Patent ID: 6623195
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: G06F,H01H

Abstract:
A collapsible keyboard, comprising:at least one keyboard module, having: at least a first and a second adjacent keyswitch arranged in an array pattern, the first keyswitch having a predetermined separation with the adjacent second keyswitch, each keyswitch having a base, with the base of the first keyswitch having a sliding surface thereon, and the base of the second keyswitch having a sliding plate thereon, the first keyswitch and the second keyswitch being positionable in an expanded state where the respective keyswitches have the predetermined separation and where the respective bases are located at essentially the same level, and are positionable in a collapsed state due to the sliding surface and the sliding plate interacting to cause the respective bases to be at different levels, thereby causing the first and second keyswitch to collectively take up less surface area than when in the expanded state, wherein each keyswitch further comprises a key cap, and a lever assembly, the lever assembly having a top portion connected to a bottom of the key cap and a bottom portion connected to a top of the base; and at least one membrane circuit provided to connect the first and the second keyswitches and enable the first and the second keyswitches to be arranged in the collapsed state, whereby a separation between the first and the second keyswitches is reduced and the keyboard has a reduced size.