WO1998022296A1 - Ensemble support de clavier comprenant un dispositif de commande de curseur - Google Patents

Ensemble support de clavier comprenant un dispositif de commande de curseur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998022296A1
WO1998022296A1 PCT/US1997/020665 US9720665W WO9822296A1 WO 1998022296 A1 WO1998022296 A1 WO 1998022296A1 US 9720665 W US9720665 W US 9720665W WO 9822296 A1 WO9822296 A1 WO 9822296A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
keyboard
platform
front edge
support
cursor control
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/020665
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Michael G. Martin
John M. Perry
Original Assignee
Proformix, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Proformix, Inc. filed Critical Proformix, Inc.
Priority to AU72998/98A priority Critical patent/AU7299898A/en
Publication of WO1998022296A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998022296A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B21/00—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
    • A47B21/03—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards with substantially horizontally extensible or adjustable parts other than drawers, e.g. leaves
    • A47B21/0314—Platforms for supporting office equipment

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to support devices for computer keyboards, and, more particularly, to a keyboard support platform incorporating a cursor control device therein.
  • a computer mouse is positioned toward the left or the right side of the computer keyboard, depending upon the preferences of the user. When reaching to use the mouse, the user must extend his or her hand outwardly beyond the area of their shoulders, placing a stress on the shoulder. The frequent repetition of this motion over a long period of time, and thus the repeated stress placed on the shoulder, may potentially result in injury.
  • mouses Yet another problem with computer mouses results from the fact that they must be moved across a mouse pad or other flat surface for operation. As a result of this movement, the mouses may be found in any number of random positions on the user's work surface, and the user must first locate the mouse before being able to use it.
  • the system will eliminate the cursor control device from the work surface so as to minimize workspace clutter, and will locate it in a fixed position where it may be accessed easily and quickly. More preferably, the system will be ergonomically designed, enabling the cursor control device to be used with little or no physical strain. Summary of the Invention The present invention addresses these needs.
  • a keyboard support including a platform having a front edge and a receiving surface for supporting a keyboard, and a cursor control device, such as a touchpad or trackball, mounted in a fixed position to the platform.
  • the keyboard support may also include a mounting assembly for mounting the platform to a work surface for movement between a storage position and a use position.
  • the fixed position for mounting the cursor control device may be adjacent to the front edge of the platform, and preferably is offset from a midpoint of the front edge of the platform.
  • the platform includes a palm rest extending along its front edge, the palm rest having a support surface spaced above the receiving surface of the platform, the fixed position may be in the support surface of the palm rest.
  • a keyboard support assembly including a platform having a front edge and a receiving surface, a keyboard having a longitudinal axis, a first portion including an arrangement of alphanumeric characters and a second portion including a numeric keypad, the keyboard being positioned on the platform with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the front edge, and a cursor control device mounted in a fixed position to the platform.
  • the fixed position for mounting the cursor central device may lie between the front edge of the platform and the keyboard.
  • the fixed position may lie between the front edge of the platform and the first portion of the keyboard.
  • the first portion of the keyboard has a length in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis
  • the fixed position may be located on the platform at a point corresponding to a midpoint of the length of the first portion.
  • the fixed position may lie between the front edge of the platform and the second portion of the keyboard.
  • Preferred keyboard supports and keyboard support assemblies in accordance with the present invention fix the position of the cursor control device so that it can always be located quickly and easily, and so that it is equally accessible by right-handed and left-handed users.
  • these preferred keyboard supports and keyboard support assemblies provide an overall system which has been ergonomically designed to reduce or eliminate physical injuries caused by the repetitive motions associated with personal computer use.
  • FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a keyboard support assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is a front perspective view of a keyboard support assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 4 is a front perspective view of a keyboard support assembly in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIGURE 4. Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention
  • the principles of the present invention may be used in conjunction with a wide variety of keyboard support assemblies, ranging from basic slide-out drawers to more complex devices having articulating arms or other structures which permit the position of the keyboard to be adjusted horizontally and vertically, and which may also provide for adjustment of the angular orientation of the keyboard.
  • One keyboard support assembly to which the principles of the present invention are particularly suited is the ergonomic keyboard support assembly described in U.S. Patent No. 5,582,375, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
