Abstract:
An apparatus has an arrangement for an input unit which provides control data for an electrical apparatus such as a printer or a copier and the arrangement allows the input unit to be shifted between an idle position within a cabinet of the apparatus to an operating position which extends outside of the cabinet to allow access. The arrangement is inclined so that the movement from the idle to the operating position is in a downwardly inclined direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an apparatus for holding an input unit for inputting control data for an electrical device, in particular to a printer or copier. 
     Printers and copiers are known in which the input unit, e.g. a keyboard and, if warranted, an associated display unit, is attached externally to the printer. Particular operating modes are selected via the keyboard during disturbance-free operation of the printer. Thus, for example, the number of pages to be printed, the print format or a particular print mode (simplex, duplex) can be selected. If a disturbance occurs in the printer, then control data are inputted via the keyboard by a qualified operator that cause localization or, respectively, removal of the error. A disadvantage is that the keyboard is relatively unprotected, so that undesired inputs can also take place, e.g. if an operating personnel lean on the keyboard or if objects are placed on it. 
     Keyboards are also known that are removed from a mechanical mount in the printer and are suspended in a sheathing panel of the device with holding elements. However, this requires a number of manual operations to be carried out by an operator, which worsen the operability of the printer. 
     From DE 43 31 110 A1, a withdrawable holding apparatus is known for a switching cabinet. However, due to the inclined construction of the held keyboard a larger constructive space is required in the switching cabinet. This also holds for the keyboard of a data processing installation addressed in the utility model G 82 12 927, which keyboard can be pulled out on a support. 
     From DE 31 03 481 C2, a withdrawable keyboard is known that however must be moved along a curved path. 
     In the utility model G 89 13 798, a withdrawable keyboard is explained that is tilted into an angled position outside the device. The guide mechanism required for this results in an unstable mounting of the keyboard in the operating position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,740 discloses an apparatus for holding an input unit that comprises a keyboard for inputting data. The apparatus, together with a display unit, can be pivoted about a pivot axle. The apparatus can be pivoted out of a vertical idle position into an approximately horizontal operating position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,032 and GB-A-2,133,222 disclose similar devices, whose input unit with a keyboard can be displaced exclusively in a horizontal plane. In the idle position, the input unit is pushed into a device, together with a display unit if necessary. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to provide a simple, space-saving apparatus for holding the input unit, that is inclined to the horizontal in the operating position and that takes up little space inside the device when in the idle position. 
     This object is achieved by means of an apparatus of the type named above in that it has at least one guide element arranged on the input unit, which guide element is housed movably by a housing element arranged on the device. The input unit is thereby essentially movable in a plane between an idle position and an operating position. In the idle position, the input unit is mounted inside the device, and in the operating position the input unit can be actuated from the outside. The invention is based on the consideration that the input unit is to be available to an operator of the printer or copier only when the operator actually wishes to input control data and/or is authorized or, respectively, qualified for the input of control data. However, in the case (rare in comparison to the overall operating time) in which the operator requires the input unit, no great additional expense, and associated loss of time, should be allowed to arise for the operator. In the invention, a guide element is thus arranged at the input unit that enables a movement of the input unit in a plane between the idle position and the operating position. Supported by the guide element, the input unit can thus be moved in a linear fashion by the operator. This linear movement is conceivably simple, so that it can also be executed at a high speed by the operator. The input unit thus need not be guided along a curved path or suspended in a predetermined position. The invention thus enables rapid access to the input unit. 
     In the idle position, the input unit according to the invention is mounted inside the device, so that an accidental actuation is effectively prevented by a sheathing of the device. In the idle position, the input unit is thus hardly or not at all visible from the outside. The number of visible operating elements is reduced, so that the operation of the apparatus is simplified. In contrast, in the invention the input unit can be actuated freely from the outside in the operating position, so that the operator has an ergonomically advantageous freedom of operation. 
     In the invention, the housing element is arranged at an angle to the horizontal, so that the input unit is also slightly inclined in the operating position. The inclination is dependent on the height at which the input unit is arranged. It is selected such that an ergonomic operating position results for the operator during the inputting of the control data. By means of the inclination of the housing element, the input unit itself can be executed in a flat and therefore space-saving manner. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the guide element is arranged in an edge region of the input unit, and a second guide element is arranged on an opposed edge region of the input unit. With the aid of two guide elements, the input unit can be held very stably, so that pressure forces during the inputting of the control data are well-compensated, and the input unit lies still during the inputting. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, in the operating position the end of the guide element facing away from the device projects beyond the end of the housing element facing away from the device. This measure enables a compact construction of the holding apparatus to be achieved, since this apparatus can be withdrawn from the device in the manner of a telescope extension. 
