Keyboard with thumb activated control key

• US 5,620,267 A
• Filed: 03/29/1995
• Issued: 04/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keyboard Advancements, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Keyboard Advancements, Inc.
• Inventors: Klauber, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anthony H.
• Application Number:
  US08/412,765
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 400/486, 400/485, 400/489, 400/488, 400/473, 400/472
• US Class Current: 400/486
• 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

Abstract

The invention relates to an ergonomic keyboard with control key(s) located where a touch typist may activate the keys comfortably via one or both thumbs. The invention is suitable for use with a computer, word processor, electronic typewriter, or the like. It facilitates easy, ergonomic activation of the control function by a touch typist without the necessity of averting the eyes from the text to the keyboard, or uncomfortable stretching of the hands. The invention increases typing efficiency.

Claims

1. A keyboard for a computer, electronic typewriter, or word processor, comprising:

a plurality of alphanumeric keys comprising twenty-six alphabetic keys and ten numeric keys arranged corresponding to touch typing position each of which alphanumeric keys automatically effects a different alphanumeric character,

a means to effect a space wherein said means to effect a space is positioned within reach of at least one thumb of a touch typist having hands and fingers positioned on said keyboard in touch typing position,

a plurality of non-alphanumeric keys, and

a means to actuate a control function wherein actuation of said control function simultaneously with one alphabetic key automatically effects a specific function such as, but not limited to, one of save, print and type italics,

wherein said means to actuate the control function is a key labeled control and said means to actuate the control function is positional within reach of at least one thumb of the touch typist having hands and fingers positioned on the keyboard in touch typing position.

2. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to effect a space is a spacebar, and

said means to actuate a control function is positioned within one inch of a location on the spacebar which the touch typist touches when actuating said spacebar with said at least one thumb.

3. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to actuate a control function is positioned within one inch of a location on a backspace/erase key which the touch typist touches when actuating said backspace/erase key with said at least one thumb.

4. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to effect a space is a spacebar, and

said means to actuate a control function is positioned within one and a half key widths of a location on the spacebar which the touch typist would touch when actuating said spacebar with said at least one thumb.

5. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to actuate a control function is positioned within one and a half key widths of a location on a backspace/erase key which the touch typist would touch when actuating said backspace/erase key with said at least one thumb.

6. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to effect a space is a spacebar, and

said means to actuate a control function is positioned between the spacebar and the touch typist.

7. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to actuate a control function is positioned between a backspace/erase key and the touch typist.

8. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to actuate a control function is positioned, at least in part, within half a key width of a middle finger key column comprising keys actuated by the middle finger of the touch typist.

9. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to actuate a control function is positioned adjacent the c key.

10. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to actuate a control function is positioned adjacent the m key.

11. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to effect a space is a spacebar, and

said means to actuate a control function is positioned adjacent the spacebar key.

12. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to actuate a control function is positioned adjacent a backspace/erase key.

13. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to actuate a control function is located, at least in part, in a region of the keyboard bounded by a straight first line segment extending from a first key upon which a middle finger rests when hands and fingers are in touch typing position to a second key located adjacent an index finger key upon which an index finger rests;

a second straight line segment perpendicular to the first line segment intersecting one endpoint of the first line segment;

a third straight line segment perpendicular to the first line segment intersecting an other endpoint of the first line segment; and

an edge of the keyboard intersected by said second and third straight lines.

14. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

said means to actuate a control function is located, at least in part, in a region of the keyboard bounded by two keys adjacent left and right sides of an index finger key upon which an index finger rests when hands and fingers are in touch typing position, a near edge of the keyboard nearer the typist than any other edge, and two lines intersecting the near edge perpendicular to said near edge.

15. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

the means to actuate a control function is located, at least in part, in a region of the keyboard bounded by a first line passing from the center of two middle finger keys upon which two middle fingers rest when hands and fingers are in touch typing position, a second line passing from the center of the left middle finger key perpendicular to the first line, a third line passing from the center of the right middle finger key perpendicular to the first line, and an edge of the keyboard nearer the typist than any other edge.

16. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

the means to actuate a control function is located within reach of both thumbs.

17. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

the at least one means to actuate a control function comprises two means.

18. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein

the at least one means to actuate a control function comprises two means, wherein the first of said two means is located leftward of the touch typist'"'"'s left thumb, and the second of said two means is located rightward of the touch typist'"'"'s right thumb.

19. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the arrangement of alphanumeric keys conforms to ISO row and column designation standards.