IE922946A1 - Keyboard rest - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a rest for a keyboard, in particular for a computer keyboard. The invention is especially directed to a rest for wrist support in carrying out keyboard operations.

Description

KEYBOARD REST11 This invention relates to a rest for a keyboard, in particular for a computer keyboard. The invention is especially directed to a rest for wrist support in carrying out keyboard operations.

It is an object of the invention to develop a construction of rest for keyboard use capable of implementation in a diversity of embodiments and meeting the most exacting requirements of the keyboard industry, both in respect of manufacturing compatibility and ease and safety in use.

According to the invention in a first aspect, there is provided a rest for a keyboard comprising (a) means defining a surface region for receiving a wrist or other like body portion in use of the rest, and (b) means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard, so that at least a portion of 2 94 6 - 2 an edge region of said surface region defining means overlies an edge region of said keyboard directed towards a user in use of the keyboard.

In a first embodiment, said surface region defining means comprises a shaped member and said edge region portion of said surface region defining means is defined by a lip portion of said shaped member. Said means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard then suitably comprises end portions of an edge region of said shaped member comprising said lip portion, and said end portions are shaped to underlie said keyboard edge region. Preferably, each of said end portions comprises at least one feature for interconnecting association with a keyboard.

In an especially preferred arrangement, said shaped member is a moulded member, and said at least one feature comprises at least one upstanding portion for reception in a corresponding recess of a keyboard. Alternatively, said shaped member may be a folded member, and said at least one feature may then comprise a portion of said folded member engageable to the rear of a foot member of a keyboard, relative to said keyboard edge region.

Said folded member is suitably formed from a blank having a first portion defining said surface region in the folded condition of the blank, a reinforcing portion adhered to said first portion in said folded condition of the blank, and wing portions defining said keyboard foot member engaging portions in said folded condition of the blank.

The invention also encompasses a blank for a rest for a keyboard as previously defined, in particular, a blank prepared from a planar sheet of starting material.

According to a favoured feature of the invention, the rest may - 3 also comprise means for varying the spacing between said surface region and a support area on which both the rest and said keyboard are disposed relative to the spacing between the upper or key-containing region of said keyboard and said support area. In this variant, said edge region of said surface region defining means may further comprise at least one member articulatingly associated with said surface region defining means, said portion of said edge region which overlies said keyboard edge region being defined by a portion of said at least one articulatingly associated member.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a rest for a keyboard comprising (a) means defining a surface region for receiving a wrist or other like body portion in use of the rest, said surface region defining means having an edge region for placement adjacent to an edge region of said keyboard directed towards a user in use of the keyboard, and (b) means for varying the spacing between said surface region and a support area on which both the rest and said keyboard are disposed relative to the spacing between the upper or key-containing region of said keyboard and said support area.

The rest according to this aspect of the invention preferably comprises means for disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard, so that at least a portion of said edge region of said surface region defining means for placement adjacent to said keyboard edge region is substantially engaged against said keyboard edge region. Thus the rest of the invention in its second aspect may either constitute an entirely independent entity, placed adjacent to the keyboard without being connected or attached to the keyboard, or it may be disconnectibly associated with the keyboard, as recited above.

Said means for varying said spacing between said surface region and said support area suitably comprises a support portion for engaging said support area, said support portion being displaceable - 4 relative to said surface region defining means. In a favoured construction, said support portion is rotatably displaceable relative to said surface region defining means about an axis substantially parallel to said edge region of said surface region defining means for selective placement at any of a multiplicity of angular dispositions relative to said surface region defining means within a predetermined sectoral segment. Said said support portion then suitably comprises at least one substantially circularly cylindrical portion for sliding displacement relative to cooperating substantially circularly cylindrical portions substantially fixedly associated with said surface region defining means during rotational displacement of said support portion.

Rotational displacement of said support portion is preferably effected by camming engagement between a member laterally displaceable relative to said surface region defining means in a direction substantially parallel to said axis of rotational displacement of said support portion and a camming region of said support portion. The rest then suitably also comprises means for guiding said laterally displaceable member during lateral displacement of said member. Said laterally displaceable member is preferably slidingly associated with said surface region defining means, said guiding means then suitably comprising at least one slideway. Said laterally displaceable member suitably also further comprises at least one camming roller for said camming engagement with said support portion.

In a particular arrangement, said laterally displaceable member comprises a portion for manual engagement to effect lateral displacement of said member. Said portion for manual engagement is suitably located at an edge region of said surface region defining means opposite to said edge region of said surface region defining means for placement adjacent to said keyboard edge region.

In any of the foregoing arrangements of the rest of the It 9 2 2 9 4 6 - 5 invention in its second aspect in which the rest is disconnectibly associated with the keyboard, said means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard may comprise at least one engaging member to underlie said keyboard edge region, said at least one engaging member being displaceably associated with said surface region defining means. Said at least one engaging member suitably comprises at least one feature for interconnecting association with said keyboard, and said at least one feature preferably comprises at least one upstanding portion for reception in a corresponding recess of said keyboard.

In a particular and favoured construction of the rest of the invention in that embodiment of its second aspect in which it comprises a support portion, said at least one engaging member is defined by a region of said support portion. Said engaging-member defining region of said support member then suitably comprises at least one feature for interconnecting association with said keyboard, said at least one feature comprising at least one upstanding portion extending along a free edge area of said engaging-member defining region of said support portion for reception in a corresponding recess of said keyboard.

In any of the foregoing embodiments of the invention comprising a support portion, said edge region of said surface region defining means may also comprise at least one member articulatingly associated with said surface region defining means, a portion of said at least one articulatingly associated member overlying said keyboard edge region. Said at least one articulatingly associated member is suitably pivotably mounted on said surface region defining means.

The rest may further comprise means for urging said at least one articulatingly associated member into overlying association of said portion of said at least one articulatingly associated member with said keyboard edge region. Said urging means suitably comprises at least one spring. Γ 9 2 2 9 4 6 ' - 6 In the rest of the invention in its second aspect in its most general definition, said edge region of said surface region defining means may again also comprise at least one member articulatingly associated with said surface region defining means, a portion of said at least one articulatingly associated member overlying said keyboard edge region.

In this variant also, said at least one articulatingly associated member may again be pivotably mounted on said surface region defining means, the rest may again further comprise means for urging said at least one articulatingly associated member into overlying association of said portion of said at least one articulatingly associated member with said keyboard edge region, and said urging means may comprise at least one spring.

Pivotal mounting of the articulatingly associated member, with or without urging and spring means, may also be applied to the invention in its first aspect, when provided with such an articulatingly associated member.

Thus association of the rest with a juxtaposed keyboard may take place either by engagement of an underlying engaging member of the rest with the keyboard, or by overlying abutment or engagement of a pivoted flap of the rest against the upper surface of the keyboard front edge, or both.

