CA2112402A1

CA2112402A1 - Rotating plane keyboard

Info

Publication number: CA2112402A1
Application number: CA002112402A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Lance Martin Rucker; Keith William Hoyle; Allen Bruce Hepworth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Ergologic Enterprises Inc
Priority date: 1991-07-08
Filing date: 1992-07-07
Publication date: 1993-01-21
Also published as: US5351066A; WO1993001054A1; EP0594718A1; AU2300992A

Abstract

An adjustable keyboard (10) for electronic instruments having a pair of demi-boards (12, 14) which are extendable from a retracted, flat position to an extended, tetrahedral position wherein the distal side of one of the demi-boards (12, 14) is located closer to the other demi-board than the proximate side, the first and second demi-board planes intersect with the base plane to form an acute angle, the first and second demi-board planes intersect with each other at an apex intersecting line being in non-parallel alignment with the base plane and the first and second demi-board planes and the base plane intersect at an intersecting point in space on the distal side of the base member. A split spacebar (22, 24) may be actuated by movement about an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the demi-boards (12, 14) in either direction from a normal position and also on lateral movement along the said longitudinal axis. Adjustable hand rests (208) are provided which may be raised or lowered with respect to the keyboard (10) and which may be adjusted laterally to adjust the distance between each of a pair of hand contacting surfaces and a line laterally bisecting the keyboard.

Description

~1/O 93/010~ . 211~ a~ 0 2 pcr/cA9~on298 ~

ROTAq~ING_PX.ANE: REYBOARD

BACRGRO~ND OF T;~ N'TIO~
' ~ ' '. ' '-Field of the Invention ~- The present invention generally relates to ~ --keyboards for electronic instruments and, more ';.
j particularly, is concerned with a keyboard having raised ~""~
keys forming an implied tetrahedral shape with the base of the keyboard for facilitating use. ~' .j , Description of the Prior ~rt ,;~

~, 15 The frequent use of computers and other keyboards can cause serious physical injury and pain to the wrists and other areas of the arms of the users. This is '~
.
generally caused thxough repetitive motion on the keyboards ,~
by the user's fingers on the keys. These disorders are ~ m' ~ 20~ generall.y known as cumulative-trauma disorders or ,,~
¦ repetitive-motion injuries resulting~ from the repetitive . motion of the:hands on the keyboards. As more and ~ore ',.
individuals are using, computer keyboards on a continuous and repetitive basis, these,types of disorders are becoming ''~
25 more and more prevalent amongst computer users. Such . ; .
repetitive use c,an also cause physical damage to.the wrist, : .. ~ '.
:~ ~ and more particularly,to the carpal tunnel, known as Carpal '' Tunnel~Syndrome, which: can cause~serious weakening of the hands and reduction in dexterity. ,; ,~

The~ standard,monoplane~.keyboard,,.. that.beingl a, ,:
:keyboard defining cne plane,and lying generally flat on a ~ ~
table,:~ exacerbates ~ the~:problems ~associated with ' ~.
repetitive-motion~injuries~ The~;monoplane keyboard forces ~ .
: 35~the~user to rotate his or:her forearms .from a relaxed :~ : : position to an extreme position so that the~fingertips of -~ -each hand:are horizontal. ~As well, both wrists must be ~flexed away from the thumb side of the hand in order to line up the fingertips with the longitudinal rows of~ -- ' 40~keyboard keys. It has been determined that repositioning -.--~` W093/010~ PCT/CA92/00298 ,, ;~,~ 12~02 i~

-2~
of the keyboard to permit more "natural" or unflexed positioning of the forearms and hands should significantly ~1 reduce the stress on the wrist and elbows, thereby reducing - the instances of repetitive-motion injuries resulting from 'i 5 the use of computer keyboards. -~

.. . . .
~n example of a keyboard in which the demi-boards are positioned in an A-frame orientation is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,509,873 issued to Ryan. The Ryan patent 10 discloses a computer keyboard incorporating a base member having a distal face for orienting away from the user and an adjacent face for orientation adjacent a user and a pair of demi-boards which may be split in an A-frame orientation. Adjustment from a flat horizontal position to 15 an angled position is achieved through the raising of the central portion of the demi-boards from the flat base member. The base member is angled so that the distal side is higher than the adjacent side. As well, the intersecting point of the two demi-boards is perpendicular 20 to-the plane of the top face of the base member.

- As well, U.S. Patent No. 4,597,681 to Hodges discloses the use of an adjustable keyboard having a base member and a pair of demi-boards which may be raised at ~5 their joining edge into an A-frame configuration. As well, each demi-board may be pivoted within its respective plane about an~axis~perpendicular to that plane. Hodges provides a~generally flat base member with a génerally dish-shaped surface of the key~. The keys may be positioned in a 3 30 non-planarimannèr on each demi-board.

Each~of~these A-frame type~adjustable keyboards, while`~representing an improvement over the monsplane keyboard ~in terms of hand positioning, do not generally 35~ provide sufficient optimization of wrist and forearm positions when the fingers are placed in contact with the i key faces. These keyboards still force the user to bend ~ the wrists upwardly and/or outwardly to align the - . ~
.; :.: ~

>l ~ ~
i~ - r r 1 ~ 11 2 ~ q ~
-3~
fingertips with the keys on each demi-board. It is not ` possible, if one is to maintain proper finger alignment to the keys, to orient the wrists in linear alignment with the forearm, as the planes of the demi-boards in an A-frame s orientation are still parallel to the proximal-distal axis of the keyboard base. In other words, a user is still i forced into a position where his wrists are bent backwards ¦ to some degree forming an angle with the forearm, in order l to properly contact such a keyboard.
,i 10 Consequently, there is a need for a keyboard with J adjustable demi-boards which may be raised, with respect to a base member, in a position wherein the distal edge of the demi-boards is oriented inwardly as compared to the adjacent edges of the demi-boards so that the demi-boards parallel the forearms of the user and so that the fingertips of the user may contact the keys on the l demi-boards while the wrist and forearms are in substantial ¦ linear alignment.
Keyboards with adjustable demi boards as described above also pose unique problems in supporting the wrists of a~ user. Prior art hand supports have been devised in which separate hand supports are adjustable horizontally as well as vertically. One such hand support is disclosed in U.S.
patent number 5,004,196, issued to Gross. The Gross reference discloses a pair of hand rests which may~be moved laterally,~;~or horizontally, along groove (102), and which may be adjusted vertically, or in height, along grooves (90). However, the Gross reference isl not readily ~adaptable to keyboards with adjustable demi-boards in that ~; a~generally~symmetrical face (54~, 56) does not readily lend itself to use with an adjustable keyboard. In order to overcome this problem, applicant's hand rests are contoured in~an off-set manner to more readily adapt to a hand angled to meet the keys of a keyboard in which the demi-boards are in a raised position.
- :

.SUBSTITUTE SHEE~ ~

r 2 1 i 2 4 ~ 2 ~ - 3 a- :
9~i ., ~ .
SUMM~RY OF THE INVEN~ION
?
In 'accordance with the present invention an adjustable keyboard for data input is provided having a 5 base member for contact with a support surface, the base '~
', member defining a longitudinal base plane extending through 1 the base member. The base member has a distal side ,~ intended for orientation away from a user and a proximate ' ,~
~il side intended for orientation adjacent a user, and first , 10 and second ends joining the distal and proximate sides. A ,~
~j first demi-board is provided having a distal side for orientation away from a user and a proximate side for ~"
~ orientat:ion adjacen"t a user, the first demi-board defining , '':
,, a first demi-board plane extending longitudinally through ~ ~, lS the fir~;t demi-board. The first demi-board is pivotably ' -connecte'd to the base member for pivotal movement of the ¦ first demi-board in an arc between a retracted position in ' which the first demi-board plane is substantially coplanar '~
. ~
. . . , .- , .- ':
. ~' '.

