Key cover for individual key of computer keyboard

• US 5,385,417 A
• Filed: 04/12/1993
• Issued: 01/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lawrence E. Wade, Michael L. Wade
• Original Assignee: Lawrence E. Wade, Michael L. Wade
• Inventors: Wade, Lawrence E., Wade, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anthony H.
• Application Number:
  US08/044,705
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 400/490, 400/495, 400/496, 400/493.1, 400/493.2, 400/692, 400/693, 400/714, 400/679, 400/686, 400/687, 400/715-717, 400/719, 400/663, 400/672.1 , 400/672.2, 400/676, 400/677, 235/145 R, 235/146, 200/43.16, 200/43.18, 200/43.19, 200/333, 200/334
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/102 Keyboard overlays
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/287 wherein the operating part is made inaccessible or more difficult to access by a lid, cover or guard, e.g. lockable covers

Abstract

A cover is disclosed that can be easily and quickly positioned over a single key on a keyboard. The cover has pressure sensitive adhesive on its feet for securely affixing the cover to the housing of the keyboard such that the cover is maintained in place over the key on the keyboard which is to be covered. A pair of sidewalls extend upwardly from the feet of the cover. The sidewalls are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to span a single key on the keyboard. A top wall extends between the upper ends of the sidewalls. The top wall is provided with a central opening having a size such that a tip of a pencil or other similar device can be pushed through the opening to engage the key below the top cover.

Claims

1. A protective cover for an individual key on a computer keyboard, said cover comprising

a pair of spaced apart feet, said feet having elongate, flat, narrow bottom surfaces, with each bottom surface having a length of between about 3/8 of an inch to 1 inch and a width of from about 1/16 of an inch and 3/16 of an inch, said feet being spaced apart sufficiently so that the feet can span an individual key on a computer keyboard;

a pair of sidewalls, with each sidewall extending upwardly from a respective one of said pair of feet, said sidewalls having a width substantially the same as the length of the bottom surfaces of said feet, said sidewalls further having a height of between about 3/8 of an inch and 5/8 of an inch;

a top wall connected to upper ends of said pair of sidewalls, said top wall having a width substantially the same as the width of said sidewalls;

an opening in the top wall, said opening having a size just sufficient that the tip of a pencil can be inserted therein to depress a key over which the cover is positioned; and

means for adhering the bottom surfaces of said feet to the housing of a computer keyboard such that the cover fits over and covers a desired key of the keyboard, wherein said means for adhering the bottom surfaces of said feet to the housing comprises a thin layer of foam material adhered to the bottom surfaces of said feet and a layer of adhesive material applied to the exposed bottom side of said layer of foam material.