APPARATUS FOR REMOVABLY MOUNTING A COMPUTER INPUT DEVICE

Abstract: A computer input device removably mounted to a keyboard is disclosed. A bar, which may be slightly longer than the width of the keyboard, is slidably mounted beneath the keyboard. The bar is slidable from a first position in which one end of the bar extends beyond the side of the keyboard to a second position in which the other end of the bar extends beyond the other side of the keyboard. An input device, such as a trackball, is removably attached, for example, by hook and loop fasteners, to the end of the bar which extends beyond the side of the keyboard. To move the device to the other side of the keyboard, the device is lifted off the end of the bar, the bar is slid under the keyboard until the other end extends beyond the other side of the keyboard, and the device is attached on the other end of the bar. The removable mount of the present invention thus accommodates left and right side mounting, eases the switching from side to side, and takes up minimum space.

Description: The present invention relates to a data input means for inputting data to a computer comprising a keyboard and an input device provided in addition to the keyboard in accordance with the prior art portion of claim 1. A device for inputting data into a computer is one of the necessary peripheral devices associated with every computer. Commonly, a keyboard is used for this purpose. Alternative or supplemental devices to input data also exist. Well known among these other devices are the trackball, the mouse, and the joystick. In many applications, the computer and its associated input devices rest on a table or similar surfaces. Such a surface is necessary to roll the mouse on or support the joystick. However, in other applications, space is limited. For example, if the computer must be moved from place to place, the computer may be placed on a mobile cart. Surface area on such a cart may be limited, even to the extent of precluding the use of a mouse or any other input device besides a keyboard. EP-A-0273436 discloses a modularly expandable keyboard having an expansion module which can be fixed to an elementary keyboard by means of locking tongues inserted in depressed tracks in the modules and held in place by detents in the attached modules. The expansion modules include keypad modules and telephone modules. The modules can be attached either at the right side or at the left side of the elementary keyboard. Although it is possible to separate an expansion module locked to the main module by means of the locking tongues and the depressed tracks it appears to be cumbersome to detach the expansion module from one side of the elementary keyboard and to attach it to the other one each time the system is to be used by a left-handed or right-handed operator. US-A-2414110 discloses a manually operable telephone support in the form of a slidable bar on which a turntable is fixed. This telephone support structure is operable to bring the telephone close to any one of a number of persons sitted at adjoining desks on which the telephone support is located. US-A-3036687 relates to a typewriter utility receptacle in the form of a revolving receptacle pivotally mounted within the housing of the typewriter. DE-U-8710583 relates to a cart for personal computers having a drawer platform for supporting the keyboard and an additional working table on which the computer mouse can be operated. The present invention is based on the object of providing a data input means for inputting data to a computer comprising a keyboard and an input device of the above-mentioned type which does not require additional surface area for supporting the input device, and which can be easily changed to accomodate both left-handed and right-handed users while requiring a minimum width only. This object is achieved by data input means as defined in claim 1. The present invention provides a device for inputting data to a computer in addition to a keyboard which does not require additional surface area for support and uses only minimal width. The keyboard is supported on a surface which does not need to be any wider than the width of the keyboard. A bar is slidable in a passage beneath the keyboard from a first position in which one end of the bar extends beyond the side of the keyboard to a second position in which the other end of the bar extends beyond the other side of the keyboard. The input device preferably is a trackball device which includes a ball that fits in the palm of the hand and is rolled by the hand. The trackball is removably mounted, preferably by a hook and loop fastener, to the end of the bar which extends beyond the side of the keyboard. To move the trackball to the other side of the keyboard, the trackball is lifted off the end of the bar, the bar is slid under the keyboard until the other end extends beyond the other side of the keyboard, and the trackball is placed on the other end of the bar where it is again held in place by hook and loop fasteners. A stop to prevent movement of the bar too far beyond the keyboard ends may also be included. In this manner, the present invention provides a mounting for an additional input device which accommodates left and right side mounting, is easy to switch from one side to the other, and takes up minimal space. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the removably mounted input device showing the input device on the left side of the keyboard; Fig. 2 is a partial top view of the invention of Fig. 1 with the keyboard removed; and Fig. 3 is a side view of the invention of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The removably mounted input device is shown generally at 10 in Fig. 1. Keyboard 12 having right side 18 and left side 19 is mounted on supporting base 14. The base 14, which may form part of a moving cart, needs to be no wider than the width of keyboard 12. As shown in Fig. 1, input device 16 is mounted adjacent to the left side 19 of keyboard 12. A computer 20 or other device may also be supported on base 14, extending beyond the rear of keyboard 12. In the preferred embodiment, input device 16 comprises a trackball 22, although other devices, such as a joystick or a pair of thumbwheels, may be used with the present mounting. Trackball 22 is sized to fit within the palm of a hand. Movement of the palm rolls the trackball 22. Sensors within the input device 16 sense the motion of the trackball 22 and send appropriate signals to the computer 20, for example, to position a cursor on a monitor screen associated with computer 20. Both keyboard 12 and input device 16 may be attached to computer 20 via suitable cables, not shown. As best shown in Fig. 2, passage 30 is provided beneath keyboard 12 and above base 14. Bar 32 is disposed within passage 30. Bar 32 is slidable beneath keyboard 12 so that one end of bar 32 may project beyond the side of keyboard 12. The length of bar 32 is slightly longer than the keyboard width for ease of grasping when sliding in either direction. A section of hooks or loops 34, 36 is provided on the top surface 33 of bar 32 at each end. Cooperating hooks or loops 38 are provided on the bottom surface 40 of input device 16. In this manner, input device 16 may be attached to whichever end of bar 32 projects beyond keyboard 12. In Figs. 1 and 3, input device 16 is shown attached to the left side 19 of keyboard 12. To move input device 16 to the right side 18 of keyboard 12, input device 16 is lifted off the hook and loop fastener 34 of bar 32. Bar 32 may then be slid through passage 30 until the other end of bar 32 projects beyond the right side of keyboard 12. Fig. 2 shows bar 32 in dotted lines projecting beyond right side 18. Input device 16 may then be attached to fastener 36 on the left end of bar 32. In the preferred embodiment, side members 46 and 48, best shown in Fig. 3, are provided to surround snugly bar 32 so that it does not move laterally. However, any other suitable configuration providing a path or track for bar 32 through or beneath the keyboard may be provided. Additionally, the length of bar 32 may vary, depending on users' desires. For example, its length may be shorter than the keyboard width, so that it may be placed out of sight if desired. The minimum length would typically be one half the keyboard width plus a length necessary to accommodate the appropriate input device. A stop to prevent further sliding movement of bar 32 also may be provided. In the preferred embodiment, the stop comprises a slot 50 in base 14 with a widened portion 52 through which the head of a screw 54 extending from bar 32 fits. Additionally, when bar 32 is slid to one side, the screw head is retained within the narrow position of slot 50. This prevents bar 32 from lifting up when pressure is applied to trackball 22 on the end of the bar. Other suitable stop means are contemplated. Further, when bar 32 has been extended fully to one side of the keyboard and input device 16 is affixed to bar 32, input device 16 abuts side 18 or 19 of keyboard 12 and prevents bar 32 from sliding back toward the other side of the keyboard.