In the construction of the invention comprising spacing varying means in the most general definition and also comprising an articulatingly associated member, said means for varying the spacing between said surface region and said support area may then comprise means for controllably varying the angular disposition of said at least one articulatingly associated member relative to said surface region defining means about an axis substantially corresponding to the longitudinal direction of said edge region of said surface region defining means by engagement of the overlying portion of said at - 7 least one articulatingly associated member with said keyboard edge region.

Since in use of the invention, the height of the edge of the keyboard with which the rest of the invention is engaged is substantially fixed by virtue of the feet or base of the keyboard resting on a working surface such as a desk or table, the effect of altering the angular relationship between the articulated portion of the device of the invention and the main wrist-supporting surface area of the rest is to change the height of the wrist-supporting surface relative to the working surface, but without modifying in any way the position of the keyboard. Thus support is provided without affecting the defined operating parameters of the keyboard and in particular, the desired relative levels of particular rows of keys with respect to the table or other working surface.

It is a particular advantage or feature of the invention in its height-adjustable variants, whether the height adjustment is achieved by means of an underlying support member or by an overlying pivotal flap, that the keyboard is not displaced in any way by the rest, and that the keyboard may be itself independently adjusted as to both height and tilt, irrespective of the height and tilt of the rest.

Said means for controllably varying the angular disposition of said at least one articulatingly associated member relative to said surface region defining means may comprise at least one rotatable gear member for cooperating engagement with a toothed section of said at least one articulatingly associated member. In another arrangement, said means for controllably varying the angular disposition of said at least one articulatingly associated member relative to said surface region defining means may comprise at least one rotatable cam member mounted on said surface region defining means for effecting displacement of a cooperating abutment feature provided on said at least one articulatingly associated member. 294 6 ' - 8 In any of the foregoing constructions in which the height of the rest is varied by a flap bearing down on the keyboard edge, said means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard suitably again comprises at least one portion to underlie said keyboard edge region, said at least one portion being defined by at least a section of said at least one articulatingly associated member. Said at least one articulatingly associated member may then be substantially U-shaped, one limb of the U comprising said portion which overlies said keyboard and the other limb of the U comprising said portion to underlie said keyboard edge region, and said U-shaped member being engageable over said keyboard edge region in snap-fit manner.

Alternatively, said means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard may comprise at least one engaging member to underlie said edge region of said keyboard directed towards a user in use of the keyboard, said at least one engaging member being displaceably associated with said surface region defining means. Said at least one engaging member suitably comprises at least one feature for interconnecting association with said keyboard, and said at least one feature may again comprise at least one upstanding portion for reception in a corresponding recess of said keyboard.

Said at least one engaging member may be biassed towards a disposition of interconnecting association with a keyboard. The rest of the invention then preferably also comprises means for urging said at least one engaging member into said interconnecting association with a keyboard. Said urging means suitably comprises at least one spring.

In a particular embodiment of the invention in its first aspect, when comprising said favoured feature, said means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard preferably comprises at least one engaging member to - 9 underlie said keyboard edge region, said at least one engaging member being displaceably associated with said surface region defining means. Said at least one engaging member suitably comprises at least one feature for interconnecting association with said keyboard, and said at least one feature may again comprise at least one upstanding portion for reception in a corresponding recess of said keyboard.

In this embodiment, said means for varying the spacing between said surface region and said support area may then comprise means for varying the distance between said at least one feature of said at least one engaging member and said edge region of said surface region defining means, so as to vary the extent to which said edge region of said surface region defining means overlies said keyboard edge region. Said distance varying means suitably comprises a worm gear provided on a section of said at least one engaging member and a cooperating drive member mounted on said surface region defining means.

In another particular construction of the invention in its first aspect in its most generalised form, said edge region of said surface region defining means comprises at least one member displaceably associated with said surface region defining means, and said portion of said edge region to overlie said keyboard edge region of said keyboard is defined by a portion of said at least one displaceably associated member. In this variant, said at least one displaceably associated member is substantially U-shaped, one limb of the U comprising said portion which overlies said keyboard edge region and the other limb of the U comprising a section to underlie said keyboard edge region, and said U-shaped member being engageable over said keyboard edge region in snap-fit manner.

In this arrangement, said at least one displaceably associated member is suitably laterally displaceable to controllably vary the spacing between said surface region and a support area on which the - 10 rest is disposed relative to the spacing between the upper or key-containing region of a keyboard engaged by the rest and disposed on the same support area. Said at least one laterally displaceable member is preferably displaceable along an inclined path to effect said change in said spacing between said surface region and said support area.

In any aspect of the invention, said surface region defining means preferably comprises a main body portion of the rest. Also in any aspect of the invention, the rest suitably comprises a plastics material. According to a particularly preferred feature of the invention, the rest suitably further incorporates at least one means for inputting instructions and/or information to a computer associated with said keyboard. In a particular embodiment, said inputting means comprises a micro-track ball for cursor control, with associated switches as required. Said inputting means may also comprise other cursor control arrangements as required or appropriate and/or means for actual data input as further appropriate or required.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described having regard to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a moulded embodiment of rest according to the invention, separated from a keyboard, Figure 2 shows the moulded rest of Figure 1 in cooperative association with the keyboard, Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the rest of Figures 1 and 2 in cooperative association with the keyboard, Figure 4 is a pictorial representation of a folded embodiment of rest according to the invention separated from a keyboard, Figure 5 is a pictorial representation of the folded or 2:2 9 4 6 - 11 flexible embodiment of Figure 4, in position against a keyboard, Figure 6 is a further pictorial view showing the folded rest of Figure 5 displaced sideways relative to the keyboard, Figure 7 shows a blank for preparing a flexible or folded rest according to Figures 4 to 6 by a series of folding operations, Figure 8 is a side sectional view of the flexible or folded rest of Figures 4 to 6, Figure 9 is a side sectional view of an articulated construction of rest according to the invention, in which the rest is raised or lowered by a centrally located rotational cam arrangement, Figure 10 shows the construction of Figure 9 in a raised disposition as compared with the lowered orientation of Figure 9, Figure 11 shows an alternative articulated construction in exploded view, Figure 12 shows a further construction of articulated rest in position against a keyboard, Figure 13 is an exploded view showing a gear type drive used in the construction of Figure 12, Figure 14 is an exploded representation of a further embodiment of the rest of the invention in which height adjustment is achieved by lateral sliding displacement of gripping features of the rest, Figure 15 is a pictorial representation of a rest according to the invention in which engagement with a keyboard is achieved by means of a worm drive, - 12 Figure 16 is an exploded view of the construction of Figure 15, Figure 17 shows in sectional view, the rest of Figures 15 and 16 in a low position relative to a keyboard, Figure 18 corresponds to Figure 17, but shows the rest of Figures 15 and 16 in raised disposition relative to the keyboard, Figure 19 is a pictorial view of a preferred construction of rest according to the invention in position against a keyboard, in which height adjustment is achieved by a laterally displaceable manually operated sliding member, operating in conjunction with an adjustable underlying support member portion, Figure 20 is an exploded view of the cooperating height adjustment features of the embodiment of Figure 19, Figure 21 is a pictorial representation from below of the main body of the adjustable rest according to the invention as shown in Figure 19, Figure 22 is a side sectional view of the rest of Figure 19 in its lowermost disposition relative to a keyboard, Figure 23 is similar to Figure 22, but showing the keyboard rest in a raised disposition, and Figure 24 shows a rest according to the invention in which certain further features are incorporated.

