Foldable keyboard work platform and carrying case

Abstract

A compact, rigid work platform and carrying case for a foldable keyboard is disclosed. The disclosed device has multiple flat panels, connected with hinges, that can be arranged into two configurations: a thin, rigid, planar working surface and a secure carrying case. The working surface has dimensions approximately equal to the outer dimensions of the fully expanded keyboard with a handheld computer attached to it. The interior dimensions of the carrying case are at least as large as an envelope enclosing the keyboard when it is in its folded configuration. Means are provided for securing the device in both configurations. Means are also provided to secure the keyboard to the face of the working surface when it is being operated by the user.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A device for holding and carrying a foldable keyboard comprising: 
 a. a plurality of panels, having top faces and bottom faces, hingedly connected to form a planar surface configuration having dimensions at least equal to the dimensions of a foldable computer keyboard in its expanded configuration; and    b. a plurality of movable stiffeners disposed on the bottom faces of said panels;    wherein said panels can fold into a box configuration having interior dimensions greater than the exterior dimensions of said keyboard when it is in its folded configuration; and wherein each of said stiffeners has a locked position that holds said panels in said planar surface configuration and a closed position that allows said panels to be folded into said box configuration.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising means for holding said panels in said box configuration.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising means for holding said keyboard on the top faces of said panels when said panels are in said planar surface configuration.  
     
     
         4 . A device for holding and carrying a foldable keyboard comprising: 
 a. a clip panel, having a top face, a bottom face, a left edge, and a right edge;    b. a front panel, having a top face, a bottom face, a left edge, a right edge, and a top edge, said left edge of said front panel hingedly coupled to said right edge of said clip panel;    c. a bottom panel, having a top face, a bottom face, a left edge, and a right edge, said left edge of said bottom panel hingedly connected to said right edge of said front panel;    d. a back panel, having a top face, a bottom face, a left edge, and a right edge, said left edge of said back panel hingedly connected to said right edge of said bottom panel;    e. a top panel, having a top face, a bottom face, a left edge, a right edge, and a bottom edge, said left edge of said top panel hingedly connected to said right edge of said back panel;    f. a right panel, having a top face, a bottom face, and a top edge, said top edge of said right panel hingedly connected to said bottom edge of said top panel;    g. a left panel, having a top face, a bottom face, and a bottom edge, said bottom edge of said left panel hingedly connected to said top edge of said front panel;    wherein said clip panel, said front panel, said bottom panel, said back panel, said top panel, said right panel, and said left panel alternately form a box when folded into a first configuration and a flat, planar surface when unfolded into a second configuration; said box having interior dimensions greater than the dimensions of an area encompassing a foldable keyboard in its folded configuration.    
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising means for holding said foldable keyboard on the top faces of said panels when said panels are in the planar surface configuration.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising means for holding said panels in said first configuration and means for holding said panels in said second configuration.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a. a plurality of stiffeners mounted on one or more of said panels, wherein 
 i. each of said stiffeners has a locked position when said panels are in said second configuration and wherein each of said stiffeners lies across at least two of said panels and prevents said panels from folding into said first configuration,  
 ii. each of said stiffeners has a closed position when said panels are in said first configuration and wherein each of said stiffeners lies across only one of said panels, and  
 iii. each of said stiffeners is constructed of a magnetic metallic material; and  
   b. a plurality of stiffener stops positioned adjacent to said stiffeners when said stiffeners are in said locked positions and in said closed positions, wherein each of said stiffener stops comprises a magnet.    
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , whereby: 
 a. said top edge of said right panel is connected to said bottom edge of said top panel by a spring hinge, the spring hinge biased so as to hold said top face of said right panel against said top face of said top panel; and    b. said bottom edge of said left panel is connected to said top edge of said front panel by a spring hinge, the spring hinge biased so as to hold said top face of said left panel against said top face of said front panel.    
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a. means for releasably securing said bottom face of said clip panel to said bottom face of said front panel when said device is folded into said first configuration; and    b. means for releasably securing said right edge of said top panel to said left edge of said front panel and said right edge of said clip panel when said device is folded into said first configuration.    
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of magnets disposed on said right edge of said top panel, and wherein: 
 a. said clip panel and said front panel are connected by a hinge constructed of a metallic, magnetic material;    b. said hinge extends beyond the edges of said clip panel and front panel when said device is folded into said first configuration; and    c. said magnets on said top panel engage said hinge when said device is folded into said first configuration.