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; : ' ,- :

"

: -:

SUBSTITUTE SHE~ T
~: .

:
; WO93/010~ ~ ; PCT/C~92/00298 2 ~ ~ 2 ~ 0 2 : 4~
and parallel with the ~ase plane and an extended po~ition ,~ in which th~ first demi-board extends at an acute angle ~, with respect to the base member. A plurality of user `~ activated keys extend fxom a face of the first demi-board, the keys facing away from the ba e member. The second demi-board having a distal side for orientation away from a user and a proximate side ~or orientation adjacent a user ~, is provided, the second demi-board defining a second demi-board plane ex~ending longitudinally through the second demi-board. The Gecond demi-board i5 pivotably ~J, connected to the base member for pivotable movement of said ,. second demi-board in an arc between a retracted position in whirh the second demi-board plane i8 substantially coplanar and parallel with the b~se plane and an extended position in which the second demi-board extends at an acute angle with respect to the base member. A plurality of user activated keys extend from a face of the second demi-board, I the keys facing away from the base member. When in the extended position the base plane, first demi-board plane and second demi-board plane form a tetrahedral shape wherein:

(1) the distal side of one of the demi-boards is . located closer to the other demi-board then the : proximate side;
. . ~ ~, .... . .
. t2) the first and ~econd planes each intersect with ; the base plane to form an acute angle;

,~ .30 ;~ (3) the~first.~and second planes intersect with each other at an apex-intersecting line in space, ths . apex intersecting line :being in non-parallel alignment wi~h the base plane; and (4) the first, second and base planes intersect with ¦ ~each other at an apex intersecting point in space beyond the distal side of the base member.
"'~`'~'' - , .

,, !

W093/010~ PCT/CA92/00298 _5~
In a further embodiment of the present invention a spacebar is provided ~or a data entry keyboard, the keyboard having a pair of demi-boards containing data entry keys extending from a base member and being pivotable about an axis adjacent the outer slde of the demi-boards to a raised position wherein the demi-boards extend at an acute angle from the base member. The space bar includes a pair of manually actuable platforms for user contact hingedly connected to the demi-board about a pivot axis parallel with the lon~itudinal axis of respective demi-boards, the platforms having a normal position when no user contact occurs and the platforms connected for alternate pivotable movement about the axis and for slidable movement along the longitudinal axis in a direction ~oward the outer side of the demi--boards, from the normal position. The space~bar further .includes signal actuating means connected to the demi-boards for actuating a signal upon movement of either of the platforms about the pivot axis in either direction from the normal position to a pre-determined position or upon the slidable movement to a pre-determined position, the signal indicative of the activation of the space bar.

In a further embodiment of the present invention a hand rest for a data entry keyboard is provided including hand contacting means for contacting a hand of a user and mounting means for mounting the hand contacting means to the keyboard. The mounting means includes height adjusting means~for adjusting the vertical distance between the hand contacting ~eans and the keyboard and width adjusting means for adjusting the horizontal distance between the ~and -~ .contacting means::.and. a line laterally bisecting the keyboard. : .~
.
8RI~F DE8CRIP~ION OF THE DRA~IN~8 : ~5 Figure lA is a top view of a keyboard in accordance with this invention, showing the hand rests ''I , ;1 W093/010~ t PCT/C~92/00298 , ~ ~ ~ 2 4 ~ 2 --6-- .
and ~ull key layout, the demi-boards being -~
in their lowered or ~lat pocition;

Figure lB is a top view o~ the keyboard of Figure lA .
. 5 with parts broken away to show detail~ o~
- the demi-board raising ~echanism;
,, ':!
~i Figure 2 i~ a ~ront view of the keyboard of Figure lA, with parts broken away and with the ~ 10 demi-boards in the lowered or flat position;
,,~
Figure 3A is a top view of the keyboard of Figure lA, .~ with the de~i-boards in a raised or . tetrahedral position; `~
-`
Figure 3B is a top view of the keyboard of Figure 3A :
with p~rts broken away; ~
: : ~ : . .
Figure~4 is a front: view~of ~he keyboard of F~gure : ~-20~ lA, with ~parts~:~broken away~ and with the t~;~, -. de~i-boards in a~ raised or tetrahedral ~ .
po~ition; : .
lJ .. .
i~ ' .-,'' '; '. ' '-1: ~' ' .''' .. " '.''-'' `' .' :
Figure S i~ a ~ide view of the keyboard of Figure lA, 25 ~ with the ~demi-boards~ in a raised or - -. tetrahedral position;

Figure:6~ is~a front viewiof the t-bar support member - :
in accordance with this invention; .... `:-.

Figure~6B~ is a:side;view of~;the t -bar support member :` -: of~Figure 6A ~

;~ Pigure 6C ~ i~ a top~vie~ of the t-bar ~upport member of 35 ~ Fi ~re 6A; ~ . .

~: ~ p Figure 7 is a close up view of the ball and socket " -~:
joint for joining the t-bar support member :~ :
3~

.. , ~::
.., :-~O 93/010~4 PCI~/CA92J002Zg8 "-P ~ .
2~12~2 -7~
~ to the bottom of a de~i-board in accordance ` ~-,Z with thi~ invention; -~:

Figure 8 is a cross-~ectional view of a portion oi~
the t-~ar support member of Figure 6A
Z hingedly connected to ~he base ~ember ::
showing the biasing spring; ;

Figure 9 is a close-up view with Z.~ome part-~ broken i 10 away and some part~ in ghosted outline, of }, the three-way switch mechanicm for the space , bar in accordance with this invention;

Figure 10 is a ~ront view of the hand rests in accordance with this invention;
t : :
~igure 11~ is a cross-sectional view :of the~ l~tch mechanism for~the demi-boards, in accordance ~:
;with~this invention; and ~ .`
. Figure 12 ~i8 a cros6-sectional view of;:a~ portion~of the keyboard ~howing thZ hand ~ re5t8 in . ~ accordance with:this invention. : ' ` :`:
. .... ~ , ... .
Detai~lZ~d DesaL~gtion of the~Invention igure~lA is~a~top:;view of an eimbodiment-`of the~
invention~wherein~keyboard~lo:~ is in~a ~lowered-or-~flat po ition~w~th left~:idemi-board 12 and right demi-board ~
; 30 co-planar with~:base~,member-,lS. It~will be~,appreciated:~n ~iewing Figure-~ithat k~eyboard-lO,;:when demi-boards~2 and are-~ n: the~ retracted,:.~-flat~ position~-is ~irtually~
:identical~to:~a;.~tandard~computer data~entry~keybaard~with a~ ~ Y~ ey ~placemen~ Optimally, ~ the- shaping, 35~;positioning:and tactile~pressurè required~for depression of each Xey i~;si~ilar to~:that found in standard keyboards so ~ . : that adju~tment to keyboard IO by users is minimized and 80 :~ that the user's tactile abilities in orienting himself or ~` :
W093/010~ PCT/CA92/00298 i 2 ~12 ~ 8-. herself with respect to the keyboa.rd are unchanged. Thi~
Jj enables a user to u5e keyboard ~0 while in the retracted or flat position in much the same manner as a "standard"
keyboard.
. Demi-boards 12 and 1~ contain a plurality of user-actiYated keys thereon which, as shown in Figure lA, are in the ~WERTY arrangement. However, it ~hould be appreciated that other key arrangements can be employed 10 with keyboard 10, such as the Dvorak or other key layout~.
, Each key is reserved, in accordance with established typing 7 convention, for actuation by the user in order to signal an electronic device to display or type the symbol, letter or . number corresponding to the key depressed.