     If, in another embodiment of the invention, in the operating position the guide element is fixed in its position by a snap element, then forces can also occur in the direction of motion of the input unit during the inputting of the control data, without a change of the position of the input unit. If the input unit is also fixed in the idle position, then an automatic movement of the input unit, due for example to shaking movements of the device during operation, or to gravity given an inclined mounting of the input unit, is prevented. If the snap element is arranged on the end region of the guide element facing the device, then a single snap element can be used both in the operating position and also in the idle position. A lever that is connected with the snap element and that ends near the input unit simplifies the actuation of the snap element. 
     The snap element can be constructed in such a way that a resetting element, such as for example a spring, automatically positions the snap element into a normal position that is also assumed when the guide element is fixed. The resetting force can be used for the braking of the input unit during movement into the idle position or, respectively, into the operating position. For this purpose, in the region of movement of the snap element there are inclined surfaces or slopes on which the snap element runs and these surfaces press the snap element out of its normal position shortly before achieving the idle position or the operating position of the input unit. Then as the distance from the normal position increases, an increasing braking effect develops on the slopes, whereby due to the connection of the snap element and the input unit the motion of the input unit is also braked. This braking of the input unit leads to an increase in the durability of the holding means, since high mechanical stresses due to impact are also avoided in the achieving of he idle position or the operating position. During the reaching of the idle position or the operating position, the input unit is also protected, by the braking apparatus, from vibrations that damage the input unit. As a braking apparatus, stop elements made of an elastic material are also used, which are preferably arranged on stop surfaces of the guide elements. 
     If a support surface is arranged on the end of the guide element facing away from the device, transverse to the direction of motion, operability increases, since an operator can support his hand surfaces on this support surface during the inputting of the control data. An actuation element for the actuation of the snap element is arranged in a hollow space underneath the support surface, so that the operator engages the support surface from underneath, and withdraws the input unit from the device in the manner of a drawer. The actuation element usefully runs over the entire width of the input unit, so that the access to the actuation element can take place reliably despite the blocking of the view by the support surface. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the actuating element and the braking apparatus are coupled with one another in such a way that the braking apparatus is released when the actuating element is actuated. This measure enables frictionless movement of the input unit. As long as the input unit is guided by the hand of the operator, this determines the movement speed of the input unit. If the input unit slips out of the hand of the operator or is let go, the actuating element is no longer actuated, and the braking apparatus is now activated, thus preventing an impact of the keyboard when the idle position or operating position is reached. 
     If a locking means, preventing movement of the input unit into the operating position, is arranged in the direction of movement of the input unit in the idle position, access to the input unit can be limited effectively. Besides locks, a sheathing of the apparatus that can be removed only with a tool is also used as a locking means, which sheathing has to be removed anyway by a service technician in case of service. Thus, in case of service only a qualified person can input control data via the input unit, so that in particular misoperations by unqualified persons are excluded. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a holding apparatus for holding a keyboard, 
     FIG. 2 a  is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken on line IIa—IIa of FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 2 b  is an enlarged side view of the outer end of the holding apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 c  is a cross sectional view taken on line IIc—IIc of FIG. 2 a;    
     FIG. 3 a  is a diagrammatical view of the arrangement of the holding apparatus in an idle or retracted position in the printer; and 
     FIG. 3 b  is a diagrammatic view of the holding apparatus in an operating position in the printer. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a top view of a holding apparatus  10  for holding a keyboard  12 , e.g. a known personal computer keyboard. Via the keyboard  12 , an operator inputs control data for a printer of FIG. 3 a  on whose frame two guide receptacles  14 ,  16  (FIG. 1) are fastened. The control data are transmitted to a central control unit of the printer by the keyboard  12  via a connection line  18 . The keyboard  12  is fastened on a base plate  20  with the aid of a fastening sheet  22  which has a Z shape as shown in FIG. 2 a . The base plate  20  is angled off on both sides of the keyboard  12 , so that on the one hand its bending rigidity is increased and on the other hand fastening possibilities are created for telescoping rails  24  and  26 . The telescoping rail  24  is surrounded by the guide receptacle  14  and the telescoping rail  26  is surrounded by the guide receptacle  16 , so that the base plate  20 , together with the keyboard  12 , can be moved in the plane defined by the base plate  20 , longitudinal to the guide receptacles  14 ,  16 , as indicated by arrows  28  and  29 . 
     FIG. 1 shows the keyboard in an idle position in which the rails  24  and  26  are located essentially inside the guide receptacles  14  and  16 . If the keyboard is moved in the direction of the arrow  29 , the rails  24  and  26  are guided through the guide receptacles  14  and  16  until an operating position is reached, and until almost their entire length protrudes beyond the guide receptacles  14  and  16 . 
     On the side of the base plate  20  facing away from the printer, there is a support surface  30  for the application of the hand surfaces of an operator during the inputting of the control data. Underneath the support surface  30  there is an actuating element  32 , only outlined in FIG. 1, for the actuation of a snap element  34  via a lever or link  36 . The manner of operation of the actuating element  32 , of the snap element  34  and of the lever  36  is explained below on the basis of FIGS. 2 a ,  2   b  and  2   c . The snap element  34  is mounted on an angle steel  38  (FIG. 1) so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation  40 . The angle steel  38  is connected with the base plate  20  via a rivet connection  42 . In addition, a spring  44  is fastened to the angle steel  38 , which spring presses the snap element  34  through an opening  46  (best shown in FIG. 2 a ) in the base plate  20 . In the normal position of the snap element  34 , i.e. without an actuation of the actuating element  32 , in the idle position the base plate  20 , and thereby also the keyboard  12 , is fixed on a sheet  60  so that an automatic movement in relation to the guide receptacles  14  and  16  is excluded. 