Claims: Data input means for inputting data to a computer (20) comprising a keyboard (12) and an input device (16) which can be mounted adjacent to either of the two opposite sides of the keyboard (12), comprising means (32, 34, 36, 38), movable from one side to the opposite side of the keyboard (12), for removably attaching the input device (16) to said means (32, 34, 36, 38), characterized in that said means (32, 34, 36, 38) comprises a bar (32) slidably mounted beneath the keyboard (12) between a first position, wherein a first end of the bar extends beyond a first side (18) of the keyboard (17), and a second position, wherein a second end of the bar (32) extends beyond a second side (19) of the keyboard (12). Data input means as claimed in claim 1, characterized by a base (14) for supporting the keyboard (12) and a passage (30) between the keyboard (12) and the base (14) configured to fit the bar (32) through which the bar slides. Data input means as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the removably attaching means (32, 34, 36, 38) includes hook and loop fasteners (34, 36, 38) on the first end and the second end of the bar (32) and on a bottom surface (40) of the input device (10). Data input means as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized by means (50, 52, 54) for preventing the slidable movement of the bar (32) beyond the first position and the second position. Data input means as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the slidable movement preventing means (50, 52, 54) further includes means (16, 18, 19) for preventing sliding movement of the bar (32) when the input device (16) is attached to the bar (32). Data input means as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the slidable movement preventing means (16, 18, 19, 50, 52, 54) is configured so that the input device (16) abuts one of the sides (18, 19) of the keyboard (12) when the input device (16) is attached to the bar (32) thereby preventing sliding movement of the bar (32) between the first position and the second position. Data input means as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized by means (16, 18, 19, 50, 52, 54) for preventing movement of the removably attaching means when the input device (16) is attached to the attaching means. Data input means as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the input device comprises a trackball (22). Data input means as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the input device comprises a joystick. Data input means as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the input device comprises thumbwheels. Data input means as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized by means (50, 52, 54) for preventing the bar (32) from raising off the base (14) when the bar (32) is extended beyond one of the sides (18, 19) of the keyboard (12).

Inventors: TICE, WILLIAM W.
Applicants: HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G06F1
IPC codes: G06F3