I Demi-boards 12 and 1~ are split in an offset manner lalong heavy line 18 which passes between adjacent keys on the keyboard and which is off~et along each key row in order to avoid splitting a key position. Line 18 al80 1 20 bisacts space bar 20 into left half 22 and right half 24.

. A~ seen in Figure lB, demi-board 12 is rotatably attached to base member 16 by means of rotation axis screw 26 which acts as a pivot axis for demi-board 12 in its ro~ation from a~retracted flat position (as shown in Figure lB) to an extended tetrahedral position (as ~hown in Figure ..... ~ .3B) .. Similarly, rotation axis ~crew 28-rotatably attaches . right.demi-board l~ to~base member 16 and acts as an axis of rotation for demi-board l~.for movement between a flat, 30.,..retracted position (as;shown iniFigure lB)!to~an extended tetrahedral posîtion (as shown in ~Figure~383. Base mem~er ; 16 inaludes distal side 19,: intended for orientation away from a~user and proximate side 21, intended for orientation .. adjacent::a user. Each of demi-boards 12 and 14 include a distal side 23 intended for orientation away from a user and a proximate side 25 intended for orientation adjacent a user.

. ;. ~'"'''' ,: - . , . WO93/0l0~ - ~CT/CA92ioo298~
2~f 1~
--9 ~
~emi-board 12 is also connected to base me~ber ~
by means of housing 30 connected adjacent the top outer ide of demi-board ~2. Housing 30 is connected to screw 32, for movement laterally along screw 32 on rotation of screw 5 32 to raisa and lower demi-board 12 from the flat retracted ~, position to the extended tetrahedral positions. Similarly, ., housing 3~ is attached adjacent the ~pper outer corner of .~ demi-board 1~. Housing 3~ is connected to screw 36 for ', slidable movement along screw 36 on rotation o~ screw 36.
10 Screw 32 and screw 36 are connected by means of connection member 38 ~o that rotation of screw 32 is in '. synchronization with the rotation of screw 36.
,~ Alternatively, screw 32, member 38 and screw 36 may be of . unitary construction.
It is common in modern keyboards to provide , additional keys which may act to initiate variou~ functions ] inherent: in particular oftware products as well as 3, initiating hardware and firmware variations of keyboard 20 functions. The~e can include function keys 40 and can be .oriented in a line adjacent the longitudinal axis of base ~ member 16 above demi-boards 12 and 14. These' can also ¦ include~function keys ~2 located to the left'''of left ¦ demi-board 12. Keys ~4, which are located on'base~member 1 25 16 to the right o~ right demi-board 1~, are generally provided to assist in cursor movement and also to provide an alternate numerical keypad in addition to the numerical , key rows located~;on'~:demi-boards ~2 and'14. ' It'has been found that where users will generally use tactile and other .30 '.memory: indicationsi of 'key positioning~ on the- main omponents of-the-QWERTY keyboard as located on demi-boards 12 and 14, other function keys,-including function keys ~0, ~2 and 44 are generally located'by the user using visual aides. The main component QWERTY keys located on 35 demi-boards 12 and ~ are the keys which are used the majority of time by a typist. Keys 40, 42 and g~ which are usually located visually, remain a part of base member 16 and are not raised or lowered with the raising or lowering . ' , WO93/010~ , PCT/CA92/00298 ;
4~2I
s. ~
.~ of.demi-boards 12 and 14. Keys 40, 42 and 44 are depre6sed ~.
., in the normal manner by pressing downwardly on the~e k~ys oriented in a ~lat horizontal plane defined by base member 16. This flat positioning facilitates the visual locating of these keys.

, .
Screws 32 and 3C are manually act~able by the user to move demi-boards 12 and 14 between the lowered and .
raised positions. Rotatable knob 46 exkends laterally from the left side of base 16. Knob ~C is attached to end sha~t ~8 of screw 32 to cau~e screws 32 and 36 to rotate upon :~.
3 rotation of knob ~6. Note that the qcrew blades 50 of .~ .
. screw 32 are in reverse orienta~ion as compared to screw blades 52 of screw 36. As a~con~equence, rotation of knob ~ : ~
15 46 in a clockwise direction will cause housing 30 to travel .~ ::
towards line 18. This rotation will also cause housing 3~
: .:
to move in an opposite direction, also towards line 18. ~` -This will cause the outer distal corners of demi-boards 12 .;::.-and 1~ to move in arcs about: axis points 26 and 28 20 respectively as knob ~6 is turned. Concurrent~y, as will .: ;.
... ....
be described below, the inner distal corners o~ demi-boards :.:
12 and 14 are raised from the~horizontal flat position to permit inward movement of each demi-board without contacting the other demi-board. ;.~-25 . .
. In order to..maintain substantially the same height position. of the keys on demi-boards 12 and 1~ as : compared to~keys 40, 42 and ~4, whenever keyboard lO is in .
. .its flat,.retracted position, demi-boards 12 and 14 are :~
seatedj-within cavity 54 in base member. l~.-.. Cavity 54 is ...... :.. ~just .slightly-larger in- outer dimension: as. compared to .
~demi-boards-. 12 and~4 when in their~-co-planar recessed -: . position,:~as shown in Figure lA.
,: .~
~ In order to properly orient demi-boards 12 and 1 with respect to pivot axes represented by axis screws 26 ~.
and 28, demi-boards 12 and 14 are spaced from screws 26 and 28 by lateral extension member 56 with respect to left ..

. . -~093/010~ PCT/CA92/00298 21~2~2 j~ demi-board 12 and lateral extension member 58 for right de~i-board 1~. As seen in Fiqure 2, lateral extension me~bers 56 and 58 incorporate inner shaft member 60 and 62, respectively. Outer Ghaft member 6~ i5 rotatable about i~ner shaft member 60, which axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of base me~ber lS when the keyboard iis in the lowered or flat position. ~his permits the inner end of demi-board 12, adjacent line 18, to rise when moving from the flat position to an extended tetrahedral position.
This also permits concurrent rotation of demi-board 12 about axis screw 26. Similarly, right lateral extension member 58 incluides inner shaft member 62 and concentric outer shaft memb~r 66. Outer shaft member 66 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of inner shaft member 62. This , 15 enables, the inner end of right demi-board 14, adjacent line ' 18, to be raised from the horizontal, flat position to an extende~d tetrahedral position, as shown in Figure 3B.

Referring to Figure lB, housing 30 i~ connected 20 to scr~ 32~ by means of a lateral circular opening (not shown) through housing 30 having grooves which mate with screw 32 which travels through the ~aid opening. The grooves (not shown) in the said opening mate with and engage screw ~lades 50 o~ screw 32. Similarly, housing 3~
¦ 25 al80 incorporates a lateral circular opening therethrough having inner grooves formed therein to mate with blades 52 of screw 36.~ Housing 3~ may then travel laterally along s~rew 36~as inner grooves (not shown) of housing 34 engage ~ - screw blades 52 of ~crew 36~ This enables housings 30 and i 30 ~34 to ride laterally along re~pective screws 32 and 36 when ~- rotatable knob 46 is rotated.

t -~ Left spindle 74, attached to demi-board 12, is rotatably connected to housing 30 by means of a pair of 35 pins 72 extendi~g laterally and upwardly from housing 30 to rotatably sandwich spindle 7~ therebetween. Pins 72 are offset from a linear position parallel with the axis of iscrew 32, with left pin 72 oriented further away from -- .