As shown in Figure 1, 2 and 3, a rest 1 according to the invention comprises a moulded plastics member having a curved upper surface 2 for receiving a user's wrist in operation. At the rear edge of the unit, which is directed towards a keyboard 5, a raised lip portion 3 is provided to overlie the front edge 4 of the keyboard 5 - 13 when the rest is in position against the keyboard. This lip portion extends along the central part of the rear edge of the member 1. In order to retain the member 1 in position on the keyboard, the outer end edge portions 6 of the rear edge of the rest 1, which are curved downwards relative to the central raised portion 3, slide inwards underneath the end edges 7 of the keyboard 5 and are provided with upstanding projections 8 which enter into matching recesses on the underside of the keyboard 5. Reception of these upstanding features or projections 8 in the recesses of the keyboard 5 lock the two members 1 and 5 together in use of the rest. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the upstanding projections 8 are substantially defined by respective upwardly-oriented longitudinal ribs of substantially semi-cylindrical cross-section, for reception in recesses of corresponding or matching profile.

In this arrangement therefore, a moulded plastics member 1, which may be provided by injection moulding, thus provides a profiled upper curved surface 2 with a relatively smooth transition onto the operating area of the keyboard 5. The two members, namely the rest 1 and keyboard 5, are held together by the interlocking feature provided by the upstanding projections 8 and the matching recesses on the underside of the keyboard 5. The arrangement provides a comfortable support surface for a keyboard operator's wrists while yet not interfering in any way with the correct orientation and disposition of the keyboard, in particular the desired heights for particular rows of keys, certain of which should be substantially level as provided for in the design and fabrication of the keyboard.

The arrangement provided by the invention also meets further requirements of the keyboard industry, namely that should the rest 1 be displaced suddenly away from the keyboard 5 or slide over the edge of the operating surface 9, for example, it should not carry the keyboard 5 with it and thus engender any catastrophic damage of the keyboard itself. While the upper lip 3 and the underlying projecting portions 8 serve to couple the rest 1 and the keyboard 5 together very L 9 2 2 9 4 8 - 14 adequately in use of the invention, they also provide for ready and immediate separation of these units in the event of necessity or accident.

Figure 2 shows the rest of Figure 1 in position against a keyboard, while the three dimensional curvature of the product will be further apparent from the side sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 3, as also will the keyboard edge overlapping feature or lip 3 and the underlying or engaging portions 8 in cooperating association with the underside of the keyboard edge.

The invention further extends to a flexible embodiment of rest 11, shown in pictorial form in Figures 4 and 5, respectively separated from a keyboard 15 and in position against the keyboard. This embodiment of the invention is prepared from a flat blank 21, having a configuration such as that shown in Figure 7. The blank is formed into the required profile for rest 11 by means of a folding operation, involving folds about three fold lines 22, 23, 24, as shown in Figure 7 and also in the side sectional view of Figure 8. The tabs 25 extending from the fold panel 26 delimited between fold line 24 and free edges of the blank serve to space this panel from first fold line 22 in the formed configuration of the rest, as shown in section in Figure 8, and to thereby achieve the required substantially triangular cross-section 27 of the underlying reinforcing portion of the flexible rest 11. Thus the wrist-receiving supporting surface 12 is underlaid and stiffened by the reinforcing triangle section 27. The blank is maintained in its folded disposition by panel 26 being adhesively affixed to the underside of surface-defining portion 22. An area of adhesive for this purpose is indicated by reference 29 in Figure 7.

Engagement of the rest 11 of this embodiment of the invention with the keyboard 15 is achieved by the hook form end portions 16, as seen in the pictorial views and also on blank 21 of Figure 7, which underlie the body of the keyboard 15 in use of the invention and engage behind the keyboard feet. The flexibility of the sheet material 92294 6 ' - 15 forming the rest in this embodiment is such that these underlying portions 16 may engage behind the feet of the keyboard, while the lip portion 13 on the inner or rear edge of the product, which is located substantially centrally of the folded unit 11, engages over the front upper edge region 14 of the keyboard, as in the case of the first described embodiment.

A particular advantage of the invention is especially apparent in this embodiment, namely the availability of a facility for sidewise displacement of the unit of the invention, to allow the keyboard operator to position the rest more appropriately for particular operations, for example, for intensive operation on the keypad.

Figure 6 shows the unit 11 of Figures 4 and 5 displaced sideways relative to the keyboard 15 to achieve a desired rest position, in this instance, to provide enhanced alignment with the alpha keys rather than with the numeric keypad. Because of the longitudinally-extending free space available within the regions 28 defined by and within the hook-shaped engaging portions 16, there is a degree of adjustability available in the longitudinal disposition of the unit 11 relative to the keyboard 15, so that it may be slid either to right or left until the end portion 19 of a hooked region 16 engages against the left or right foot of the keyboard as the case may be. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, the rest may be put in any desired disposition within limits of travel determined by this end portion to keyboard foot engagement or abutment.

The sheet material forming the folded rest 11 in this embodiment of the invention is not specially profiled to provide a three dimensional curved surface such as that apparent in the first embodiment of the invention, Figures 1 to 3, but the flexibility of the material is such that when the lip 13 is engaged over the upper front edge 14 of the keyboard 15 and the hook-shaped or foot-engaging portions 16 are put in position, the rest 11 takes up an appropriately shaped profile to provide for a smooth transition upwardly, sideways and forwardly from the operating surface to the higher level wrist - 16 supporting region or surface 12 of the rest 11.

More complex embodiments of the invention may also be provided, offering additional facilities in respect of adjustment and user compatibility, as will now be further described. Figures 9 and 10 are side sectional views of an articulated construction 31 of the invention, in which a main body portion 40 of the unit defining the surface region or area 32 which engages a user's wrist or lower arm portion in use is provided at its inner or rear edge with an articulated structure 41 to overlap the front edge 34 of a keyboard 35. This articulated structure 41 is pivotingly adjustable about an axis 42 aligned with the longitudinal edge of this inner side of the main portion 40 so that the angular disposition of a forwardly extending lip 33 of the articulated portion 41 may be adjusted relative to the main surface defining portion 40.

