Patent Publication Number: US-2011050574-A1

Title: Keyboard and tilt adjustment device therefore

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Some keyboards, e.g., for desktop computers or the like, have adjustable tilt angles. Adjustable tilt angles enable a keyboard to be tilted at angles to fit a user&#39;s comfort level when operating the keyboard. For example, the tilt angle of some keyboards may be adjusted by moving individual tabs adjacent the upper edge of the keyboard from a first position, where the tabs are substantially flush with rear surface (e.g., the surface that faces a desktop, tabletop or other surface) of the keyboard, to a second position, where the tabs protrude from the rear surface of the keyboard. This sometimes involves a multi-step process of inverting the keyboard and moving each tab individually from the first to the second position or vice versa. Inverting the keyboard can interrupt work flow and may require repositioning the keyboard. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of keyboard, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of an embodiment of keyboard with a tilt adjustment device in a first position, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a right side view of an embodiment of keyboard with a tilt adjustment device in a second position, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the left side being a mirror image thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a tilt adjustment device, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of an upper corner of an embodiment of keyboard, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6-8  are cutaway views of a portion of a right side of a keyboard respectively showing an embodiment of a tilt adjustment device at different positions, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description of the present embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice disclosed subject matter, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a keyboard  100 , e.g., a keyboard of a desktop computer, keyboard of a terminal for a mainframe computer, etc., according to an embodiment. Keyboard  100  includes a keyboard portion  105  and a tilt adjustment device (e.g., a tilt adjustment “foot”)  110  pivotally attached keyboard portion  105 . Tilt adjustment foot  110  is pivotable between a first position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and a second position shown in  FIG. 3 . Note that the  FIGS. 2 and 3  are right side views of keyboard  100  and that the left side of keyboard  100  may be a mirror image thereof. 
     Keyboard portion  105  has a rear panel  120  and a front panel  130  that may be attached to rear panel  120 , e.g., by screws, snap fittings, or the like. Keys  135  are disposed in a recess in front panel  130  so that keys  135  protrude from the front of keyboard portion  105 . A cord  136  electrically couples keyboard  100  to a computer or the like. 
     Tilt adjustment foot  110  spans an entire width W of keyboard portion  105 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and an overall length L of tilt adjustment foot  110  may be equal (e.g., substantially equal) to the width W of keyboard portion  105 . 
     When tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), tilt adjustment foot  110  may be prevented, by a suitable stop, from pivoting in the direction (indicted by arrow  210 ) opposite the direction in which tilt adjustment foot  110  pivots when pivoting from the first position to the second position ( FIG. 3 ). When tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, a portion of tilt adjustment foot  110  (e.g., a top edge  229  of tilt adjustment foot  110 ) may contact a surface  215 , e.g., a desktop, tabletop, etc., on which keyboard portion  105  is placed concurrently with a portion  220  of a rear surface of rear panel  120  and concurrently with an optional stationary foot  225  adjacent a bottom edge  227  of keyboard portion  105 . For example, tilt adjustment foot  110  may angle downward from a portion  150  of the front surface of keyboard portion  105  to surface  215 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The bottom edge  227  may also contact surface  215  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position. Note that the rear of the keyboard portion  105  faces surface  215  and faces opposite the front of keyboard portion  105  from which keys  135  protrude. 
     For one embodiment, when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position and the top edge  229  thereof is contacting surface  215 , a front surface  113  of tilt adjustment foot  110  forms a portion of the front of keyboard  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . That is, front surface  113  extends the front surface of keyboard portion  105  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position. Moreover, when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, the contour of the right and left sides of tilt adjustment foot  110  may follow the contour of the right and left sides of keyboard portion  105 , as shown for the right side in  FIG. 2 . 
     That is, the right and left sides of tilt adjustment foot  110  respectively extend the right and left sides of keyboard portion  105  and thus form portions of the right and left sides of keyboard  100  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position. For example, when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, the right side of keyboard portion  105  and tilt adjustment foot  110  form the right side of keyboard  100 , and the left side of keyboard portion  105  and tilt adjustment foot  110  form the left side of keyboard  100 . 