WO93/010~ .,- ", PCT/CA92~002g8 ' '~11 2 ~2 -12-` demi-board 12 as compared to right pin 72 . This permits , rotational movement of spindle 7~ as demi-board 12 is .~ , rotated about,rotation axis screw 26 when moved from the ~lat retracted position to an extended tetrahedral position ,~ 5 by movement of knob 46. Spindle 7~ i8 cylindrical in ~hape ~, to facilitate rolling action between left and right pins 72 ~ as demi-board 12 is raised to an extended, tetrahedral .I position.

Similarly, right demi-~oard 1~ includes right spindle 76. Pins 78 sandwich spîndle 76 therebetween and act in a similar manner as pins ~2 act on spindle 74.
Rotation of knob ~6 causes corresponding rotation of screw 36. Blades 52 engage corresponding grooves in opening (not shown) of housing 34 to move housing 3~ towards connecting member:38, which thereby causes pins 78 to contact spindle 76 to move spindle 76, and thereby the upper outer edge of demi-board 14, toward connecting member 38 in an arc about - rotation axis screw 28.
. Each of the left and right demi-boards 12 and 1 may be raised or lowered through an infinite number of positions along an arc between the lowered, flat position . and the most raised, tetrahedral position shown in Figure 3A. The preferred range of positions of demi-boards 12 and 1~ includes a horizontal rotation angle 77 (that being the angle between the outer end of the base member and the end of~either.~demi-board) of from 0 to 30, and an ele~ation angle 75 (that being ,the angle between the plane of the 30, base member and the plane of either demi-board 12 or 1~)! of from 0 to 60. Intermediate preferred~. angles of demi-boards 12 and 1~ with respect to base member 16 and corresponding pre~erred distances between.the F and J key contact points are as'follows~

, ~ .

WO93/0l0~ PCT/CA9~/ooig8,~
2~2~2 13 ! J
~levation Horizontal F ~nd J Key Anqle _ Rot~inn_~n9}9_ Distance _ ~.
57 0 ~m ~:
5 10 1 67.0 mm ..
20 2 79.5 mm 30~ 7~ ~9.0 m~
40 16 93.5 mm - :
26 gs.0 mm ,~:
~" ~
Pre~erred angles may vary for each individual ~
user, depending on that user's anatomical dimension~
preferred hand orientation and typing style. One benefit .
of the present invention is the adjustability of demi-boards 12 and 1~ between the flat retracted position and the most extended tetrahedral position and the ability of the demi-boards 12 and 1~ to assume any positions ~ ~;
between these two extremes. This enables users to set particular demi-board positions ~in accordance with their own:particular preferences.

. ~. Figurei 4 and 5 and 6A through 6C Fhow T-bar :~
support member 82. As seen in Tigures 6A through 6C, T-bar 8upport member 82 includes shaft 8~ connecting upper T-bar 25 ~ me ~ er 86 and lower base member 88. Upper T-bar member 86 : .~ includes~a pair,of opposed ball:joint members ~0 extending : .. laterall~from upper-~langes:~92:of~T-bar member 86. Lower m~ember 88 incorporatés: opening:~:94 extending laterally ;therethrough with central~axis generally parallel with;the~ ;
,30 common:.axis of ball:joint membèr~ 90.

As depicted in~Figure 4~, base member :88 i~
rotatably~connected to base:~ember~l~ for pivotal~ovement ..between~a lower.~position lying..flat against base member 16 35~ with~demi-boards: 12 and ~covering T-bar shaft 8~ and member 86 (shown in Figure lBj, and an extended position .
~: (shown in Figure 4) with T-bar support 82 angled upwardly from base member 16. Fig~re 5 is a ~ide view depicting ~he - ~ :

. : ~-. . .
. . . ~ ~ .

~WO93/010~ ~ PCT/CA92/00298 ~ j , ~ 2~2 -14- ~ ;
~upward angling of T-bar support 82 when demi~boards 12 and - 14 are in the most extended tetrahedral position. - ;-~; : : , . ::
Upper T-bar member 86 i~ rotatably connected to 5 lower surfaces 96 and 98 of respec~ive demi-boards ~2 and . 14 by means of a ball and ~ocket joint shown in ~igures 4 :~ and 7. Socke~ 100 is positioned on each face 96 and ~8.
; Socket 100 on fa~e 96 is positioned generally below the F
`~ key of keyboard 10. Socket 100 attached to face 9~ is 10 located generally below the J key of demi-board 14 so that a line in space between the csntact points of a user's left and right forefingers with keys F and J respectively, will always be parallel to the plane of base member 16 .irrespective of the position of demi-boards 12 and 1~
15 Socket :L00 has a spherical inner surface to mate with the outer spherical surface of ball 90.
'1 3 AS depicted in close-up in Figure 7, ball 90 is rotatable wi~hin and about inner surface 102 of socket 100.
20 Socket ~L00 is comprised of three mated sections, generally L-shapecl extension 10~, base fiection ~L06 having a concave ~; spherical portion and flange member 108 used to rotatably ~ restrain ball 90 within socket 100. Flange~ member 108 .~ extends to contact shaft 110 of ball 90 to retain ball 90 within socket 100. Alternately socket 100 may be of unitary construction of.resilient material to enable ball j 90 to "snap" into socket 100.

~ On rotation of T-bar support 82 to the extended :,~ 30~ position shown;in Figure 4 and 5, ball 90 will rotate ~; within socket 100 and-will lift socket 100 with the lifting :~ ~ of T-bar-support:82 to the extended~-position.~ This~will lift the inner edges 112 and 1~ of demi-boards 12 and 1 those being the edges adjacent line 18 as shown in Figure 35 lA. Demi-boards 12 and 14 are thereby moved to the 3l extended tetrahedral position supported throughout by T-bar support 82. Because the outer distal corners 79 and 81 of demi-boards 12 and 1~ are constrained by respective W093~0l0~ PCT/CA~/00298`
2~
-15- ~. t ~
spindles 74 and 76 to move laterally along screws ~2 and - 36, positioning of socket~ lOo ~elow the F and J keys will cause a ~ilting of demi~boar~s 12 and 14 in planes generally extending downwardly toward base member 16 while S the outer distal corners 79 and 81 of respective de~i~boards 12 and 1~ move inwardly towards the other demi-board as shown in Figure 3A. The apex intersecting line ~15 (see Fi~ures 3B and 5) of the said planes is in nonparallel orientation with respact to the plane of base member 16 whenever demi-boards 12 and 14 are not in the retracted or lowered position. ~ntersecting line 115 will intersect with the plane of base member 16 at a point in space 116 on the distal side of keyboard 10 with respect to the user. Point 116 will move closer to base member 16 as demi-boards 12 and 1~ are raised.

When demi-boards 12 ~nd 14 are positioned correct]Ly, the ~ace of the keys are in generally optimal orientation for use by encouraging opposed positioning of .the user's fingertips in such a manner so as to orient the wri~ts and elbows of the user in a generally neutral position in virtual linear alignment, without bending the wrists with respect to the forearm, with minimal ulnar deviation and minimal flexion of these joints.
-. The range of adjustability between the~retracted, . or :flat position and the most extended, tetrahedral : .position, allows the~ keyboard to- enhance postural ~ ^performance for a wide range of anatomical variation of users and for a wide rahge of variation of` settings`in .~.. which the keyboards might be used. ~

.. Referring to Figures lB and 3B, the keys on --demi-boards 12 and 14 initiate electrical signal indicative of the depression of a particular key through conventional switch means connected to each key. This signal i6 directed to the electronic device by means of multiple cable 220 connecting cables from the keys of demi-board 12 .

~WO93/010~ PCT/CA92/00298 ' Zi~ o2 -16- ~ ~ to base ~ember 16 and cable 222 connecting cable~ from the keye on right demi-board 14 with ba~e ~ember a6. Cables 220 and 222 are, in turn, ~onnected with cable 224 whi6h, in turn, i8 conne~ted to ~able output jACk 226 which may be ;S connected to a cable (not ~hown) connected to the electronic device. Cables 22G ~nd 222 have su~ficient slzck to permit unimped2d rotation of demi boards 12 and 1 from ~he flat, retracted po ition to the most extended, tetrahedral position. Note that cables Z20 and 222 are close to respective pivot rotation axi6 ~crews 26 and 28 to ;cause minimal required movement of cables 220 and 222 when ''demi-boards 12 and 14 are moved ~rom the retracted to an ;,extended position.
.....
. 15 The keys on demi-boards 12 and 1~ are genexally j utilizecl by experienced typists through tactile location of a relev~mt key. Other keys on keyboard 10, including keys 40, 4Z ~md ~4 are generally vifiually located by user~ and would be partially o~scured when the demi-boards 12 and 1 are raiæed, if these keys were to be placed on demi-boards 12 and 14. In order to facilitate vifiual identification, keys ~0, ~2 and 4~ are located on base member 16 and are not raised on the raising of demi-boards 12 and .
The control key, alt key and ~hift keys are an , exception in that, due to the relatively fre~uently use of I the e keys by computer users, many users will strike these keys through tactile feedback, while other users will use visual identification. In order to satisfy both users' ` 30 requirements, a rowlof keys 172 has been provided.: ROW! 172 I includes a second adjacent row of control key, shift key I : and alt key. Row 172 is not xaised or moved ~ith the : rai~ing or movement of de~i-boards 12 and 1~. The adjacent control, shift and alt keys are located on demi-board 12 and do move with demi-board 12. Figure lA shows the adjusted pos~tion of adjacent key~ when de~i-board 12 i8 in the flat position and Figure 3A shows the positioning of these keys when demi-board 12 is in the raised position.

-W~093/010~ i- PCT/~A92/00298 ~
~1~2~2 ~
-17- -. , An extended width backslash key 174 i8 al o provided adjacent the upper l#~t hand corner of keyboard . . 10. Backsla6h key ~74 i8 located on base member 1~ and '~ remain~ horizontal irrespective of demi-board 12 position.
As the backsla h key is a com~only used key in DOS comp~ter operation thii enlarged back~lash key facilitates locating and striking the backslash key.

. As an optional element each of the control, alt ,! 10 and shift keys may be colour coded to further distingui~h ~ and identify thecie keys. For example, Word Per~ect i~ software system provides for green colour coding of the shift key, red colour-coding for the control key and blue colour-coding for the alt key. This colour codiny assists the user in identifying the proper key ~equences to be struck ~o cause the software program to perform a particular ~unction. Keyboard lO can include a green shift key, a .red control key and a blue alt key in accordance wit:h th~s software. . -I As seen in Figures lA and 3A, keyboard lO also .. ~..includes indicator 176 which provides a gauge of horizontal rotation angles ~or demi-boards 12 and 1~. Coloured marker 178 moves longitudinally along opening 180 in indicator ~76. ~As seen in Figure 3A marker 178 is connected to housing~30 and moves with movement of housing 30.
Numerical references on indi~ator 176 are scaled such that lateral movement of housing 30 will cause marker 178 to :align with the corresponding angle indicator number on indicator 176.. In this way the user may rotate knob 4!6 to ~a pre-determined angled position as indicated on indicator : 176~ and:~thereby re-position demi-boards-12 and 14 in a desired and reproducible position with respect to base member 16. :
.
Referring to Figures lA, 8 and 11, latch I82 retains demi-boards 12 and 1~ in the lowered, flat position. Figure 8 shows t-bar support member 82 lying ;~

W093/010~ : PCT/CA92/00298~
~ 1-2~~ -18- ~
flat again~t bace member 16. Biasing ~pring 184 is ~ connected between t-bar support ~2 and flange 18C o~ member .
i 16 to bias ~-bar support.82 away from ~mber 16, Spring :~
J, 184 biases t-bar support ~2 ~o an angul ar, non-horizontal . .
.1~ 5 position to facilitate upward adjus~ment of demi-boards 12 .. . ...
, and 14 from the lowered, flat position. :-~
' ,~' . :''.:
Referring to Figure ll, latch 182 incorporates .
, manual actuable member 188 slidable horizontally in the . :
., 10 direction of arrow 190 to unlatch demi-board 1~. This~:
horizontal movement permits spring 184 to bias t-bar.~
'~ support 82 away from base member l C thereby initia~ing the ::
rise of demi-boards 12 and 1~ from the flat or retracted .. ~ ~.
position. ~ember 188 includes spring 192 which biases .: .
15 latch 188 in the latched position against holding flange - .. .:.
~94. Extended portion 196 of member ~88 extends over ~ :~
lateral flange 198 of demi-board 12 to retain demi-board 12 :~
~; in the flat position against the bias of spring 18 Movement of member 188 in the direction of arrow 190 ...
20 against spring 192 will permit ~lange I98 to rise past ~:~
i extended portion 196. Lip ~200 on member 188 contacts hold~ng flange 19~ to prevent excessive biasing of-~ember 188 by spring 192.
, - , .
,. .
~ 25 ~ . . When demi-boards 12 and 14 have been adjusted I downward to the retracted position using knob ~6, . demi-boards 12 and 1~ ~ay be secured and locked in the :~
fully~retracted:.position. Downward pressure by the user on -demi-boards 12 and 1~ or on t-bar support 82, will cause :~
t-bar~support 82, and demi-boards 12 and 14, to be loc.~ed .
: . ~into the ~lat~or retracted position.

S~ace Bar ;~
,-- :
: 35The space bar of the present invention will now :
be discussed~with particular reference to Figures lB, 4 and 9. Figure lB shows space bar 20 split in two halYes; left half 22 and right half 24. When demi-boards 12 and 14 are . . . :-. ,~: ~., ~093/0l~ PCT/CA92/002g8 19 21~2~02 ;.
in the retrac~ed, ~la~ position, space bar 20, incorporatinq halves 22 and 2~ acti~ated by the user in .` the same manner as a space bar a~tivated on any ~ono-plane -` keyboard~ The u ~r simply deprs~ses either hal of halves 22 and 2~ downward~y in the direction of base member lC, in .~, order to signal the electronic dsvice that a ~pace should be inserted. Space bar 20 i8 positioned on demi-boards 12 and 14 in relatively the same position with respeGt to the , other keys as in a conventional keyboard to minimize ., 10 adaptation by users who are familiar with standard computer :' keyboards.
, . . .
'~3 Referring to Figure 4, demi-boards 12 and 1~ are i shown i.n the raised tetrahedral position supported by T-bar :' 15 support 82. On raising of demi-bsards 12 and 14, which 3 splits demi-boards 12 and 1~, separation of halves 22 and 24 occur~. This permits the user to activate .a space signal upon depression of either half 22 or half 2~ with either the left or right hand. A downward depression, in the direction substantially of T-bar support 82 will cause a signal representing a space to be sent to the relevant ~ ~ ~
connected electronic device (not shown). ~
. . . . .
As seen in Figure 4, once demi-boards 12 and 14 25 are raised from a horizontal position, lower faces:122 and 124 of respective halves 22 and 2~ i~ exposed to ~iew and 3 ~ may~be~contacted by the thumb of the user.-- Advantageously,.space bar~halves 22:and 2~ may al80 be activated by upward 1 . pressure from below against faces 122 or 12~ to cause a 30 spa~e ~ignal to ~b,e sent. In addition,~on raising~of ~: demi-~oards 12 and.l~ from the horizontal position, medial ,-. faces 12~ and 128 and notches.ll~ and 120 of halYes-22 and .24 respectively, are also: exposed for contact with the ~thumb of a user. The user may place either or both thumbs on faces 126 and 128 respectively and push downwardly in ¦ the direction of arrow 130 or 131 with sufficient pressure to cause a space signal to be sent. Similarly, sufficient thumb pressure on surfaces 122 or 124 in the direction of , W093tO10~ PCT/CA92/00298 ` ~
~ 4 -20- ;:
arrows 13~ or 135 will cause a sp~ce signal to be sent. As dis~ussed above, activation of space bar halves 22 or 2~
can also occur through conve~tional downward pres.ure on space bar halves 22 or 2d in the diraction of arrows 138 or , 5 139.