In this manner, the height of the surface defining portion 40 above the working or support surface 55 may be adjusted, in that the relative disposition of the front or outer edge 43 of the unit which rests on the table or desk 55 and the inner edge of the lip portion 33 which engages the front edge 34 of the keyboard 35 is varied. A low position is shown in Figure 9 and a high position of the wrist supporting surface 32 appears in Figure 10. The articulated edge or lip 41 is displaced between its raised and lowered configurations by means of a cam type feature 44, also illustrated in the drawings. A helically extending cam surface 45 is defined on a rotatable member 46 mounted in the main portion 40 of the structure 31 and moved in rotation by means of an operating disk 47 received in a recess 48 in the upper surface 32 of the wrist receiving portion 40. By twisting or rotating this cam adjusting member 47, the particular portion of the helical surface, which represents an inclined plane when developed, in engagement with a heel or abutment portion 49 of the articulated lip or structure 41, is varied, so that the angle of the lip portion 33 relative to the main body 40 is varied by rotation of the lip member 33 about its longitudinal axis 42. The lip 33 may be set in either of - 17 the extreme dispositions shown in Figures 9 and 10, or at any intermediate disposition. In all orientations of the lip member 33, the leading edge of the lip overlaps the front edge of the keyboard.

The unit is thus retained in position by an engaging member 51, also pivoted about the same axis 42 as the articulated portion 41, member 51 having a front engagement feature in the form of an upstanding projection 38 to engage in or be received in a matching and cooperating recess in the lower front surface or underside 53 of the keyboard 35. A biassing structure, suitably a spring 54 indicated in chain-dotted outline in Figure 10, ensures that this engaging member 51 is at all times urged forwardly relative to the rest 31 and into engagement with the underside 53 of the front edge 34 of the keyboard 35. Projection(s) 38 and the cooperating recess(es) in the underside of the keyboard may have any suitable appropriate profiles, such as, for example, the substantially semi-cylindrical elongate configuration already described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3.

Thus the rest structure according to the invention of Figures 9 and 10 provides, in summary, a facility for adjusting the height of the rest above the surface on which both rest and keyboard are disposed, so that an operator may individually position the rest for optimum comfort and convenience in use. In the arrangement shown, this height adjustability is achieved by pivotal displacement of a lip member extending along the edge of the rest directed towards the keyboard in use of the rest of the invention. The rest is supported on the edge of the keyboard by this lip bearing down on the keyboard edge, and the angle between the lip and the main body portion of the keyboard rest is varied by a cam arrangement to provide the required inclination of the rest which achieves the height adjustment feature. The keyboard rest is retained in engagement with the keyboard edge, for all dispositions of the rest, by a spring-biased engaging member which grips underneath the lower front edge of the keyboard.

An alternative structure 61 of generally similar operating r 9229462 - 18 characteristics is shown in Figure 11. An upper lip member 71 is again pivotally mounted about a longitudinal axis corresponding to or aligned with the inner or rear edge of a main body 70 of the rest 61 and its pivotal orientation about this axis is adjusted by means of a camming structure 74 having a rotatable cam member 76 mounted in the main body portion 71 for rotation by means of an operating disk 77, again recessed, reference 78, into the top surface 62 of the rest for ease of adjustment without interfering with operator wrist support.

Main body portion 70 is secured to an underlying base plate 81 and the spacing between the base plate 81 and the support surface 62 is varied by rotating cam 76, the camming action being effected in this embodiment between helical camming surface 75 and an abutment or stop portion 79 of the underlying base plate. In this configuration also, engagement of the unit with the keyboard is effected by the underlying plate portion 81 of the structure being further configured so that at least rear edge end portions 66 of the plate structure 81 are biassed upwardly for upstanding projections 68 on the rear end portions 66 of the base plate 81 to be maintained at all times in engagement with recesses at the outer ends of the keyboard 65, in somewhat similar manner to the rigid embodiment of Figures 1 to 3. The projections 68 and their cooperating recesses are again suitably profiled in matching manner, for example, as described in connection with Figures 1 to 3. Thus again a cooperating pincers type engagement action is provided at the rear edge of the structure 61, between the overlying lip 63 engaging the upper surface of the front edge 64 of the keyboard and the end portions of the underlying bias plate 81 engaging in the recesses on the underside of the keyboard 65. It will be appreciated that lateral sliding adjustability of the position of the rest 61 relative to the keyboard 65 may in this construction be achieved by providing elongated recesses on the underside of the keyboard 65, which will accept the engaging projections 68 in a diversity of locational placements of the rest along the length of the keyboard.

The upward bias of the end edge portions 66 of the plate structure 81 may be achieved by forming plate 81 from a suitable - 19 material, so that it is provided with a spring-like structure in which the necessary resilience or urging action for engagement with the keyboard is inherent in the plate construction. A suitable plastics material may be used, or a metal or composite arrangement.

Thus in this embodiment of the rest of the invention, height and hence inclination adjustment of the rest is again achieved by means of a lip portion which bears down on the front edge of the keyboard and is pivoted relative to the main body of the keyboard rest by means of a camming type device, increase in the angle of inclination of the lip relative to a general plane defined by or tangent to the upper surface of the rest bringing about an increase in the height of the rest above the support on which the rest and keyboard are supported and thereby a steeper angle of inclination of the rest relative to the surface.

Again, the keyboard rest is retained in engagement with the front edge of the keyboard by means of an underlying engaging structure, with upstanding protuberances which engage in recesses or slots on the underside of the keyboard. The projections or protuberances are biased into engagement with the underside of the keyboard, to maintain the rest in engagement with the keyboard in a manner which is however readily disconnectible at the user's option.

Figures 12 and 13 show a further variant in the invention, in which an articulated member 101 in the form of a letter U lying on its side is provided for pivotal displacement about an axis 102 defined substantially by the longitudinal inner edge of the rest 91. In this instance, the upper edge of the U 101 is extended forwardly to define the lip 93 to overlie the upper surface of the front edge 94 of a keyboard 95, while the lower edge or limb 111 of the U is provided with recesses 98 for engagement with cooperating projections on the underside of the keyboard 95. Alternatively, this lower run 111 of the U 101 may be provided with upstanding projections for reception in recesses on the underside of the keyboard 95, in the manner previously described for other embodiments. This U-shaped articulated member 101 . is substantially a snap-fit over the front 94 of the keyboard 95, for 2 94 6 ’ - 20 engagement therewith.

The angular disposition of the articulated member 101 relative to the main body portion 100 of the rest 91 is adjusted in the configuration shown by means of the rear of the articulated section having a semi-circular or arcuate shape in end view and being provided with a rack or geared portion 112 extending around its curved surface, as indicated in the diagrammatic inset in Figure 13. This rack mechanism 112 is engaged by a helical or screw type thread or gear 105 provided on each of two gear wheels 106 mounted for rotation about substantially vertical axes within the main body 100 of the unit 91, as shown in the exploded view of Figure 13.

