Wang, Chi-Ming;

Free pivot-arm key plate

The present invention relates to a trackball/actuator assembly for a portable computer that includes one or more free pivot-arm key plates disposed around a trackball module. According to one embodiment of the present invention, it includes a housing having a top surface and sidewalls extending downward from opposite ends of the top surface, a first keyplate protruding from the top surface between the sidewalls, a second keyplate protruding from the top surface between the sidewalls, and a trackball disposed between the keyplates. First and second pivot joints formed integral to the first and second sidewalls, respectively, form a first horizontal axis between the sidewalls that is offset from the first keyplate. The first keyplate is rotatably coupled to first and second pivot joints so that it pivots freely about the first horizontal axis. Third and fourth pivot joints formed integral to said first and second sidewalls, respectively, form a second horizontal axis between the sidewalls that is offset from the second keyplate. The second keyplate is rotatably coupled to third and fourth pivot joints so that it rotates freely about the second horizontal axis.

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What is claimed is:

1. An input device for a computer comprising:

a housing including a top surface and first and second sidewalls extending downward from opposite ends of said top surface;

a first keyplate protruding from said top surface between said first and second sidewalls;

a trackball having a portion thereof protruding from said top surface, said trackball being disposed adjacent to said first keyplate wherein said first keyplate, extends over a portion of a top of said trackball;

first and second pivot joints formed integral to said first and second sidewalls, respectively, wherein said first and second pivot joints form a first horizontal axis between said sidewalls that is offset from said first keyplate;

first and second extension members extending from opposite ends of said first keyplate to said first and second pivot joints, respectively; and

a first switch coupled to said first keyplate,

wherein said first keyplate is rotatably coupled to said first and second pivot joints so that said first keyplate pivots freely about said first horizontal axis, and wherein said first switch responds to a predetermined amount of movement in said first keyplate.

2. The input device of claim 1 further comprising:

a first switch-supporting member coupled to said housing between said sidewalls and below said top surface,

wherein said first switch is mounted on said first switch-supporting member so that said first switch is disposed to be activated when said first keyplate is pressed.

3. An input device for a computer comprising:

a housing including a top surface and first and second sidewalls extending downward from opposite ends of said top surface;

a first keyplate protruding from said top surface between said first and second sidewalls;

a second keyplate protruding from said top surface between said first and second sidewalls, said second keyplate being opposite said first keyplate;

a trackball having a portion thereof protruding from said top surface, said trackball being disposed between said first keyplate and said second keyplate;

first and second pivot joints formed integral to said first and second sidewalls, respectively, wherein said first and second pivot joints form a first horizontal axis between said sidewalls that is offset from said first keyplate;

third and fourth pivot joints formed integral to said first and second sidewalls, respectively, wherein said third and fourth pivot joints form a second horizontal axis between said sidewalls that is offset from said second keyplate;

wherein said first keyplate is rotatably coupled to said first and second pivot joints so that said first keyplate pivots freely about said first horizontal axis;

wherein said second keyplate is rotatably coupled to said third and fourth pivot joints so that said second keyplate pivots freely about said second horizontal axis;

wherein said first keyplate is elongated and comprises first and second extension members extending from opposite ends of said first keyplate to said first and second pivot joints, respectively; and

wherein said second keyplate is elongated and comprises third and fourth extension members extending from opposite ends of said second keyplate to said third and fourth pivot joints, respectively.

4. The input device of claim 3, wherein said first and second extension members overlap said third and fourth extension members.

5. The input device of claim 3, wherein said first and second extension members include first and second pivot pins coupled to a distal end of said first and second extension members, respectively, said first and second pivot pins projecting outward from said first and second extension members, respectively, into a first and second pin-receiving hole formed in said first and second sidewalls, respectively; and

wherein said third and fourth extension members include third and fourth pivot pins coupled to a distal end of said third and fourth extension members, respectively, said third and fourth pivot pins projecting outward from said third and fourth extension members, respectively, into a third and fourth pin-receiving hole formed in said first and second sidewalls, respectively.

6. An input device for a computer comprising:

a housing including a top surface having a substantially rectangular shape and first and second sidewalls extending downward from opposite ends of said top surface;

a first keyplate having substantially a "U" shape, said first keyplate including a first elongated finger-engaging surface forming a base of said "U" shape, and first and second extension members forming legs of said "U" shape;

a movement sensing object having a portion thereof protruding from said top surface of said housing, wherein said first keyplate extends over a portion of a top of said movement sensing object,

wherein the ends of said first and second extension members are rotatably coupled to said first and second sidewalls, respectively, such that said first elongated finger-engaging surface rotates about a first horizontal axis formed between ends of said first and second extension members, and

wherein said top surface of said housing includes a first opening shaped to receive said first elongated finger-engaging surface;

a first switch supporting surface coupled to said housing so that said first switch supporting surface is under and substantially parallel to said top surface of said housing; and

a first switch mounted on said first switch supporting surface and disposed under said first elongated finger-engaging surface of said first keyplate.

