Ergonomic keyboard

• US 6,022,156 A
• Filed: 12/10/1993
• Issued: 02/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nelson A. Blish
• Original Assignee: Nelson A. Blish
• Inventors: Blish, Nelson A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anthony H.
• Application Number:
  US08/164,854
• Time in Patent Office: 2,251 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 400/489, 400/485, 400/486, 400/487, 400/492, 400/491.3, 400/715, 341/21, 341/22, 341/27, 434/230-233
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• 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 3/0216 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1664
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• 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: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/05 composed of hingedly connected sections

Abstract

A two piece computer keyboard (10). A right hand keyboard (20) contains alphabetic keys normally operated by the right hand of the computer operator. Left hand keyboard (30) contains keys normally operated by the left hand of the operator. Right keyboard (20) and left keyboard (30) are electrically connected by cord (60). The size of keyboards (20) and (30) have been reduced by using keys which allow some alphabetic keys to be used in a multi-function fashion. Num key (40) allows use of alphabetic keys as numbers. Arrow key (50) allows use of alphabetic keys as arrows. Function keys (46) allows use of alphabetic keys as function keys F1, F2, etc. Special function key (48) allows use of some alphabetic keys as print screen, scroll lock, etc.

Claims

1. A segmented computer keyboard comprising:

a right hand keyboard with a wrist restraint;

a left hand keyboard with a wrist restraint; and

wherein said left and right keyboards may be operated without resting the keyboard on a hard surface.