Abstract:
A keyboard or keypad or other electronic assembly is adjustably suspended from an individual at waist-level and extends to a position which is comfortable and ergonomic for operation by a standing operator. Height adjustment of the keyboard assembly is provided by a band of semi-stiff material which attaches at one end to an individual&#39;s belt and attaches at the other end to a rotatable take-up roller located within the keyboard assembly; and two fold-out legs with a flexible strap stretched between them create a thigh stand-off assembly to angle the input device for better viewing during use. Extension and retraction of the band from the take-up roller, by manual operation, allows varying the height of the keyboard assembly according to to each individual&#39;s bodily requirements.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of wearable electronic equipment. More specifically, the present invention is related to an adjustment mechanism for a computer-type device secured to a person&#39;s body or garments. The device of this invention has particular application in providing a height adjustable, keyboard-like component which is maintained at an ergonomic and comfortable position for use by a standing operator. 
     2. Discussion of Prior Art 
     Supporting a computer or keyboard for use by a standing operator is generally known in the art in various configurations as illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,715,293; 5,207,791; 5,421,499; 5,675,362; 5,667,114. Typically, an over-the-shoulder or around-the-neck strap attaches to a horizontal table assembly which supports the keyboard at approximately waist level. The patent to Scherbarth, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,791, differs somewhat in that it contemplates a multi-jointed support assembly which attaches to a belt around a user&#39;s waist. However, such devices, as described in the prior art, have at least three shortcomings: (1) they require numerous adjustments to fit the shoulders, chest, neck and torso measurements of variously sized users, (2) they locate the keyboard in front of the operator which may be socially or culturally awkward, and (3) they require an operator to have an uncomfortable almost 90 degree elbow-bend when utilizing the support assembly. 
     Whatever the precise merits, features and advantages of the above cited references, none of them achieve or fulfill the purposes of the present invention. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a device with a keyboard which adjusts in height to allow comfortable use by a standing user. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a height adjustable device with a keyboard which allows infinite, or continuous, adjustments of the keyboard height. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a height adjustable device with a keyboard which requires only simple adjustments to easily and quickly accommodate variously sized individuals. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a height adjustable device with a keyboard which is not hindered by various jackets, coats, sweaters and other clothes a user may wear and does not harm similar-type clothing. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a height adjustable device with a keyboard which allows the device to be located unobtrusively at either side of the operator. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a height adjustable device with a keyboard which provides side-to-side support to prevent twisting and turning of the keyboard surface. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a height adjustable device with a keyboard which maintains the keyboard surface at a position which does not fatigue a standing user&#39;s arms, hands or wrists. 
     These and other objects are achieved by the detailed description that follows . 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An assembly including an electronic device with a keyboard, or other similar input apparatus, incorporates within it an elongated strap of semi-flexible material which attaches near standing operator&#39;s waist at one end and extends to a selected length thereby holding the electronic device at about mid-thigh height. The strap attaches at one of its ends to a sturdy belt clip, or incorporates a belt accommodating loops at a first end, to facilitate easy attachment of the device to a person&#39;s belt, garment, or waist-band. Further, the strap of semi-flexible material enters the housing of the electronic device and attaches at its distal end to a take-up roller rotatably fixed within the housing. By changing the amount the strap is wrapped around the take-up roller, an operator can manually adjust the height of the keyboard surface by retracting or extending the strap accordingly. The mechanism by which the strap wraps or unwraps around the take-up roller resembles a typical window-shade arrangement and provides simple and quick height adjustment means to accommodate variously sized operators regardless of their physical size or the bulkiness or delicateness of their clothes. This simple adjustment mechanism provides continuous height adjustability which allows the electronic device to assume an infinite number of positions. 
     An operator wishing to lower the computer device simply pulls down on the computer device to unwrap some of the strap material from the take-up roller and therefore extend the exposed length of the flexible strap. A height adjusted computer device maintains the desired height because the weight of the computer device and the friction present where the strap enters the housing both act on the strap to prevent the counter-biased take-up roller from rotating. When wanting to raise the computer device, the user simply lifts the computer device so that the strap material automatically wraps around the take-up roller which is spring biased to accomplish retraction of the strap. 
     The electronic device is easily positioned at a height which allows a standing user to place their hands on the keyboard, or other input mechanism, while their arms are in a relaxed and comfortable position. With no, or only minor, bending of the elbows, a user can comfortably use the keyboard for an extended period of time without fatigue or awkwardness. Fatigue is further lessened by the positioning of the electronic device at the side of the user where their arms and hands normally hang. 
