Ergonomic-interface keyboard system

• US 5,137,384 A
• Filed: 01/27/1992
• Issued: 08/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ergonomic-Interface Keyboard Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jeffery B. Spencer, Stephen L. Albert
• Inventors: Spencer, Jeffery B., Albert, Stephen L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YAN, REN LUO
• Application Number:
  US07/827,143
• Time in Patent Office: 197 Days
• Field of Search: 400/82, 400/88, 400/472, 400/473, 400/477, 400/479, 400/485, 400/486, 400/488, 400/489, 400/682, 400/715, 400/716, 235/145 R, 235/146, 341/22, 341/23
• US Class Current: 400/489
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0371 Platforms for supporting wrists
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/028 on planes with different or alterable inclination, e.g. convex plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/034 Support for hands or arms

Abstract

Conceived with the human-engineering objective of overcoming Repetitive Motion Injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The solution, a system comprising a split-keyboard spaced laterally into vertically arranged co-operative keypad halves, optimally enabling the user to sit with the lightweight portable keyboard assembly laying directly upon their lap. Traditional keyboards orient operator'"'"'s hands inducing a wrist-twisting, arm-extending stress while the stress-free ergonomic bodily position herein liberates one from such trauma by reorientation of the hands and arms to a non-pronated, unextended position. This correction involves the upper-arm draping naturally down from the shoulder with the forearm, set at a relaxed forward projecting right-angle, placing the Carpal-ligaments of one'"'"'s wrists in a non-torqued, neutral position. Because weight of the extended hand/forearm is borne comfortably upon the narrow side (hypothenar-eminence) of the hand, this newly identified reorientation requires no appreciable musculature effort to maintain. The arrangement of keypad controls, with transverse adjustability to user'"'"'s physique, serves to ameliorate onset occurrence of keyboard associated RMI-diseases. Utilizing visual-reference mirrors adjustable to a user'"'"'s eye, enables them to readily reference any key-indicia or tracking-mouse hemisphere via convenience of natural mirror-image/reverse-compensated character notation. The system universally interfaces with ordinary electronic keyboard connections, and employs a conventional (albeit split) Qwerty keyboard. It is likewise adaptable to other keyboard formats. Optional accommodation of an Accounting-panel (ten-key; with affixed visual-reference mirror) at the right or left of the keyboard-base, is achieved via a modularly invertible attachment upon either laterally extensile retractable-support member.

Claims

1. An improved keyboard system, transversely adjustable, having laterally half divided keyboard units for inputting information to a computer or data entry unit, comprising:

a portable unitary keyboard frame of substantially rigid construction designed to optimally lay across any operator'"'"'s lap during use, including means for alleviating Carpal-tunnel stress comprising;

a left half divided keyboard unit having a left hand keypad member extending substantially vertically upward from said keyboard frame and having a plurality of keys thereon facing to the left, a left hand support pad disposed on said keyboard unit adjacent said left hand keypad member for supporting the left hand of an operator during operation, and a first compact mirror adjustably mounted on said keyboard unit and spaced away from said left hand keypad member to the left thereof to reflect said left hand keypad member and left hand motion of an operator; and

a right half divided keyboard unit having a right hand keypad member extending substantially vertically upward from said keyboard frame and having a plurality of keys thereon facing to the right, a right hand support pad disposed on said keyboard unit adjacent said right hand keypad member for supporting the right hand of the same operator during operation, and a second compact mirror adjustably mounted on said keyboard unit and spaced away from said right hand keypad member to the right thereof to reflect said right hand keypad member and right hand motion of the operator.

2. The keyboard system as in claim 1 wherein said vertical keypad member including repositioning means for transverse adjustment of said vertical keypad members on said keyboard frame.

3. The keyboard system as in claim 1 wherein said first and second compact mirrors being integrally connected to said respective keypad members.

4. The keyboard system as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of keys on each of said keypad members bearing reverse imaged character indicia.

5. The keyboard system as in claim 4 wherein said reverse imaged character indicia on said plurality of keys being arranged in a vertically readable orientation.

6. The keyboard system as in claim 1 further including a ball tracking-mouse having a hemisphere portion thereon for finger-tip operation by the user.

7. The keyboard system as in claim 1 further including means for attachment and removal of additional keypad member to either side of said keyboard frame.

8. The keyboard system as in claim 1 wherein said left hand and right hand support pads are disposed horizontally on said respective keyboard unit.

9. The keyboard system as in claim 8 wherein each of said half divided keyboard units comprising a separate rigid integrating housing to connect said keypad member, said support pad and said compact mirror together.

10. The keyboard system as in claim 1 wherein said keyboard frame including slide means to allow the lateral expansion and contraction of each of the half divided keyboard units.