Patent Abstract:
A keyboard support system includes a chassis. A keyboard base is mounted to the chassis. A keyboard is coupled to the keyboard base. A tensioning device is coupled to the chassis and the keyboard base, and the tensioning device is adjustable to produce a tension in the keyboard base in order to reduce the deflection of the keyboard that occurs when keys on the keyboard are depressed.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to a keyboard on an information handling system. 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system (IHS). An IHS generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, IHSs 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 IHSs allow for IHSs 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, IHSs 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. 
     One aspect of an IHS such as, for example, a portable IHS, that has a significant effect on a user&#39;s perception of quality is the feel of the keyboard. As a user depresses a key, the force imparted on the key can cause the entire keyboard to deflect. If the deflection of the entire keyboard from the force used to depress the key passes a certain threshold, the users perception of quality is diminished. As portable IHSs become thinner, the distance a key is able to travel is reduced, and the mounting of the keyboard must be firm in order to address typing accuracy and the user perception issues discussed above. Furthermore, when a backlight is keyboards, those keyboards become even more flexible due to the significant perforations used to allow passage of light into each key. 
     One conventional solution to this problem includes adding additional layers of metal adjacent the backside of the keyboard to give the keyboard support. However, such solutions undesirably increase the system thickness and weight, and can interfere with other information handling system components such as, for example, optical disk drives, which are located adjacent the keyboard with only a small clearance between the keyboard and the optical disk drive. Other solutions includes providing a pre-bow on the keyboard base plate in addition to the backside support discussed above, using magnets behind the keyboard in combination with the backside support discussed above in order to reduce keyboard deflection by ensuring that the keyboard stays in contact with the backside support, and using a web of metal between the keys, all of which suffer from at least some of the deficiencies discussed above. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved keyboard for an information handling system. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a keyboard support system includes a chassis, a keyboard base mounted to the chassis, a keyboard coupled to the keyboard base, and a tensioning device connected to the chassis and the keyboard base, wherein the tensioning device is adjustable to produce a tension in the keyboard base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an information handling system. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a top perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a chassis. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a bottom perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the chassis of  FIG. 2   a.    
         FIG. 2   c  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a tensioning device located on the chassis of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
         FIG. 3   a  is a top perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a keyboard system. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a bottom perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a keyboard system. 
         FIG. 4   a  is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for providing a keyboard on a chassis. 
         FIG. 4   b  is a top perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the keyboard system of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  being coupled to the chassis of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
         FIG. 4   c  is a bottom perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the keyboard system of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  being coupled to the chassis of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
         FIG. 4   d  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the keyboard system of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  being coupled to the tensioning device of  FIG. 2   c.    
         FIG. 4   e  is a top perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the keyboard system of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  coupled to the chassis of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
         FIG. 4   f  is a bottom perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the keyboard system of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  coupled to the chassis of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
         FIG. 4   g  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the keyboard system of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  coupled to the tensioning device of  FIG. 2   c.    
         FIG. 5   a  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the keyboard system of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  being coupled to an alternative embodiment of a tensioning device. 
         FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the keyboard system of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  coupled to the tensioning device of  FIG. 5   a.    
         FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the keyboard system of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  coupled to an alternative embodiment of a tensioning device. 
         FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the tensioning device of  FIG. 6   a  providing a tension in the keyboard system of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b.    
