Adjustable keyboard

• US 4,597,681 A
• Filed: 12/15/1983
• Issued: 07/01/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anthony N. Hodges
• Original Assignee: Anthony N. Hodges
• Inventors: Hodges, Anthony N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pearson, Charles A.
• Application Number:
  US06/561,902
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 400/488, 400/489, 400/490, 400/492, 400/495, 400/472, 400/82, 400/87, 400/88, 400/682, 400/434.1, 400/479, 178/17 C, 340/365 R, 340/365 VL, 235/145 R, 235/145 A, 235/146, 200/331, 200/340
• US Class Current: 400/488
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/028 on planes with different or alterable inclination, e.g. convex plane

Abstract

An adjustable keyboard for typewriters, computers, and similar machines, is divided laterally into first and second sets of keys, with each set being adjustable about each of two mutually angulated axes so as to change the planes of the sets relative to each other and relative to the support, and also to allow each set to be angularly shifted in its own plane. The keys of each set are mounted for individual adjustment angularly, laterally, and in height. This allows the overall configuration of each set of keys to be individually adjusted for the convenience, physical, and operating characteristics of the arms, hands, and fingers of each operator.

Claims

1. An adjustable keyboard for a typewriter, computer, or similar machine comprising

a support having a width extending in a lateral direction and a depth extending in a transverse direction,

first and second base plates positioned in side by side relation and having adjacent lateral edges hinged together for relative pivotal motion about a transverse axis,

means for mounting said baseplates to said support for folding and unfolding motion between a first position wherein each said baseplate extends upwardly from said support toward its hinged edge to form an inverted V defining a relatively small included angle between the baseplates and wherein outer lateral edges of the baseplates are spaced relatively closer to one another, and a second position wherein each said baseplate has its hinged edge closer to said support and said outer lateral edges are spaced relatively further from one another to define a relatively larger included angle;

means for maintaining said baseplates in any one of a plurality of adjusted positions between said first and second positions;

first and second sets of keys on respective ones of said baseplates, said sets collectively forming a substantial full key assembly, and

first and second key carrier sections each mounted to a respective one of said baseplates for pivotal motion about an individual one of a pair of axes extending substantially perpendicular to respective ones of said baseplates at adjacent rear corner portions thereof, said first and second sets of keys being respectively mounted on said carrier sections whereby each set may be adjustably positioned relative to the other about said hinged edges and about said axes.

2. The keyboard of claim 1 including means for individually, collectively, and adjustably mounting each key of a group of said keys to one of said baseplates for adjustment of the operating height of the key relative to the plane of each baseplate.

3. The keyboard of claim 1 including means for individually and adjustably mounting each key of a group of said keys to one of said baseplates for adjustment of the angular operating position of the key relative to the plane of each baseplate.

4. The keyboard of claim 1 including means for individually and adjustably mounting each key of a group of said keys to one of said baseplates for adjustment of the operating angle of the top of the key relative to the key stem and the plane of the respective baseplate.

5. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein each key of a group of said keys comprises a key base mounted on one of said baseplates, a key stem mounted on the key base for universal adjustment of position in three dimensions relative to the key base and a key top mounted on the stem for universal adjustment of operating position in three dimensions relative to the stem.

6. The keyboard of claim 1 including means for individually and adjustably mounting at least some of said keys for adjustment of the lateral operating positions of the key tops relative to the planes of said baseplates.

7. The adjustable keyboard of claim 1 including means for mounting each key of at least a group of said keys to said plates for individual adjustment in three dimensions.

8. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein each said key includes a cap, a key base, and a key stem, and a universal connection between each end of the key stem and said key base and said key cap, respectively, whereby each key is individually adjustable vertically, laterally, and angularly in three dimensions.

