GB2502353A

GB2502353A - Compact keyboards

Info

Publication number: GB2502353A
Application number: GB1209297.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vincent Patrick Donohoe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-24
Filing date: 2012-05-24
Publication date: 2013-11-27
Also published as: GB201209297D0

Abstract

A keyboard 1 includes fingers 2 which move from a first closed position where the fingers lie adjacent to each other to a second open in use position with the fingers radially spaced from each other. Keys (4) forming a keyboard are supported on the fingers. The fingers may be triangular and pivoted together at their apex so as to open out in a fan like manner. Additionally or alternatively a keyboard includes a sheet (13, fig 2) material and a means to guide the sheet material from a first compact position to a planar position. The guide means may be a roller or an arrangement of fingers.

Description

Title: Novel Keyboard The present invention relates to a novel keyboard.

It is known to provide a keyboard which is separate to arid connects to a computer. Such keyboards however are bulky to transport and impractical when using them with portable computer equipment or mobile telephones.

The invention seeks to provide a keyboard which can compact when not in use.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a novel keyboard comprising a plurality of fmgers which move from a first closed position where the fingers lie adjacent each other to a second open in use position with the fingers radially spaced from each other, and keys forming a keyboard supported on the fingers.

The fingers may be each pivoted together at one endS In one embodiment the keys are positioned on the fingers.

In another embodiment the keys are on a sheet material supported by the fingers. Preferably the sheet of material supports the fingers in radially spaced positions.

The keys may be connected to a piezo transducer giving a vibration when a key is touched.

According to the second aspect of the present invention there is provided a novel keyboard comprising a sheet of material printed with keys forming a keyboard printed thereon, and means to guide the sheet material form a first compact position to a second substantially planar position.

Preferably the guide means comprises a plurality of fingers each pivoted together at one end which move from a first closed position where the fmgers lie adjacent each other to a second open in use position with the fingers radially spaced form each other, and keys forming a keyboard supported on the fingers, and the sheet material is supported on the fingers.

Alternatively the guide means may be a roller on which the sheet material is rolled up in the Inst compact position or is withdrawn from the roller to the second substantially planar position.

The invention also relates to an item of equipment such as a computer with a recess for storing the above defined computer according to the first or second aspect of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures IA and lB show a first embodiment in a closed and open position, and Figures 2A and 2B show a second embodiment in a closed and open position.

Referring to Figures IA and 18 there is shown a novel keyboard 1.

Keyboard 1 comprises a plurality of triangular fingers 2 each pivoted together at one apex end by a pivot point 3. Fingers 2 which move from a first closed position (see Figure 1A) where the fingers lie adjacent and overlap each other to a second open in use position (see Figure IB) with the fingers radially spaced from each other whilst still overlapping, similar to a fan. if desired strings (not shown) may be used to keep the fingers overlapping.

A plurality of keys 4 are provided printed on the upper face of the fingers, and the keys 4 form a keyboard supported on the fingers 2.

The keys are connected to a USB plug S for connection to a computer or other electrical equipment operable by a keyboard.

The keys may be connected to a piezo transducer (not shown) giving a vibration when a key is touched.

Referring to Figures 2A and 2B there is shown a novel keyboard 10.

Keyboard 10 comprises a plurality of guide means in the form of fingers 12 each connected to one side of a sheet of material 13 to support the material. Fingers 12 move from a first closed position (see Figure 2A) where the fingers lie adjacent each other to a second open in use position (see Figure 2B) with the fingers radially spaced from each. Sheet material 13 supports the fingers 12 in radially spaced position when in a second open position (see Figure 2B). When in the closed position (see Figure 2A) the sheet material 13 can concertina up.

A plurality of keys 14 are provided printed on the upper face of the sheet material 13, and the keys 14 form a keyboard supported on the fingers 12.

The keys 14 are connected to a USH plug 15 for connection to a computer or other electrical equipment operable by a keyboard.

The keys 14 may be connected to a piezo transducer (not shown) giving a vibration when a key is touched.

The keyboard described above may be sold separately or may be built into a recess in an item of equipment such as a computer. The invention thus also relates to an item of equipment such as a computer with a recess for storing the above defined computer according to the first or second aspect of the invention.

Instead of fingers as guide means, the sheet of material could be on a roller on which the sheet material is rolled up in the first compact position or is withdrawn from the roller to the second substantially planar position. Thus according to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a novel keyboard comprising a sheet of material printed with keys forming a keyboard printed thereon, and means to guide the sheet material form a first compact position to a second substantially planar position.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing form the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A novel keyboard comprising a plurality of fingers which move from a first closed position where the fingers lie adjacent each other to a second open in use position with the fingers radially spaced from each other, and keys forming a keyboard supported on the fingers.
2. A novel keyboard according to claim!, wherein the fingers are each pivoted together at one end.
3. A novel keyboard according to claim I or 2, wherein the keys are positioned on the fingers.
4. A novel keyboard according to claim I or 2, wherein the keys are on a sheet material supported by the fingers.
5. A novel keyboard according to claim 4, wherein the sheet of material supports the fingers in radially spaced positions. *s *e * * * * . **.**

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6. A novel keyboard according to any preceding claim, wherein the keys are connected to a piezo * transducer giving a vibration when a key is touched. ** * * * ***
7. A novel keyboard comprising a sheet of material printed with keys forming a keyboard printed thereon, and means to guide the sheet material from a first compact position to a second substantially planar position.
8. A novel keyboard according to claim 7, wherein the guide means comprises a plurality of fingers each pivoted together at one end which move from a first closed position where the fingers lie adjacent each other to a second open in use position with the fingers radially spaced from each other, and keys forming a keyboard supported on the material, and the sheet material is supported on the fingers.
9. A novel keyboard according to claim 7, wherein the guide means is a roller on which the sheet material is rolled up in the first compact position or is withdrawn from the roller to the second substantially planar positkn.r
10. A novel keyboard according to, 8, or 9 claim, wherein the keys are connected to a piezo * transducer giving a vibration when a key is touched.I a. ***
11. A novel keyboard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. * S * *t*S

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12. An item of equipment with a recess for storing the above defined keyboard according to any preceding claim. * * * * * * fl***..* * * . ** * . * * S 5-, * . *i.S *SS