Prehensile positioning computer keyboard
US5416498A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 16, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2217/028
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer keyboard is designed such that a user may acquire total tactile familiarity with the keyboard, thus enabling the user to copy written material and look at the screen while typing without looking at the keyboard. One embodiment of the keyboard of the invention is divided at its midpoint by a central peak and the outer portions slant downwardly and away from the central peak and upwardly away from the user to form a shallow V-shape. The V-shaped keyboard configuration lessens ulnar abducted deviation and permits a relatively straight hand-wrist orientation. The center-peak design also lessens the amount of hand pronation, i.e. the rotation of the hands from a comfortable vertical posture into an uncomfortable horizontal posture. Further, the V-shaped arrangement enables the forearms to be separated, allowing for unobstructed visual access to a copy-viewing area. Strain on the hands and wrists is minimized and occupationally-induced injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are avoided. The space bars are placed on the front edge of the keyboard surfaces and are activated by thumb pressure either vertically (conventionally), horizontally or at a selected angle. When the spa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.