BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to keyboard mounting systems, and more particularly to a system for mounting a keyboard on a keyboard mount which provides ease of use in transitioning the keyboard from a transport mode to an operational mode, and vice versa.

[0002] A prior art keyboard mounting system is shown in FIG. 1. An information processing apparatus 10, for example a protocol tester, includes a keyboard mount 12 as well as a keyboard 14. For transport the keyboard 14 is brought into a so-called transport mode in which it is fixedly connected to the information processing apparatus 10. At the same time in transport mode it covers a display 16 and thereby protects it. In order to operate the keyboard 14 it is brought into an operational mode, i.e., it is removed from the information processing apparatus 10 and placed in front of it. In order to change the keyboard 14 from the operational mode back into the transport mode two movable feet 18, 20, which serve for raising it at its rear end for easier operability in the operational mode, are inserted into openings 22, 24 of the keyboard mount 12 provided for this. After inserting the feet 18, 20 the keyboard 14 is rotated about the rotation axis formed thereby, wherein a projection 26 of the keyboard mount engages a recess of the keyboard 14 provided for this and the keyboard is resiliently retained. Thus unintended detachment of the keyboard 14 during transport is prevented. For detaching the keyboard 14 from the projection 26 a region 28 unfolds and thereby releases the projection 43.

[0003] The disadvantage of this known solution is that, due to the mobility of the feet 18, 20 it is complicated to mount the keyboard 14 in the keyboard mount 12. On the one hand both feet 18, 20 have to be equally aligned, on the other hand the region of the openings 22, 24 is difficult to see so that often multiple attempts are required to insert the feet 18, 20 into the openings 22, 24. Especially it often happens that during inserting the feet 18, 20 are moved out of their equal alignment and the entire process has to be repeated. Since the feet 18, 20 cannot carry weight forces without thereby displacing due to the required inclination, the keyboard 14 cannot be transferred from the operational mode into the transport mode with one hand since otherwise the projection 26 is in the way. Further from the projection 43 there is the risk that the top of the keyboard 14 may be scratched or damaged.

[0004] What is desired is a keyboard mounting system that is easier to manipulate between transport and operational modes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly the present invention provides a keyboard mount wherein a keyboard may be transferred from an operational mode to a transport mode with only one hand. The keyboard mount and keyboard have cooperating lateral guides and projections on their sides so that inserting the keyboard into the keyboard mount in an erect position is possible with only one hand. A lateral guide of the keyboard mount includes a slot in which a lateral projection of the keyboard is guided. The keyboard is not necessarily mounted on the keyboard mount by inserting exactly from above, but may be inserted initially into the keyboard mount at half height, be leaned against it and tilted to an erect position. This results in simple adjustment of the keyboard relative to the keyboard mount. Subsequently the keyboard may be lowered so the lateral projections engage the lateral guides to place the keyboard in the transport mode. The lateral guide of the keyboard mount has a retainer, preferably a resilient snapping mechanism, which is formed to cooperate with a counterpart of the keyboard in order to secure the keyboard in the transport mode. A laterally mounted retainer has the advantage that in mounting the keyboard on the keyboard mount there is no risk that the keyboard top is damaged. At the same time the retainer is activated automatically in inserting the keyboard into the keyboard mount without additional measures by the operator being required. The retainer is formed such that it may be released by pulling at the keyboard in a direction parallel to the lateral guides. This allows for secure connection between keyboard and keyboard mount during transport, and yet transferring the keyboard from the transport mode into the operational mode is accomplished with one hand. The retainer includes a resiliently supported projection on the lateral guide and the respective counterpart is a recess in the lateral projection into which the resiliently supported projection is pressed in the transport mode. The resiliently supported projection thus mounted is not a risk for the surface of the keyboard due to its lateral arrangement at the keyboard and/or the keyboard mount. When the keyboard is in the transport mode a cavity is formed between the keyboard mount and the rear end of the keyboard. This cavity accommodates a connecting cable of the keyboard within the keyboard mount. Therefore the keyboard does not have to be disconnected from the keyboard mount for transport. Also in the region of the cavity a terminal is provided for electrically connecting the keyboard to the keyboard mount. This allows the exchange of a defective keyboard or the connection of another keyboard with minimal effort. The cavity may be covered by a removable cover, facilitating the access to the terminal for the keyboard or another terminal disposed in the cavity. The keyboard mount may be mounted on a processing apparatus about a display which is covered by the keyboard in the transport mode. Thereby the display is protected from damages in a simple manner.

[0006] In order to simply transfer the keyboard from the operational mode into the transport mode and inversely, on the underside of the keyboard a grip, preferably disposed centrally, is present by means of which the keyboard is pulled out of the keyboard mount if it is in the transport mode. Inversely, the keyboard is placed in the transport mode using this grip in a simple manner if it is in the operational mode. In the transverse direction the keyboard has a first section having a first width so that the exterior sides contact the interior sides of the keyboard mount in the transport mode of the keyboard, and a second section having a second width greater than the first width which extends above the interior sides of the keyboard mount in the transport mode. The rear end of the keyboard may have another projection which cooperates with a retainer in the end of the keyboard mount and/or the cover to secure the keyboard in the transport mode.

[0007] The objects, advantages and other novel features of the present invention are apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended claims and attached drawing.