Patent ID: 6670948
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A keyboard for a computer, comprising:a housing having a front edge, a rear edge, a lower surface, and an upper surface, the housing carrying a plurality of input keys arranged in a selected configuration and projecting from the upper surface, wherein a cylindrical surface depends from the lower surface and extends longitudinally across at least a portion of the lower surface along a distance greater than a diameter of the cylindrical surface to define a single rotational axis; a base under the housing, the base being pivotally attached to the housing, wherein the base has a bottom surface for resting on a support surface and a top surface with a channel extending along the rotational axis, the channel being defined by a curved surface with a circular cross section and a length in a direction of the rotational axis greater than a diameter of the circular cross section; and an actuator coupled to the base and the housing, the actuator rotating the cylindrical surface within the channel to change the inclination of the housing, wherein the actuator comprises a motor, a shaft rotationally driven by the motor, and a wheel attached to the shaft, the motor being attached to one of the base or the housing and the wheel engaging the other of the base or the housing to rotate the cylindrical surface within the channel.