^~ The activation of a signal representing a space, '. through manipulation of pace bar halves 22 and 2~, will be `,, discussed with particular reference to Figure 9, which is , 10 a close-up representation of a portion of space bar half :~ 24. Space bar half 24 is connected to lower surface 9~
'j, (Figure 5) of demi-board 14 by means of an L-shaped hinge 2. Hinge 142 includes extension 1~4 having an outer . cylindrical contact surface 1~6 which contacts surface 98 as space bar half 24 is moved in either the directions~of arrows 135 or 139 as hinge 1~2 pivots about hinge axis 1~8.
Extension 144 extends distally along surface 98 to extend ! the pivot radius of hinge 142. This le~gthened radius provides a straighter upward or downward move~ent of half j 20 2~ in directions of arrows ~135 or ~13g respectively as . compared to a hinge of lessier radius. ~his provides a ~ubstantially.linear movement of hinge 142 in eith-r of . directions 135 and 139, thereby more accurately simulating the straight downward movement of a space bar of a standard ¦ 25 keyboard.

. - Activation of~ electronic signals~ to the .~ electronic:device attached ~o the keyboard is initiated by .contact of space bar half 24 with one of upper switch 150, ~30 ~lateral siwitch. 152i and lower switch 15~ (Figure 9)~
Switches ~150, 152 and.154 are connected through standard electric cabling in conjunction with~respective cables 220 and~222 and through cables:22:4~and jack 226 to the input of the:~electronic device,~in the same manner as previously discussed concerning key activation above.

Each switch 150, 152 and 154 includes button 156 which is depressed in order to send an electrical signal to . . .

:W093J010~ PCT/CA92/00298 ~12~02 . -21-the electro~ic device. Hinge 1~ includes lateral flange 158 extending laterally from perpendicular hinge arm 160.
Flange 158 is positioned equidi6tant b~tween switches lSo and 154 with a similar distance between switch ~52 and adjacent face of flange 158. Upon movement of space bar 24 in the direction of arrow 135, contact with button ~56 of switch 150 will occur and button 156 will be depressed to send a signal corresponding to a space to the electronic device. Movement of space bar half 2~ in the direction of !j 10arrow 139 will cause flange ~5~ to contact button 156 of switch 15~, thereby causing an electrical signal corresponding to a space to be sent to the electronic device. Alternately, movement of space bar 2~ laterally in ;
3 .~ the direction of arrow 131 will cause flange 158 to contact butto~ 156 of switçh 152, thereby also causing an electrical signal indicative of a space, to be sent to the : :
electronic device. In order to facilitate lateral movement of space bar half 2~ in the direction of arrow 131, hinge openings 162 are larger than the corresponding loop : ~:
20 fastener (not shown) which attaches hinge ~42 to surface 98 : :
.. (Figure 4). The additional spaces in openings 162 permit lateral movement of hinge 1~2 in the direction of arrow 131 ~ ;:
on lateral pressure being applied on space bar half 24. ;~ :~
. :.'':,~.'.
: ~
25As an. additional feature, in order to prevent dirt and other foreign materials ~from being deposited adjacent :switches 150, 152 and 154 or on flange: 158, housing 164 supports switches 50, 152, and 154 and keeps foreign: material away from the contact surfaces thereof.
As seen in Figure 4, hinge 142 also includes cover flange . :166 movable with hinge~142 to provide additional covering .of flange 158 and switches: 150,~ 152 and lsi.i A
predetermined space exists between housing 16~ and flange 166 to permit lateral movement of space bar half 2~ in the 35direction of arrow 131 in order to activate switch 152.
Housing 164 is attached to demi-board 1~ with sufficient space between housing 164 and arm 160 to permit pivotal ' WO93/0l0~ PCT/CA92/00298 2 ~ 2 -22 motion of hînge ~2 about pivot axis 148 as hinge 1~2 is moved in either of the directions 135 and 139.

It is common to reassign keys on the keyboard ~! 5 with other designations de~ermined by the user. Users ~ay prefer to have certain key~ which they commonly use in a more accessible position on a keyboard. Space bar 20, by splitting into two components is particularly suited for redesignation by the user. As is commonly known, the thumb 10 of the user is considered to be the most dexterous of the digits. On this keyboard the thumb is used to activate each space bar half ~2 and 24 in a~y of three directions via separate electronic switches. Using appropriate firmwa~e for keyboard 10, users may program into keyboard 15 10 appropriate alternate designations to one or both spacebar halves 22 and 2~. With such modification the user , may use the left hand thumb, for example, to actuate a space signal and the right hand thumb on space bar half 2 ~1 to activate a signal aorresponding to a }etter, number,-. , . . ~ .
j 20 cursor~movement, or ~ther desig~ation pro~rammed in by the u~er. Similarly, it is also possible to program alternate ~; designations for each directional movement of space bar halve~ 22 or 24. In this way, the user may wish to ft designate, for example, downward movement on either or both halves, 22 and 24 in the direction of arrows 138 and 139 as initiating a space signal. The lateral movement in the direation of arrows ~30 and 13 may be programmed with some other designatlon, and movement in the direction of arrows 13~ and 135 may be assigned with yet another designation.
30 ~In this way the thumbs of a~user may be put to more efficient use in facilitating typing or initiation of I various "macro" commands progr mmed into keyboard 10 or the ¦ electronic device.

35 ~ In order to maintain halves 22 and 2~ in a normal position with the upper face 170 in general coplanar orientation with respect to the keys on demi-boards 12 and 1~, springs (not shown) are provided to encircle each .~ ~093/01~ PCT~CA92~00298 .. . .
-23- 21 ~2~2 , button on switches 150, 152 and 15~. The ~pring~ extend to .~ contact the facing side of flange 15~ to maintain flange s; 158 in a generally normal position betwe~n switchec 150, ~52 and 15~. Springs (not shown) are depressed upon movement of hinge 142 in either of the directions 131, ~35 ., and 139 in order to activate switche6 ~52, q50 and 15~
-l respactively. ; :

