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US 8,427,428 B2Granted
Adjustable ergonomic keyboard
AssigneeKey Ovation, LLC
InventorsChris Linegar, Mark Norwalk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adjustable ergonomic keyboard includes keyboard segments coupled by a joint allowing the keyboard segments to pivot relative to one another. A retainer secures a corresponding keyboard segment with respect to a base support and allows the corresponding retained keyboard segment to rotate thereabout and to travel laterally with respect to the base support. The base support may be part of a portable laptop chassis or body or may be a stand alone base for use of the keyboard as a peripheral data input device.
Claims37
An apparatus comprising:
- first and second keyboard segments each including on an upper surface thereof respective subsets of keys that together define a generally complete alphanumeric keyboard;
- a retainer disposed in an upper outer quadrant of each of the first and second keyboard segments to retain the respective keyboard segment with respect to a base support, each respective retainer configured to allow the corresponding retained keyboard segment to rotate to permit splaying of the first and second segments;
- and
- a joint coupling the keyboard segments and allowing the keyboard segments to pivot relative to one another during at least one of splaying and tenting;
- wherein at least one of the retainers is further configured to selectively allow the respective retained keyboard segment to travel laterally with respect to the base support during the at least one of splaying and tenting and to selectively resist lateral travel of the respective retained keyboard segment to substantially prevent movement of the keyboard segments from at least one of a splayed position and a tented position during typing.
2 more elements
A portable computing device comprising:
- a body portion;
- a screen containing lid portion hingedly attached to the body portion;
- the body portion presenting a keyboard attachment surface having at least one channel defined therein to receive a retainer of one of a respective first and second keyboard segment pivotably coupled at a joint, the channel adapted to allow the retainer to travel laterally with respect to the keyboard attachment surface in correspondence with tenting and splaying of the keyboard segments;
- and
- a locking mechanism to selectively fix the retainer within the channel in a position corresponding to a desired tented or splayed position.
2 more elements
A keyboard apparatus comprising:
- first and second keyboard segments each including on an upper surface thereof respective subsets of keys that together define a generally complete alphanumeric keyboard;
- a retainer disposed in an upper outer quadrant of each of the first and second keyboard segments to retain the respective keyboard segment with respect to a base support, each respective retainer configured to permit splaying of the first and second segments;
- and
- respective data output connections for the first and second keyboard segments located proximate the respective retainers of the first and second keyboard segments.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.