Compact keyboard and cradle

摘要

One exemplary aspect comprises a keyboard apparatus comprising: a collapsible keyboard comprising five substantially rigid frames, the frames comprising a central frame, two end frames, and two intermediate frames, each intermediate frame located between an end frame and the central frame; each pair of adjacent frames being relatively pivotably connected together along a folding axis, the folding axes being substantially mutually parallel; and a plurality of keys mounted on the frames. Another exemplary aspect comprises a keyboard apparatus as above, further comprising a collapsible cradle assembly detachable from the collapsible keyboard.

主权项

1. A keyboard apparatus comprising:
a collapsible keyboard comprising five substantially rigid frames, said frames comprising a central frame, two end frames, and two intermediate frames, each intermediate frame located between one of said end frames and said central frame, and each of said frames having a front portion and a back portion, each said front portion having a plurality of keys such that the keys on all of the frames together form at least a a standard stair-step QWERTY keyboard; each pair of adjacent frames being relatively pivotably connected together along a folding axis, said folding axes being substantially mutually parallel; said collapsible keyboard being foldable about said folding axes between a deployed configuration, in which said keyboard is generally planar, and a collapsed configuration, in which each of said end frames is located between said central frame and a connected one of said intermediate frames, and said collapsible keyboard in said collapsed configuration being such that said front portions of said end frames face said front portions of said intermediate frames, and said front portion of said central frame faces said back portions of said end frames.