Pyramid shaped ergonomic keyboard

• US 5,426,449 A
• Filed: 04/20/1993
• Issued: 06/20/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Danziger
• Original Assignee: Paul Danziger
• Inventors: Danziger, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberley, Alvin E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Banerjee, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US08/049,547
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 400/488, 400/489, 400/490, 400/703, 400/715, 340/706, 340/709, 340/711, 340/710, 341/20, 341/21, 341/22, 248/118, D14/100, D14/106, D14/114, D14/115, 364/709, 364/705, 345/168, 345/172, 345/156
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

A pyramid shaped ergonomic keyboard comprised of three sets of keys or three keypads. A front keypad faces the operator and contains number keys, specialty keys, function keys and a trackball/mouse. The left and right keypad are at approximately a 45° angle positioned in a tripod fashion substantially meeting at a vertex and substantially forming a pyramid with the front keypad. The left keypad and right keypad each contain the key in standard QWERTY layout (albeit split and positioned at a 45° angle). The front, left and right keypads may be mounted or attached to a support frame. The keypads are adjustable in a horizontal and vertical manner relative to each other allowing individual adjustment of each keypad for the convenience of the operator. Protruding from the frame between the front keypad and the left keypad and the front keypad and the right keypad are handrests to support the hands when typing. The handrests may be adjusted in a horizontal and vertical manner to provide greater support and comfort for the operator while typing. Both hands are in a natural and relaxed position, substantially facing together with wrists straight and the thumbs up. The handrests further facilitate maintaining the wrists in a substantially neutral or relaxed arc. The resulting natural and relaxed hand and wrist positions reduce the likelihood of repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, flexor tendinitis, extensor tendinitis, and DeQuervain'"'"'s Disease.

Claims

1. A pyramid shaped ergonomic keyboard consisting of a common frame left keypad section, right keypad section and a thumb actuated front keypad section,

said pyramid shaped ergonomic keyboard including two armrests,one for each hand of the operator, one armrest projecting from said common frame and between said left keypad section and said front keypad section, the other armrest projecting from said common frame and between said right keypad section and said front keypad section, said handrests including adjustable means to accomodate for the hands of the operator,

said common frame for supporting said left keypad section, said right keypad section, and said front keypad section, said common frame including a front side, a left side and a right side,

wherein said left keypad section is substantially rectangular in shape, said left keypad section being connected to the left side of said common frame, said left keypad section including a first set of alphabetic keys from a standard keyboard format,

wherein said right keypad section is substantially rectangular in shape, said right keypad section being connected to the right side of said common frame, said right keypad section including a second set of alphabetic keys from a standard keyboard format,

wherein said thumb actuated front keypad section is adapted for actuation by the thumb of an operator'"'"'s left and right hands, said front keypad section is substantially triangular in shape having an apex pointing substantially upward, said front keypad section being connected to the front side of said common frame, said front keypad section including rows and columns, including space bars placed on the right and left edges of said front keypad section at said apex, said front keypad section further including a trackball and at least one of the group consisting of specially keys, number keys or control keys;

said front keyboard further including at least one of the group consisting of a specialty lock key, a number lock key, or a function lock key;

whereby said front keypad section is used for a plurality of uses.

2. The pyramid shaped ergonomic keyboard of claim 1, wherein said standard keyboard format is a QWERTY keyboard format.

3. The pyramid shaped ergonomic keyboard of claim 1, wherein said standard keyboard format is a Dvorak keyboard format.

4. The pyramid shaped ergonomic keyboard of claim 1, wherein one of said armrests is securely attached to the arm of the operator, said arm of the operator supporting said pyramid shaped ergonomic keyboard.