"! Hand Rests ~
'' 10 ,, :,;
The hand rests of the present invention will now be discussed with particular reference to Figures lA and 10. As seen in Figure lA hand rest 201 is connected to the :~ ~
proximate side of base member 16 by a pair of screws 202 :~ .
extending vertically from beneath base member 16. Hand rest 20~L may be removed from keyboard lo by removing screws 202. Hand rest 201 includes support 204 extending longitudinally for a portion of the length of base member 16. Support 204 includes a pair of aligned longitudinal ~ 20 810ts 206 and a corresponding pair of rest members 208 for I resting the hands of a user. ~embers 208 are slidable I along slots 206 for iateral adjustment.
As seen in Figure 10 rest members 208 are contoured with their highest point being g~nerally toward the centre of support 20~; Referring to Figure 10, each rest member 208 is connected to ~upport 20~ by flange 210 having a plurality o~ Iongitudinal grooves 210 on a face thereof. Securing ~crew 212 extends from grooves 210 to - 30 secure rest members 208 at a position selected by the us~r.i As~seen in Figure 12, securing screw 212 extends ~:
~' through securing member 214 which is moveable horizontally ~ within support 204 and which contains grooved portions 216 for mating with grooves 210. When securing screw 212 is loocened, handrest 208 can be rai~ed or lowered manually to ~ :.
the desired height. The tightening of securing screw 212 ;:
will cause grooves 216 to mate with grooves 210 thereby ~ WO93/0l0~ PCT/CA92/00298 . , . ~. , ~ , - ~
.,, , ~. ~, . .
~ ~llZ 40~ -24-preventing upward or do~nward movament of res~ member 208.
When ~crew 212 ic tightened to a predetermined point, but ; not completely tightened, suffiaient ~ree-play will exit ; to permi~ lateral movement of re~t members 208 while `' 5 preventing upward or do~nward movement o~ rest members 208.
In this way, the user can first adjust the height of rest members 208 and then adjust the width of the rest members once the height adjustment has been made. The width adjustment can then be made without cau~ing alteration of 10 the height adju~tment.

v The optimal size of hand rest 20B support surface ` is approximately 52 millimetres proximal-distally and 59 i millimetres in the lateral direction. As can be 15 appreciated, the positioning of slot 206, and the corresponding position of hand rest 20~ with respect to ~l keyboard 10, may be set at a ~ariety of pre-determined positionr,. Preferably, the distal edges of hand rests 208 are positioned approximately 75 millimetres from the ! 20 horizontal axis at the centre of the key row containing the F and J keys. The distance between each hand rest is about ~6 millimetres, when hand rests 208 are in clo~est proximity with each other, and about 90 millimetres when ¦ hand rests 208 are separated the maximum distance permitted 2S by ~lots 206. As well, the preferable distance between the ! top of the contour of hand rest 208 and the base of hand rest 208 is 17.5 millimetres. The top of hand rest 208 is between~5 and 10 mm. higher than the height of the key contact points of the F and J keys when keyboard ~0 is in 30 its flat, retracted posi~ion. A variety of upward and downward positioning of hand rest 208 is required to accommodate the differing hand positicns dictated by the range of demi-board adjustments permitted by k~yboard 10.
The following are suggested positioning from the zero 35 position in which base of hand rest 208 is essentially coplanar with the upper proximal face of base member 16 with successive raised positions of the base of the hand rest from the upper surface of base member 16~

i:

'3: . :
;~

3 ` ~

;~ ' , , ' ~'' ,.
. ' , `'~
,i , ~ . . ~, ,.

25~ U
s~,nçe ~ from Ba~e:~
~ ~ : :
1 ~ :: 5 ~m 2 ~ 9 mm : ~ :
: 5 3 13 mm :
: ; 4 17 mm ~ :

3~The choice for ~6-1~ctLon of height and~ width *o r hand~re~sts~ 208 will ~in :pa~t~ depeind~ ~upon :~he: indiividual 10~ ~an~atoy of l:he ~user~ and~ upon ~the spatial relationqhips of the~ helght ~of 1:he user, whel:heir standing or eated, to the ~:`
: h-ight~ of thè supporting surftce orl whlich keyboard 10 is placed ~when in use. ~

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An adjustable keyboard for data entry (10) including left and right demi-boards (12, 14) pivotally connected to base member (16), left and right demi-boards (12, 14) include a plurality of user activated keys extending away from base member (16), left and right demi-boards (12, 14) moveable between a retracted position co-planar with base member (16) and an extended position in non-co-planar alignment with base member (16), base member (16) including a distal side (19) intended for orientation away from a user and a proximate side (21) intended for orientation adjacent a user, the base member (16) defining a base plane therethrough, the first demi-board (12) defining a first demi-board plane therethrough and a second demi-board (14) defining a second demi-board plane therethrough, the keyboard (10) being characterized by:

(a) the first and second demi-boards (12, 14) being constrained with respect to said base member (16) for pivotal movement in respective first and second pre-determined arcs between the retracted and extended positions;

(b) when in the extended position the planes of base member (16), first demi-board (12) and second demi-board (14) form a tetrahedral shape wherein:
(i) the distal side of the first demi-board (12) is located closer to the second demi-board (14) than the proximate side of the first demi-board (12);
(ii) the planes of the first and second demi-boards (12, 14) each intersect with the plane of the base member (16) to form an acute angle (75);

(iii) the planes of the first and second demi-boards (12, 14) intersect with each other at an apex intersecting line (115) in non-parallel alignment with the plane of base member (16); and (iv) the planes of the first and second demi-boards (12, 14) and of the base member (16) intersect with each other at an intersecting point in space (116) beyond the distal side (19) of base member (16).

2. A keyboard as described in claim 1, further characterized in that:
(a) the horizontal rotation angle (77) being the angle between outer end of base member (16) and the outer end of either demi-board, is between about 0° and 30°; and (b) the elevation angle (75), being the angle between the plane of base member (16) and the plane of either demi-board (12 or 14) is between 0° and 60°.

3. A keyboard as described in claim 2, further characterized in that the rotation angle (77) is about 1°
and the elevation angle (75) is about 10°.

4. A keyboard as described in claim 2, further characterized in that the rotation angle (77) is about 2°
and the elevation angle (75) is about 20°.

5. A keyboard as described in claim 2, further characterized in that the rotation angle (77) is about 7°
and the elevation angle (75) is about 30°.

6. A keyboard as described in claim 2, further characterized in that the rotation angle (77) is about 16°
and the elevation angle (75) is about 40°.

7. A keyboard as described in claim 2, further characterized in that the rotation angle (77) is about 26°
and the elevation angle (75) is about 50°.

8. A keyboard as described in claim 1, further characterized in that the keys are oriented in rows extending longitudinally along each demi-board (12, 14) said keys in each row being offset with respect to keys in adjacent rows, a distance of about 1/2 a key width and the first and second demi-boards (12, 14), further include inner edges (112, 114) adjacent one another when said demi-boards (12, 14) are in the retracted position, the inner edges (112, 114) being offset to correspond with the offset of key rows.

9. A keyboard as described in claim 1, further characterized in that the first demi-board (12) rotates laterally about a first rotation axis (26) located adjacent the proximate side (21) of the base member (16) the first rotation axis (26) being perpendicular to the plane of the base member (16) and the second demi-board (14) rotates laterally about a second rotation axis (28) located adjacent the proximate side (21) of the base member (16), the second rotation axis (28) being perpendicular to the plane of the base member (16).

10. A keyboard as described in claim 9, further characterized in that the first demi-board (12) rotates vertically about a first rise axis (60) adjacent the first rotation axis (26) the first rise axis (60) being parallel with the plane of the base member (16) and the second demi-board (14) rotates vertically about a second rise axis (62) adjacent the second rotation axis (28), the second rise axis (62) being parallel with the plane of the base member (16).

11. A keyboard as described in claim 1, further characterized in that the first demi-board (12) rotates about a first angular axis being an acute angle with respect to the plane of the base member (16) and the second demi-board (14) rotates about a second angular axis being an acute angle with respect to the plane of the base member (16).

12. A keyboard as described in claim 1, further characterized in that the first demi-board (12) includes first lateral constraining means (72, 74) for constraining movement of the outer distal corner (79) of the first demi-board (12) laterally in a plane parallel with the plane of the base member (16), and wherein the second demi-board (14) further comprises second lateral constraining means (78, 76) for constraining movement of the outer distal corner (81) of the second demi-board (14) laterally in a plane parallel with the plane of the base member (16).

