Wrist rest bag for flexible keyboard

• US 5,648,771 A
• Filed: 08/18/1995
• Issued: 07/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Research Transfer Enterprise, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Donald N. Halgren, Robert J. Crowley
• Inventors: Halgren, Donald N., Crowley, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/445,357
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20-22, 341/34, 345/168, 345/169, 364/708.1, 200/5 A, 235/145 R, 400/715, 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04892 Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/02 Piezo element
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/006 Force isolators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/03 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/052 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/074 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/002 Fluid or inflatable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/052 piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/034 Support for hands or arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/011 with integrated photo- or thermovoltaic cell as power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/002 integral with membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/038 Fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/042 : Foam
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/084 : made at least partly of elastic foam
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 : reductible in size, e.g. for transportation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/002 : superimposed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/018 : Consecutive operations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/034 : Regulation of operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/05 : Forming; Half-punching
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/01 : Toy
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/012 : Decoding impedances
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/052 : Strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/964 : Piezoelectric touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 : Switch making

Abstract

The present invention includes a flexible, pressurizable keyboard made of resilient layers of plastic material, with molded keys which are deformable when pressed so as to send a signal to an electrical device. The keys are arranged with a flexible electrical circuit thereattached, which when depressed, establish a proper complete circuit.

Claims

1. A keyboard for generating electrical signals from a plurality of keys on said keyboard;

said keyboard including;

a compressible wrist rest cushion articularly arranged adjacent said keyboard to permit a user to rest the user'"'"'s wrists while inputting data into said keyboard;

said wrist rest cushion comprising an elongated pressurizable bag inflated with a fluid; and

said wrist rest bag being attached to a front portion of said keyboard.

2. A keyboard for generating electrical signals as recited in claim 1, wherein said wrist rest bag is attached to said keyboard by a hinge.

3. A keyboard for generating electrical signals as recited in claim 2, wherein said keyboard is foldable with respect to said wrist rest bag.

4. A keyboard for generating electrical signals as recited in claim 2, wherein said keyboard is formed from a plurality of layers of flexible material, each of said layers being joined to one another at a common periphery.

5. A keyboard for generating electrical signals as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one of said layers of flexible material has an electrical circuit arranged thereon, activation of which will effect signal generation from said keyboard.

6. The keyboard as recited in claim 5, wherein said electrical circuit is comprised of a piezoelectric material, the flexure of which effectuates an electrical signal to be generated therein.

7. A keyboard for generating electrical signals as recited in claim 4, wherein said keyboard is filled with a pressurized fluid.

8. A keyboard for generating electrical signals as recited in claim 1, wherein said wrist rest bag is in fluid communication with said keyboard.

9. A keyboard for generating electrical signals, comprising:

a first layer of flexible material;

a second layer of flexible material, said first and second layers of flexible material being joined to one another to form a first pressurizable cavity therebetween comprising said keyboard;

said first and second layers being joined to one another to form a second pressurizable cavity adjacent said first pressurizable cavity.

10. A keyboard for generating electrical signals as recited in claim 9 wherein said second pressurizable cavity comprises an elongated wrist rest bag.

11. A keyboard for generating electrical signals as recited in claim 10, wherein said wrist rest bag is flexibly connected to said first cavity by a flexible hinge.

12. A keyboard for generating electrical signals as recited in claim 9, wherein said first and second cavities are in fluid communication with one another.

13. A keyboard for generating electrical signals as recited in claim 9, wherein one of said layers of flexible material comprising said first cavity has an electric circuit juxtaposed therewith.

14. A keyboard for generating electrical signals as recited in claim 13, wherein flexure of said one of said layers having said electrical circuit juxtaposed therewith effects the generation of a signal transmitted from said keyboard.

15. The keyboard as recited in claim 13, wherein said electrical circuit is comprised of a piezoelectric material, the flexure of which effectuates and electrical signal to be generated therein.

16. A method of transmitting an electrical signal to an electrical device, comprising the steps of:

arranging at least two layers of flexible material in an overlapping and adjacent manner;

sealing a peripheral edge of one of said layers to the other of said layers to form a flexible chamber defined by said layers;

attaching said flexible chamber to an electrical signal generating keyboard for providing a wrist rest while striking said keyboard to generate electrical signals thereby to permit transmission of said electrical signals to said electrical device; and

striking said electrical signal generating keyboard to generate said electrical signals therefrom to effectuate said transmission thereof to said electrical device.

17. The method of transmitting an electrical signal to an electrical device as recited in claim 16, including the steps of:

fabricating said keyboard from said first and second layers of flexible material;

arranging a signal generating circuit on one of said layers; and

activating said signal generating circuit by flexing at least a portion of said layer of material to which said circuit is attached.

18. The method of transmitting an electrical signal to an electrical device as recited in claim 16, including the step of:

joining a peripheral edge of one of said flexible layers defining said keyboard to the other of said flexible layers so as to define a flexible keyboard cavity therebetween;

arranging a plurality of keys on said flexible layer to which said circuit is attached;

inflating said keyboard by pressurizable fluid, through a supply conduit communicating therewith.

19. The method of transmitting an electrical signal to an electrical device as recited in claim 18, including the step of:

transferring the signal generated in said electrical circuit to an electrical device through a transfer conduit communicating with said keyboard.

20. The keyboard as recited in claim 17, wherein said electrical circuit is comprised of a piezoelectric material, the flexure of which effectuates an electrical signal to be generated therein.