Rotation of these gears 106 or screwthreads may be achieved by a further operating mechanism housed within the main body 100 of the rest 91 and driven by an operating hand wheel 113 on the righthand side 114 of the unit, as oriented for use by an operator, in conjunction with further internal drive components within the structure 100. Thus in this embodiment of the invention, the articulated member 111 combines the function of overlapping the front edge 94 of the keyboard 95 with that of retaining the unit 91 in position on that front edge 94.

Thus, in the arrangement of Figure 14, height adjustment of the keyboard rest of the invention to provide variable inclination of the rest relative to the surface on which the rest and keyboard are supported is again achieved by means of varying the tilt of an overlying lip on the keyboard edge of the rest relative to the main body of the rest. This overlying lip again bears down on the top edge of the front of the keyboard, but in this instance, the lip forms an upper limb of a U-shaped member, the lower limb of which engages under the lower front edge of the keyboard to provide the retaining feature of the keyboard rest according to the invention in this embodiment.

Figure 14 shows a still further embodiment of the invention in which the rest 121 is retained in position on the front 124 of a - 21 keyboard 125 by means of two longitudinally spaced apart U-shaped members 131, again engaging in snap-fit manner over the front edge 124 of the keyboard 125, retention of the unit 121 in position being achieved by upstanding projections 128 on the front edge of the lower limb 141 of each U 131 being received in cooperating insets or recesses on the underside of the front edge 124 of the keyboard 125, for example, in the manner already described. This particular structure will be seen to readily facilitate lateral displacement of the rest 121 by means of the longitudinal recesses on the underside of the keyboard being extended to accommodate a variety of relative dispositions of rest 121 and keyboard 125.

In this instance, vertical displacement of the rest 121 relative to the keyboard 125 is achieved by lateral displacement of the engaging U-shaped members 131 within inclined slots 142 in the inner or rear face 143 of the shaped or profiled main body 130 of the rest 121. By providing a series of indentations 144 in the upper surface of each slot 142, to define a substantially indented or serrated type arrangement, a diversity of locations may be effected for the U-shaped members 131 by sliding them in a sideways manner relative to the main body structure 130 of the unit 121. Each U-shaped member is held in position by means of a screw or stud 145 having a shank portion passing through a respective slot 142, so that the main body of the U 131 is to the exterior of the slot 142 and the head 146 of the stud or screw 145 is retained to the inside of the slot 142 within the main body structure 130 of the rest 121. When the engaging U-shaped members 131 are moved laterally, they are successively received within the indentations or serrations 144 defined within the inclined slots 142, and by a suitable selection of the relative elasticity of the studs or screws 145 and the material defining the slots 142, a snap-fit type successive placement action may be achieved, combining ease of adjustability with accuracy of placement and security of retention in a particular disposition.

Thus the arrangement of Figure 14 achieves height adjustment 922 94 6 J - 22 by lateral displacement of two U-shaped member portions, each broadly equating in cross-section to the equivalent member of the embodiment of Figure 13. Again, an upper limb of each U-shaped member overlies and bears down on the upper edge of the keyboard front side, and retention of the keyboard rest in position is ensured by an underlying gripping portion of the U. In this embodiment however, there is no angular variation of the tilt or disposition of the overlying lip relative to the main body of the structure, but rather there is a variation in height adjustment and inclination of the main body portion by lateral or sliding displacement of the U-shaped portions.

Figures 15 through 18 show yet a further construction of the invention, in which a fixed or substantially rigid or unitary main body portion 161 is combined with an adjustably positionable underlying engagement feature, in the form of two engaging members 171, each provided with an upstanding projection portion 158 for engagement in or reception within a cooperating recess on the underside of the front edge 154 of a keyboard 155. Each engaging member 171 has a rear shank portion 172 which is threaded and is received within a rotating worm gear type thumb wheel 173, the thumb engaging portion projecting upwardly through a slot 174 in the upper surface 152 of the main body 160 of the wrist supporting portion of the structure 151. Thus the thumb wheels 173 are mounted rotatably within the main body 160 of the structure 151 and by rotation of these wheels 173, the axial disposition of the threaded portions 172 of the shank may be advanced or drawn back as required. In this manner, the spacing between the engaging upstanding portions 158 of the engaging members 171 and the main body structure 160 of support unit 151 may be varied, so that the overlap between the rear edge or lip 153 of the supporting unit main body 160 and the front edge 154 of the keyboard 155 may be varied, as shown in the side sectional views of Figures 17 and 18. Again therefore by advance or withdrawal of the engagement portions 171, the height and angular orientation of the rest unit 151 main body portion 160 may be varied. A variety of lateral placement positions may also be accommodated, as already noted, by the provision of elongated - 23 engaging feature reception slots on the underside of the front edge 154 of the keyboard 155.

Thus in the arrangement of Figures 15 through 18, the height of the keyboard rest and its tilt relative to the underlying support surface is varied by pulling the rest towards the front edge of the keyboard, this resulting in the keyboard-directed edge of the rest riding up over the front edge of the keyboard, to achieve the overlying feature provided by the invention. Thus height and tilt adjustability of the rest are provided in a unitary construction in this instance, without use of an articulated or pivoting flap, the lip portion being substantially integral and fixed relative to the main body of the unit.

The foregoing adjustable embodiments of the keyboard rest according to the invention have provided for height adjustment and variation in the inclination of the wrist-supporting surface of the rest relative to the underlying support surface for keyboard and rest by means of downward engagement and pressure of a tilting or articulating lip member extending along the keyboard edge of the rest on the upper surface of the front edge of the keyboard. Thus the weight of the rest itself and also the downward force exerted by the weight of a user's wrists and hands is carried partly by the front edge of the keyboard and partly by an underlying support surface-engaging region of the rest. A further particularly preferred embodiment is now described, having regard to Figures 19 to 23, in which the weight of the keyboard rest itself and the forces exerted on it by the user's hands are carried entirely by the support surface, and no downward pressure is exerted on the front edge of the keyboard by the wrist rest structure itself.

As shown in the assembled pictorial representation of Figure 19, a rest 201 in this embodiment of the invention has an upper surface region 202, on which a user rests the wrists in use of the product, and, once again, an articulated or pivoting front lip portion 203 of an articulated or pivoting structure 211, which extends along the inner or 922946^ - 24 keyboard directed edge of the rest 201. The lip 203 rests on the upper surface of the front edge 204 of keyboard 205. At the front or user-oriented edge 213 of the main body 210 of rest 201, there is provided a laterally displaceable slider structure 214, for adjusting the height and tilt of the rest, in a manner now to be described.