13. A keyboard as described in claim 2, further characterized in that the first lateral constraining means (72, 74) includes a first helix screw (32) rotatably connected to the keyboard (10) and extending longitudinally along the keyboard (10) and screw contacting means (30) for contacting the first helix screw (32) and for lateral movement along the first helix screw (32) on rotation of the first helix screw (32) and the second lateral constraining means (72, 76) includes a second helix screw (36) rotatably connected to the keyboard (10) and extending longitudinally along the keyboard (10) and screw contacting means (34) for contacting the second helix screw (36) and for lateral movement along the second helix screw (34) on rotation of the second helix screw (34).

14. A keyboard as described in claim 13, further characterized in that the first and second helix screws (32, 34) are joined together and wherein the screw blades (50) of the first helix screw (32) are in the opposite direction to the screw blades (52) of the second helix screw (36).

15. A keyboard as described in claim 1, further characterized in that the keyboard (10) includes indicator means (176) for indicating the extent of horizontal position of first demi-board (12), the indicator means (176) comprising locating means (178, 180) for locating the lateral position of the outer distal corner (79) of the first demi-board (12) with respect to the base member (16).

16. A keyboard as described in claim 15, further characterized in that the locating means (178, 180) comprises a visual indicator revealing the position of the outer distal corner (79) of the first demi-board (12) with respect to the base member (16).

17. A keyboard as described in claim 1, further characterized in that the keyboard (10) includes a spacebar means (22, 24) for indicating a space, located on the proximate side (25) of each of the first and second demi-boards (12, 14).

18. A keyboard as described in claim 1, further comprising hand resting means (201) for resting the hand of a user, the hand resting means (201) located at the proximate side (21) of base member (16) and being connected thereto.

19. A keyboard as described in claim 1, further characterized in that the keys include colour coded control key, shift key and alt key.

20. A keyboard as described in claim 1, further characterized in that keyboard (10) includes supporting means (82) for supporting the inner sides (96, 98) of the first and second demi-boards (12, 14) and for joining the first and second demi-boards (12, 14), the supporting means (82) being rotatably attached to the base member (16) for lateral movement about a support rotation axis (94) extending longitudinally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the base member (16), the supporting means (82) extendable from a retracted position in which the support means (82) is positioned horizontally and an extended position in which the supporting means (82) extends at an angle with respect to the base member (16).

21. A keyboard as described in claim 20, further characterized in that the supporting means (82) includes first contact means (90, 92) for contacting and supporting the first demi-board (12) and second contact means (90, 92) for contacting and supporting the second demi-board (14), the first and second contact means (90, 92) being in parallel alignment with the plane of the base member (16).

22. A keyboard as described in claim 20, further characterized in that the supporting means (82) is rotatably connected to each demi-board (12, 14) and the distance between the F and J keys of a QWERTY keyboard layout is between about 57 millimetres and 95 millimetres throughout the range of positions of the first and second demi-boards (12, 14) from the retracted to the fully extended positions.

23. A keyboard as described in claim 20, further characterized in that the supporting means (82) is biased in the extended position and wherein the base member (16) further comprises latch means (182) for latching said supporting means (82) in the retracted position, the biasing of the supporting means (82) extending the supporting means (82) from the retracted position on release of the latch means (182).

24. A keyboard as described in claim 20, further characterized in that the demi-boards (12, 14) are connected to the supporting means (82) by ball and socket joint (90, 100).

25. A keyboard as described in claim 1, further characterized in that the keys include a first control key, a first shift key and a first alt key located on demi-boards (12, 14) and a second control key, second shift key and second alt key located on base member (16).

26. A spacebar (20) for a data entry keyboard (10), the keyboard (10) having a pair of demi-boards (12, 14) containing data entry keys, said demi-boards (12, 14) extending from a base member (16), and being pivotable about an axis adjacent the outer side of said demi-boards (12, 14) to a raised position, wherein the demi-boards (12, 14) extend at an acute angle from the base member (16), the spacebar (20) being characterized by:

(a) a pair of manually actuable platforms (22, 24) for user contact pivotably connected to each demi-board (12, 14) about a longitudinal pivot axis (148), the platforms (22, 24) having a normal position when no user contact occurs and the platforms (22, 24) connected for pivotal movement about the longitudinal pivot axis (148) and for slidable movement along said longitudinal pivot axis (148) in a direction toward said outer side of demi-boards (12, 14) from the normal position; and (b) signal actuating means (156) connected to the demi-boards (12, 14) for actuating a signal upon movement of either of platforms (22, 24) about the pivot axis (148) in either direction from the normal position to a pre-determined position or upon said slidable movement to a pre-determined position, the signal indicative of the activation of spacebar (20).

27. A spacebar (20) as described in claim 26, further characterized in that spacebar (20) includes designation means for designating key functions activated by movement of either of the platforms (22, 24) about the pivot axis (148) in either direction from the normal position to a pre-determined position, or upon the slidable movement to a pre-determined position.

28. A spacebar (20) as described in claim 27, further characterized in that platforms (22, 24) are contoured (118, 120, 126, 128) to facilitate contact with the user's thumbs.

29. A spacebar (20) as described in claim 26, further characterized in that spacebar (20) includes housing means (164) for housing signal actuating means (156).

30. A hand rest (201) for a data entry keyboard (10), the hand rest (201) including hand contacting means (208), mounting means (210, 212, 214) for mounting the hand contacting means (20) to the keyboard (10), the mounting means (210, 212, 214) including height adjusting means (210) for adjusting the vertical distance between the hand contacting means (208) and the keyboard (10) and with adjusting means (212, 214) for adjusting the horizontal distance between the hand contacting means (208) and a line laterally bisecting the keyboard (115), the hand rest (201) being characterized by:

(a) hand contacting means (208) contoured in cross-section with a raised portion off-set from the center of the hand contacting means (208) towards the line laterally bisecting the longitudinal axis of the keyboard (115) when in use and with a lowered portion connected to the raised portion on the side of the hand contacting means (208) opposite the line laterally bisecting the longitudinal axis of the keyboard (115) when in use.

31. A hand rest (201) as described in claim 30, further characterized in that the hand rest (201) includes guiding means (206) for guiding the width adjusting means (212, 214) and securing means (212) for securing the height adjusting means (210) and the width adjusting means (212, 214).

32. A hand rest (201) as described in claim 31, further characterized in that the hand rest (201) is removable from the keyboard (10).

33. A hand rest (201) as described in claim 31, further characterized in that the securing means (212) includes height adjusting securing means (210, 212) and width adjusting securing means (212, 214), the height adjusting securing means (210, 212) and the width adjusting securing means (212, 214) securing width adjustment and height adjustment, respectively, of the hand contacting means (208).

34. A hand rest (201) as described in claim 33, further characterized in that the height adjusting securing means (210, 212) and the width adjusting securing means (212, 214) are activated on application of different securing pressure applied on the hand contacting means (208).

35. A keyboard (10) as described in claim 1, further characterized in that keyboard (10) includes demi-board connecting means (82) for connecting the first and second demi-boards (12, 14) for symmetrical movement of the demi-boards (12, 14) when moved between the retracted and extended positions of the demi-boards (12, 14).

36. A keyboard (10) as described in claim 35, further characterized in that the connecting means (82) is rotatably connected to the base member (16) for rotational movement about an axis (94) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base member (16).

37. A keyboard (10) as described in claim 36, further characterized in that the first demi-board includes first lateral constraining means (72, 74) for constraining movement of the outer distal corner (79) of the first demi-board (12) laterally in a plane parallel with the plane of the base member (16) and the second demi-board (14) includes second lateral constraining means (76, 78) for constraining movement of the outer distal corner (81) of the second demi-board (14) laterally in a plane parallel with the plane of the base member (16).