     Additionally, fold-out support legs, with a flexible strap stretching between them, are attached to the underside of the electronic device housing which are used to brace the housing against a user&#39;s thigh in order to tilt the keyboard surface, or input apparatus, to an even more comfortable position depending on the user&#39;s preferences and to prevent twisting or turning of the keyboard surface during use. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the general components of the wearable electronic device of the present invention in a thigh high position. 
     FIGS. 2 a - 2   c  illustrate alternative embodiments of attaching the present invention to a user&#39;s belt. 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  illustrate details of how a flexible strap of the present invention enters a housing body and engages tension plates and a take-up roller. 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  illustrate the take-up roller of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 5 a  &amp;  5   b  illustrate an alternative embodiments of the present invention wherein electrical conductors are embedded within a flexible strap which supports an electronic device and carries interface signals between the device and other, external devices. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein an adjustable platform is used in conjunction with a standard, portable electronic device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While this invention is illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment, the device may be produced in many different configurations, forms and materials. There is depicted in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as a exemplification of the principles of the invention and the associated functional specifications of the materials for its construction and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within the scope of the present invention. 
     The primary structure of the present invention, wearable electronic device  100 , is illustrated in FIG. 1 along with a preferred embodiment “guitar” height. While the electronic device  100  is shown at the user&#39;s side, it can be positioned directly in front as well or other suitable positions relative to a user&#39;s body during use. Belt clip  114 , which preferably is constructed of a polycarbonate material or equivalent strong lightweight material, is shaped to securely slide over a person&#39;s belt and is approximately as wide as the normal distance between two belt loops. Clip  114  can also be constructed of functionally equivalent alternative materials which are flexible enough to easily attach and detach to a person&#39;s belt yet sturdy enough to support the weight of electronic device  100 . 
     Strap  108  attaches at one end  118  to belt clip  114 . A number of known bonding or attachment methods can be used to securely adhere strap  108 , preferably constructed of a polymer, Tyvek® or other equivalent strong lightweight flexible material, to polycarbonate belt clip  114 . The preferred method of affixing strap  108 , however, is around a buckle using contact adhesive to bond it back on itself as illustrated in FIG. 2 c.  Tyvek® strap  108  is approximately 5 to 6 inches wide and 0.020 inches thick. These dimensions allow strap  108  to be flexible and rolled-up but provide it enough rigidity to resist buckling, twisting and wrinkling. Other equivalent materials include, but are not limited to, fabric doped with acrylic, buckram, and non-memory prone plastics, with or without circuitry printed on them. Strap  108  is long enough to enter device housing  104  at opening  112 , extend within housing  104  and wrap around take-up roller  110 . A wide range of useful heights for electronic device housing  104  are thus attained if strap length is approximately 16 to 24 inches. However, other useful lengths are envisioned and considered within the scope of the invention. 
     In FIG. 1, housing  104  is illustrated at its preferred position—“guitar” height. This height is approximately mid-thigh on a standing user and is where a person&#39;s hands tend to fall when their arms are allowed to relax and loosely hang at their sides. A slight elbow bend may be present; however, this position causes little fatigue and can be maintained for an extended period of time with little effort. 
     Electronic device housing  104  is shown in its preferred embodiment as a keyboard input device  102  in FIG.  1 . Also, housing  104  is shown with an angle adjustable fold-out display  130 . Housing  104 , however, can be a wide range of equipment, with or without an attached display, and powered either by battery or external sources. In addition to keyboards, touch pads, stylus input apparatus, trackballs, musical instruments, other control surfaces, and combinations thereof are envisioned. Also, housing  104  can vary, as well, in its processing complexity; the use of simple input devices as well as full processor-based systems are contemplated by the present invention. 
     To further position housing  104 , fold-out legs  106  extend from hinges (not shown) attached to housing  104  and are connected to flexible strap  116  at their distal ends. In FIG. 1, legs  106  are shown in their extended position where they form approximately right angles to the underside of housing  104 . Strap  116  stretches between the distal ends of legs  106 . Furthermore, flexible strap  116  matches the contour of the user&#39;s thigh to provide an easy and comfortable fit for a variety of users. Any number of materials can be used for flexible strap  116  including strong natural fabrics or elastic synthetics. The length of strap  116  varies depending on the dimensions of housing  104 ; however, the width and thickness of strap  116  are preferably minimal to allow legs  106  to be as unobtrusive as possible when not in use and folded in close to housing  104 . Preferred embodiment dimensions are approximately 0.25 to 0.50 inches wide and 0.0625 to 0.125 inches thick for flexible strap  116 . The overall effect of strap  116  and legs  106  is to slightly tilt keyboard  102  from a vertical plane towards a horizontal plane which presents keyboard  102  in a position that a number of people find more comfortable than a straight vertical position. The length of legs  106  in relation to the length of housing  104  and the length of strap  116  control exactly what angle of tilt is attained. Preferably, an angle of approximately 15 degrees provides viewability of the control surface. FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  illustrate legs  106  in their retracted position, recess  314  in housing  104  accepts support legs  106  when they are in this retracted position. 
