CN219105460U

CN219105460U - Foldable keyboard

Info

Publication number: CN219105460U
Application number: CN202222760188.2U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 爽·萨
Original assignee: J Sa
Current assignee: J Sa
Priority date: 2022-10-19
Filing date: 2022-10-19
Publication date: 2023-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-19

Abstract

A foldable keyboard according to the present application may comprise three parts. The three keyboard sections may be folded in a "zig-zag" manner or folded in corners. The keyboard with different layout can be arranged on each of the three keyboard parts according to the requirement, and the keyboard functions of 'combination' can be provided for a user when the three parts are fully unfolded or when two parts are unfolded, so that great convenience can be provided for the user. Meanwhile, in the folded state, the size of the keyboard is reduced, and the keyboard is convenient to carry. Providing features on both sides of a single keyboard segment, or on both sides of the fold after the keyboard is fully or partially folded, may provide a great convenience for the user.

Description

Foldable keyboard

Technical Field

The present application relates to keyboards, and in particular to a foldable keyboard.

Background

A keyboard is a common input tool such as a keyboard provided on a computer, a keyboard as an input peripheral of a game machine, and the like. Today, people often need to use a keyboard as an input device in various situations (e.g. in a car, in the field) such as a computer or a game machine, and the existing keyboards are either too large in size or single in function, and thus do not meet the needs of people well.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a keyboard, including first keyboard part, second keyboard part and third keyboard part, wherein, first keyboard part is through first connecting portion movably connected to the first side of second keyboard part, third keyboard part is through second connecting portion movably connected to the second side of second keyboard part.

A foldable keyboard according to embodiments of the present application may include three sections. In some embodiments, three keyboard sections may be folded in a "zig-zag" fashion. In some embodiments, three keyboard sections enable corner folding. The keyboard with different layout can be arranged on each of the three keyboard parts according to the requirement, and the keyboard functions of 'combination' can be provided for a user when the three parts are fully unfolded or when two parts are unfolded, so that great convenience can be provided for the user. Meanwhile, in the folded state, the size of the keyboard is reduced, and the keyboard is convenient to carry. In some embodiments, providing features on both sides of a single keyboard portion, or on both sides of the fold after the keyboard is fully or partially folded, may provide a great convenience as desired by the user.

Drawings

Fig. 1A to 1C show a basic structure of a three-fold keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 2 shows another exemplary structure of a folding keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary functional layout of a folded keyboard when fully unfolded according to embodiments of the present application.

Detailed Description

The content of the present application will now be discussed with reference to several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are discussed only to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to better understand and thus practice the disclosure of the present application and are not meant to imply any limitation on the scope of the present application.

As used herein, the term "comprising" and variants thereof are to be interpreted as meaning "including but not limited to" open-ended terms. The term "based on" is to be interpreted as "based at least in part on". The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" are to be interpreted as "at least one embodiment. The term "another embodiment" is to be interpreted as "at least one other embodiment".

The foldable keyboard of embodiments of the present application may include three sections. In some embodiments, three keyboard sections may be folded in a "zig-zag" fashion. The keyboard with different layout can be arranged on each of the three parts according to the requirement, and the keyboard functions of 'combination' can be provided for a user when the three parts are fully unfolded or when two of the three parts are unfolded, so that great convenience can be provided for the user. Meanwhile, in the folded state, the size of the keyboard is reduced, and the keyboard is convenient to carry.

Fig. 1A to 1C show a basic structure of a three-fold keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application. The keyboard of the embodiment includes three keyboard sections A, B, C. Part C is intermediate to parts a and B. Each section has two faces, referred to for convenience as a front face and a back face, respectively. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in fig. 1A, there is a relatively folded (non-flat) condition between sections a and C and between sections C and B. Fig. 1B shows that parts B and C are unfolded to the same plane, while part a can be folded closer to part C than in fig. 1A. Meanwhile, fig. 1C shows a state in which three keyboard sections are folded more greatly with respect to each other than fig. 1A, exhibiting an obvious "Z" shape. .

