WO2000042708A1

WO2000042708A1 - Shock-absorbing keyboard and method

Info

Publication number: WO2000042708A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/001054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas J. Rudisch
Original assignee: Rudisch Douglas J
Priority date: 1999-01-15
Filing date: 2000-01-14
Publication date: 2000-07-20
Also published as: AU2508000A; WO2000042708A8

Abstract

A shock-absorbing keyboard according to the Figure. The keyboard having a plurality of keys (12) above a key baseplate (14) and a shock-absorbing material (22) such as a foam pad positioned between the lower surface of one or more keys and the top of the baseplate to reduce impact shock and to decelerate the key in use.

Description

SHOCK-ABSORBING KEYBOARD AND METHOD Reference to Prior Application

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/116,130, filed January 15, 1999, which application is hereby incorporated by reference.

Background of the Invention

Currently, the keys on a computer keyboard (for example a computer keyboard with a plurality of arranged letters and numeral keys for a user) have no mechanism in place to slow their downward movement before they reach the bottom of their stroke in use. When a key is depressed by a finger of a user, it undergoes rapid acceleration over a short distance and period of time before stopping immediately when impacting the base of the keyboard ("keyboard baseplate") or cylindrical key guide and associated support tube ("plunger mechanism"), depending on the design of the keyboard ("Type 1 Design" or "Type 2 Design, " respectively) . This action, results in a significant amount of shock and discomfort to the fingers and associated joints of the hands, wrists, and arms. Typically, the keyboard keys, the keyboard baseplate and plunger mechanism are all made of a hard plastic or metal material with minimal shock absorbing properties.

It is therefore desirable to provide a shock-absorbing keyboard, system and method to reduce or eliminate the shock and discomfort to a user of a keyboard, particularly, but not limited to, computer keyboards.

Summary of the Invention

This invention relates to a shock-absorbing keyboard and system and to a method of reducing shock in a keyboard. The invention comprises a shock-absorbing keyboard, which keyboard comprises a plurality of arranged keys with an upper and lower key surface of each key arranged for finger pressure of a user, and a lower key surface, means to connect the keys to the keyboard baseplate, and keys positioned above a keyboard baseplate having a top surface . The keys are arranged and constructed to move, by finger pressure, between an upper, non- use position and a lower, depressed use position. One or more of the keys include a shock-absorbing material positioned between the lower surface of the key and the keyboard baseplate. The shock-absorbing material is selected to reduce the acceleration of the key in use and to reduce the shock impact of the key upon depression by a user.

The invention comprises a method of reducing the shock impact and discomfort on the user of one or more keys of a keyboard, which method comprises employing beneath one or more keys of a keyboard a shock-absorbing material to reduce the acceleration of the key on depression by a user and to reduce the impact shock of the depressed key against a keyboard baseplate.

It has been discovered that the elimination or reduction of shock to a user in typing, or use of a keyboard of either the Type I Design or Type II Design, or other keyboard design, may be accomplished by the use of one or more layers of a shock-absorbing material between the bottom surface of the key and the keyboard baseplate. The shock-absorbing material may be employed in various embodiments, such as: a) affixed to the top of the keyboard baseplate, underneath the keys of a computer/typewriter/etc. keyboard; b) affixed underneath the keys of a computer/typewriter/ etc. keyboard, on top of the keyboard baseplate or plunger mechanism; or c) within the plunger mechanism of a computer/typewriter/etc. keyboard affixed between the end of the plunger mechanism and the area underneath it .

In all cases (maybe some cases are not included in the above descriptions due to variations in keyboard design) , in practice/action the shock-absorbing material is selected, positioned and located so that it is the only point of impact for the depressed key. The desired result is a period of deceleration and a "soft landing" for the depressed key as it moves to the depressed use position as opposed to impact, stoppage and shock. Analogously, the effect is similar to jumping and landing on an airbag or cotton balls, as opposed to cement, or to having an airbag in a car during an accident versus not having one . A wide variety of shock-absorbing (e.g. cushioning) material may be employed in the practice of the invention. The material should be selected to decelerate the depression of the key and/or to prevent a hard impact contact with the keyboard baseplate. Typically, the material may be used as a single layer or as a composite multi-layer material beneath one, or preferably all, of the keys in a keyboard, or both on the baseplate or the key.

The material may be cut or prepared to mimic the outline of each lower key surface, or be less or more than the key surface area, and vary in thickness as required, e.g. 1/8-1/2 inch of selected to be flexible (compressible) and with a density of 2-16 pcf, e.g. 2-8 pcf . The material may be removedly placed or secured in place by an adhesive . One specific material comprises soft, flexible solid or foam material, such as a polyurethane; polyolefin, like polyethylene or polypropylene; ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); a vinyl, like polyvinyl chloride ; or an elastomeric natural or synthetic rubber, or Sorbothane, or selected combinations, on layers, of such material. Other shock-absorbing materials include fibrous matter, air cushioning pads, gels, or other materials with selected cushioning properties. The shock-absorbing material may be 5 used in combination in composite layer structures, such as two or three layer pads, of varying density selected to decelerate the key and to break impact, such as foam-foam layers, foam-gel layers, and solid foam layers.