     For one embodiment, tilt adjustment foot  110  may angle downward from the portion  150  of the front surface of keyboard portion  105  by substantially the same angle as a portion  152  of keyboard portion  105  to surface  215  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, a portion of the right and left sides of keyboard portion  105  may be inclined by the same inclination (e.g., substantially the same inclination) as the right and left sides of tilt adjustment foot  110  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     For another embodiment, when in its first position, tilt adjustment foot  110  may maintain (e.g., support) keyboard portion  105  in the position of  FIG. 2 . For example, portion  220  of the rear surface of rear panel  120  may be supported above surface  215 . Alternatively, when in its first position, tilt adjustment foot  110  may displaced above and out of contact with surface  215 , with keyboard portion  105  being supported by stationary foot  225  and/or bottom edge  227  and portion  220  of the rear surface of rear panel  120 . 
     When tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, the upper surfaces of keys  135  may be inclined (e.g., tilted) at an angle (e.g., a tilt angle) α 1  relative to surface  215 , where the angle α 1  is measured from the surface  215  to the upper surface of keys  135  ( FIG. 2 ). This means that keyboard portion  105  may be inclined relative to surface  215  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position. For one embodiment, when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, tilt adjustment foot  110  may maintain keyboard portion  105  at the tilt angle α 1 . 
     When tilt adjustment foot  110  is pivoted, e.g., in the direction of arrow  240 , from its first position in  FIG. 2  to its second position in  FIG. 3 , keyboard portion  105  is pivoted (e.g., tilted) relative to surface  215  about stationary foot  225  or about bottom edge  227  so that the inclination of the upper surfaces of keys  135  relative to surface  215  is increased relative to the inclination of the upper surfaces of keys  135  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position. That is, pivoting tilt adjustment foot  110  to its second position increases the tilt angle of keyboard portion  105  from tilt angle α 1  to tilt angle α 2 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . This means that pivoting tilt adjustment foot  110  to its second position tilts keyboard portion  105  to a second position ( FIG. 3 ) that is tilted (e.g. inclined) relative to a first position of keyboard portion  105  ( FIG. 2 ) when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position. Pivoting tilt adjustment foot  110  to its second position raises the top edge  175  so that top edge  175  is at a greater distance above surface  215  than top edge  175  is when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . When in its second position, tilt adjustment foot  110  maintains (e.g., supports) keyboard portion  105  at tilt angle α 2 . 
     Note that the portion  150  of the front surface of keyboard portion  105  is parallel (e.g., substantially parallel) to the upper surfaces of keys  135 , meaning that pivoting tilt adjustment foot  110  increases the inclination of portion  150  by the same amount as pivoting tilt adjustment foot  110  increases the tilt angle. Also note that tilt adjustment foot  110  can be pivoted as a single unit when keyboard portion  105  is in the upright position shown  FIGS. 1-3 , thereby eliminating the need to adjust individual leveling tabs individually and eliminating the need to invert keyboard portion  105  to adjust the pivot angle, e.g., by adjusting the individual leveling tabs. 
     Tilt adjustment foot  110  includes a bar  112  having a pair of extensions (e.g., tines)  114 , e.g., that may extend substantially perpendicularly from opposite ends of bar  112 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . A lug  116  may be formed at the end (e.g., tip) of each extension  114 . Keyboard portion  105  is pivotally attached to extensions  114  adjacent top edge  175  of keyboard portion  105  so that an entire length of top edge  175  lies between extensions  114 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position. When tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, tilt adjustment foot  110  forms a portion of loop at the top of keyboard  100 . 
     For example, extensions  114  may wrap around a portion of keyboard portion  105 . That is, extensions  114  may wrap around upper corners  500  and  505  of keyboard portion  105 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . There may be an opening  180  between a portion of keyboard portion  105  and a portion of tilt adjustment foot  110  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position. There may also be an opening between a rear portion of keyboard portion  105  and a portion of tilt adjustment foot  110  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its second position. 
     For one embodiment, bottom edge  227  terminates at and is connected to opposing side surfaces  102   1  and  102   2  of keyboard portion  105 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and the width W of keyboard portion  105  is the distance from side surface  102   1  to side surface  102   2 . Extensions  114  of tilt adjustment foot  110  may also have opposing side surfaces  106   1  and  106   2  that form opposing sides of tilt adjustment foot  110 , and the overall length L of tilt adjustment foot  110  is the distance from side surface  106   1  to side surface  106   2 . For another embodiment, when overall length L of tilt adjustment foot  110  is equal (e.g., substantially equal) to the width W of keyboard portion  105 , side surfaces  102   1  and  102   2  of keyboard portion  105  may be respectively flush (e.g., substantially flush) with side surfaces  106   1  and  106   2  of tilt adjustment foot  110 . That is, side surfaces  102   1  and  102   2  of keyboard portion  105  may be respectively coplanar (e.g., substantially coplanar) with side surfaces  106   1  and  106   2  of tilt adjustment foot  110 . Note that the contours of opposing side surfaces  106   1  and  106   2  of tilt adjustment foot  110  may respectively follow the contours of upper portions of opposing side surfaces  102   1  and  102   2  of keyboard portion  105  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of tilt adjustment foot  110 , according to another embodiment. For one embodiment, tilt adjustment foot  110  includes panels  420  and  430  that may be made of plastic, metal or the like. Panels  420  and  430  may be attached to each other using fasteners, such as screws  435 . A stiffening panel  440 , e.g., of metal, may be interposed between panels  420  and  430  for adding rigidity to tilt adjustment foot  110 . Note that panel  420  and panel  430  may respectively correspond to rear panel  120  and front panel  130  of keyboard portion  105 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . As such, panel  420  and panel  430  may respectively be referred to as rear panel  420  and front panel  430  of tilt adjustment foot  110 . Therefore, when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, rear panel  120  and rear panel  420  form the rear of keyboard  100  and front panel  130  and front panel  430  form the front of keyboard  100 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Panel  420 , panel  430 , and stiffening panel  440  may respectively include portions  112   1 ,  112   2 , and  112   3  of bar  112  from which portions  114   1 ,  114   2 , and  114   3  of extension  114  respectively extend perpendicularly (e.g., substantially perpendicularly) to portions  112   1 ,  112   2 , and  112   3 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Bar portion  112   1  and extension portions  114   1  may be integrally formed, e.g., by molding. Similarly, bar portion  112   2  and extension portions  114   2  may be integrally formed, e.g., by molding. Bar portion  112   3  and extension portions  114   3  may be integrally formed, e.g., by stamping or molding. 
     For one embodiment, lugs  116  are attached to the tips of extension portions  114   1  of panel  420 . A hole  118  is passed through each of lugs  116  for receiving a pin  160  therethrough ( FIG. 1 ), where respective pins  160  pivotally attach tilt adjustment foot  110  to keyboard portion  105 . Lugs  116  may be integrally formed, e.g., by molding, with portion  112   1  and extension portions  114   1 . A resilient tab  450  may be formed, e.g., during molding, in each of extension portions  114   2  of panel  430 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of upper corner  505  ( FIG. 1 ) of keyboard portion  105 , with tilt adjustment foot  110  pivotally attached thereto. A bottom of upper corner  505  ( FIG. 1 ) of keyboard portion  105  may be the same as that shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  shows tilt adjustment foot  110  in its first position and shows that resilient tab  450  engages a surface of a stationary cam  510  that is fixedly attached to keyboard portion  105 . Note that there is a stationary cam  510  fixedly attached to keyboard portion  105  at opposite upper corners  500  and  505  of keyboard portion  105 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Each cam  510  has a side surface  511  ( FIG. 5 ) that may be parallel (e.g., substantially parallel) to a respective side surface  102  of keyboard portion  105 . Lugs  116  of extensions  114  of tilt adjustment foot  110  may wrap around side surfaces  511  of cams  510 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , so that an inner side surface of each lug  116  faces and is parallel (e.g., substantially parallel) to a side surface  511  of a respective one of cams  510 . 
       FIGS. 6-8  are cutaway views of the right side of keyboard  100  at corner  500  of keyboard  100  respectively showing tilt adjustment foot  110  at different positions.  FIGS. 6 and 8  respectively show tilt adjustment foot  110  its first and second positions and respectively correspond to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Note that  FIGS. 6-8  illustrate the action of tilt adjustment foot  110  at either of corners  500  and  505  and that cutaway views of the left side of keyboard  100  at corner  505  may be mirror images of  FIGS. 6-8 . 
