Elevated separate external keyboard apparatus for use with portable computer

{
  "publication_number": "US5894406A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Elevated separate external keyboard apparatus for use with portable computer",
  "abstract": "An external keyboard apparatus is fitted to rest above the embedded keyboard of a general purpose portable microcomputer. In one embodiment an external keyboard housing is molded to define a cavity for receiving at least a portion of a keyboard compartment of the portable computer. In another embodiment, an external keyboard stand supports an external keyboard to define the external keyboard apparatus. A first connection is established between the external keyboard and keyboard stand to secure the external keyboard to the stand.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An external keyboard apparatus for a portable computer of the type having an embedded keyboard and a display pivotable between open and closed positions, comprising: (a) a housing having a top and bottom surface; (b) a plurality of symbol-bearing keys positioned proximate to said top surface of said housing; (c) communication means for electronically communicating activation of said keys to said portable computer; and (d) support means for supporting said bottom surface of said housing over said embedded keyboard of said portable computer when said display is in said open position wherein said apparatus is separate from said embedded keyboard.",
    "2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said support means is capable of being supported by a support structure which is external to said portable computer.",
    "3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of removable legs coupled to said housing.",
    "4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of adjustable legs coupled to said housing.",
    "5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said support means provides for adjustment of said spaced-apart relationship between said bottom surface of said housing and said embedded keyboard compartment.",
    "6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for stabilizing said housing relative to said embedded keyboard compartment.",
    "7. A computer keyboard apparatus for placement over an embedded keyboard of a portable computer of the type having an embedded keyboard and a display pivotable between open and closed positions, comprising: (a) a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface; (b) a plurality of symbol-bearing keys positioned proximate to said top surface of said housing; (c) support means for supporting said bottom surface of said housing over said embedded keyboard of said portable computer when said display is in said open position wherein said apparatus is separate from said embedded keyboard; and (d) communication means for electronically communicating key activation to said portable computer.",
    "8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said support means maintains said bottom surface of said housing and said embedded compartment in a spaced-apart relationship.",
    "9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said support means provides for adjustment of said spaced-apart relationship between said bottom surface of said housing and said embedded keyboard compartment.",
    "10. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of removable legs coupled to said housing.",
    "11. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of adjustable legs coupled to said housing.",
    "12. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising means for stabilizing said housing relative to said embedded keyboard compartment.",
    "13. A computer keyboard apparatus for placement over an embedded keyboard of a portable computer of the type having an embedded keyboard and a display pivotable between open and closed positions, comprising: (a) a housing, said housing including a top surface at which a plurality of symbol-bearing keys are positioned and a bottom surface; (b) support means for supporting said bottom surface of said housing over said embedded keyboard of said portable computer when said display is in said open position wherein said apparatus is separate from said embedded keyboard; and (c) communication means for electronically communicating key activation to said portable computer.",
    "14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said support means provides for adjustment of said spaced-apart relationship between said bottom surface of said housing and said embedded keyboard compartment.",
    "15. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of removable legs coupled to said housing.",
    "16. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of adjustable legs coupled to said housing.",
    "17. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising means for stabilizing said housing apparatus relative to said embedded keyboard compartment.",
    "18. A method of providing external keyboard input to a portable computer of the type having an embedded keyboard and a display pivotable between open and closed positions, comprising the step of positioning a separate external keyboard over said embedded keyboard of said portable computer when said display is in said open position, said external keyboard comprising: (a) a housing, said housing including a top surface at which a plurality of symbol-bearing keys are positioned and a bottom surface; (b) support means for supporting said bottom surface of said housing over said embedded keyboard independent of said portable computer wherein said bottom surface is capable of covering at least a portion of said embedded keyboard and is maintained in a spaced-apart relationship with said embedded keyboard; and (c) communication means for electronically communicating key activation to said portable computer.",
    "19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said support means provides for adjustment of said spaced-apart relationship between said bottom surface of said housing and said embedded keyboard compartment.",
    "20. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of removable legs coupled to said housing.",
    "21. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of adjustable legs coupled to said housing.",
    "22. A method as recited in claim 18, further comprising means for stabilizing said housing relative to said embedded keyboard compartment."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "G06F 3/0219"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1995-09-05",
  "publication_date": "1999-04-13",
  "grant_date": "1999-04-13",
  "priority_date": "1995-09-05",
  "application_number": "US-52356195-A",
  "family_id": "24085506",
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  ]
}