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One hand key shell

  • US 4,849,732 A
  • Filed: 03/21/1988
  • Issued: 07/18/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1985
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An input device operated by a single hand and used to transmit information between the operator of said device and an electronic apparatus in communication with said device, comprising:

  • a housing;

    a first key array having a plurality of input means mounted to said housing and operable by the thumb of the hand;

    a second key array having a plurality of input means mounted to said housing, said second array disposed on an array axis which is aligned along a longitudinal axis of and operable by the index finger of the hand when the thumb of the hand is operably positioned proximal to said first array;

    a third key array having a plurality of input means mounted to said housing, said third array disposed on an array axis which is aligned along a longitudinal axis of and operable by the middle finger of the hand when the thumb and the first finger of the hand are operably positioned proximal to said first and second arrays, respectively;

    a fourth key array having a plurality of input means mounted to said housing, said fourth array disposed on an array axis which is aligned along a longitudinal axis of and operable by the fourth finger of the hand when the thumb and the first finger are operably positioned proximal to said first and second arrays, respectively;

    a fifth key array having a plurality of input means mounted to said housing, said fifth array disposed on an array axis which is aligned along a longitudinal axis of and operable by the fifth finger of the hand when the thumb and the first finger are operably positioned proximal to said first and second arrays; and

    label means disposed in close association with a corresponding key, laterally offset from said corresponding key and outwardly disposed from said key array axis, said label means being viewable while the fingers are in contact with said corresponding key, whereinsaid first, second, third, fourth and fifth key arrays are disposed to conform to the positions, motion and range of the respective fingers of the hand allowing activation of the keys without movement of the hand relative to the housing and without movement of said fingers to other of said key arrays, and each said key array includes an axis being non-parallel to the axis of other key arrays.

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