Ergonomic keypads for desktop and armrest applications
First Claim
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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Abstract
A pair of left and right ergonomic keypads may be separately positioned on a desktop or in the armrests of a chair to permit the user to operate the keypads while assuming more comfortable and natural hand and wrist positions than required when using prior art slab keyboards. The separate keypads may be hingedly, interlockingly joined to function as a compact unitary keyboard for desktop use. When so joined for desktop use, the keypads may be rotated about a point of attachment to any desired position from an open position to a closed position. When in the closed position, the keypads form a compact, diamond-shaped unitary keyboard providing improved portability. Whether employed in a desktop or an armrest application, the keypads may be adjusted to any angle that the user finds most comfortable and convenient for operation. Individual keys are arranged to provide an ergonomically sound home position for each of the user'"'"'s hands from which a maximum number of keys and control devices may be reached without moving the hands from their home positions. Keys are located on the top surface of the keypads, and additional keys and/or cursor control devices are located on the vertical front surface of each of the keypads for actuation by the user'"'"'s thumbs.
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Citations
6 Claims
- 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.
Specification