7. An input device for a computer comprising:

a housing including a top surface having a substantially rectangular shape and first and second sidewalls extending downward from opposite ends of said top surface;

a first keyplate having substantially a "U" shape, said first keyplate including a first elongated finger-engaging surface forming a base of said "U" shape, and first and second extension members forming legs of said "U" shape;

wherein the ends of said first and second extension members are rotatable coupled to said first and second sidewalls, respectively, such that said first elongated finger-engaging surface rotates about a first horizontal axis formed between ends of said first and second extension members; and

wherein said top surface of said housing includes a first opening shaped to receive said first elongated finger-engaging surface;

a first switch supporting surface coupled to said housing so that said first switch supporting surface is under and substantially parallel to said top surface of said housing;

a first switch mounted on said first switch supporting surface and disposed under said first elongated finger-engaging surface of said first keyplate;

a second keyplate having substantially a "U" shape, said second keyplate including a second elongated finger-engaging surface forming a base of said "U" shape, and third and fourth extension members forming the legs of said "U" shape;

wherein the ends of said third and fourth extension members are rotatably coupled to said first and second sidewalls, respectively, such that said second elongated finger-engaging surface rotates about a second horizontal axis formed between the ends of said third and fourth extension members; and

wherein said top surface of said housing includes a second opening shaped to receive said second elongated finger-engaging surface;

a second switch supporting surface coupled to said housing so that said second switch supporting surface is under and substantially parallel to said top surface of said housing; and

a second switch mounted on said second switch supporting surface and disposed under said second elongated finger-engaging surface of said second keyplate.

8. The input device of claim 7, further comprising:

a trackball-supporting surface coupled to said housing between said first and second sidewalls so that said trackball-supporting surface is below and substantially parallel to said top surface of said housing;

a trackball assembly mounted on said trackball-supporting surface, said trackball assembly including a trackball; and

wherein said trackball assembly is mounted so that a portion of said trackball protrudes from said top surface of said housing and is disposed between said first elongated finger-engaging surface of said first keyplate and said second elongated finger-engaging surface of said second keyplate.

9. The input device of claim 7, wherein said first opening and said second opening are opposite one another; and

wherein said first and second extension members overlap said third and fourth extension members.

10. An input device for a computer comprising:

a housing including a top surface and a bottom surface coupled together to form a cavity therebetween;

a first keyplate protruding from said top surface;

a trackball supported by said bottom surface so that a portion thereof protrudes from said top surface and is adjacent to said first keyplate wherein said first keyplate, extends over a portion of a top of said trackball;

first and second pivot joints extending downward from opposite sides of said top surface, said first and second pivot joints forming a first horizontal axis that is offset from said first keyplate, and that is substantially perpendicular to an axis bisecting said first keyplate and said trackball;

first and second extension members extending from opposite ends of said first keyplate to said first and second pivot joints, respectively; and

a first switch coupled to said first keyplate,

wherein said first keyplate is rotatably coupled to said first and second pivot joints so that said first keyplate pivots freely about said first horizontal axis, and wherein said first switch responds to a predetermined amount of movement in said first keyplate.

11. An input device for a computer comprising:

a housing including a top surface and first and second sidewalls extending downward from opposite ends of said top surface;

a first keyplate protruding from said top surface between said first and second sidewalls;

a trackball having a portion thereof protruding from said top surface, said trackball being disposed adjacent to said first keyplate, wherein said first keyplate extends over a portion of a top of said trackball;

first and second pivot joints formed integral to said first and second sidewalls, respectively, wherein said first and second pivot joints form a first horizontal axis between said sidewalls that is offset from said first keyplate; and

a first switch coupled to said first keyplate,

wherein said first keyplate is rotatably coupled to said first and second pivot joints so that said first keyplate pivots freely about said first horizontal axis, and wherein said first switch responds to a predetermined amount of movement in said first keyplate.

12. An input device for a computer comprising:

a housing including a top surface and a bottom surface coupled together to form a cavity therebetween;

a first keyplate protruding from said top surface;

a trackball supported by said bottom surface so that a portion thereof protrudes from said top surface and is adjacent to said first keyplate, wherein said first keyplate extends over a portion of a top of said trackball;

first and second pivot joints extending downward from opposite sides of said top surface, said first and second pivot joints forming a first horizontal axis that is offset from said first keyplate, and that is substantially perpendicular to an axis bisecting said first keyplate and said trackball; and

a first switch coupled to said first keyplate,

wherein said first keyplate is rotatably coupled to said first and second pivot joints so that said first keyplate pivots freely about said first horizontal axis, and wherein said first switch responds to a predetermined amount of movement in said first keyplate.