     Each cam  510  may be fixedly connected to front panel  130  of keyboard portion  105 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . For example, cam  510  may be integrally formed with panel  130 , e.g., by molding. A hole  520  passes through each cam  510  for receiving a pin  160 . The hole  520  in each cam  520  is aligned with the hole  118  ( FIG. 4 ) through a respective lug  116  ( FIG. 5 ) and a pin  160  passes through the aligned holes  118  and  520 . The top edge  175  of keyboard portion  105  may be located between cams  510 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     For one embodiment, a stop  610  may be fixedly attached to a portion of cam  510 . When tilt adjustment foot  110  is its first position ( FIGS. 2 and 6 ), tilt adjustment foot  110  abuts stop  610  and is thereby prevented by stop  610  from pivoting in the direction (indicated by arrow  210  in  FIG. 2 ) opposite the direction in which tilt adjustment foot  110  pivots when pivoting from the first position to the second position ( FIGS. 3 and 8 ). This enables tilt adjustment foot  110  to support at least a portion of the weight of keyboard portion  105 , when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, by preventing tilt adjustment foot  110  from pivoting toward the front of keyboard portion  105  and away from surface  215  in the direction indicated by arrow  210 . 
     When tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, an end (e.g., tip)  452  of tab  450  may be biased into frictional contact with the surface of cam  510  by the resiliency of tab  450 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . For example, tab  450  may resiliently engage cam  510  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position. Alternatively, tab  450  may be in a neutral position, with end  452  of tab  450  in frictional contact with the surface of cam  510 , when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position. 
     End  452  of tab  450  is at a nominal radius of R 1  from the center of pin  160  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , in that the portion of the surface of cam  510  in contact with end  452  is at the nominal radius of R 1 . Note that the centers of pins  160  passing though the respective cams  510  are collinear and lie on the pivot axis about which tilt adjustment foot  110  pivots. 
     Tilt adjustment foot  110  is confined to pivot about the pivot axis at a fixed radius, and the eccentricity of the surface of cam  510  acts to prevent tilt adjustment foot  110  from pivoting from its first position in the absence of a user exerting an external force on tilt adjustment foot  110 . This is because the radial distance from the surface of cam  510  to the center of pin  160  (the pivot axis) increases from the nominal radius of R 1 , where end  452  of tab  450  contacts the surface of cam  510 , to a location  512  on the cam surface, thereby preventing pivoting of adjustment foot  110  in the absence of a user exerting a force on tilt adjustment foot  110 . As such, tilt adjustment foot  110  is biased in its first position. 
     To pivot tilt adjustment foot  110  toward the surface  215  ( FIG. 2 ) from the first to second position, a user exerts an external force F on tilt adjustment foot  110 . Tilt adjustment foot  110  pivots about the center of pin  160  at the fixed radius in response to the force F. As adjustment foot  110  pivots, the surface of cam  510  exerts a force on end  452  of tab  450  (in response to force F) that causes end  452  of tab  450  to move to nominal radius of R 2  from the center of pin  160  when adjustment foot  110  is at the intermediate position shown in  FIG. 7 . For example, the force exerted on end  452  of tab  450  acts to bend tab  450  away from tilt adjustment foot  110  in the direction of arrow  710 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . As such, tab  450  resiliently engages cam  510  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its intermediate position. 
     The intermediate position corresponds to a toggle position, about which tilt adjustment foot  110  toggles. For example, an the instant when tilt adjustment foot  110  is moved past the intermediate position, e.g., in response to force F, in the direction of arrow  715 , the resiliency of tab  450  exerts an internal force on cam  510  and on tilt adjustment foot  110  that pivots (e.g., “snaps”) tilt adjustment foot  110  to the second position shown in  FIG. 8 , without requiring any external force to be applied by the user to tilt adjustment foot  110 . This is because the radial distance from the surface of cam  510  (location  512 ), and thus end  452  of tab  450 , to the center of pin  160  decreases from the nominal radius of R 2 , when tilt adjustment foot  110  at the intermediate position, to a nominal radius of R 3  from the center of pin  160  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in the second position, as shown in  FIG. 8 . That is, as the radial distance from the surface of cam  510 , and thus end  452  of tab  450 , to the center of pin  160  decreases, the force exerted by the surface of cam  510  on end  452  decreases, causing tab  450  to relax and bend toward tilt adjustment foot  110  in the direction of arrow  810 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . As such, tilt adjustment foot  110  is biased in its second position. 