     As described, legs  106  have two positions—extended or not extended. As a result, keyboard  102  is either tilted or vertical. An alternative is to have legs  106  hinged with continual tension so that they support housing  104  at any angle between 0 and 90 degrees. Alternatively, legs  106  are hinged to have discrete operating positions and support housing  104  at a variety of engagable angles. 
     Optional interface jack  120  and cable  122  are also illustrated in FIG.  1 . The placement and type of jack  120  is not critical nor is he capability of cable  122 . Jack  120  is used to electrically connect to power or input/output signals within housing  104  and is connected to external devices (not shown) through cable  122  which is sufficient to carry any desired signals. 
     FIG. 2 provides detailed illustrations of two embodiments of the top end of strap  108  which attaches to a person&#39;s belt. In the preferred embodiment, strap  108 , which extends the entire width of clip  114 , is strengthened at its attachment end with batten  204 . Batten  204  is constructed of stiff, sturdy plastic and helps prevent twisting and bunching of strap  108 . As earlier described, strap  108  is attached to polycarbonate clip  114  the way a strap is affixed to a buckle. Tab  202  extends above clip and into the side of clip  114  opposite strap  108 . A user presses on tab  202  to flex clip  114  so that it is easier to slide on or off a person&#39;s belt. 
     An alternative embodiment uses openings  206  to thread strap  108  to person&#39;s belt  208 . Batten  204  is present in this embodiment as well to prevent bunching and wrinkling of strap  108 . Openings  206  are located around 0.5 to 0.75 inches from the closest edge of strap  108  and are double-stitched or otherwise reinforced to provide durability. One variation to this embodiment is to extend batten  204  in width so that it extends from the top of strap  108  to below openings  206 . Batten  204  would then have its own openings aligning with strap openings  206  and provide reinforcement to both strap  108  and openings  206 . 
     FIG. 3 a  provides details regarding how strap  108  enters housing  104  and travels to take-up roller  110 . Electronic device housing  104  has opening  304  along the width of its underside which allows strap  108  to enter. Preferably, opening  304  is located in the top half of housing  104  underside as illustrated in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b;  however, other locations, such as in housing  104  top side  312  are also contemplated. Upon entering housing  104 , strap  108  passes through tensioner plates  306  and  308  which sandwich strap  108  applying friction thereto and are adjustable by two screws  302  which pass through both tensioner plates  306  and  308  and extend outside housing  104 . Thumbscrews or similar hand-engagable ends of screws  302  alleviate the requirement to have special tools to adjust tensioner plates  306  and  308 . Tightening of screws  302  reduces the distance between tension plates  306  and  308 , thereby increasing friction, and loosening of screws  302  widens the distance between tensioner plates  306  and  308 , thereby decreasing friction. Tension plate  306  is attached to side of housing  104  below opening  304 ; it is constructed of rigid plastic or rubber and has a non-smooth surface which provides friction against strap  108 . Tension plate  308  is of similar construction but attaches by way of two screws or bolts  302  to tension plate  306 . The purpose of tension plates  306  and  308  is to provide enough friction to prevent strap  108  from freely retracting around take-up roller  110  which would cause housing  104  to travel upwards towards a user&#39;s waist. A user who wishes to position housing  104  down their thigh grasps housing  104  and pulls downward. This causes strap  108  to unwrap from take-up roller  110 , pass through tension plates  306  and  308  and exit housing  104  through opening  304 . Take-up roller  110  is biased to retract strap  108  and would thus return the housing up a person&#39;s thigh if not for the combination of the weight of housing  104  and the tension and friction from strap  108  passing though opening  304  and tension plates  306  and  308 . A user wishing to return housing  104  to a position up their thigh grasps housing  104  and slightly lifts, doing so breaks the balance of forces that allowed housing  104  to remain stationary and allows take-up roller  110  to retract strap  108 . 