  • the keyboard support assembly of that patent allows for vertical and horizontal adjustment of the keyboard position as well as adjustment of the angle at which the keyboard is tilted, all while orienting the keyboard so that it is always at a negative slope, i.e., so that the front edge of the keyboard closer to the user is always higher than its rear edge. These adjustments enable the keyboard to be positioned so as to minimize flexing of the user's wrist during keystroking, and therefore minimize repetitive stress injuries to the user.
  • the combination of the ergonomic features of the present invention with the negative slope orientation and adjustment capabilities of the keyboard support assembly as described in the aforementioned patent complement one another to provide a keyboard support assembly which organizes the user's workspace, maximizes the work surface available to the user, and enables the user to operate a personal computer from a comfortable, low stress position.
  • Figure 1 shows a keyboard support assembly 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Keyboard support assembly 10 includes a support platform 12 having a front edge 14, a rear edge 16 and a generally planar surface 18 having a shape which generally conforms to the shape and dimensions of a standard computer keyboard.
  • a palm rest 20 may be formed on the front edge 14 of support platform 12, the palm rest having a surface 22 spaced by a selected distance above surface 18 for supporting the hands and wrists of a user during keystroking operations.
  • Support platform 12 may be connected at its rear edge 16 to a mounting assembly 24 for mounting the support platform to a work surface.
  • Mounting assembly 24 may include a bracket assembly 26 having a series of recesses 28 for defining vertical height adjustment positions, a sliding member 30 for cooperation with a complementary bracket member (not shown) attached to the work surface to effect horizontal forward and rearward adjustments, and a pivot member 32 for effecting angular adjustment between these elements, all as described in detail in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 5,582,375.
  • a computer keyboard 34 may be positioned on support platform 12 in alignment with front edge 14.
  • Keyboard 34 may be of the conventional type having a portion 36 toward the left side of the keyboard which includes a standard QWERTY array of alphanumeric characters and a series of control and function keys, and a separate portion 38 toward the right side of the keyboard which includes a standard numeric keypad.
  • keyboard support assembly 10 includes a cursor control device fixedly mounted to support platform 12.
  • the cursor control device may constitute any form of input device which performs substantially the same functions as a conventional computer mouse, i.e., which provides either relative or absolute X and Y positioning data to the computer. Examples of such devices include trackballs or other types of roller balls, joysticks, pressure pads and touchpads. For certain applications, such as word processing, touchpads are preferred. Any type of touchpad devices may be used, including capacitive or resistive membrane devices. Examples of such devices are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,305,017; 5,399,213; and 5,329,303, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
  • touchpads which may be used include, for example, model TSM920 from Cirque Corporation and model TM1202SS from Synaptics Corporation. Models of touchpads which are larger or smaller in size or which provide a different interface capability may also be used.
  • Keyboard assembly 10 as illustrated in Figure 1 incorporates one such touchpad 40.
  • the movement of a user's finger across the surface of touchpad 40 will result in movement of the cursor in the same direction.
  • Inputs corresponding to a left mouse "click” may be made by tapping a finger in the large region 41, and inputs corresponding to a right mouse “click” may be made by tapping a finger in the smaller region 43.
  • Dragging, highlighting and other functions may be performed by selected combinations of tapping and sliding a finger across regions 41 and 43 of the touchpad.
  • Touchpad 40 may be mounted to support surface 22 of palm rest 20. In this position, touchpad 40 is close to the user and readily accessible without the user having to reach beyond the width of his or her shoulders.
  • touchpad 40 is not mounted at the midpoint along the length of palm rest 20, but rather is offset therefrom so as to lie generally below the center of alphanumeric keyboard portion 36 when keyboard 34 is properly positioned on support platform 12. In other words, with keyboard 34 centered on support platform 12 with its front edge adjacent the front edge 14 of the platform, touchpad 40 is positioned so as to lie generally below the "B" and "N" keys of the keyboard.
  • This position centers touchpad 40 relative to the alphanumeric portion 36 of the keyboard so that it may be accessed equally by wordprocessors who are right handed or left handed. Any other position along palm rest 20 may facilitate access to the touchpad by a user who is dominant with one hand, but would require a user who is dominant with the opposite hand to reach across his or her body to effect cursor movements.
  • palm rest 20 may include a lip 42 delineated by an aperture 44 in support surface 22 which is similar in shape but smaller in size than the periphery of touchpad 40, and a recess 46 in the bottom surface 21 of the palm rest which is similar in shape but slightly larger in size than the periphery of the touchpad.
  • the touchpad may then be inserted into recess 46 and against lip 42 so that the entire operating surface of the touchpad is accessible through aperture 44.
  • the touchpad may be held in this assembled position, for example, by securing same against lip 42 using an adhesive.
  • a preferred adhesive in this regard is model 313415 cyanoacrylate-134 from Hernon Mfg. Inc.
  • support platform 12 may include an integrally formed upstanding boss 50 with a bumper 52 formed from an elastomeric material such as rubber or the like connected to its free end.