The selected material should significantly reduce the 0 immediate deceleration and associated shock and vibration that occurs at the bottom of the key downstroke at impact, thereby making typing more comfortable and potentially reducing the negative side effects of repeated typing, including: carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritic discomfort, general discomfort, 5 fatigue, and other repetitive stress disorders.

The invention may be used in a wide variety of keyboards or in any devices which employ keys to move from an upper, non- use position to a lower, depressed use position, such as a typewriter, computer, calculator, teletype, and other key- o operated devices .

The invention will be described for the purposes of illustration only in connection with certain embodiments; however, it is recognized that various changes, improvements, alterations and modifications may be made to the illustrated 5 embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figs. 1 A,B,and C are schematic representations of a prior art keyboard; 0 Figs. 2 A and B are schematic representations of one embodiment of a keyboard of the invention; Figs. 3 A,B and C are schematic representations of another embodiment of a keyboard of the invention; and

Figs. 4A and B are schematic representations of a further embodiment of a keyboard of the invention.

Description of the Embodiments

Fig. 1A illustrates a prior art key of a keyboard 10 with a key 12 above a keyboard baseplate 14 with a plunger 16, with the key 12 in the open, non-use position.

Figs. IB and C illustrate prior art Type 1 Design and Type 2 Design keys in the depressed, use position with the different positions of impact set forth with Fig. IB, the top of the key board baseplate 14, and Fig. 1C, the top of the support tube 20 and cylinder 18.

Figs. 2A and B illustrate the invention with a Type 1 Design key with Fig. 2A showing an open, non-use position and

Fig. 2B showing a depressed, use position of the key 12 and a shock-absorbing foam material 22 adhesively secured to the top surface of the baseplate 14.

Figs. 3A, B and C illustrate the invention with a Type 1 Design and Type 2 Design key 12 with shock-absorbing material

22 secured directly to the undersurface of the key 12, and also for Type 2 Design affixed under key 12 above key guide plunger

16 in the open position in Fig. 3A.

Figs. 3B and C show the key 12 in the depressed position with the shock-absorbing material 22 reducing the impact shock.

Figs. 4A and B illustrate the invention with a Type 2 Design key 12 with the shock-absorbing material 22 within the plunger mechanism in the support tube 20 which holds key guide cylinder 18 to cushion the decelerate and impact shock.

Fig. 4A shows the key 12 in the open, non-use position and Fig. 4B in the depressed, use position, wherein the shock- absorbing material 22 in the plunger mechanism prevents impact contact between the top surface of baseplate 14 and the bottom surface of the key 12.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is :

Claim 1. A shock-absorbing keyboard, which keyboard comprises a plurality of arranged keys with an upper and lower key surface of each key arranged for finger pressure of a user, and a lower key surface means to connect the key above the key baseplate and the keys positioned above a keyboard baseplate having a top surface and the keys arranged and constructed to move by user finger pressure between an upper, non-use position and a lower, depressed use position, and wherein one or more of the keys include a shock-absorbing material means positioned between the lower key surface of the key and the keyboard baseplate, the shock-absorbing material means selected to reduce the acceleration of the key in use and to reduce the shock impact of the key upon depression by a user.

Claim 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the keyboard comprises a computer keyboard.

Claim 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shock- absorbing material comprises a flexible, soft, solid or foam material .

Claim 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shock- absorbing material is secured to the lower surface and beneath one or more keys of the keyboard.

Claim 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shock- absorbing material is secured to the top surface of the key baseplate directly beneath one or more keys of the keyboard.

Claim 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the keyboard includes a Type II Design keyboard having a cylindrical key guide and support tube for the keys .

Claim 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the shock- absorbing material is secured within the support tube and between the key and key baseplate.

Claim 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shock- absorbing material comprises a flexible, soft polymeric foam material in pad form directly beneath the key.

Claim 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shock- absorbing material comprises a composite pad composed of at least two layers of different density.

Claim 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the keyboard includes a plunger mechanism for the key and the shock- absorbing material is positioned within the plunger and prevents the impact contact of the bottom of the key with the baseplate.

Claim 11. A method of reducing the shock impact and discomfort in the use of one or more keys of a keyboard, which method comprises employing beneath one or more keys of a keyboard a shock-absorbing material to reduce the acceleration of the key on depression by a user and to reduce the impact shock of the depressed key against a keyboard baseplate.

Claim 12. The method of claim 11 which includes positioning the shock-absorbing material within a plunger mechanism to prevent the key from impact contact with a keyboard baseplate .

Claim 13. The method of claim 11 which includes securing the shock-absorbing material to a bottom surface of a key or the top surface of a keyboard baseplate beneath the key, or both.