shiftable relative to one another between a first position in which said upper ends of said key return dome members underlie and upwardly engage said bearing surfaces and hold said key members in said extended positions thereof, with said scissored linkage arm assemblies in extended positions thereof, and a second position in which said upper ends of said key return dome members are horizontally offset from said bearing surfaces and said keys are in said retracted positions thereof with said scissored linkage arm assemblies in collapsed positions thereof, and
• said cam surfaces and said sloping side surfaces of said key return dome members being relatively positioned and configured to be interengaged, in response to a shifting of said key support structure and said shift member from said second position to said first position, in a manner driving said keys from said retracted positions thereof to said extended positions thereof.

A portable computer comprising:

• a base housing portion having a top side;
• a lid housing portion secured to said base housing portion for pivotal movement relative thereto between a closed position in which said lid housing portion extends across and covers said top side, and an open position in which said lid housing portion uncovers and exposes said top side;
• and
• a collapsible keyboard structure including:
• a key support structure extending across said top side of said base housing portion and having top and bottom sides,
• a series of keys each carried on said top side of said key support structure for vertical movement relative thereto, through a key stroke distance, between an upwardly extended operative position and a downwardly retracted nonoperative position,
• a base structure underlying said key support structure and having a top side facing said bottom side of said key support structure, and further having a sheet member slidingly disposed on said base structure top side, one of said sheet member and said key support structure being horizontally shiftable relative to the other of said sheet member and said key support structure between a first position and a second position, and
• cooperatively engageable means on said keys and said sheet member for driving said keys from said retracted nonoperative positions thereof to said extended operative positions thereof in response to a shifting of said one of said sheet member and said key support structure from said second position thereof to said first position thereof.

An electronic device comprising:

• a base housing portion having a top side;
• a lid housing portion secured to said base housing portion for pivotal movement relative thereto between a closed position in which said lid housing portion extends across and covers said top side, and an open position in which said lid housing portion uncovers and exposes said top side;
• and
• a collapsible keyboard structure including:
• a key support structure anchored to said base housing portion and extending across said top side thereof, said key support structure having top and bottom sides,
• a series of keys each secured to said top side of said key support structure by a scissored linkage arm structure permitting the key to move vertically relative to said key support structure, through a key stroke distance, between an upwardly extended operative position and a downwardly retracted inoperative position, each of said linkage arm structures having a central portion with mutually angled bearing and cam surfaces thereon,
• a multi-layered signal pad structure having a top side underlying and facing said bottom side of said key support structure, said signal pad structure having a spaced series of resilient key return domes projecting upwardly from an upper layer slidably mounted to said signal pad structure top side,
• support means for mounting said signal pad structure on said base housing portion for horizontal movement of said upper layer relative to said key support structure between a first position in which said key return domes underlie and engage said bearing surfaces and hold said keys in said upwardly extended operative positions thereof, and a second position in which said key return domes are shifted out of engagement with said bearing surfaces, said key return domes being positioned and configured to engage said cam surfaces in a manner forcibly moving said key members from said retracted positions to said extended positions in response to movement of said upper layer from said second position thereof to said first position thereof,
• first shifting means for shifting said upper layer from said second position thereof to said first position thereof in response to opening said lid housing portion, and
• second shifting means for shifting said upper layer from said first position thereof to said second position thereof in response to closing said lid housing portion.