  • a bumper 52 formed from an elastomeric material such as rubber or the like connected to its free end.
  • Trackball 140 includes a spherical ball 141, the rotation of which in any particular direction will result in movement of the cursor in that direction. Input functions are controlled by movement of spherical ball 141 and selected actuation of a series of buttons 143 to correspond to right or left mouse "clicks" .
  • trackball 140 is mounted to support surface 122 of palm rest 120. However, rather than being positioned so as to lie below the center of the alphanumeric portion 36 of keyboard 34, the trackball 140 is positioned on palm rest 120 so as to lie generally below the center of the separate numeric keypad portion 38 of the keyboard. This position is particularly convenient where the keyboard is used predominantly for numeric entry. Trackball 140 may be mounted to palm rest 120 in the same manner as touchpad 40 described above.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a touchpad mounted so as to lie generally below the center of alphanumeric keyboard portion 36
  • Figure 3 illustrates a trackball mounted so as to lie generally below the center of numeric keypad portion 38
  • a trackball or other cursor control device may be fixedly mounted so as to lie below alphanumeric keyboard portion 36 or at any other position along the length of the palm rest.
  • a touchpad or other cursor control device may be fixedly mounted below numeric keypad portion 38 or at any other position along the length of the palm rest.
  • the present invention also contemplates mounting a cursor control device to a keyboard support assembly which does not include a palm rest.
  • a keyboard support assembly 200 in accordance with this aspect of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 4.
  • Keyboard support assembly 200 includes a support platform 212 having a front edge 214, a rear edge 216 and a generally planar surface 218 which may be sized and shaped to accommodate the computer keyboard 34 with which it will be used.
  • a particularly preferred material for forming support platform 212 is a 6mm thick aluminum clad polymer sheet material sold under the trademark ALUCOBOND by Alucobond Technologies, Inc.
  • Support platform 212 includes a touchpad 240 mounted adjacent the front edge 214 thereof.
  • keyboard support assembly 200 is described herein as incorporating a touchpad 240, as with the keyboard support assemblies described above, keyboard support assembly 200 may include any form of device for controlling movement of a cursor, including trackballs, joysticks and the like.
  • the touchpad 240 or other cursor control device may be positioned at any point along front edge 214 of support platform 212, although positions corresponding to the center of alphanumeric keyboard portion 36 or numeric keyboard portion 38 are preferred.
  • Touchpad 240 may be mounted to support platform 212 by the arrangement shown in Figure 5.
  • support platform 212 may be routed out from its bottom surface 221 up to its top layer of aluminum 250 to form a recess 246 having a sufficient size to receive touchpad 240.
  • An aperture 244 may be formed in aluminum layer 250, aperture 244 having a shape which is similar to that of touchpad 240, but smaller in size than the periphery of the touchpad so that aluminum layer 250 defines a lip 242 around the periphery of aperture 244.
  • Touchpad 240 may then be inserted into recess 246 and secured against lip 242 by any suitable means, such as by a cyanoacrylate adhesive.
  • recess 246 may be enclosed by a retainer plate 260 slightly larger in size than the recess and fastened along its periphery to the bottom aluminum layer 262.
  • a cyanoacrylate adhesive for securing retainer plate 260 to bottom aluminum layer 262 is preferred.
  • An elastomeric spacer 252 may be mounted to retainer plate 260 so that the spacer contacts touchpad 240 and supports same in the fully assembled position. With the touchpad 240 so mounted, the electrical leads 254 for the touchpad may be threaded through an aperture 264 in retainer plate 260, and then run straight back from recess 246 along the bottom of support platform 212 to its rear edge 216 and connection to the computer.
  • the keyboard support assemblies of the present invention overcome the difficulties associated with stand alone cursor control devices previously known in the art, such as computer mouses, by eliminating the cursor control devices from work surfaces so as to minimize workspace clutter, fixing the position of the cursor control devices for quick and easy access, and minimizing or eliminating physical strains and injuries resulting from the repetitive use of conventional cursor control devices.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Un ensemble support (10, 100, 200) de clavier comprend une plate-forme (12, 212) qui sert à supporter un clavier (34) d'ordinateur et un dispositif de commande (40, 140, 240) de curseur, monté dans une position fixe par rapport à la plate-forme. La position fixe peut être située adjacente au bord avant (14, 214) de la plate-forme et peut être située sur la surface de support (22, 122) d'un repose-main (20, 120) qui s'étend le long du bord avant de la plate-forme. De préférence, la situation longitudinale de la position fixe sur la plate-forme se trouve soit entre le bord avant de la plate-forme et la partie (36) d'un clavier qui contient les touches alphanumériques, soit entre le bord avant de la plate-forme et la partie (38) d'un clavier qui est constituée d'un bloc de touches numérique séparé. Le dispositif de commande de curseur peut être un bloc tactile (40, 240), un dispositif à bille (140) ou tout autre dispositif qui envoie à l'ordinateur des données relatives ou absolues de positionnement X et Y.
PCT/US1997/020665 1996-11-18 1997-11-17 Ensemble support de clavier comprenant un dispositif de commande de curseur WO1998022296A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU72998/98A AU7299898A (en) 1996-11-18 1997-11-17 Keyboard support assembly incorporating cursor control device