     Note that when pivoting tilt adjustment foot  110  from the first position to the second position, the user needs to apply the force F to pivot tilt adjustment foot  110  to the intermediate position. At the instant tilt adjustment foot  110  moves past the intermediate position, the resiliency of tab  450  snaps tilt adjustment foot  110  to the second position, without requiring any force to applied by the user to tilt adjustment foot  110 . 
     When tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its second position ( FIG. 8 ) end  452  of tab  450  may be biased into frictional contact with the surface of cam  510  by the resiliency of tab  450  or may be in a neutral position, with end  452  in frictional contact with the surface of cam  510 . For example, tab  450  may resiliently engage cam  510  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its second position. 
     When tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its second position, end  452  of tab  450  may abut rear panel  120  ( FIG. 8 ), preventing further pivoting of tilt adjustment foot  110  in the direction of direction of arrow  715 . This enables tilt adjustment foot  110  to support at least a portion of the weight of keyboard portion  105  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its second position by preventing tilt adjustment foot  110  from pivoting in the direction indicated by arrow  715 . 
     At the instant when tilt adjustment foot  110  is moved past the intermediate position in the direction of arrow  720 , the resiliency of tab  450  exerts an internal force on cam  510  and on tilt adjustment foot  110  that pivots (e.g., “snaps”) tilt adjustment foot  110  into the first position shown in  FIG. 6 , without requiring any external force to applied by the user to tilt adjustment foot  110 . This is because the radial distance from the surface of cam  510  (location  512 ), and thus end  452  of tab  450 , to the center of pin  160  decreases from the nominal radius of R 2 , when tilt adjustment foot  110  at the intermediate position, to the nominal radius of R 1  from the center of pin  160  when tilt adjustment foot  110  is in the first position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . That is, as the radial distance from the surface of cam  510 , and thus end  452  of tab  450 , to the center of pin  160  decreases, the force exerted by the surface of cam  510  on end  452  decreases, causing tab  452  to relax and bend toward tilt adjustment foot  110  in the direction of arrow  660 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     To pivot tilt adjustment foot  110  from the second to first position, a user exerts an external force f on tilt adjustment foot  110 . Tilt adjustment foot  110  pivots about the center of pin  160  at the fixed radius in response to the force f. As adjustment foot  110  pivots, the surface of cam  510  exerts a force on end  452  of tab  450  (in response to force f) that causes end  452  to move to nominal radius of R 2  from the center of pin  160  when adjustment foot  110  is at the intermediate position shown in  FIG. 7 . For example, the force exerted on end  452  of tab  450  acts to bend tab  450  away from tilt adjustment foot  110  in the direction of arrow  710 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . At the instant when pivot tilt adjustment foot  110  moves past the intermediate position, e.g., in response to force f, the resiliency of tab  450  snaps pivot tilt adjustment foot  110  into the first position, without requiring any force to be applied by the user to tilt adjustment foot  110 . 
     For one embodiment, when pivot tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its second position, pivot tilt adjustment foot  110  is at angled by an angle θ from a line  850  (in a direction toward the bottom edge  227  of keyboard portion  105 ) that passes through the center of pin  160  and that may be normal (perpendicular) to the portion  150  of the front surface of keyboard portion  105 , and thus to the upper surfaces of keys  135  in that the portion  150  of the front surface of keyboard portion  105  may be parallel to the upper surfaces of keys  135 . In other words, when pivot tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its second position, pivot tilt adjustment foot  110  is inclined toward bottom edge  227  of keyboard portion  105  ( FIG. 3 ) in a direction away from when pivot tilt adjustment foot  110  is in its first position ( FIG. 2 ). 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein it is manifestly intended that the scope of the claimed subject matter be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.