9. An adjustable keyboard for a typewriter, computer, or similar machine comprising

a support having a width extending in a lateral direction and a depth extending in a transverse direction,

first and second baseplates positioned in side by side relation and having adjacent lateral edges hinged together for relative pivotal motion about a transverse axis,

means for mounting said baseplates to said support for folding and unfolding motion between a first position wherein each said baseplate extends upwardly from said support toward its hinged edge to form an inverted V defining a relatively small included angle between the baseplates and wherein outer lateral edges of the baseplates are spaced relatively closer to one another, and a second position wherein each said baseplate has its hinged edge closer to said support and said outer lateral edges are spaced relatively further from one another to define a relatively larger included angle, said mounting means including means for shiftably mounting at least one of said outer lateral edges to said support for motion toward and away from the other of said outer lateral edges,

means for maintaining said baseplates in any one of a plurality of adjusted positions between said first and second positions, said baseplates in said first position and in said adjusted positions cooperating with said support to form a stable triangular structure,

first and second sets of keys on respective ones of said baseplates, said sets collectively forming a substantial full key assembly,

each key of a group of said keys comprising a key base mounted on one of said baseplates, and

a key stem mounted on the key base for universal adjustment of position in three dimensions relative to the key base and a key top mounted on the stem for universal adjustment of operating position in three dimensions relative to the stem.

10. The keyboard of claim 9 wherein each said key stem is simultaneously adjustable in both operating length and operating angle relative to the plane of said key baseplates.

11. An adjustable keyboard comprising

a support,

first and second sets of keys collectively forming a substantially full assembly of keys,

means for mounting said sets for adjustable motion to change the planes of the sets relative to each other and relative to the support and to shift each set in its own plane,

means for mounting each key of a group of said keys for individually adjustable angular and translational motion,

each said key including a key cap, said means for mounting each said key comprising a key base, a longitudinally extensible key stem, and a universal connection between each end of the key stem and said key base and key cap respectively,

said longitudinally extensible stem including a key sleeve and a key shaft received within said sleeve, and means interconnecting said sleeve and shaft for providing a resistance to longitudinal extension of a first magnitude and for providing resistance to longitudinal contraction of a second magnitude greater than said first magnitude.

12. The adjustable keyboard of claim 11 wherein each said key is arranged to receive a normal actuating force of a predetermined actuating magnitude and wherein said second magnitude is greater than said actuating magnitude.

13. An adjustable keyboard comprising

a support,

a plurality of keys,

means for mounting said keys to said support for individually adjustable angular and translational motion in three dimensions, each said key comprising

a key base mounted to said support,

a key stem having first and second mutually telescopic parts, said first part having a universal connection to said base, and

a key cap having a universal connection to said second key stem part, said first and second key stem parts having a slidable and frictional interengagement to hold said parts in any one of a number of selected positions of longitudinal adjustment.

14. The adjustable keyboard of claim 13 wherein said keys comprise first and second sets of keys collectively forming a substantially fully assembly of keys, and wherein said means for mounting includes means for mounting said sets for adjustable motion to change the planes of the sets relative to each other and relative to the support.

15. The adjustable keyboard of claim 13 wherein said means for mounting comprises first and second base plates positioned in side by side relation and having adjacent lateral edges hinged together for relative pivotal motion about a transverse axis, means for mounting said base plates to said support for folding and unfolding motion between a first position wherein each of the plates extends upwardly from the support toward the other and toward its hinged edge and a second position wherein the plates are substantially flat upon a support, respective ones of said sets of keys being mounted respectively upon said base plates.

16. The keyboard of claim 15 wherein said base plates are detachably connected to one another.

17. The adjustable keyboard of claim 15 including first and second key carrier sections each mounted to a respective one of said base plates for shiftable motion in a plane parallel to the plane of the base plate, said sets of keys being respectively mounted on said individual ones of said key carrier sections whereby said base plates and carrier sections may be adjusted to change the planes of the sets of keys relative to each other and relative to the support and to shift each set in its own plane.

18. The adjustable keyboard of claim 13 wherein said first and second stem parts include interconnecting means for providing a resistance to longitudinal extension of a first magnitude and for providing resistance to longitudinal contraction of a second magnitude greater than said first magnitude.