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the chassis of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  having a plurality of tensioning devices. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of this disclosure, an IHS 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, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an IHS may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switch router or other network communication device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The IHS may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the IHS may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications 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 IHS may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
     In one embodiment, IHS  100 ,  FIG. 1 , includes a processor  102 , which is connected to a bus  104 . Bus  104  serves as a connection between processor  102  and other components of IHS  100 . An input device  106  is coupled to processor  102  to provide input to processor  102 . Examples of input devices may include keyboards, touchscreens, pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs, and trackpads, and/or a variety of other input devices known in the art. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device  108 , which is coupled to processor  102 . Examples of mass storage devices may include hard discs, optical disks, magneto-optical discs, solid-state storage devices, and/or a variety other mass storage devices known in the art. IHS  100  further includes a display  110 , which is coupled to processor  102  by a video controller  112 . A system memory  114  is coupled to processor  102  to provide the processor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by processor  102 . Examples of system memory may include random access memory (RAM) devices such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), solid state memory devices, and/or a variety of other memory devices known in the art. In an embodiment, a chassis  116  houses some or all of the components of IHS  100 . It should be understood that other buses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and processor  102  to facilitate interconnection between the components and the processor  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , and  2   c , a chassis  200  is illustrated. In an embodiment, the chassis  200  may be part of the chassis  116 , described with reference to  FIG. 1 . In an embodiment, the chassis  200  may be part of a portable IHS chassis. The chassis  200  includes a base  202  having a top surface  202   a , a bottom surface  202   b  located opposite the top surface  202   a , a front edge  202   c  extending between the top surface  202   a  and the bottom surface  202   b , a rear edge  202   d  located opposite the front edge  202   c  and extending between the top surface  202   a  and the bottom surface  202   b , and a pair of opposing side edges  202   e  and  202   f  extending between the top surface  202   a , the bottom surface  202   b , the front edge  202   c , and the rear edge  202   d . A keyboard opening  204  is defined by the base  202 , centrally located on the base  202 , and extends through the base  202  from the front surface  202   a  to the rear surface  202   b . A plurality of keyboard base mounts  206  are located on the bottom surface  202   b  of the base  202  adjacent the keyboard opening  204  in a spaced apart relationship from each other. A tensioning device  208  is located on the bottom surface  202   b  of the base  202  adjacent keyboard opening  204 . The tensioning device  208  includes a support member  208   a  that extends from the base  202  immediately adjacent the keyboard opening  204  and defines an adjustment member channel  208   aa  and a plurality of securing apertures  208   ab . The tensioning device  208  also includes an adjustment member  208   b  having a first threaded member  208   ba  extending from one end of the adjustment member  208   b  and a keyboard base coupling member  208   bb  that extends from an end of the adjustment member  208   b  that is opposite the first threaded member  208   ba . The tensioning device  208  also includes a securing bracket  208   c  that defines an adjustment member channel  208   ca  and a plurality of securing apertures  208   cb . The tensioning device  208  also includes a pair of securing members  208   d  and a second threaded member  208   e . The operation of the support member  208   a , adjustment member  208   b , securing bracket  208   c , securing members  208   d , and second threaded member  208   e  will be described in further detail below. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , a keyboard system  300  is illustrated. The keyboard system  300  includes a keyboard base  302  having a top surface  302   a  and a bottom surface  302   b  located opposite the top surface  302   a . A plurality of chassis mounts  302   c  are located adjacent the perimeter edge of the keyboard base  302  in a spaced apart relationship from each other. The keyboard system  300  also includes a keyboard  304  having a top surface  304   a  and a bottom surface  304   b  located opposite the top surface  304   a . While the details of the keyboard  304  have not been illustrated for clarity of discussion, one of skill in the art will recognize that the keyboard  304  may include several layers that provide keys, electrical connections, electrical connectors, and/or a variety of other components that allow a user to provide input to an information handling system using the keyboard  304 . In an embodiment, the keyboard  304  is a backlit keyboard that is operable have its keys illuminated. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  4   d ,  4   e ,  4   f , and  4   g , a method  400  for providing a keyboard on a chassis is illustrated. The method  400  begins at block  402  where a chassis is provided. In an embodiment, the chassis  200  including the plurality of keyboard base mounts  206 , described above with reference to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , and  2   c , is provided. The method  400  then proceeds to block  404  where a keyboard base is mounted to the chassis. The keyboard base  302  and the keyboard  304  are positioned adjacent the chassis  200  such that they are located adjacent the keyboard opening  204 , with the top surface  304   a  of the keyboard  304  adjacent the bottom surface  202   b  of the chassis  200  and the top surface  302   a  of the keyboard base  302  adjacent the bottom surface  304   b  of the keyboard  304 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4   b  and  4   c . The keyboard base  302  and the keyboard  304  are then moved toward the chassis  200  such that the keyboard  304  becomes located in the keyboard opening  204 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4   e , and the keyboard base  302  becomes located immediately adjacent the keyboard  304  with each of the chassis mounts  302   c  on the keyboard base  302  located adjacent a respective keyboard base mount  206  on the chassis  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4   f . In an embodiment, the keyboard  304  may be coupled to IHS components such as, for example, the processor  102  and/or a variety of other IHS components known in the art. The keyboard base  302  is then mounted to the chassis  200  by securing a plurality of the chassis mounts  302   c  to respective keyboard base mounts  206  using, for example, screws, rivets, adhesives, and/or a variety of other securing methods known in the art, and coupling a chassis mount  302   c  to the tensioning device  208 . In the illustrated embodiment, at least one of the chassis mounts  302   c  includes a coupling aperture  404   a  defined by the keyboard base  302 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4   d.    