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US3145596P 1996-11-18 1996-11-18
US60/031,455 1996-11-18
US97093897A 1997-11-14 1997-11-14
US08/970,938 1997-11-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998022296A1 true WO1998022296A1 (fr) 1998-05-28

Family

ID=26707273

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/020665 WO1998022296A1 (fr) 1996-11-18 1997-11-17 Ensemble support de clavier comprenant un dispositif de commande de curseur

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1998022296A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103019396A (zh) * 2013-01-18 2013-04-03 河南师范大学 一种计算机键盘

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5305238A (en) * 1992-11-03 1994-04-19 Key Tronic Corporation Data input monitor and indicator for managing work pace and rest periods
US5582375A (en) * 1992-04-20 1996-12-10 Martin; Michael Adjustable ergonomic support for computer keyboards

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5582375A (en) * 1992-04-20 1996-12-10 Martin; Michael Adjustable ergonomic support for computer keyboards
US5305238A (en) * 1992-11-03 1994-04-19 Key Tronic Corporation Data input monitor and indicator for managing work pace and rest periods

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103019396A (zh) * 2013-01-18 2013-04-03 河南师范大学 一种计算机键盘

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR102593982B1 (ko) 평행한 모션 트랙패드
US6724366B2 (en) Thumb actuated x-y input device
US5416498A (en) Prehensile positioning computer keyboard
US5426449A (en) Pyramid shaped ergonomic keyboard
US5160919A (en) Ergonomic keyboard
US20070176897A1 (en) Tray mounted cursor control input device for integration with computer keyboard
WO2006067404A2 (fr) Dispositif de saisie informatique
US20030030625A1 (en) Data entry device
US5767463A (en) Keyboard with tilted axis key design
CA2168766A1 (fr) Clavier bifurque
US5638062A (en) Ergonomic input device
US5662422A (en) Bifurcated keyboard arrangement
US6366274B1 (en) Hand-held input devices for personal computer systems
US6402100B1 (en) Ergonomic lower arm support rest
US20070285400A1 (en) Palm attached touch-pad computer mouse
WO1998022296A1 (fr) Ensemble support de clavier comprenant un dispositif de commande de curseur
US20040008184A1 (en) Ergonomic electronic input device
US8947360B2 (en) Set of handheld adjustable panels of ergonomic keys and mouse
JPH08161110A (ja) コンピュータ用入力装置
CA2213954A1 (fr) Appareil de commande manuelle
WO2000079511A1 (fr) Souris d'ordinateur ergonomique a fonctions de redondance
WO2003023547A2 (fr) Dispositif destine a faciliter l'utilisation d'un pointeur

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG UZ VN YU ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL

CFP Corrected version of a pamphlet front page
CR1 Correction of entry in section i

Free format text: PAT. BUL. 21/98 UNDER (30) REPLACE "NOT FURNISHED" BY "08/970938"

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA