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WO2001065167A1 - Structure gonflable de support d'un article de fabrication - Google Patents

Structure gonflable de support d'un article de fabrication Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001065167A1
WO2001065167A1 PCT/US2001/006787 US0106787W WO0165167A1 WO 2001065167 A1 WO2001065167 A1 WO 2001065167A1 US 0106787 W US0106787 W US 0106787W WO 0165167 A1 WO0165167 A1 WO 0165167A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
inflatable
support
article
manufacture
keyboard
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2001/006787
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Paul J. Weber
Kenneth V. Luu
Michael R. Weber
Luiz B. Da Silva
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pearl Technology Holdings LLC
Original Assignee
Pearl Technology Holdings LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pearl Technology Holdings LLC filed Critical Pearl Technology Holdings LLC
Priority to AU2001241944A priority Critical patent/AU2001241944A1/en
Publication of WO2001065167A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001065167A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/02—Heads
    • F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
    • F16M11/06—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
    • F16M11/10—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting around a horizontal axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/02—Heads
    • F16M11/18—Heads with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
    • F16M11/22—Undercarriages with or without wheels with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
    • F16M2200/08—Foot or support base
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H01H13/703—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2211/00—Spacers
    • H01H2211/002—Fluid or inflatable keyboards
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
    • H01H2217/034—Support for hands or arms
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H01H2219/0026—Legends replaceable; adaptable having outer surface of housing of electronic apparatus programmable as display and/or input device
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H01H2219/01—Liquid crystal
    • H01H2219/011—Liquid crystal with integrated photo- or thermovoltaic cell as power supply
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
    • H01H2219/037—Light emitting elements using organic materials, e.g. organic LED

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to inflatable objects designed to partially or completely encase rigid, non-rigid and semi-rigid articles of manufacture such as keyboards, personal digital assistants (PDA's), cell-phones, screens, palmtop computers, laptop computers, and e-book reading devices.
  • PDA's personal digital assistants
  • Most small computer screens are active matrix in nature and thus rigid and are fixed to a flat portion of a laptop that overlies or abuts the keyboard.
  • the concept and use of the rigid screen has worked in concert with the rigid keyboard, both being restricted in size and shape, usually to a planar size and shape, which fit and overlie each other for a two-plane compaction method.
  • Keyboards, PDA's, palmtops, screens, and e-book reading devices are usually made out of rigid and firm plastic, having some weight and a fixed structure. Although rigidity and lriMaturization are desirable to a certain extent in these structures, they also present a number of disadvantages, including stringent shipping requirements and limitations on size diminution while mamtaining visual or tactile practicality as well as shape deformation. Collapsible and foldable keyboards have been constructed in order to reduce their bulky size. Unfortunately, such features as the size of the keyboard can be reduced by only a certain factor, even by overlapping keys and having sliding arrangements, as in the IBM think pad.
  • Roll-up and fold-over keyboards do not provide clear, crisp key movement, because they are in direct contact with an underlying surface or are made to be extremely thin.
  • Crisp key movement and easy hand placement for ergonomic stability are thus usually lacking in the roll-up or fold-up versions of keyboards, as they are meant to be thin and be placed against a supporting structure, such as a table, with very limited space or ability to be angled.
  • the user is subject to an increased chance of carpal tunnel syndrome with many of these compact and flattened devices.
  • Inflatable devices may provide lightweight, esthetically pleasing support via various tubular and braced designs of said invention.
  • An inflatable structure is provided for supporting articles of manufacture.
  • the inflatable structure includes a means for mamtaining the inflatable structure in a desired inflated shape.
  • articles of manufacture are covered by the scope of this invention, and generally include non-rigid articles, semi-rigid articles, flexible and partially rigid articles.
  • the articles of manufacture include a roll-up keyboard, a foldable keyboard, a solid keyboard, a LED, an OLED, a FOLED, a foldable active matrix, an electronic ink screen, a data input device, an e-book, a bulletin board, an advertisement sign, a computer screen, a sound speaker, and a television screen.
  • the inflatable support structures described herein may be used to provide support for other non-rigid, semi-rigid and partially rigid articles of manufacture, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art
  • the inflatable support structures of the present invention may also contain thin film solar/light-converting/ photovoltaic converting cells. These devices may also contain thin film batteries or capacitors that would allow positive power input into the overall electromc-inflatable system.
  • An embodiment of the present invention includes an inflatable structure for supporting the wrists and arms when they are positioned to use a computer keyboard or a typewriter and includes a means for mamtaining the inflatable structure in a desired inflated shape.
  • One embodiment of the present invention includes an inflatable wrist support with an air insertion valve.
  • the inflatable support may be permanently or detachably attached to a keyboard support plate that may be detachably connected to the inflatable wrist rest with a Velcro® strip.
  • the support includes a series of tubular members that run the width of the support BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Figure 1A shows an embodiment having an inflatable structure configured to form a generally square shape.
  • Figure IB shows an inflatable structure formed like a book.
  • Figure 2A shows a keyboard that is foldable into four sections.
  • Figure 2B shows a three-fold keyboard.
  • Figure 2C shows a two-fold keyboard.
  • Figure 2D shows an e-book.
  • Figure 2E shows a flexible screen such as an OLED or bubble screen.
  • Figure 2F shows a touch pad.
  • Figure 2G shows a book configuration
  • Figure 3 shows an internal compartment folded upon itself and bonded using a bonding agent.
  • Figure 8A shows a tubular structure bonded with a bonding agent at places where the tubes fold and touch.
  • Figure 8B shows the tubular support of Figure 8A internally bonded within a screen.
  • Figures 5A-C depict a variety of means for automatically inflating or manually inflating the inflatable compartment
  • Figure 6 shows the connection of a central processing unit between the keyboard and the screen.
  • Figure 7 shows a type of inflation port that allows air in, but does not allow air to escape.
  • Figure 8 shows an inflatable structure including a thin-member speaker or speakers imbedded within the structure and further including LEDs.
  • Figure 9A shows a top view of a completely encompassing inflatable structure for a keyboard.
  • Figure 9B shows a side view of the device of Figure 5 A, and reveals the gas valve located on the rear of the device.
  • Figure 10 shows an oblique view of a completely encompassing inflatable structure for a keyboard.
  • Figure 11 shows a personal digital assistant.
  • Figure 12 shows a PDA resting in the open bed of an inflatable structure.
  • Figure 13 shows a PDA completely encased on all edges by the rounded tense inflated object.
  • Figure 14 shows an E-book reading device.
  • Figure 15 shows an E-book reading device resting in the open bed of an inflatable support structure.
  • Figure 16 shows an E-book reading device completely encased on all edges by the rounded tense inflated support structure.
  • Figure 17 shows a laptop computer or large PDA with an inflatable support structure.
  • Figures 18A and 18B show a device for air delivery that includes compressible material.
  • Figure 19 shows a side view of one embodiment of the present invention and includes an inflatable wrist support with an air insertion valve.
  • Figure 20 shows a top view of a wrist rest and illustrates one way of partitioning the inner lumen of the support structure with septae.
  • Figure 21 shows an example of a contoured inflatable wrist rest.
  • Figure 22A illustrates a top view of a writs rest with an attached or detachable mouse pad.
  • Figure 22B shows an inflatable mouse pad including a static touch mouse pad.
  • Figure 23 shows a top view of an embodiment of the invention that includes an inflatable wrist rest, a keyboard support plate and an inflatable mouse pad.
  • the invention generally consists of an inflatable structure for supporting an article of manufacture, such as an keyboard or OLED, and further consists of a means for maintaining the inflatable structure in a desired inflated shape and includes an inflatable wrist rest.
  • the inflatable structure is able to provide support for a variety of different articles of manufacture, which may be referred to simply as Articles.
  • Articles that are covered by the scope of this invention generally include non-rigid articles, semi-rigid articles, flexible and a partially rigid articles such as a roll-up keyboard, a foldable keyboard, a solid keyboard, a roll-up OLED, a foldable OLED, a foldable LED, a foldable active matrix, a data input device, an e-book, an electronic bulletin board, an electronic advertisement sign, a computer screen, a television screen and other electronic articles of manufacture.
  • the inflatable structures described herein may be used to provide support for other non-rigid, semi-rigid and partially rigid articles of manufacture, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art
  • Figure 1A shows an embodiment having an inflatable structure 30 that is configured to form a generally square shape.
  • One form of this embodiment provides an inflatable tubular structure that is folded at three corners and attached at the ends (the fourth corner) to form a square.
  • An added membrane 32 may be affixed with or integrally formed with the lower portion of inflatable structure 30 to provide a backing material upon inflation for added support to an Article.
  • An inflation port 34 is shown to be included with inflatable structure 30.
  • An Article such as an OLED may be operatively attached to the inner portion of the inflatable structure.
  • Another form of this embodiment may be prefabricated as an integrally connected tube, having a square shape.
  • Figure IB shows an inflatable structure 40 that is formed like a book and can be used, e.g., to hold an e-book.
  • Such a structure may conform to the legs of a user and may include a backing material or membrane 42.
  • the inflatable structure may be fabricated by injection molding, pressure molding, vacuum formation processes, thermo formation processes, blow molding material and material extrusion. Plastic and polymers are preferred materials in the fabrication process. Other fabrication process will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on this disclosure. Embodiments of a flexible keyboard are described in U.S. Patent No.
  • FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a typical computer keyboard.
  • FIG. 2A shows keyboard 80 which is foldable into four sections.
  • a three-fold keyboard 82 is shown in Figure 2B.
  • Inflatable and collapsible screens are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 09/166,502, titled “Inflatable and Collapsible Screens" by Weber et al.
  • a two-fold keyboard 84 is shown in Figure 2G
  • Figure 2D shows an e-book.
  • a flexible screen 86 such as a flat OLED or having a three dimensional contour is shown in Figure 2E.
  • FIG. 2F shows a touch pad 88 and Figure 2G shows a book configuration 90.
  • the dashed line 92 indicates potential or possible borders of the inflatable structure used to support the article of manufacture.
  • An organic light emitting diode also called an organic e ⁇ ectioluminescent (EL) device, is comprised of a layer of organic luminescent material conductively sandwiched between an anode, typically comprised of a transparent conductor such as indium-tin oxide and a cathode, typically a low work- function metal such as magnesium, calcium, aluminum, or the alloys thereof with other metals.
  • the EL device functions on the principle that under an electric field, positive charges (holes) and negative charges (electrons) are respectively injected from the anode and cathode into the luminescent layer and undergo recombination to form excitonic states which subsequently emit light.
  • Prior art organic EL devices have been constructed from a laminate of an organic luminescent material and electrodes of opposite polarity, which devices include a single crystal material, such as single crystal anthracence, as the luminescent substance as described, for example, in U.S. Pat No. 3,530,325.
  • these devices require excitation voltages on the order of 100 volte or greater.
  • Subsequent modifications of the device structure through incorporation of additional layers, such as charge injecting and charge transport layers, have led to performance improvements.
  • An organic EL device can be fabricated with an organic dual layer structure comprising one layer adjacent to the anode supporting hole injection and transport, and another layer adjacent to the cathode supporting electron injection and transport.
  • Another alternate device configuration is comprised of three separate layers, a hole transport layer, an emission layer, and an electron transport layer, which layers are laminated in sequence and are sandwiched as a whole between an anode and a cathode.
  • a fluorescent material can be added to the emission layer to induce recombination of charge carriers and emission of tight within the fluorescent material, leading to improved luminescence efficiency.
  • a flexible, transparent plastic substrate for OLED applications is described by P.E. Burrows et al., in Proc.
  • the invention provides means, internal to the inflatable structure, for mamtaining the inflatable structure in a desired inflated shape.
  • This means for mamtaining the desired shape comprises a support system operatively placed within the inflatable structure.
  • Such support system comprises at least one inflatable compartment that, in some embodiments, is connected to the inner surface of the inflatable structure.
  • the compartment is not fixedly attached but may "float".
  • the means for mamtaining the desired shape may include the use of geometric tubes or geometric structures with internal lumens smaller than the unobstructed lengths, width or depth of the support structure or article of manufacture to be supported.
  • the tubular structures may be arranged in such a fashion that they mimic the architecture of a skyscraper or other supported architecture using cross-beams etc., in order to maintain the shape.
  • means for mamtaining the inflatable structure in a desired shape shown as the internal compartment 128, may be folded upon itself and bonded using a bonding agent 130.
  • FIG 4A shows a tubular structure 132 bonded with a bonding agent 134 at places where the tubes fold and touch.
  • the tubular support 132 is shown in Figure 4B internally bonded within a screen 138.
  • Figures 5A-C depict a variety of means for automatically inflating or manually inflating the inflatable compartment, shown generally as reference numeral 160.
  • Figure 5A shows a compressible foam 162 which will automatically inflate to a nearly rigid state.
  • the compressible foam may be an open cell foam material, e.g. 1.8 lb, 341.F.D. open cell polyurethane.
  • Inflatable compartment 160 can then be fj-nally inflated to a desired state of rigidity by about a half of one volume of a breath through inflation port 164.
  • a second method of automatic inflation is shown as a C02 cartridge 166 in Figure 5B.
  • a manual pump 168 for inflation of compartment 160 is shown as a third embodiment in Figure 5G
  • an entire keyboard or an entire screen is inflated, rigidified, or backed up by less than one-half of a breath of air, with additional breaths or air supplies being added in order to maintain firmer rigidification.
  • Figure 6 shows the connection of a central processing unit 230, consisting of a Pentium chip or AMD chip or other typical chip, between the keyboard 232 and the screen 234.
  • a central processing unit 230 consisting of a Pentium chip or AMD chip or other typical chip
  • the keyboard would be connected by fiberoptic cable, telephone wiring, television wiring, or possibly even transmitted by radio frequency signal or infrared signal to a unit which then transmife data to a central location by the internet or some other means in which that data then appears back on the screen continuously without passing through a local central processing unit
  • the computing devices of the future may be capable of their own computing or may utilize distant computing and/ or storage capacity, the present device, two embodiments will be those with CPU and storage unit placed in relatively close proximity to the interfaces (screen and/ or keyboard); and those unite in which the screen communicates separately from the keyboard.
  • inflatable structure 240 may include a thin-member speaker or speakers 242 imbedded witriin the structure and may further include LEDs 244 to provide night- tight (or neon-like effects for evening typing).
  • An inflation port may be necessary in the inflating means, either of the keyboard or the screen.
  • the inflation port could be similar to that used in basketballs, footballs, or volleyballs.
  • Figure 7 shows type of inflation port 200 that allows air in, but does not allow air to escape. Air blown into the opening at end 202 will force the valve cover 204 to open, and back-pressure will cause valve cover 204 to remain sealed.
  • Other types of valves are usable, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art
  • the randomized pattern, especially, of the formation of the tubules can be made by the end user to fit the desired area; e.g., some people may wish to have their keyboards sitting on a folded knee or lap.
  • Figure 9A shows a top view of a completely encompassing inflatable support for a keyboard.
  • This embodiment includes an inflatable tube 250 that surrounds the periphery of a lightweight backing plate 252.
  • a keyboard (not shown) may be placed within the bay formed by the inflatable tube 250 and the backing plate 252.
  • a pair of straps 254 is connected from one side of the support structure to the other side.
  • the backing plate 252 may be formed from plastic and may have sections that are cut out to allow the keyboard cables to pass, to reduce the overall weight of the assembled device and to decrease storage space.
  • Figure 9B shows a side view of the device of Figure 9A, and reveals the gas valve 256 located on the rear of the device. The figure shows the inflatable keyboard 258 attached to the inflatable support tube 250.
  • Figure 10 shows an oblique view of the completely encompassing inflatable structure of figures 9A and 9B.
  • Figurell shows a personal digital assistant (PDA) 290, (e.g., a Palm Pilot) with control buttons 292 and a screen 294 in its natural shell of manufacture right off the shelf before being inserted or rested into an inflatable support of the present invention.
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • Figure 12 shows a PDA 300 resting in the open bed of an inflatable support 302.
  • the PDA 300 is shown with its case boundaries demarcated by dashed lines resting in the open bed of the inflatable support structure 302.
  • Figure 13 shows a PDA 310 completely encased on all edges by the rounded tense inflated support 312.
  • Figure 14 shows an E-book reading device.
  • Figure 13 the PDA boundaries are demarcated by dashed lines completely encased on all edges by the rounded tense inflated object
  • Figure 14 shows an E-book reading device 320.
  • An example of such devices is the RocketTM, with control buttons and screen in its natural shell of manufacture right off the shelf before being inserted or rested into an inflatable support structure.
  • Figure 15 shows an E-book reading device 320 of Figure 14 resting in the open bed of an inflatable support structure 330.
  • Figure 16 shows an E-book reading device of Figure 14 completely encased on all edges by the rounded tense inflated support structure 340.
  • FIG 17 shows a laptop computer with a large PDA, OLED or FOLED 154 with an inflatable support structure. Note the inflatable OLED or FOLED screen support 350 with attendant valve and solar/photovoltaic cells 352 in various positions with connections to various energy storage modes including thin film capacitors and batteries (not shown).
  • the central folding keyboard 356 such as the Palm KeyboardTM
  • the device may include internal OLEDs or FOLEDs (not shown) so that the inflatable support structure 360 surrounding the keyboard can glow at night or display visually pleasing signals within the inflatable keyboard holder or its wrist rests 362.
  • OLEDs or FOLEDs not shown
  • Methodologies for electrically mtercormecting the screen, keyboard, CPU and the other devices disclosed herein are known in the art Some examples follow.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,956,235 titled “Method And Apparatus For Flexibly Connecting Electronic Devices", incorporated herein by reference, describes a flexible interconnect for flexibly connecting an integrated circuit chip to a substrate.
  • the flexible interconnect includes a flexible core, formed of a polymeric material, fully covered by a layer of an electrically conductive metal.
  • a layer of a compliant material is provided beneath the input/ output pad of the substrate and/ or integrated circuit chip to reduce mechanical stresses on the flexible interconnect
  • the substrate and integrated circuit chip may include depressions to receive ends of the flexible interconnect.
  • the flexible interconnect may be tubular in shape and positioned on a protrusion formed on the substrate.
  • the substrate carrier device includes a substrate tray having planar top and bottom surfaces. The top surface is adapted to have a plurality of electrical substrates mounted thereon.
  • Substrate guide rails extend from the major perimeter edges of the bottom surface of the substrate tray and are adapted to be inserted and accepted within a pair of substrate guides, found on the carrier substrate.
  • Electrical connection devices mountable to the tray between each electrical substrate, engage associated electrical connectors on the carrier substrate.
  • a flexible circuit interconnects each electrical connection device to an adjacent and associated electrical substrate, thereby providing an electrical path between an electrical substrate and the carrier substrate.
  • U.S. Patent No.5,942,185 titled “Lead-Free Solder Used For Connecting Electronic Parts On Organic Substrate And Electronic Products Made Using Same", incorporated herein by reference, provides a lead-free solder for connecting LSI and parte on organic substrates, which can provide soldering at a maximum temperature of 220.degree,-230.degree. C. and which has a sufficient reliability in mechanical strength even at a high temperature of 150.degree. G Also provided are electronic products prepared using this lead-free solder.
  • the lead-free solder has a solder composition including 3-5% Zn and 10- 23% Bi, the balance being Sn.
  • the solder composition is a composition (Sn, Zn, Bi) surrounded by lines connecting A and B, B and C and C and A, where A is (85, 5, 10 ), B is (72, 5, 23) and C is (76, 3, 21), of a ternary diagram having pure Sn, pure Zn and pure Bi at the vertices of an equilateral triangle.
  • This solder it is possible to solder parts, etc. on conventionally employed organic substrates at reflow temperatures equivalent to those for conventional Pb— Sn eutectic solders. The solder does not damage the environment, can be stably supplied and is low in cost.
  • Figure 18A show a device for air delivery that includes compressible material.
  • FIG. 1 Each figure shows a segment of a separate "foot” attachment 368 with oneway valves 372 for air input and pressurization and a valve 374 for air delivery into the remainder of the device to be inflated.
  • the inflating segment is preferably made of material thin enough to allow the internal springs, or air-conditioning filter-fiber- floss 376 in Figure 18B, or reticulated foam (not shown in this diagram) to expand easily against the walls thus opening them and driving in air to be pressurized by manual gripping.
  • the centrally placed valve 374 at the crease point of a linear "foot” allows air to come from both sides of a creased or squeezed foot and exit through the tented path below the valve since the valve base is thicker than the surrounding plastic.
  • Thin-film speakers, batteries or photovoltaics can also be used in the present invention.
  • a pneumatic compressor may be used to inflate the structures, and can be configured to provide a fluxuating pressure, resulting in a "massaging" effect on a user.
  • An embodiment of the invention includes an inflatable structure for supporting the wrists and arms when they are positioned to use a computer keyboard or a typewriter and further consists of a means for maintaining the inflatable structure in a desired inflated shape.
  • Figure 19 shows a side view of one embodiment of the present invention and includes an inflatable wrist support 410 with an air insertion valve 412.
  • the inflatable support 410 may be permanently or detachably attached to a keyboard support plate 414.
  • Keyboard support plate 414 may be detachably connected to the inflatable wrist rest 410 with a Velcro® strip 416.
  • the support 410 includes a series of tubular members 418 which run the width of the support 410. Four tubular members 418 are shown in the figure; however, any number of tubular and/or other structures are within the scope of the present invention.
  • the support structure 410 may form into a flat, slanted and/ or contoured surface in accordance.
  • the wrist rest may include a bottom layer 419 functioning as an anti-slip layer in contact ith a ground in the form a working- table-top, desk-top and the tike and consisting of, e.g., a foamed thermoplastic synthetic material.
  • Figure 20 shows a top view of a wrist rest 20 and illustrates one way of partitioning the inner lumen of the support structure 420 with septae 422.
  • the septae 422 are opened at one end to atiow air conduction.
  • Many other configurations of septae may be substituted for the example.
  • FIG. 21 An example of a contoured inflatable wrist rest is shown in Figure 21.
  • the figure shows a side view of the rest 30 having a raised senti-cyUndrical portion 32, stabitizers 34, an input valve and an attached or detachable keyboard support plate 36.
  • the wrist rest 30 may include the stabitizers 34 or other additional raised structures to provide additional user support and stability.
  • the keyboard support plate 35 Also shown is the keyboard support plate 35.
  • the present invention may be inflated by a variety of means such as blowing into the inflation valve, by the attachment of a CO2 cartridge or by using a detachable pump.
  • Figure 22A illustrates a top view of a write rest 450 with an attached or detachable mouse pad 452.
  • the wrist rest 450 is shown with four wrist support tubules and the mouse pad support 452 is shown with nine support tubules.
  • a hard surface may be provided on the mouse pad support 452 to make it easier to operate the mouse.
  • the hard surf ace may be formed from plastic, tile, wood, etc.
  • a conventional mouse pad may be affixed to the top of the mouse pad support 454.
  • the mouse pad support 454 may include a raised portion near the user side of the support to help maintain a user's wrist position in an ergonomic manner.
  • Figure 22B shows an alternate mouse pad.
  • the inflatable mouse pad 452 includes a static touch mouse pad 458.
  • Touch sensing devices are weU known, and take a number of different forms. Perhaps the best known are resistive-membrane position sensors, which have been used in a number of different appUcations for many years. Such devices have been used as keyboards, position indicators, and so forth. Other types of touch sensing devices include resistive tablets, surface acoustic wave devices, touch sensors based on strain gages or pressure sensors, and optical sensors. Examples of touch sensitive devices are described in U.S. Patent No.5,825,352, U.S. Patent No. 5,982,302 and U.S. Patent No. 5,327,161.
  • Figure 23 shows a top view of an embodiment of the invention that includes an inflatable wrist rest 470, a keyboard support plate 472 and an inflatable mouse pad 474.
  • the keyboard support plat may have a rigid construction or it may be flexible. Where the support plate is flexible, by deflating the inflatable wrist rest and the inflatable mouse pad, the entire structure may be rolled up into a compact structure such as a cylinder, or folded into a compact shape that is easily packed or stored for mobility.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

Un matériau à gonflage minimal (250) en combinaison avec une structure géométrique de taille limitée renfermant ledit matériau de gonflage et le séparant, est utilisé pour maintenir la rigidité et la forme d'un article de fabrication tel qu'un flexible, un clavier ou un écran. On peut ainsi facilement produire des formes ergonomiques à des coûts plus réduits. Par ailleurs, cette invention concerne des repose-poignets ergonomiques qui sont remplis avec un matériau gonflable et conviennent donc aux poignets, ce qui permet de réduire les problèmes liés au canal carpien. Ces repose-poignets peuvent être rattachés aux structures de support dudit article. D'autres dispositifs supplémentaires sont présentés dans la présente invention, notamment un dispositif acoustique compris entre deux couches du matériau gonflable, afin qu'un écran ou un clavier puisse devenir un haut-parleur. Le dispositif de cette invention est léger, facile à transporter et à expédier, extrêmement économique à la fabrication, et présente des caractéristiques ergonomiques supérieures.
