Computer keyboard with turnable knob

An improved keyboard structure comprises a base, a pan body, and a top cover. A user is supposed to turn a turnable functional pushbutton to a specified function item, then click the pan body for the computer to execute the related program.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 This invention relates to an improved keyboard structure, particularly to a
 keyboard that is provided with an additional turnable functional
 pushbutton for easy operation.
 A computer keyboard is one of the indispensable peripheral devices for
 input of data or graphics, and for simplification, some related makers
 have designed a mouse and a plurality of functional keys on the computer
 keyboard (usually 24 keys shown in FIG. 1).
 This simplified design does provide an easy operation, for example, one can
 press a single functional key to link the web, then another to search data
 desired instead of typing many keys, however, the increment of functional
 keys on the other hand enlarges the size of the computer keyboard that
 requires more assembling labor and increases production cost accordingly.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 In view of abovesaid imperfection, the primary object of this invention is
 to provide at least a turnable functional pushbutton for easy operation.
 Another object of this invention is to gather a plurality of functional
 keys on a turnable functional pushbutton in order to lessen the area and
 volume of the computer keyboard for cost reduction.
 A further object of this invention is to make it possible for printing
 predetermined functional items of a turnable functional pushbutton
 directly or attaching an adhesive label of the functional items or
 inserting a plurality of indication paper sheets in preset vision windows
 on a top cover of a computer keyboard.
 For achieving abovesaid goals, the keyboard having the turnable functional
 pushbutton comprises a base, a pan body, and a top cover to enable a user
 to turn and click the functional pushbutton to function as desired in an
 easy operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 As shown in FIG. 2 through FIG. 4A, an improved keyboard structure of this
 invention is to provide an all-in-one turnable functional pushbutton
 gathering all the functions of the prior functional keys so that a user
 can turn and click the turnable functional pushbutton for performing a
 specified function each time in an easy operation, wherein the improved
 keyboard mainly comprises a base 1, a pan body or knob 2, and a top cover
 3.
 A support portion 11 located on the base 1 is provided with a positioning
 portion 12 peripherally, which includes at least a locating dimple 121 and
 one thin-film circuit 13.
 A storage portion, or recess, 21 formed in the pan body 2 is used to
 accommodate the support portion 11, wherein an elastic element 22 is
 placed between the storage portion 21 and the support portion 11; a
 positioning mechanism 23 formed at a bottom portion of the pan body 2
 comprises a positioning unit 231 and an elastic element 232, wherein the
 positioning unit 231 is a spherical body rollable on the positioning
 portion 12 while the elastic element 232 is a spring body that drives the
 positioning unit 231 to act; and a click portion 24 for clicking the
 thin-film circuit 13 is disposed at the bottom portion of the pan body 2.
 Moreover, an action district, or area for receiving the knob, 31 is
 programmed on the top cover 3 for disposition of the pan body 2, wherein
 an index for indicating a plurality of function items 32 is arranged
 peripherally around the action district 31 to thus form a brand new
 keyboard of this invention.
 Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, when a specified function is desired, the
 user is supposed to turn the pan body 2, then the positioning mechanism 23
 will retract its elastic element 232 for the reason the positioning unit
 231 is pressed upwardly by the positioning portion 12. When an orienting
 arrow on the pan body 2 points the specified item 32, the user should stop
 turning to enable the positioning unit 231 of the positioning portion 12
 to be located at a due locating dimple 121 again, then click the pan body
 2 to make connection of the click portion 24 at the bottom end of the pan
 body 2 with one of the contact points of the thin-film circuit 13 that
 will transmit a function signal to the computer for execution.
 For example, if the abovesaid function item 32 is web link, all the user
 has to do is turn the pan body 2 until its arrow orients toward the
 specified item, then click to send a signal to the computer through the
 thin-film circuit 13 for web link.
 If another turnable functional pushbutton is provided to the keyboard of
 this invention, the user can further link different web sites after web
 link is made for ticket reservation, program appreciation, data search,
 etc.
 As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, another embodiment of keyboard structure of
 this invention comprises a top cover 3 having an action district 31, a
 circuit board 6, and a pan body 2.
 The circuit board 6 disposed in the keyboard is provided with a through
 hole 61, wherein a plurality of locating dimples 62 is disposed
 peripherally around the through hole 61, and the circuit layout (not
 shown) is printed outside the locating dimples 62.
 A storage portion 21 is provided to the pan body 2, wherein a guide post 20
 is extended in the storage portion 21 to penetrate the through hole 61,
 and a stop element 201 and a limit element 202 are disposed at one end of
 the guide post 20 for preventing the pan body 2 from loosening or dropping
 off when the guide post 21 moves. Further, as structure of the positioning
 mechanism 23 and the click portion 24 are as the same with the abovesaid,
 repeated description is therefore omitted here.
 A user is supposed to turn the pan body 2 so that the positioning mechanism
 23 will start action on the circuit board 6, and when the positioning unit
 231 rolls to reach and stay on one of the locating dimples 62, the user
 should click the pan body 2, namely, enables the click portion 24 to touch
 the circuits on the circuit board 6, in order to transmit an instruction
 signal; and no sooner has the user's hand departed from the pan body 2,
 the elastic force of the elastic element 232 of the plurality of
 positioning mechanisms 23 restores the pan body 2 back to its original
 position.
 Because the functional keys are gathered on a turnable functional
 pushbutton on a keyboard, the volume of the keyboard can be substantially
 shrinked for easy operation and for cost reduction.
 Moreover, it is possible to print predetermined functional items 32 of a
 turnable functional pushbutton directly around the action district 31 or
 attach an adhesive label of the functional items or insert a plurality of
 indication paper sheets in preset vision windows on a top cover of a
 computer keyboard.