     A detailed illustration of take-up roller  110  is provided in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b.  Hollow tube  402  extends the width of housing  104  and is secured by bearings  406 , either metal or plastic, to the underside of housing  104 . Tube  402  is approximately 6 to 10 mm in diameter and constructed of T60 or T61 aluminum, or alternatively of steel, bronze or brass. Inside hollow tube  402  is torsion spring  404  which is preferably metal but functionally equivalent rubber or elastic materials are considered interchangeable. Spring  404  is securely fixed to housing  104  and point  408 , extends through the entire length of hollow tube  402  and attaches to pin  412  at the opposite end of tube  402 . This arrangement allows torsion spring  404  to store energy when strap  108  is unwrapped from take-up roller  110  and release energy to cause retraction of strap  108  around take-up roller  110 . The tension of spring  404  also biases tube  402  towards point  408  and creates the need for cap arrangement  410 . Cap  410  fits over tube  402  and is too large to pass through the opening of bearing  406 . Cap  410 , made from material similar to tube  402 , is attached to tube  402  using pin  412  and allows take-up roller assembly  110  to freely rotate but overcomes its tendency to travel off-center. Bonding of Tyvek® strap  108  to hollow tube  402  is not shown in detail but is preferably accomplished using appropriate adhesive materials or other known attachment methods . Other alternative embodiments include having a slit in tube  402  which allows strap  108  to enter tube  402  and contact electrical fingers or similar devices within tube  402  and a flexible strap/circuit board. 
     The preferred embodiment of using a torsion spring to provide the retractive force on strap  108  is not the only method of providing an adjustment mechanism for strap  108 . Similar functionality can be attained from a ratchet and pawl mechanism at the edge of tube  402  such as used in a window shade. However, manufacturing tolerances and the increase in moving parts must be considered to provide a high quality fully functional device. 
     Alternative embodiments of the present invention include an interface with an external processor. Other applications are possible if signals created or stored in electronic device  104  are provided to external devices. Various methods of communication are envisioned which include radio frequency transmission circuits, infrared links, passive resonant circuits and even surface traveling electric fields which create a personal area network. As described earlier in conjunction with FIG. 1, cabling from an external jack to peripheral devices is the preferred embodiment. Power and other signals are provided to electronic device housing  104  and keyboard and other input signals are provided from housing  104  to outside devices. While this is the preferred embodiment, an alternative embodiment is described below. 
     FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  illustrate a method of carrying electrical signals to and from electronic device housing  104  without the need for external cable  122  as shown in FIG.  1 . In this embodiment, conductors  504  are embedded or sewn into strap  108 . Flexible conductors are known in the art which are able to reliably withstand repeated rolling and unrolling from take-up roller  110 . A portion of conductors  504  are at the surface of strap  108  in order to provide electrical contact with fingers  502 , which are constructed of a conducting material. Fingers  502  are extensions from circuit board  508  or similar connector which interfaces with the control circuitry and input circuits of electronic device housing  104 . FIG. 5 b  illustrates the preferred arrangement where support  506  forces strap  108  against fingers  502  so that electrical contact with conductors  504  is maintained. 
     Other methods of putting signals on, and pulling signals off, conductors  504  are also contemplated. Conductors  504  can be on both sides of strap  108  which would then require contact brushes similar to fingers  502  on both sides of strap  108 . In an alternative embodiment, conductors  504  in strap  108  are connected to electrical pads on the inner, or outer, surface of take-up roller  110  which are brought out to an edge to contact appropriately arranged brushes. This configuration is similar to how a twist preventing telephone cord adapter works. The interface between belt clip  114  and conductors  504  is not illustrated, as any arrangement of electrical connectors which accept flexible circuit boards is contemplated for acquiring the signals from conductors  504  and making them available to external processors or equipment. 
     In the previous embodiments, the present invention has been described as an entire unit which incorporates inventive height adjustment strap  108  as a part of electronic device  100 . However, the benefits and objectives of this invention are equally realized in a height adjustable support configuration for use with traditional portable devices. FIG. 6 illustrates platform  610  for use with portable device  600 . Take-up roller mechanism  670 , strap  640 , legs  620 , and strap  630  all operate the same as similar components described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 through 5. Platform  610  is preferably constructed of lightweight plastic and incorporates ledge  660  and anchor strap  650  to keep device  600  from falling off platform  610 . A non-slip surface incorporated into platform  610  also assists with maintaining device&#39;s  600  contact with platform  610 . Other shapes, sizes and attachment methods for adjustable supports are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
     Conclusion 
     A system and method has been shown in the above embodiments for the effective implementation of a wearable electronic device with simple and quick height adjustment mechanisms to allow comfortable use by a standing operator. While various preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the present invention should not be limited by size, materials, connection methods, leg styles, handle position or composition, locking structures or surface textures.