Abstract:
A computer keyboard includes a base having a user surface. A keyboard is mounted on the user surface. The keyboard includes a support plate having a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is convex and abuts the base. A plurality of keyboard keys are mounted adjacent the first surface. Attachment tabs are provided on the support plate to secure the support plate to the base which biases the convex surface into continuous contact with the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The disclosures herein relate generally to computer systems and more particularly to controlling keyboard deflection associated with such systems.  
           [0002]    As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems,may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.  
           [0003]    A problem associated with the use of keyboards is that keyboards are often spongy and springy when the user depresses the keyboard keys. Attempts have been made to avoid this through added support under the keyboard and by increasing the stiffness of the keyboard by means of material selection and thickness.  
           [0004]    Therefore, what is needed is a keyboard constructed in a manner which provides a keyboard which is substantially firm and avoids the spongy springy feeling associated with keyboard use.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0005]    One embodiment, accordingly, provides a keyboard including a support plate having a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is convex. A membrane is mounted on the first surface and a plurality of keys are mounted on the first surface adjacent the membrane. A plurality of retainer members extend from the support plate.  
           [0006]    A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the underside of the keyboard support plate is continuously biased into contact with a keyboard base or chassis so that the spongy or springy feeling of previous keyboards is removed. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of a computer system.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a portable computer.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a portable computer including an exploded view of a keyboard assembly.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIGS. 4A and 4B are end views illustrating alternate embodiments of a keyboard support plate as seen from the line  4 AB- 4 AB of FIG. 3.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is an exaggerated view illustrating the keyboard assembly in the unattached and attached positions with the base. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]    For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.  
         [0013]    In one embodiment, computer system  10 , FIG. 1, includes a microprocessor  12 , which is connected to a bus  14 . Bus  14  serves as a connection between microprocessor  12  and other components of computer system  10 . An input device  16  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide input to microprocessor  12 . Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device  18 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12 . Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system  10  further includes a display  20 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12  by a video controller  22 . A system memory  24  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor  12 . It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor  12  to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor.  
         [0014]    Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is a portable, notebook size computer designated  26  comprising a self-contained system, such as that illustrated at  10  in FIG. 1, and including a hinged top or lid  28 , FIG. 2, rotatable about a hinge or hinges  30 , from a nested position N, with a horizontal base  32 , to a substantially vertical or open position V. Opening of the notebook computer  26  reveals a keyboard  36  including a plurality of keys  36 a on base  32 , and a monitor screen  40  mounted in lid or top  28 . A touchpad or other input  42  is mounted in a palmrest area  44  adjacent keys  36 .  
         [0015]    In FIG. 3, a keyboard assembly  46  is illustrated and includes a plurality of retainer members or tabs  48  and  50  which extend outwardly from a support plate  52  of the keyboard assembly  46 . The support plate  52  includes the tabs  48  and  50  as a means for attaching the support plate  52  to the base  32 . Tabs  48  extend from an edge  52   a  of plate  52  and tabs  50  extend from another edge  52   b  of plate  52 , which is opposite to the edge  52   a . The tabs  50  each include a fastener aperture  54  formed therein. In this manner, attaching the support plate  52  to the base  32  is accomplished by inserting the tabs  48  under a portion P 1  of the base  32  which is adjacent the palmrest area  44 . The tabs  50  are then attached to the base  32  by means of fasteners  56  which extend through each fastener aperture  54  and into an aligned aperture  58  provided in a portion P 2  of the base  32  which is adjacent to the hinges  30 .  
         [0016]    In FIG. 4A, it can be seen that support plate  52  includes a first surface  60 , a second surface  62 , the edge  52   a  including tabs  48  and the edge  52   b  including tabs  50  having aperture  54 . In the FIG. 4A embodiment, the first surface  60  is substantially planar and the second surface  62  is substantially convex.  
         [0017]    In FIG. 4B, it can be seen that support plate  52  includes first surface  60 , second surface  62 , edge  52   a  including tabs  48  and edge  52   b  including tabs  50  having aperture  54 . In the FIG. 4B embodiment, the plate  52  has a bowed cross-section such that first surface  60  is substantially concave and second surface  62  is substantially convex. It is understood that the plate  52  of FIGS. 4A and 4B is exaggerated for purposes of illustration.  
         [0018]    The keyboard assembly  46 , referred to above and illustrated in FIG. 3, includes the support plate  52 , FIG. 5, a membrane  64  mounted on first surface  60  and the keyboard  36  including keys  36   a  also mounted on the first surface  60  adjacent the membrane  64 , in the well-known manner. However, the second surface  62  is advantageously convex so that when tabs  48  are inserted and retained under portion P 1  of base  32 , and tabs  50  are fastened to portion P 2  of base  32  by fasteners  56  as described above, the convex surface  62  is flexed, and firmly abuts the base  32  so as to limit flexure of the keyboard assembly  46  during use. The same desired result may be achieved with either of the embodiments illustrated, i.e., FIGS. 4A and 4B.  
         [0019]    Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiment may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.