Ergonomic keyboard
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer keyboard, comprising:
- a keyboard housing having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite die upper surface and spaced apart from the upper surface;
a plurality of input keys accessible from the upper surface of the keyboard housing;
a first input device attached to the keyboard housing, the first input device being at least proximate to and accessible from the upper surface of the keyboard housing;
a first projection extending downwardly from a first portion of the lower surface of the keyboard housing, the first projection being recessed beneath an overhanging portion of the keyboard housing, the first projection being configured to engage a plurality of digits of a first hand of a user;
a second projection extending downwardly from a second portion of the lower surface of the keyboard housing, the second projection being recessed beneath an overhanging portion of the keyboard housing, the second projection being configured to engage a plurality of digits of a second hand of the user; and
at least one second input device housed in one of the first and second projections, the second input device being at least proximate to and accessible from the one projection and configured to engage at least one digit of the user during operation, the second input device being spaced apart from the first input device.
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Abstract
A keyboard for a computer. In one embodiment, the keyboard includes a removable first input device in an upper surface and a second input device in a lower surface opposite the upper surface. A user may support the keyboard such that one finger can operate the first input device and another finger can operate the second input device. The keyboard may have either a generally unitary construction, or it may have a first portion and a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion while the user manipulates the input devices.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A computer keyboard, comprising:
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a keyboard housing having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite die upper surface and spaced apart from the upper surface;
a plurality of input keys accessible from the upper surface of the keyboard housing;
a first input device attached to the keyboard housing, the first input device being at least proximate to and accessible from the upper surface of the keyboard housing;
a first projection extending downwardly from a first portion of the lower surface of the keyboard housing, the first projection being recessed beneath an overhanging portion of the keyboard housing, the first projection being configured to engage a plurality of digits of a first hand of a user;
a second projection extending downwardly from a second portion of the lower surface of the keyboard housing, the second projection being recessed beneath an overhanging portion of the keyboard housing, the second projection being configured to engage a plurality of digits of a second hand of the user; and
at least one second input device housed in one of the first and second projections, the second input device being at least proximate to and accessible from the one projection and configured to engage at least one digit of the user during operation, the second input device being spaced apart from the first input device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A computer keyboard, comprising:
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a housing having a forward edge and a rear edge opposite the forward edge, the housing being extended in a lengthwise direction generally parallel to at least one of the forward and rear edges, the housing further having a first portion and a second portion pivotally coupled to a first side of the first portion to pivot about a first rotation axis relative to the first portion, the first rotation axis being generally parallel with the lengthwise direction; and
a first input device coupled to the second portion of the housing;
wherein the housing has a third portion coupled to a second side of the first portion and pivotable about a second rotation axis relative to the first portion, the second rotation axis being generally parallel to the lengthwise dimension. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A computer keyboard, comprising:
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a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface and spaced apart from the upper surface, the housing having a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion and pivotable relative to the first portion;
a plurality of input keys accessible from the upper surface and arranged generally parallel to a first axis, the second portion of the housing being pivotable relative to the first portion about a second axis that is generally parallel to the first axis;
a first input device attached to the housing, the first input device being at least proximate to and accessible from the upper surface of the housing; and
a second input device attached to the housing, the second input device being at least proximate to and accessible from the lower surface of the housing, and the second input device being spaced apart from the first input device.
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41. A computer keyboard, comprising:
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a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface and spaced apart from the upper surface;
a plurality of input keys accessible from the upper surface;
a first input device attached to the housing, the first input device being at least proximate to and accessible from the upper surface of the housing;
a first projection extending downwardly from a first portion of the lower surface of the keyboard and positioned to engage a plurality of digits of a first hand of a user;
a second projection extending downwardly from a second portion of the lower surface of the keyboard and positioned to engage a plurality of digits of a second hand of a user; and
a second input device attached to the housing, the second input device being at least proximate to and accessible from the lower surface of the housing, and the second input device being spaced apart from the first input device.
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Specification