Referring now to the exploded views of Figures 20 and 21, which should be viewed together, height and tilt adjustability is achieved in this embodiment of the invention by means of the structures shown in particular in Figure 20. A support portion or member 221 is in the form of a generally circularly cylindrical sectoral portion, which is mounted for sliding rotational displacement within predetermined sectoral limits on a cooperating base member 222, having circularly cylindrically configured sectoral portions 226 at each end, which engage within the circular cylinder portion of member 221. A laterally extending portion or fin 227 of member 221 is provided with engaging projections 208, similar to those previously described in connection with earlier embodiments of the invention, which grip in recesses on the underside 223 of the leading edge 204 of the keyboard 205 in the manner already described. Member 221 thus also defines the keyboard engaging member 227 in this embodiment of the invention, as well as fulfilling a support function for the keyboard rest as a whole. When the support member 221 and the cooperating base member 222 are held together in an assembled condition of the structure, described below, member 221 rotates by relative rotational sliding displacement on the underlying base or bearing member 222 about an axis parallel to the general longitudinal direction of these members, i.e. also parallel to the rear edge of the rest 201 adjacent to the keyboard 205.

Referring now to Figure 21, which is a view from beneath of the structure of the main body portion 210 and the articulated lip structure 211 of the unit of the invention, the cooperating base or bearing member 222 for the support member 221 is secured by screw fasteners to the underside of body portion 210. Rotatable support 2 2 94 6 1 - 25 member 221 is held in rotationally slidingly displaceable manner between the convexly curved bearing surfaces 226 of the base or bearing member 222 and matching cooperating concave bearing surfaces 228 provided within structure 210. In this manner, the rotating displacement of member 221 about an axis extending generally parallel to that of the keyboard-oriented edge of the structure is achieved in the assembled unit of the invention.

This rotating displacement is brought about by the slider assembly 214, which, as shown in Figure 20, has a guide slot or groove 231 which engages in the assembled configuration of the structure with a rib 232 within the main body 210 of the unit of the invention. This cooperating interengagement of the slider structure and rib ensures that assembly 214 moves in lateral displacement parallel to the axis of rotation of support member 221. This lateral displacement is achieved by a manually engageable portion 233 of assembly 214 which in the assembled structure is located within an elongate recess 234 extending along the front edge 213 of the keyboard rest 201 for manual engagement to bring about the lateral displacement.

Assembly 214 also has a camming inner edge surface 235, directed towards the keyboard, which extends at an angle relative to the direction of longitudinal displacement of the slider assembly 214 and the axis of rotation of member 221. This inner camming surface 235 abuts in the assembled configuration of the structure against a cooperating slanted or oblique camming surface 236 of the support member 221, which is defined by a recess of increasing circumferential depth extending along the axial length of one edge of the sectoral structure 221. Engagement between the inner or camming surface 235 of assembly 214 and this oblique camming edge 236 of member 221 is achieved in a minimum friction manner by means of cam rollers 237 incorporated in the assembly 214.

A further feature of Figure 21 is the pivotally mounted structure 211, which occludes the gap between the rest and upper 922946 ' - 26 surface of front edge 204 of the keyboard 205, in use of the structure. In this embodiment of the invention, this articulated structure fulfills no load-bearing function, and merely closes off the gap in question. To this end, a downwardly extending heel portion 241 which is concealed within the main body 210 of the unit 201 is coupled to a mounting post 242 or other mounting point within the unit 210 by a spring 224, which in use of the invention urges the lip 203 downwardly onto the upper surface of the keyboard edge 204.

Referring now to Figures 22 and 23, the unit of this embodiment of the invention is depicted first of all in a substantially flat or lowermost configuration, Figure 21, on the support surface 225 underlying the keyboard rest 201 and keyboard 205, and secondly, in Figure 23, in a raised or tilted disposition.

As shown in Figure 22, the disposition of support and engaging member 221 is such that the forwardly extending fin portion 227 is substantially aligned with the underside of the main body 210 of the unit 201. The slider assembly 214 is at one end of its lateral or axial movement, so that the rotatable support and engaging member 221 is at one end of its sectoral displacement. The keyboard rest 201 is engaged with the keyboard 205 by means of the protuberances 208 extending axially along edge portions of fin or engaging portion 227 of member 221, and the gap between the upper surface of the keyboard 205 and the rear edge of the rest is occluded by the flap structure 211, the lip 203 overlying the upper edge of keyboard 205. This occluding action is effected by spring 224.

In Figure 23, the keyboard rest 201 has been raised or tilted by lateral displacement of assembly 214, so that the camming rollers 237 press against the cooperating inclined cam surface 236 of member 221 and effect rotation of member 221 about its axis of pivoting. Because of the constraints imposed on the system, namely that rotation of member 221 takes place between the underlying engaging convex bearing members or portions 226 and the overlying concave bearing 922946” - 27 portions 228 of structure 210, this operation results in upward displacement of the surface region 202, in other words the top of the keyboard rest, the rest being now supported on support surface 225 at its front or user-oriented edge 213 and by means of the underside of the forwardly extending flap or fin portion 227 of member 221 in the vicinity of the projections or protuberances 208. Again, the gap between the inner edge of the keyboard rest and the keyboard is occluded by flap structure 211, spring 224 again urging the lip 203 onto the upper surface of the keyboard.

It will be seen therefore that in this embodiment of the invention, the keyboard rest 201 is at all times supported fully by double line contact on the underlying surface 225 and that accordingly the weight of the rest and the user's arms, wrists and hands, is borne entirely by the support surface and not at all by the front edge of the keyboard. This especially favoured embodiment of the invention provides therefore a robust and sturdy construction. This favoured construction also provides for wide adjustability of the height and angle of tilt of the unit, to enable a user achieve the most favourable operating disposition required by individual preference.

The keyboard rest of the invention may also incorporate additional features, and in particular, a cursor control device such as a track ball may be incorporated within the structure of the invention. Such an arrangement is illustrated schematically in Figure 24, in which a microtrack ball 251, together with two operating switches 252, 253, is shown located at the righthand side of an keyboard rest 201. The user input track device, which may be a ball as shown or alternatively may be a disk or pressure pad or any other similar unit, protrudes slightly from the top surface of the keyboard rest, as also do the two or more selection buttons, as illustrated in exemplary manner in Figure 24. Further mechanical features and electronic circuitry associated with these features is incorporated within the main body portion of the unit of the invention. Connection of devices of this kind to the CPU of the associated computer system - 28 may take place either by a cable such as 254 directly from the keyboard rest to the computer unit itself, or alternatively by a connection from the keyboard rest 201 to the keyboard 205 with onward communication from the keyboard to the computer either by way of the keyboard link or by a separate connection as required by any particular system. A preferred location for a cursor input device of this kind is the righthand side of the keyboard rest, but it may alternatively be located on the other side of the unit. In the versions of the invention in which height adjustment is not provided, cursor control devices of this kind may be located anywhere on the upper surface of the keyboard rest, although preferably, a lateral position as shown in Figure 24 would be preferred.

