Portable computer with removable keyboard
AssigneeApple Computer, Inc.
InventorKevin Scott Fetterman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Improved housings for computing devices are disclosed. The improved housings are provided with a movable keyboard (e.g., removable keyboard) that can be opened or removed to gain easy access to internal components of a computing device. The movable keyboard can be secured to the computing device using a keyboard securing system. An actuator can also be used to dislodge the movable keyboard from the computing device when the movable keyboard is to be opened or removed. A lock arrangement can additionally be used to lock the movable keyboard to the computing device.
Claims30
A computer system having a keyboard, said computer system comprising:
- a computer housing containing internal components, said computer housing having an opening;
- and
- a movable keyboard being configured for placement in said opening, said keyboard having a plurality of keys;
- and
- a keyboard securing mechanism coupled to said movable keyboard, said keyboard securing mechanism being arranged to secure said movable keyboard to said computer housing,
- wherein after said movable keyboard is placed in said opening for operation of said computer system, said movable keyboard can be at least substantially moved out of said opening to provide access to the internal components within said computer housing.
A computer system having a keyboard, said computer system comprising:
- a computer housing containing internal components, said computer housing having an opening;
- and
- a movable keyboard being configured for placement in said opening, said keyboard having a plurality of keys;
- and
- a lock being configured to lock said movable keyboard in said opening of said computer housing to prevent said movable keyboard from being moved away from said opening of said computer housing,
- wherein after said movable keyboard is placed in said opening for operation of said computer system, said movable keyboard can be at least substantially moved out of said opening to provide access to the internal components within said computer housing.
A portable computer device having a keyboard, said portable computer device comprising:
- a computer housing containing internal components, said computer housing having an opening, said opening providing access to said internal components;
- a removable keyboard being configured for placement in said opening, said keyboard having a plurality of keys;
- and
- an actuator that exerts a force on said removable keyboard in a direction away from said opening such that said actuator moves at least a portion of said removable keyboard out of said opening, said actuator being positioned proximate an edge of said opening of said computer housing so as to substantially prevent bowing of said removable keyboard when said removable keyboard is secured to said computer housing.
A portable computer device having a keyboard, said portable computer device comprising:
- a computer housing containing internal components, said computer housing having an opening;
- and
- a movable keyboard being configured for placement in said opening, said keyboard having a plurality of keys;
- and
- a lock being coupled to said computer housing and configured to lock said movable keyboard to said computer housing such that said movable keyboard is prevented from moving away from said computer housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.