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4   d  and  4   g , in order to couple the chassis mount  302   c  to the tensioning device  208 , the adjustment member  208   b  is engaged with the support member  208   a  such that the first threaded member  208   ba  is located in the adjustment member channel  208   aa . The securing bracket  208   c  is then engaged with the support member  208   a  and the adjustment member  208   b  by positioning the first threaded member  208   ba  in the adjustment member channel  208   ca  and securing the securing bracket  208   c  to the support member  208   a  by positioning the securing members  208   d  in the securing apertures  208   cb  and  208   ab  on the securing bracket  208   c  and support member  208   a , respectively. The keyboard base coupling member  208   bb  on the adjustment member  208   b  is then positioned in the coupling aperture  404   a  on the chassis mount  302   c  of the keyboard base  302  and the second threaded member  208   e  is threaded on to the first threaded member  208   ba , as illustrated in  FIG. 4   g.    
     The method  400  then proceeds to block  406  where the tensioning device is adjusted. In the illustrated embodiment, the tensioning device  208  may be adjusted by rotating the second threaded member  208   e  in the appropriate direction relative to the first threaded member  208   ba  in order to move the adjustment member  208   b  away from the keyboard opening  204  due to the coupling of the second threaded member  208   e  and the first threaded member  208   b , the engagement of the second threaded member  208   e  and the securing bracket  208   c , and the engagement of the securing bracket and the support member  208   a . Due to the engagement of the adjustment member  208   b  and the keyboard base  302  (through the positioning of the keyboard base coupling member  208   bb  in the coupling aperture  404   a  on the chassis mount  302   c ) and the mounting of the keyboard base  302  to the chassis  200  (through the securing of the plurality of the chassis mounts  302   c  to respective keyboard base mounts  206 ,) moving the adjustment member  208   b  away from the keyboard opening  204  produces a tension in the keyboard base  302 , as the adjustment member  308   b /keyboard base  302  coupling will apply a force to the keyboard base  302  that pulls the keyboard base  302  away from at least one of the keyboard base mounts  206  to which the keyboard base  302  is mounted. This tension can be adjusted (e.g., increased or decreased) by rotating the second threaded member  208   e  in an appropriate direction relative to the first threaded member  208   ba . By producing a tension in the keyboard base  302 , the support provided by the keyboard base  302  to the keyboard  304  is stiffened, and when a user depresses a key on the keyboard  304 , the deflection of the keyboard  304  and keyboard base  302  combination will be less than if there were no tension provided in the keyboard base  302 . Thus, a system and method are provided for providing a keyboard on a chassis that reduces the deflection of the keyboard without substantially increasing the systems thickness and weight relative to conventional solutions, and without interfering with other components in the system. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , an embodiment of a tensioning device  500  is illustrated that may replace the tensioning device  208  described above. As part of the tensioning device  500 , the chassis  200 , described above with reference to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , further includes a plurality of support members  502  that extend in a spaced apart orientation from each other on the bottom surface  202   b  of the chassis  200  adjacent the keyboard opening  204 , and defines an aperture  504  that extends through the side wall  202   e  of the chassis  200 . The chassis mount  302   c  of the keyboard base  302  defines a plurality of securing apertures  506 . An adjustment member  508  defines a first threaded member  508   a  and a plurality of securing apertures  508   b , and is coupled to the chassis mount  302   c  on the keyboard base  302  by positioning a plurality of securing members  510  in the securing apertures  506  and  508   b  on the chassis mount  302   c  and adjustment member  508 , respectively. A leaf spring  512  is then positioned adjacent the bottom surface  202   b  of the chassis  202  and in engagement with the support members  502 , and the chassis