Protective keyboard cover
First Claim
1. A shield for protecting a keyboard assembly having a plurality of keys each having a top surface and side walls, the totality of the plurality of keys defining a key array having an outer periphery defined by side walls of outer keys of the array, the keys being grouped into a plurality of key clusters, and a deck portion surrounding each key cluster and the key array, the shield comprising:
- a one-piece resiliently flexible membrane including a generally planar base configured to overlay the deck portion of the keyboard assembly, and a single raised bubble formed in the membrane and configured to envelop the entire key array, the bubble being defined by a raised wall approximating the height of the sidewalls of the keys defining the outer periphery of the key array and positionable adjacent to the sidewalls so as to encircle the outer periphery of the key array, and a cover extending from the raised wall and configured to overlay the top surface of the plurality of keys of the key array; and
grooves formed in the raised bubble and configured to surround and form-fit no more than punctuation, symbol, alphabetical and numeric keys of an alpha-numeric and format/command key cluster of the key array;
whereby the shield is adapted for use on a keyboard assembly selected from numerous keyboard assemblies having different key configurations.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A shield for protecting a keyboard assembly includes a one-piece resiliently flexible membrane having a generally planar base overlaying a deck portion of the keyboard assembly, and one or more raised bubbles formed in the membrane and configured to envelope an entire key array or separate or combined key clusters of the keyboard assembly. In a particularly preferred form, a raised bubble enveloping an alpha-numeric and format/command key cluster includes grooves configured to surround and form-fit only alphabetical, numeric, punctuation and symbol keys of the cluster. Thus, a shield adapted for use on the keyboard assembly selected from numerous keyboard assemblies having different key configurations is attained.
45 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A shield for protecting a keyboard assembly having a plurality of keys each having a top surface and side walls, the totality of the plurality of keys defining a key array having an outer periphery defined by side walls of outer keys of the array, the keys being grouped into a plurality of key clusters, and a deck portion surrounding each key cluster and the key array, the shield comprising:
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a one-piece resiliently flexible membrane including a generally planar base configured to overlay the deck portion of the keyboard assembly, and a single raised bubble formed in the membrane and configured to envelop the entire key array, the bubble being defined by a raised wall approximating the height of the sidewalls of the keys defining the outer periphery of the key array and positionable adjacent to the sidewalls so as to encircle the outer periphery of the key array, and a cover extending from the raised wall and configured to overlay the top surface of the plurality of keys of the key array; and
grooves formed in the raised bubble and configured to surround and form-fit no more than punctuation, symbol, alphabetical and numeric keys of an alpha-numeric and format/command key cluster of the key array;
whereby the shield is adapted for use on a keyboard assembly selected from numerous keyboard assemblies having different key configurations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A shield for protecting a keyboard assembly having a plurality of keys each having a top surface and side walls, the totality of keys defining a key array, the plurality of keys being grouped into a plurality of key clusters, including a function-key cluster, an alpha-numeric and format/command key cluster, a cursor-key duster and a 10-key cluster, each cluster having an outer periphery defined by sidewalls of outer keys of the cluster, the keyboard assembly having a deck portion surrounding each key cluster, the shield comprising:
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a one-piece resiliently flexible membrane configured to overlay the entire key array and including a generally planar base configured to overlay the deck portion of the keyboard assembly;
wherein the membrane includes a first raised bubble configured to envelop the function-key cluster of keys; and
wherein the membrane includes a second raised bubble configured to envelop the alpha-numeric and format/command key cluster of keys, cursor-key cluster of keys, and 10-key pad key cluster of keys;
whereby the shield is adapted for use on a keyboard assembly selected from numerous keyboard assemblies having different key configurations. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A shield for protecting a keyboard assembly having a plurality of keys each having a top surface and side walls, the totality of keys defining a key array, the plurality of keys being grouped into a plurality of key clusters, including a function-key cluster, an alpha-numeric and format/command key cluster, a cursor-key cluster and a 10-key cluster, each cluster having an outer periphery defined by sidewalls of outer keys of the cluster, the keyboard assembly having a deck portion surrounding each key cluster, the shield comprising:
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a one-piece resiliently flexible membrane configured to overlay the entire key array and including a generally planar base configured to overlay the deck portion of the keyboard assembly;
wherein the membrane includes a first raised bubble configured to envelop the function-key cluster of keys;
wherein the membrane includes a second raised bubble configured to envelop the alpha-numeric and format/command key cluster of keys; and
wherein the membrane includes a third raised bubble configured to envelop the cursor-key cluster of keys, and 10-key pad key cluster of keys;
whereby the shield is adapted for use on a keyboard assembly selected from numerous keyboard assemblies having different key configurations. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification