Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Patent
1995-03-28
1996-08-13
Picard, Leo P.
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
400681, 400682, 248688, G06F 116, H05K 502
Patent
active
055462715
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to computer keyboard support members. More specifically, the present invention relates to support members which are adjustable to support the keyboard at a selected angle.
Keyboards for computers should meet ergonomic requirements in terms of operator comfort. This is particularly important when keyboards are actuated over relatively long periods of time as is the case in data processing units. The ergonomically desirable designs of keyboards demand adjustability of the keyboard's inclination with respect to a horizontal work surface in order to accommodate the bodily comfort of different operators and the dimensions of different work spaces.
For example, EP-B 0 216 274 and "IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 26, No. 7A, December 1983, pages 3277-3278" disclose devices for adjusting the inclination angle of keyboard housings. In each of these devices, bearing elements provided for fastening the pivotable stands to the keyboard are constructed in a relatively complex manner. Consequently, a considerable additional outlay in terms of construction and production is necessary for a keyboard housing which includes such bearing elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is now based on the object of constructing a device for the adjustment of the inclination angle of keyboard housings in such a manner that constructive interventions into the form of the housing are not necessary.
The present invention achieves this object by providing a device for the variable adjustment of the inclination angle of a keyboard housing supported on a flat surface. The device includes a tubular bearing element which has two opposite, open ends. The tubular bearing element is secured to the housing bottom proximal to a rear corner of the housing. The device also includes a stand which has two U-brackets of different lengths. The U-brackets are arranged at an angle from each other so that the stand is generally L-shaped. The U-brackets meet at a pair of inwardly-directed bearing pins. Each bearing pin rotatably resides in a respective end of the tubular bearing element, thereby securing the stand to the bearing element. The stand further has a locking element which extends from at least one of the U-brackets. The locking element engages in the bearing element to adjustably retain the housing in one of at least two inclination angle settings.
In an embodiment, each U-bracket includes a strip-shaped web and a pair of U-legs. Each U-leg extends from a respective end of the web at a generally right angle thereto.
In an embodiment, a tongue, running parallel to the U-legs, has one end which is secured to one of the U-brackets. The tongue has an opposite preend from which the locking element extends to engage the bearing element in a locking manner.
In an embodiment, two groove like locking notches are provided on an outer surface of the tubular bearing element. Each notch runs parallel to an axis of the tubular bearing element.
In an embodiment, the tongue is shaped to follow the contour of the outer surface of the bearing element, having the shape of a circular arc. The locking element is disposed on an inner surface of the circular arc.
In an embodiment, a pair of inclined surfaces are disposed on the keyboard housing running transversely to an axis of the tubular bearing element, each incline surface being disposed respectively adjacent one of the two ends of the tubular bearing element. Along the incline surfaces, the bearing pins respectively slide during assembly while slightly spreading the U-brackets and finally dip, or snap into the respective tube ends.
Also in an embodiment, a device is provided for supporting a keyboard housing on a surface at an angle. Device includes a tubular bearing element secured to a bottom of the housing, the tubular bearing element having two ends. The device also includes a stand having a short bracket member and a long bracket member. The bracket members extend at generally a right angle from each other. The s
REFERENCES:
patent: 4658124 (1987-04-01), Bertina
patent: 5347424 (1994-09-01), Akahane
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin vol. 24, No. 12, May 1982 "Keyboard-angle Adjustment", Kelley, T. F. et al.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin vol. 25, No. 6, Nov. 1982 "Keyboard Tilt Mechanism".
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin vol. 26, No. 7A, Dec. 1983 "Dual Tilt Support Legs for Keypad", Allen, D.
Japanese Patent Abstract, vol. 8, No. 170, Aug. 7, 1984 "Spring Type Turning Gear".
Japanese Patent Abstract vol. 8 No. 179, Aug. 17, 1984 "Keyboard", Watanabe.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin vol. 28, No. 6, Nov. 1985 "Keyboard Support Lifting Assembly with Locking Feature".
Gut Bernhard
Wandinger Franz
Hendrickson Lynn D.
Picard Leo P.
Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft
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