FIG. 1A shows that sections A and B are folded on different sides of section C, respectively, but in other embodiments sections A and B can be folded on the same side of section C, e.g., on the upper side of section C; at this time, depending on the relative sizes of the three parts, part a may be above part B (i.e., part B is sandwiched between part a and part C), or part B may be above part a (i.e., part a is sandwiched between part B and part C). If both parts a and B are relatively small, they may also be misaligned with each other.

FIG. 2A illustrates another exemplary configuration of a folding keyboard according to embodiments of the present application, which may be referred to as a "corner fold" configuration, wherein sections A and B may be folded on different sides or on the same side of section C along a line of demarcation with section C.

In embodiments of the present application, each keyboard section outline may have various shapes (e.g., square or rectangular) and sizes as desired.

To achieve folding between the two keyboard parts, the connection between the two parts is movable, for example by means of a hinge or the like, but also by means of a flexible plastic or rubber material, or other structures known to the person skilled in the art (for example a flexible spring structure). For example, the connection may be made using a flexible flat cable and flexible glue to allow movable bi-directional flipping between two keyboard departments. The connection used may have a certain holding force when the two parts are unfolded to the same plane, so that a relatively large force is required by the user to return the two parts to the folded state. The structure can enable the unfolded keyboard to have certain stability, and is convenient for the operation of a user. The connection between the two parts may also be detachable. The connection between the two parts may also include an electrical connection function between the two parts.

In embodiments of the present application, a battery and radio connection module may be provided within the intervening C section. The provision of these functions in the middle section facilitates powering the other two sections and provides unlimited communication functions.

In embodiments of the present application, when two or three keyboard sections are unfolded to the same plane, the keyboard functions respectively provided thereon may be combined into a larger keyboard function. This combination may be "organic", for example, when the three sections are fully extended laterally as shown in fig. 3, the a front and the C front together form a complete computer alphanumeric keyboard. This combination may also be for functional or operational convenience only, such as a touch mouse sensing area and a digital keypad disposed on the front side B in fig. 3. Thus, the three keyboard sections together form what is known as a "full keyboard" for the user.

In the embodiment of the present application, the functional part may be provided on both sides of each keyboard section, or the functional part may be provided on only one side.

In the embodiment of the application, since different functional components are arranged on different keyboard parts, the thickness of each part may be different, so that the display is not completely flush when the keyboard is unfolded, and instability is caused. At this time, a telescopic bracket may be provided on a certain portion (mainly, a portion and a portion B portion on both sides) as needed. For example, in fig. 3, if both sections C and B are thicker and section a is thinner, a telescoping bracket may be provided on the back of a. In addition, in order that the functional parts of the keyboard sections do not rub against each other or collide with each other when folded, elastic protrusions (e.g., provided on the a-front and/or C-front of fig. 1A) may be provided on the opposite faces so that when the two sections are attached, only the elastic protrusions contact the other section and the functional parts do not come into contact.

In embodiments of the present application, a sensor may be provided within a keyboard (in any keyboard portion) to determine the state in which the keyboard is in (unfolded state or folded state). The sensor is selected from one or a combination of a light sensor, a distance sensor, a pressure sensor, an image sensor and an acceleration sensor.

In embodiments of the present application, a joystick mouse may be provided on one of the keyboard sections. Preferably, the gaming mouse pole may be provided on a keyboard portion located at both sides rather than the center, thereby enabling more user-friendly operation.

As a preferred embodiment, the two sides of the fully folded keyboard respectively comprise a reduced-size full function keyboard and a combination of a joystick mouse and a numeric keyboard key. Such an embodiment facilitates a user's flexible switching between the two modes of use of keyboard text entry and game play.

As a preferred embodiment, when the three keyboard sections are in the relatively extended position, both sides of the keyboard have fully functional keyboards so that the user's optional side is given full keyboard functionality.

