Keyboard overlay

• US 4,075,465 A
• Filed: 05/19/1976
• Issued: 02/21/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sperry Rand Corporation (Unisys Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sperry Rand Corporation (Unisys Corporation)
• Inventors: Tetrick, Elton Earl, Funk, Buddy Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Tomsky, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US05/687,836
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 235/145 R, 197/98, 35/5, 35/6
• US Class Current: 235/145.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/102 Keyboard overlays
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/002 replaceable; adaptable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/036 forming chamfered apertures for keys

Abstract

An exchangeable overlay for changing the character representations associated with the keys of a keyboard. The overlay is disposed on the keyboard and has openings to receive each key thereof with the inner portion of each opening above an associated key sloped to form a character bearing surface of easy visibility.

Claims

1. A structure for mounting on a keyboard containing a plurality of keys, comprising in combination:

an overlay disposable on the keyboard and having a plurality of inside surfaces defining openings for each of the keys of the keyboard; and

a portion of at least some of said inside surfaces, which define said openings, being sloped and displaying a symbol associated with respective ones of said keys.

2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said portions of the respective inside surfaces each has a symbol formed thereon and will be disposed adjacent an upper side of its respective one of the keys when said overlay is disposed on said keyboard.

3. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said each inside surface portion is slanted away from its respective key to provide easy visibility of the symbol on said portion.

4. In combination:

a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys;

an exchangeable overlay having a like plurality of inside surfaces defining openings to receive said keys of said keyboard; and

a portion of at least some of said inside surfaces, which define said openings, being sloped and displaying a symbol for association with respective ones of said keys.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said portions of said respective inside surfaces each has a symbol formed thereon and is disposed adjacent an upper side of its respective one of said keys.

6. The combination of claim 4, wherein said each inside surface portion slopes away from its respective key to provide easy visibility of said symbol on said portion.