PCT/US2001/006787 2000-03-02 2001-03-01 Structure gonflable de support d'un article de fabrication Ceased WO2001065167A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001241944A AU2001241944A1 (en) 2000-03-02 2001-03-01 Inflatable structure for supporting an article of manufacture

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US51949400A 2000-03-02 2000-03-02
US09/519,494 2000-03-02
US64889300A 2000-08-25 2000-08-25
US09/648,893 2000-08-25
US68099400A 2000-10-06 2000-10-06
US09/680,994 2000-10-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001065167A1 true WO2001065167A1 (fr) 2001-09-07

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PCT/US2001/006787 Ceased WO2001065167A1 (fr) 2000-03-02 2001-03-01 Structure gonflable de support d'un article de fabrication

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AU (1) AU2001241944A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001065167A1 (fr)

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GB2379826A (en) * 2001-09-14 2003-03-19 New Transducers Ltd Audio visual apparatus comprising bending wave loudspeakers and electronic paper
DE102005006655A1 (de) * 2005-02-14 2006-08-24 Siemens Ag Anzeigevorrichtung
US7749811B2 (en) 2006-08-24 2010-07-06 Corning Incorporated Tin phosphate barrier film, method, and apparatus
FR2954611A1 (fr) * 2009-12-23 2011-06-24 Faurecia Interieur Ind Dispositif deformable de maintien d'un appareil electronique
DE102011053197A1 (de) * 2011-09-01 2013-03-07 Airbus Operations Gmbh Aufblasbare Projektionsfläche für Transportmittel
US9050622B2 (en) 2005-08-18 2015-06-09 Corning Incorporated Method for inhibiting oxygen and moisture degradation of a device and the resulting device
US10636330B2 (en) 2007-09-07 2020-04-28 Ccl Label, Inc. Block out label, label sheet, and related method

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WO2000020953A1 (fr) * 1998-10-03 2000-04-13 Kim Stanley A Ordinateur portatif et repose-poignets
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US3530325A (en) 1967-08-21 1970-09-22 American Cyanamid Co Conversion of electrical energy into light
US4987516A (en) 1988-12-19 1991-01-22 Ag Communication Systems Corporation Substrate carrier device
US5327161A (en) 1989-08-09 1994-07-05 Microtouch Systems, Inc. System and method for emulating a mouse input device with a touchpad input device
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WO2000020953A1 (fr) * 1998-10-03 2000-04-13 Kim Stanley A Ordinateur portatif et repose-poignets
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GB2335025A (en) * 1999-06-24 1999-09-08 Daniel Mark Cainer Computer mouse mat with inflatable wrist support

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2379826A (en) * 2001-09-14 2003-03-19 New Transducers Ltd Audio visual apparatus comprising bending wave loudspeakers and electronic paper
DE102005006655A1 (de) * 2005-02-14 2006-08-24 Siemens Ag Anzeigevorrichtung
US9050622B2 (en) 2005-08-18 2015-06-09 Corning Incorporated Method for inhibiting oxygen and moisture degradation of a device and the resulting device
US7749811B2 (en) 2006-08-24 2010-07-06 Corning Incorporated Tin phosphate barrier film, method, and apparatus
US10636330B2 (en) 2007-09-07 2020-04-28 Ccl Label, Inc. Block out label, label sheet, and related method
FR2954611A1 (fr) * 2009-12-23 2011-06-24 Faurecia Interieur Ind Dispositif deformable de maintien d'un appareil electronique
DE102011053197A1 (de) * 2011-09-01 2013-03-07 Airbus Operations Gmbh Aufblasbare Projektionsfläche für Transportmittel
US9459521B2 (en) 2011-09-01 2016-10-04 Airbus Operations Gmbh Inflatable projection surface for a transportation means
DE102011053197B4 (de) 2011-09-01 2019-08-01 Airbus Operations Gmbh Versorgungskanal mit aufblasbarem Projektionselement für ein Flugzeug, Verfahren zum Aus- und Einfahren des aufblasbaren Projektionselements und Verwendung eines Versorgungskanals in einem Flugzeug

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