Computer keyboard

• US 5,469,160 A
• Filed: 06/18/1993
• Issued: 11/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Suimin Yang
• Original Assignee: Suimin Yang
• Inventors: Yang, Suimin
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/078,087
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/20, 364/708.1, 364/709.01, 364/709.12, 345/168, 400/488, 400/489
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

The present invention relates to a keyboard apparatus for electronic computers. In order to improve the work efficiency and lighten the weariness of an operator, the basic keys in common use consisting of 26 English letter keys and some of punctuation mark keys arranged in three rows are located on different surfaces. ZXCVBNM,./keys are located on the surface having a right angle with the main surface of the keyboard with the back of the keys towards the operator; ASDFGHJKL; keys are located on the lowermost surface; thus the upper surface of ASDFGHJKL; keys are lower than those of any other keys.

Claims

1. A computer keyboard comprising a front, basic keys, functional keys, a main surface and a surface which is at an angle with the main surface;

the front being a part of the keyboard closest to an operator when the keyboard is in use;

the keys having an upper surface and a back, and being arranged in alignment in substantially parallel fixed rows;

the substantially parallel fixed rows being on the main surface and on the surface which is at an angle with the main surface, each key being in a fixed position with respect to each of the other keys;

the back of the keys being that part by which the keys are attached to the keyboard;

the surface which is at an angle with the main surface being closer to the front of the keyboard than the main surface; and

the angle being such that the backs of the keys on the surface which is at an angle with the main surface are toward the front of the keyboard.

2. A computer keyboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the row of basic keys in common use ZXCVB is distributed on a surface at about right a 90°

angle with the main surface of the keyboard, the rows of basic keys in common use ASDFG and QWERT are distributed on the main surface of the keyboard with the upper surfaces of the row of keys QWERT higher than those of the keys ASDFG.

3. A computer keyboard as claimed in claim 1 which has left and right edges and wherein basic keys in common use are in columns which are parallel with the left and right edges of the keyboard.

4. A computer keyboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein a platform is hinged to the front edge of the keyboard.

5. A computer keyboard as claimed in claim 1 wherein the main surface comprises a groove having a bottom surface, a front surface and a rear surface;

the bottom surface being substantially parallel to the main surface and comprising a row of keys, and

the front surface being the surface which is at an angle with the main surface and which is closest to the front of the keyboard.

6. A computer keyboard as claimed in claim 5, wherein the row of basic keys in common use ASDFG is distributed on the bottom surface of the groove in the keyboard, wherein the row of keys ZXCVB is distributed on the front wall of the groove with the back of the keys towards the front, the row of basic keys in common use QWERT is distributed on the main surface of the keyboard.

7. A computer keyboard as claimed in claim 5 wherein at least a pair of surfaces form a right angle.

8. A computer keyboard as claimed in claim 5 wherein the keys on the bottom surface and on the front surface are basic keys.

9. A computer as claimed in claim 8 wherein the functional keys are distributed on the main surface of the keyboard.