Computer with separate left hand and right hand operated keyboard units

• US 5,481,263 A
• Filed: 11/29/1991
• Issued: 01/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Man S. Choi
• Original Assignee: Man S. Choi
• Inventors: Choi, Man S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/800,469
• Time in Patent Office: 1,495 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 341/21, 341/22, 400/486, 400/488, 400/489, 400/492, 400/680, 400/88, 364/708
• US Class Current: 341/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1664 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1666 Arrangements for reducing the size of the integrated keyboard for transport, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F1/1664 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/028 on planes with different or alterable inclination, e.g. convex plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/032 adjustable

Abstract

A keyboard for an electronic processor comprises two separate keyboard units for operation by the left and right hands, respectively, having keys at locations corresponding to those of the left hand operated and right hand operated sides of a conventional, touch-typing keyboard. In one example, the keyboard units can be folded for packing in stacked relation for pocketability. In another example, the keypads are concave with the keys extending along an arc of travel of the user'"'"'s fingers and a palm supporting handrest is located adjacent the keypad. Both the keys and the handrest are adjustable to accommodate hands of different sizes.

Claims

1. A pair of keyboard units comprising housing frames carrying respective key pads with sets of keys having individual key designations serially arranged, respectively, in conformity with left hand and right hand operated sides of a QWERTY touch typing keyboard and handrests for supporting each hand during typing, means on each housing frame supporting the respective set of keys extending in front of and at a lower level than the handrest, means on each housing frame mounting the keys on the keypad for adjustment of their transverse positions relative to a typist'"'"'s finger and comprising a series of transversely extending ribs and a series of longitudinally extending arcuate members carrying respective group of keys associated with the respective fingers and mounted for movement longitudinally of the transverse ribs to provide the transverse adjustment.

2. A pair of keyboard units according to claim 1 in which the key supporting means supports the respective set of keys in a concave array.

3. A pair of keyboard units according to claim 1 including means on each housing frame mounting the keys on the keypad for adjustment in a radial direction to and away from a typist'"'"'s finger.

4. A pair of keyboard units according to claim 1 including means on each housing frame mounting the handrest for adjustment towards and away from the keypad.

5. A pair of keyboard units according to claim 1 in which the key supporting means supports the keys in a dished array curved about a transverse axis with a laterally outermost row of keys adjacent the user'"'"'s index finger, tilted inwardly and curved about both a vertical axis and a longitudinal horizontal axis.