As a preferred embodiment, at least one side of the keyboard forms a fully functional keyboard when the centrally located keyboard portion and one of the keyboard portions on one side are in a relatively unfolded position. As a more preferred embodiment, the central keyboard section and the keyboard section on the other side thereof are unfolded, and the keyboard section on the other side comprises a combination of a joystick mouse and a keypad key, or a combination of a touch pad and a keypad key, on the same side as the full function keyboard. This arrangement is particularly good in the user experience. As a more preferred embodiment, but with all three keyboard sections in a relatively extended position, the three keyboard sections include a reduced size full function keyboard, a writing pad or light, and a light or touch liquid crystal programming control screen, respectively, on the other side opposite the full function keyboard. As a more preferred embodiment, the touch liquid crystal programming control screen is provided with a smart keyboard, and the touch liquid crystal programming control screen can be used as an illumination light source and/or used for controlling smart home devices through programming.

As a preferred embodiment, at least one of the three keyboard sections comprises a reduced size full function keyboard.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present application. The present application is also susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. Any modifications or variations which come within the spirit and scope of the present application are desired to be covered by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A keyboard comprising a first keyboard section, a second keyboard section and a third keyboard section, wherein,

the first keyboard section is movably connected to the first side of the second keyboard section by a first connection,

the third keyboard section is movably connected to the second side of the second keyboard section by a second connection.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein,

the first side and the second side are located on opposite sides of the second keyboard portion to enable the first keyboard portion, the first keyboard portion and the third keyboard portion to be folded in a three-fold manner, wherein the second keyboard portion is sandwiched between the first and third keyboard portions or the first and third keyboard portions are located on the same side of the second keyboard portion.

3. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein,

the first side and the second side are located on adjacent sides of the second keyboard portion to enable the first keyboard portion, the first keyboard portion and the third keyboard portion to be folded in a three-fold manner, wherein the second keyboard portion is sandwiched between the first and third keyboard portions or the first and third keyboard portions are located on the same side of the second keyboard portion.

4. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein,

at least one side of the keyboard forms a full function keyboard when the first keyboard section and the second keyboard section are in the relatively extended position.

5. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein both sides of at least one of the first keyboard section, the second keyboard section, and the third keyboard section are provided with functional components.

6. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the second keyboard section includes a battery and a wireless connection module therein.

7. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the connection of the second keyboard portion to the first keyboard portion or the third keyboard portion is detachable.

8. The keyboard of claim 7, wherein the first keyboard portion or the third keyboard portion comprises a joystick mouse.

9. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein at least one side of the first keyboard section and/or the third keyboard section is provided with a telescopic bracket.

10. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard is provided with a sensor to determine a state in which the keyboard is located.

11. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein the sensor is selected from one or a combination of a light sensor, a distance sensor, a pressure sensor, an image sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

12. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard is provided with elastic protrusions.

13. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein both sides of the fully folded keyboard comprise a reduced-size full function keyboard, and a combination of joystick mouse and numeric keyboard keys, respectively.

14. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein when the first keyboard section, the second keyboard section, and the third keyboard section are all in a relatively extended position, both sides of the keyboard have a fully functional keyboard.

15. The keyboard of claim 4, wherein when the third keyboard section and the second keyboard section are also in a relatively deployed position, the third keyboard section comprises, on a side on the same side as the full function keyboard: a combination of a joystick mouse and a keypad key, or a combination of a touch pad and a keypad key.

16. The keyboard of claim 15, wherein when the first keyboard portion and third keyboard portion are both in an oppositely deployed position with respect to the second keyboard portion, the first keyboard portion, second keyboard portion, and third keyboard portion each include a reduced-size full function keyboard, a writing pad or light, and a light or touch liquid crystal programming control screen on the other side opposite the full function keyboard.

17. The keypad of claim 16 wherein the touch liquid crystal programming control screen has a smart keypad thereon, the touch liquid crystal programming control screen being operable as an illumination source and/or programmed to control smart home devices.

18. The keyboard of any of claims 1-17, wherein at least one of the first keyboard section, the second keyboard section, and the third keyboard section comprises a reduced-size full function keyboard.