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Ergonomic keypads for desktop and armrest applications

  • US 5,122,786 A
  • Filed: 06/27/1990
  • Issued: 06/16/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Left and right keypads adapted for operation by a user'"'"'s left and right hands, respectively, said left keypad comprising a square section having a top surface on which a square matrix of four rows and four columns of keys in direct alignment with each other is positioned primarily for actuation by the fingers of the user'"'"'s left hand, said left keypad further comprising a rightward pointed trapezoidal protrusion, adjacent to and frontally aligned with said square section, having a top surface on which a plurality of keys are radially positioned in a fan shape for actuation by the thumb of the user'"'"'s left hand, said left keypad further comprising a vertical front planar surface, formed by aligned and contiguous front planar surfaces of said square section and said rightward pointed trapezoidal protrusion, on which a plurality of elements, including one or more cursor control elements, are linearly positioned, also for actuation by the thumb of the user'"'"'s left hand, said right keypad comprising a first square section having a top surface on which a first square matrix of four rows and four columns of keys in direct alignment with each other is positioned primarily for actuation by the fingers of the user'"'"'s right hand, said right keypad further comprising a leftward pointed trapezoidal protrusion, adjacent to and frontally aligned with said first square section, having a top surface on which a plurality of keys are radially positioned in a fan shape for actuation by the thumb of the user'"'"'s right hand, said right keypad further comprising a second square section aligned directly rearward of and abutting said first square section and having a top surface on which a second square matrix of four rows and four columns of keys, in direct alignment with each other and with the corresponding rows and columns of said first square section, is positioned for actuation by the fingers and thumb of the user'"'"'s right hand, said right keypad further comprising a vertical front planar surface, formed by aligned and contiguous front planar surfaces of said first square section and said leftward pointed trapezoidal protrusion, on which a plurality of elements, including one or more cursor control elements, are linearly positioned, also for actuation by the thumb of the user'"'"'s right hand, said left and right keypads forming an interlocking square diamond-shaped unitary keyboard when joined together.

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