It will be appreciated that incorporation of a cursor control unit as described into the keyboard rest of the invention reduces considerably the clutter associated with many current computer systems by reducing the number of independent features or units requiring to be located on the working area. In particular, the provision of a readily accessible cursor control device on the keyboard rest offers an important advantage both in ease of use and in the reduction of occupation of worktop space. The incorporation of devices of this kind within the keyboard rest of the invention is not however necessarily limited merely to cursor control arrangements, but other input features may also be incorporated within the rest, as deemed desirable and in dependence on the amount of space available within the keyboard rest for the input system in question. Furthermore, the keyboard rest may incorporate a display feature to operate in conjunction with cursor control or other input systems as incorporated within the rest of the invention.

The wrist supporting unit provided by the invention thus in its many embodiments provides good support for an operator's wrist or front arm portion, by virtue of its upper sloping surface and its rear edge being engaged over the front edge of the keyboard. These basic features of the invention are provided in all embodiments, and are 922946’ - 29 provided in a particularly effective but simple manner by the moulded structure first described and also by the flexible or folded embodiment of Figures 4 to 8. Lateral adjustment of the unit of the invention relative to the keyboard is a feature of this second embodiment in particular, but may also be incorporated in any or all of the other constructions of the invention described above.

In its constructions of the invention involving moving parts, various arrangements are provided to ensure engagement of the unit of the invention with the front end of the keyboard in a cooperating manner, thereby ensuring overlap of the rear lip of the unit with the front edge of the keyboard and secure retention of the unit in engagement with the keyboard, while yet allowing for ease of separation of these two items in the event of any potentially hazardous condition. A particularly favoured construction provides an articulated member along this rear edge of the support unit, this allowing for ready adjustment of the rest to different heights and easy adaptation therefore to a particular user's requirements.

The flexible embodiment of the invention is applicable to any keyboard whatever provided with feet. No adaptation of any kind is required to achieve the cooperating engagement of unit and keyboard. Those embodiments of the invention in which interengagement is provided between an engaging feature or features of the support rest and the keyboard also however enable such coupling or interconnection in simple manner by means of a readily achievable structure not requiring any significant changes in the constructional features of a keyboard. In particular, retrospective modification of existing models of keyboard is readily possible to allow association of the keyboard with the product of the invention, while the flexible model may be associated with any keyboard having feet, without any retrospective modification whatever. Thus the unit of the invention is admirably suited not only to cooperation with a diversity of keyboards but also to be provided as a completely separate unit, nor in any way dependent on particular proprietary models of keyboard or limited to association with any I 92 2 94 6 ’ - 30 particularly restrictive range of keyboards.

It will be apparent therefore from the foregoing general observations concerning the invention and the particular detailed description of a diversity of embodiments of the invention and of manners in which it may be embodied, that the objectives specified previously are met by the product of the invention in any of its diverse manifestations.

Claims (60)

1. A rest for a keyboard comprising (a) means defining a surface region for receiving a wrist or other like body portion in use of the rest, and (b) means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard, so that at least a portion of an edge region of said surface region defining means overlies an edge region of said keyboard directed towards a user in use of the keyboard.

2. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 1, wherein said surface region defining means comprises a shaped member and said edge region portion of said surface region defining means is defined by a lip portion of said shaped member.

3. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 2, wherein said means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard comprises end portions of an edge region of said shaped member comprising said lip portion, and said end portions are shaped to underlie said keyboard edge region.

4. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 3, wherein each of said end portions comprises at least one feature for interconnecting association with a keyboard.

5. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 4, wherein said shaped member is a moulded member, and said at least one feature comprises at least one upstanding portion for reception in a corresponding recess of a keyboard.

6. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 4, wherein said shaped member is a folded member, and said at least one feature comprises a portion of said folded member engageable to the rear of a foot member of a keyboard, relative to said keyboard edge region. 922946’ - 32

7. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 6, wherein said folded member is formed from a blank having a first portion defining said surface region in the folded condition of the blank, a reinforcing portion adhered to said first portion in said folded condition of the blank, and wing portions defining said keyboard foot member engaging portions in said folded condition of the blank.

8. A blank for a rest for a keyboard as defined in Claim 7.

9. A blank for a rest for a keyboard as defined in Claim 7, prepared from a planar sheet of starting material.

10. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 1, comprising means for varying the spacing between said surface region and a support area on which both the rest and said keyboard are disposed relative to the spacing between the upper or key-containing region of said keyboard and said support area.

11. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 10, wherein said edge region of said surface region defining means comprises at least one member articulatingly associated with said surface region defining means, and said portion of said edge region which overlies said keyboard edge region is defined by a portion of said at least one articulatingly associated member.

12. A rest for a keyboard comprising (a) means defining a surface region for receiving a wrist or other like body portion in use of the rest, said surface region defining means having an edge region for placement adjacent to an edge region of said keyboard directed towards a user in use of the keyboard, and (b) means for varying the spacing between said surface region and a support area on which both the rest and said keyboard are disposed relative to the spacing between the upper or key-containing region of said keyboard and said support area. - 33

13. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 12, further comprising means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard, so that at least a portion of an edge region of said surface region defining means for placement adjacent to said keyboard edge region is substantially engaged against said keyboard edge region.

14. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein said means for varying said spacing between said surface region and said support area comprises a support portion for engaging said support area, said support portion being displaceable relative to said surface region defining means.

15. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 14, wherein said support portion is rotatably displaceable relative to said surface region defining means about an axis substantially parallel to said edge region of said surface region defining means for selective placement at any of a multiplicity of angular dispositions relative to said surface region defining means within a predetermined sectoral segment.

16. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 15, wherein said support portion comprises at least one substantially circularly cylindrical portion for sliding displacement relative to cooperating substantially circularly cylindrical portions substantially fixedly associated with said surface region defining means during rotational displacement of said support portion.

17. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 16, wherein rotational displacement of said support portion is effected by camming engagement between a member laterally displaceable relative to said surface region defining means in a direction substantially parallel to said axis of rotational displacement of said support portion and a camming region of said support portion.

18. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 17, comprising means 7. 922946! - 34 for guiding said laterally displaceable member during lateral displacement of said member.

19. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 18, wherein said laterally displaceable member is si idingly associated with said surface region defining means and said guiding means comprises at least one slideway.

20. A rest for a keyboard according to any of Claims 17 to 19, wherein said laterally displaceable member comprises at least one camming roller for said camming engagement with said support portion.

21. A rest for a keyboard according to any of Claims 17 to 20, wherein said laterally displaceable member comprises a portion for manual engagement to effect lateral displacement of said member.

22. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 21, wherein said portion for manual engagement is located at an edge region of said surface region defining means opposite to said edge region of said surface region defining means for placement adjacent to said keyboard edge region.

23. A rest for a keyboard according*to any of Claims 14 to 22, wherein said means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard comprises at least one engaging member to underlie said keyboard edge region, said at least one engaging member being displaceably associated with said surface region defining means and being defined by a region of said support portion.

24. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 23, wherein said engaging-member defining region of said support member comprises at least one feature for interconnecting association with said keyboard, said at least one feature comprising at least one upstanding portion extending along a free edge area of said engaging-member defining - 35 region of said support portion for reception in a corresponding recess of said keyboard.

25. A rest for a keyboard according to any of Claims 14 to 24, wherein said edge region of said surface region defining means comprises at least one member articulatingly associated with said surface region defining means, and a portion of said at least one articulatingly associated member overlies said keyboard edge region.

26. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 25, wherein said at least one articulatingly associated member is pivotably mounted on said surface region defining means.

27. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 25 or Claim 26, comprising means for urging said at least one articulatingly associated member into overlying association of said portion of said at least one articulatingly associated member with said keyboard edge region.

28. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 27, wherein said urging means comprises at least one spring.

29. A rest for a keyboard according to any of Claims 13 to 22, wherein said means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard comprises at least one engaging member to underlie said keyboard edge region, said at least one engaging member being displaceably associated with said surface region defining means.

30. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 29, wherein said at least one engaging member comprises at least one feature for interconnecting association with said keyboard.

31. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 30, wherein said at least one feature comprises at least one upstanding portion for reception in a corresponding recess of said keyboard. - 36

32. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein said edge region of said surface region defining means comprises at least one member articulatingly associated with said surface region defining means, and a portion of said at least one articulatingly associated member overlies said keyboard edge region.

33. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 11 or Claim 32, wherein said at least one articulatingly associated member is pivotably mounted on said surface region defining means.

34. A rest for a keyboard according to any of Claims 11, 32 and 33, comprising means for urging said at least one articulatingly associated member into overlying association of said portion of said at least one articulatingly associated member with said keyboard edge region.

35. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 34, wherein said urging means comprises at least one spring.

36. A rest for a keyboard according to any of Claims 11, 32 and 33, wherein said means for varying the spacing between said surface region and said support area comprises means for controllably varying the angular disposition of said at least one articulatingly associated member relative to said surface region defining means about an axis substantially corresponding to the longitudinal direction of said edge region of said surface region defining means by engagement of the overlying portion of said at least one articulatingly associated member with said keyboard edge region.

37. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 36, wherein said means for controllably varying the angular disposition of said at least one articulatingly associated member relative to said surface region defining means comprises at least one rotatable gear member for cooperating engagement with a toothed section of said at least one articulatingly associated member. - 37

38. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 36, wherein said means for controllably varying the angular disposition of said at least one articulatingly associated member relative to said surface region defining means comprises at least one rotatable cam member mounted on 5 said surface region defining means for effecting displacement of a cooperating abutment feature provided on said at least one articulatingly associated member.

39. A rest for a keyboard according to any of Claims 36 to 38, 8. 10 wherein said means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard comprises at least one portion to underlie said keyboard edge region, said at least one portion being defined by at least a section of said at least one articulatingly associated member.

40. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 39, wherein said at least one articulatingly associated member is substantially U-shaped, one limb of the U comprising said portion which overlies said keyboard and the other limb of the U comprising said portion to underlie said 20 keyboard edge region, and said U-shaped member being engageable over said keyboard edge region in snap-fit manner.

41. A rest for a keyboard according to any of Claims 36 to 38, wherein said means for effecting disconnectible association of said 25 surface region defining means with a keyboard comprises at least one engaging member to underlie said edge region of said keyboard directed towards a user in use of the keyboard, said at least one engaging member being displaceably associated with said surface region defining means.

42. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 41, wherein said at least one engaging member comprises at least one feature for interconnecting association with said keyboard. 35 43.

A rest according to Claim 42, wherein said at least one -. 922946 - 38 feature comprises at least one upstanding portion for reception in a corresponding recess of said keyboard.

44. A rest for a keyboard according to any of Claims 41 to 43, wherein said at least one engaging member is biassed towards a disposition of interconnecting association with a keyboard.

45. A rest for a keyboard according to any of Claims 41 to 43, comprising means for urging said at least one engaging member into said interconnecting association with a keyboard.

46. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 45, wherein said urging means comprises at least one spring.

47. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 10, wherein said means for effecting disconnectible association of said surface region defining means with a keyboard comprises at least one engaging member to underlie said keyboard edge region, said at least one engaging member being displaceably associated with said surface region defining means.

48. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 47, wherein said at least one engaging member comprises at least one feature for interconnecting association with said keyboard.

49. A rest according to Claim 48, wherein said at least one feature comprises at least one upstanding portion for reception in a corresponding recess of said keyboard.

50. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 48 or Claim 49, wherein said means for varying the spacing between said surface region and said support area comprises means for varying the distance between said at least one feature of said at least one engaging member and said edge region of said surface region defining means, so as to vary the extent to which said edge region of said surface region defining means r 9220*6^ - 39 overlies said keyboard edge region.

51. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 50, wherein said distance varying means comprises a worm gear provided on a section of said at least one engaging member and a cooperating drive member mounted on said surface region defining means.

52. A rest according to Claim 1, wherein said edge region of said surface region defining means comprises at least one member displaceably associated with said surface region defining means, and said portion of said edge region to overlie said keyboard edge region of said keyboard is defined by a portion of said at least one displaceably associated member.

53. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 52, wherein said at least one displaceably associated member is substantially U-shaped, one limb of the U comprising said portion which overlies said keyboard edge region and the other limb of the U comprising a section to underlie said keyboard edge region, and said U-shaped member being engageable over said Keyboard edge region in snap-fit manner.

54. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 53, said at least one displaceably associated member is laterally displaceable to controllably vary the spacing between said surface region and a support area on which the rest is disposed relative to the spacing between the upper or key-containing region of a keyboard engaged by the rest and disposed on the same support area.

55. A rest for a keyboard according to Claim 54, wherein said at least one laterally displaceable member is displaceable along an inclined path to effect said change in said spacing between said surface region and said support area.

56. A rest for a keyboard according to any preceding claim, wherein said surface region defining means comprises a main body portion of the 9 2 294 8 ’ - 40 rest.

57. A rest for a keyboard according to any preceding claim, comprising a plastics material.

58. A rest for a keyboard according to any preceding claim, incorporating at least one means for inputting instructions and/or information to a computer associated with said keyboard.

59. A rest for a keyboard substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in any one or more of Figures 1 to 6 and 8 to 24 of the accompanying drawings.

60. A blank substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.