Keyboard with keys concentrated in clusters

• US 4,579,470 A
• Filed: 04/11/1984
• Issued: 04/01/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cullen Casey
• Original Assignee: Cullen Casey
• Inventors: Casey, Cullen
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Jr., Ernest T.
• Application Number:
  US06/599,056
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 400/486, 400/487, 400/488, 400/489, 400/491.3
• US Class Current: 400/489
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

A typewriter keyboard arrangement with keys concentrated in clusters in such a manner so as to be operated by specific fingers designated for specific clusters. Keys are clustered and clusters arranged to allow rapid finger motion with little hand motion. The keyboard arrangement also allows the hands and arms to be positioned in a natural manner in relation to the body.

Claims

1. An input keyboard for the transfer of information to a machine by a human operator, comprising:

a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of hexagonal clusters for operation by the operator'"'"'s left and right index fingers;

a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of cross-shaped clusters for operation by the operator'"'"'s left and right middle fingers;

a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of diamond-shaped clusters for operation by the operator'"'"'s left and right fourth fingers;

a plurality of finger pads for placement of the operator'"'"'s left and right fifth fingers;

a plurality of keys arranged for operation by the operator'"'"'s left and right fifth fingers;

a plurality of thumb pads for placement of the operator'"'"'s left and right thumbs;

a plurality of keys arranged for operation by the operator'"'"'s left and right thumbs; and

a plurality of keys arranged in one row for operation by the fingers of both hands of the operator.

2. A keyboard as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of hexagonal clusters comprises:

a left hexagonal cluster with seven keys, one key in the middle of the cluster and six forming a hexagonal shape around the middle key, arranged on the left hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator; and

a right hexagonal cluster with seven keys, one key in the middle of the cluster and six forming a hexagonal shape around the middle key, arranged on the right hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator and in a mirror relationship with the left hexagonal cluster.

3. A keyboard as recited in claim 2 wherein the plurality of cross-shaped clusters comprises:

a left cross-shaped cluster with six keys, four keys in a row top to bottom and two keys on either side of the second key from the top of the row, arranged on the left hand side of the keyboard approximately 45°

above and to the left of the left hexagonal cluster as viewed by the operator; and

a right cross-shaped cluster with six keys, four keys in a row top to bottom and two keys on either side of the second key from the top of the row, arranged on the right hand side of the keyboard approximately 45°

above and to the right of the right hexagonal cluster as viewed by the operator and in a mirror relationship with the left cross-shaped cluster.

4. A keyboard as recited in claim 3 wherein the plurality of diamond-shaped clusters comprises:

a left diamond-shaped cluster with four keys arranged on the left hand side of the keyboard approximately 45°

above and to the left of the left cross-shaped cluster as viewed by the operator; and

a right diamond-shaped cluster with four keys arranged on the right hand side of the keyboard approximately 45°

above and to the right of the right cross-shaped cluster as viewed by the operator and in a mirror relationship with the left diamond-shaped cluster.

5. A keyboard as recited in claim 4 wherein the plurality of finger pads comprises:

a left finger pad for the operator'"'"'s left fifth finger positioned to the left and slightly below the left diamond-shaped cluster as viewed by the operator; and

a right finger pad for the operator'"'"'s right fifth finger positioned to the right and slightly below the right diamond-shaped cluster as viewed by the operator and in a mirror relationship with the left finger pad.

6. A keyboard as recited in claim 5 wherein the plurality of thumb pads comprises:

a left thumb pad for the operator'"'"'s left thumb positioned below and slightly to the right of the left hexagonal cluster as viewed by the operator; and

a right thumb pad for the operator'"'"'s right thumb positioned below and slightly to the left of the right hexagonal cluster as viewed by the operator and in a mirror relationship with the left thumb pad.

7. A keyboard as recited in claim 6 wherein the plurality of keys arranged for operation by the operator'"'"'s left and right thumbs comprises;

a space key positioned between and slightly below the left and right thumb pads as viewed by the operator;

a shift key positioned immediately below the space key as viewed by the operator;

a lock key positioned immediately below the shift key as viewed by the operator;

a carriage return key positioned immediately to the left and slightly above the left thumb pad as viewed by the operator; and

a paper advance key positioned immediately to the right and slightly above the right thumb pad as viewed by the operator and in a mirror relationship with the carriage return key.

8. A keyboard as recited in claim 7 wherein the plurality of keys arranged for operation by the operator'"'"'s left and right fifth fingers comprises:

a semicolon key positioned immediately to the left of the left finger pad as viewed by the operator;

a colon key positioned immediately to the left of the semicolon key as viewed by the operator;

a back space key positioned immediately to the right of the right finger pad as viewed by the operator and in a mirror relationship with the semicolon key; and

a margin release key positioned immediately to the right of the back space key as viewed by the operator and in a mirror relationship with the colon key.

9. A keyboard as recited in claim 8 wherein:

the row containing the plurality of keys for operation by the fingers of both hands of the operator is positioned above the key clusters across the top of the keyboard as viewed by the operator.

10. A keyboard as recited in claim 9 wherein the row containing the plurality of keys for operation by the fingers of both hands of the operator comprises:

a plurality of keys in order from the left as viewed by the operator to operate the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0, and the fractions 1/4 and 1/2, and the marks for exclamation point, quotation, pound sign, dollar sign, percentage, underline, and, single quotation, open parenthesis and closed parenthesis; and

a plurality of keys on the extreme left and extreme right of the row as viewed by the operator to operate as special command keys.

11. A keyboard as recited in claim 10 wherein:

the left hexagonal cluster keys operate the letters A, B, C, D, S and the Comma mark.

12. A keyboard as recited in claim 11 wherein:

the right hexagonal cluster keys operate the letters E, F, G, H, I, R and the Period mark.

13. A keyboard as recited in claim 12 wherein:

the left cross-shaped cluster keys operate the letters U, V, W, X, Y, and Z.

14. A keyboard as recited in claim 13 wherein:

the right cross-shaped cluster keys operate the letters N, O, J, Q, P, and K.

15. A keyboard as recited in claim 14 wherein:

the left diamond-shaped cluster keys operate the punctuation and sign marks for Asterisk, Question, Cent, Equals, and Plus.

16. A keyboard as recited in claim 15 wherein:

the right diamond-shaped cluster keys operate the letter and punctuation marks L, M, Slash and Hyphen.