US Patent 10101774 Mechanical actuation of retractable keyboard

Embodiments provide mechanisms for actuating the retraction of the keys of a retractable keyboard based on the angle of the rotation of a coupled display, such as in a 2-in-1 IHS (Information Handling System) that may be operated as a tablet or a laptop. In a first mode, where the display of the IHS is in a laptop configuration, the provided mechanisms actuate the retractable keys to their extended positions allowing use of the IHS as a laptop. As the user rotates the display to various tablet configurations, the provided mechanisms actuate the keycaps to a second mode, in which the keycaps are retracted and may be further disabled to promote use of IHS as a tablet. Certain embodiments utilize a gear and cam mechanism to link the rotation of the display to the actuation of the keycaps. Certain other embodiments utilize a gear and crank mechanism.