     Another opening  48  is located on the end of the sheet  60  facing away from the printer (cf. FIG.  2 ). The receptacle  48  receives the snap element  34  in the operating position, so that in turn the base plate  20  is fixed in relation to the guide receptacles  14  and  16 , and thus in relation to the printer as a whole. 
     The opening  48  is located in an angled sheet  60  that is fastened to the guide receptacle  16 , as explained below and as shown in FIG. 2 c . Slopes  62  and  64 , falling off in opposed directions, stand out from the sheet  60 . A sheet  66  on the other side of the holding apparatus  10  is fastened between the guide receptacle  14  and the frame of the printer, but has no receptacles or slopes. If, in another embodiment, snap elements are however present on both sides of the base plate, the sheet  66  is also manufactured with slopes and openings. 
     The snap element  34  has a projection  68  that is pressed in the direction of an arrow  69  by the spring  44 , so that in the idle position the projection that protrudes through the opening  46  is arranged between a stop surface  70  and  72  of the sheet  60 , so that given a movement of the base plate  20  in the direction of the arrow  29 , the projection  68  impacts on the stop surface  70 , and given a movement in the direction of the arrow  28  it impacts on the stop surface  72 . 
     The snap element  34  is detached in that an operator moves the actuating element  32  away from the printer. The movement of the actuating element  32  is communicated up to the snap element  34  via the lever or linkage  36 . For this purpose, the lever or linkage  36  is connected at its one end with the actuating element  32  via a bearing  74 , and at its other end it is connected with the snap element  34  via a bearing  76 . If the actuating element  32  is actuated, the snap element  34  moves in the direction of an arrow  78 , whereby the projection  68  is lifted far enough that a movement of the base plate  20  in the direction of the arrow  29  is henceforth possible. The projection  68  thus no longer impacts the stop surface  70  when the base plate  20  is drawn into the operating position. In the operating position, when the operator lets go of the actuating element  32  the projection  68  snaps into the opening  48 , whereby the base plate  20  is fixed in relation to the sheet  60 , since without actuation of the actuating element  32  the projection  68  impacts the edges of the opening  48 , without movement of the base plate  20  and thus also of the keyboard  12 . 
     The slopes  62  and  64  serve as a braking means if, during movement of the base plate  20  into the idle position or into the operating position, the actuating element  32  is no longer actuated. In this case, the projection  68  is again pressed into its normal position by the spring  44 ; when the operating position is reached it comes into contact with the slope  62 , and when the idle position is reached it comes into contact with the slope  64 . The slopes  62  and  64  force the projection in the direction of the arrow  78 , against the spring force of the spring  44 . As the excursion of the projection  68  increases, the spring  44  acts as a brake. 
     FIG. 2 b  shows an enlargement of the support surface  30  according to the sectional representation of part of FIG. 2 a . The support surface  30  is an extension of the base plate  20 , and is bent in such a way that a hollow space  90  arises in which the actuating element  32  is fastened to a hinge  92  that is fastened to the other hinge surface on the support surface  30 . The actuating element  32  can thus be pressed in the direction of an arrow  94  by the finger  96  of an operator. The external surface of the support surface  30  can thereby serve as a counter-pressure surface for a thumb  98  of the operator. The spring force of the spring  44 , communicated via the snap element  34  and the lever  36 , draws the actuating element  32  in the direction of an arrow  100 . 
     FIG. 2 c  shows a sectional representation of the holding apparatus  10  along the section line IIc—IIc of FIG. 2 a , which is transverse to the direction of movement  28 ,  30  of the base plate  20 . However, the snap element  34  is thereby located in a position P 1  according to FIG. 2 a . Balls  110  and  112  are located between the telescope rail  26  and the guide receptacle  16 , which decrease the friction during the movement of the base plate  20 . 
     The snap element  34  is fastened to a bolt  114  with the aid of a securing ring  116 . The bolt  114  is connected in stationary fashion with the angle steel  38 . A bolt  118  connects the lever  36  and the snap element  34 . A securing ring  120  thereby holds the lever  36  and the bolt  118  close to one another, whereby however a rotational movement is enabled between the lever  36  and the snap element  34 . 
     FIG. 3 a  shows the arrangement of the holding apparatus  10  in the printer  130 . The printer  130  has a cabinet with a frame  132  on which the holding apparatus  10  is fastened at an angle of approximately 20 degrees to the horizontal. A vertically pivotable display unit  134  is in addition fastened to the frame  132 , which unit displays operating states of the printer  130 , and on which the actuating elements  136 , e.g. for switching the printer  130  on and off, are arranged. 
     The printer  130  is protected from environmental influences by a sheathing  138  of the cabinet. In the region of the display unit  134  and the holding apparatus  10 , the sheathing is formed by a door  140  of the cabinet that has a window  142  for the display unit  134 . When the door  140  is closed, access to the keyboard  12  is not possible. 
     FIG. 3 b  shows the printer  130  when the door  140  is open, which door is opened only by qualified personnel for service purposes. The keyboard  12  is also used for service, so that the qualified operator draws the base plate  20  into the operating position in the manner described above. In the operating position, the keyboard  12  is located underneath the display unit  134 , between the operator and the display unit  134 , so that particular operating states of the printer  130  are queried via the keyboard, by means of the input of control data. The display unit  134  then indicates the current operational states. 
     After termination of the service work, the keyboard  12  is again pushed into the idle position. After this, the door  140  is again shut, so that only the actuating elements  136  are still accessible for the operation of the printer  130 . 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 List of reference characters 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 
                 Holding apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 Keyboard 
               