mount  302   c  on the keyboard base  302  is positioned such that the adjustment member  508  is located adjacent the leaf spring  512 . A second threaded member  514  is then positioned such that it engages both the first threaded member  508   a  and the leaf spring  512 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5   b . At block  406  of the method  400 , the tensioning device  500  may be adjusted by rotating the second threaded member  514  in the appropriate direction relative to the first threaded member  508   a  in order to move the adjustment member  508  away from the keyboard opening  204  due to the coupling of the second threaded member  514  and the first threaded member  508   a  and the engagement of the second threaded member  514  and the leaf spring  512 . Due to the engagement of the adjustment member  508  and the keyboard base  302  and the mounting of the keyboard base  302  to the chassis  200 , moving the adjustment member  508  away from the keyboard opening  204  produces a tension in the keyboard base  302 , as the adjustment member  508 /keyboard base  302  coupling will apply a force to the keyboard base  302  that pulls the keyboard base  302  away from at least one of the keyboard base mounts  206  to which the keyboard base  302  is mounted. This tension can be adjusted (e.g., increased or decreased) by rotating the second threaded member  514  in an appropriate direction relative to the first threaded member  508   a . As can be seen in  FIG. 5   b , the second threaded member  514  can be accessed from the outside of the chassis  200  through the aperture  504 , allowing the stiffness of the keyboard to be adjusted without disassembling the IHS chassis. Furthermore, the leaf spring  512  compensates for dimensional variation in the associated parts of the tensioning device  500  so that controlled torque is not required for consistent tensile force. In an embodiment, the leaf spring may be deflected a fixed amount during the assembly of the system. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , an embodiment of a tensioning device  600  is illustrated that may replace the tensioning devices  208  and  500  described above. As part of the tensioning device  600 , the chassis  200 , described above with reference to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , further includes a cam  602  that is moveably coupled to the bottom surface  202   b  adjacent the keyboard opening  204  such that the cam  602  may rotate about an axis A. The chassis mount  302   c  of the keyboard base  302  defines a cam channel  604  and includes an adjustment member  606  located adjacent the cam channel  604 . When the keyboard base  302  is coupled to the chassis  200 , the cam  602  is positioned in the cam channel  604  and adjacent the adjustment member  606 . In an embodiment, the cam  602  may maintain contact with the adjustment member  606  throughout its range of rotation about the axis A. In an embodiment, the cam  602  may need to be rotated about the axis A to engage the adjustment member  606 . At block  406  of the method  400 , the tensioning device  600  may be adjusted by rotating the cam  602  about the axis A, as illustrated in  FIG. 6   b . Due to the eccentric shape of the cam  602 , rotation of the cam  602  moves the adjustment member  606  away from the keyboard opening  204 , thereby producing a tension in the keyboard base  302 , as the cam  602  will apply a force to the adjustment member  606  that is transmitted to the keyboard base  302  and pulls the keyboard base  302  away from at least one of the keyboard base mounts  206  to which the keyboard base  302  is mounted. This tension can be adjusted (e.g., increased or decreased) by rotating the cam  602  in an appropriate direction about the axis A. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an alternative embodiment of a keyboard support system  700  is illustrated that is substantially similar in structure and operation to the keyboard support systems described above, but with the provision of an additional tensioning device  702 , which may be the tensioning devices  208 ,  500 , and/or  600 , described above. Furthermore, one of skill in the art will recognize that the locations of the tension devices  208  and  702  may be moved from those illustrated in  FIG. 7  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     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 embodiments 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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6