               
                   
                 14, 16 
                 Guide receptacle 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 Connection line 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 Round plate 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 Fastening sheet 
               
               
                   
                 24, 26 
                 Telescope rail 
               
               
                   
                 28, 29 
                 Arrow 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 Support surface 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 Actuating element 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 Snap element 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 Lever 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 Angle steel 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 Axis of rotation 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 Rivet 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 Spring 
               
               
                   
                 46, 48 
                 Opening 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 Sheet 
               
               
                   
                 62, 64 
                 Slopes 
               
               
                   
                 66 
                 Sheet 
               
               
                   
                 68 
                 Projection 
               
               
                   
                 69 
                 Arrow 
               
               
                   
                 70, 72 
                 Stop surface 
               
               
                   
                 74, 76 
                 Bearing 
               
               
                   
                 78 
                 Arrow 
               
               
                   
                 90 
                 Hollow space 
               
               
                   
                 92 
                 Hinge 
               
               
                   
                 94 
                 Arrow 
               
               
                   
                 96 
                 Finger 
               
               
                   
                 98 
                 Thumb 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 Arrow 
               
               
                   
                 P1 
                 Position 
               
               
                   
                 110, 112 
                 Balls 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 Securing ring 
               
               
                   
                 118 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 Securing ring 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 Printer 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 Frame 
               
               
                   
                 134 
                 Display unit 
               
               
                   
                 136 
                 Actuating element 
               
               
                   
                 138 
                 Sheathing 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                 Door 
               
               
                   
                 142 
                 Window