WO1984000518A1

WO1984000518A1 - Keyboard for terminals, typewriters and the like

Info

Publication number: WO1984000518A1
Application number: PCT/SE1983/000284
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Kenneth Ryan
Original assignee: Ericsson Telefon Ab L M
Priority date: 1982-07-28
Filing date: 1983-07-28
Publication date: 1984-02-16
Also published as: SE431955B; SE8204482L; SE8204482D0

Abstract

A keyboard for terminals, typewriters and the like, where the keys (1) are arranged in rows. In order to suit the position of the keys to a desired hand attitude the keys in each row are arranged on a bed (2) associated with the respective row. The horizontal projection of the bed has variable length by having the shape of the bed variable. The central portion of the bed may accordingly be given a desired height in relation to its end portions.

Description

KEYBOARD FOR TERMINALS, TYPEWRITERS AND THE LIKE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a keyboard for terminals, typewriters and the like, where the keys are arranged in rows.

BACKGROUND ART

In keyboards of the most usual type, the keys are arranged in rows at different heights like stairs. This form is simple as a design but does not take ^anv ergonomic aspects into consideration.

Fixed keyboards have the disadvantage that they can not be adjusted to obtain a suitable working posture of the body. There have been several proposals for improving the keyboard from the ergonomic aspect. According to an earlier solution, the slope of the keyboard is varied about an axis parallel to the platen, and in another solution the keyboard is divided into two sloping, halves. A design with keys of different heights has also been proposed to obtain a comfortable attitude for the hand.

The known apparatus is complicated and expensive in manufacture, however, while it does not enable simple adjustment of the keyboard to the position of the hand most comfortable for the user.

The object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable keyboard which may be suited to the operator for reducing bodily strains of both short and long duration, as well as enabling more rapid work. The work is then subjectively experienced by the operator as having become more comfortable

DISCLOUSURE OF THE INVENTION

This problem is solved in accordance with the invention by the rows of keys each being placed on a bed deformation of which enabling change in th length of the horizontal projection of the key row.

OMFI Z°to The invention is characterized as disclosed in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in detail below with the aid of an embodiment with referece to the accompanying drawing, whereon

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of a keyboard in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through a bed according to a first embodiment.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section throuth a bed according to a second embodiment and, Figure 4 illustrates a common displacement means for all the beds.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the keys 1 are arranged on a bed 2 common to the respective row, the beds in turn being placed in slots 3 in a common support 4. The keys are represented by blocks ith electrical contacts conventionally closing electric circuits on actuation of the keys. The figure only illustrates the principle for placing the keys and their beds," but not the constructi of the beds. Let it be supposed that the beds are of the type illustrated in Figure 2, which have bar shape and consist of elastically deformable material. Figure 2 illustrates a longitudinal section of a bed 2, and a support 4.in which the bed is laterally retained by the walls of the slot 3. In the longitudinal direction, it is retained with the aid of a hinge 5 and a screw 6, engaging a screwed sleeve 12 in the elastic bed. By turning the screw 6, the end of the bed 2 will be displaced so that the central portion thereof is raised by electric deformation, as indicated by dashed lines. It will be seen that deforming the bar-like bed in this way the keys can be given a desired position. Figure 3 illustrates a bed in accordance with a second embodiment. The bar-like bed ^consists her of two halves of stiff material. connected to each other at a hinge point 7, their other ends being attached to the support 4 via hinge points 9 and "10. When the two halves are urged together with the aid of a screw 6, corresponding to the screw according to Figure 2, the two halves will form an angle with each other, varying according to the degree to which they have been urged together. The same effect may, of course, be achieved if the bed consists of an elastic material that has been weakened at the hinge point 7. It is also possible to provide an angular change by exercising a bending moment on the end of one of the halves. In a plan view and a side view. Figure 4 illustrates a common displacement means for the beds 3, consisting of a slide 10, diplaceable in two guides 11,12 and provided with a screw 16, which also engages a thread 17 and in a hole 20 in a frame 18, of which only a vertical wall is shown. The beds 3 are connected to the displacement means 10 with the aid of hinges 19. The same position change for all the key rows can be achieved by the common displacement means.

OMPI

Claims

1. A keyboard for terminals, typewriters and the like, where the keys are arranged in rows and consist of individual electrical contact means, characterized in that for enabling suiting the position of the keys (1) to a desired hand attitude, the keys in each row are arranged on a bai—like bed (2) associated with the respective row, there being adjustment means (6,12) disposed for approaching or removing the ends of anoptional bed, so that the horizontal projection of the bed obtains variable length and its central portion obtains a desired height in relat to its end portions.

2. Keyboard as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the adjustment means (6,12) are disposed such as to exercise pressure in the bed in its longitudinal direction, on at least one of ^"the end_points of the bed (2).

3. Keyboard as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bed consists of elastic material subjected to elastic deformation such that its central portion is raised when the adjustment means (6,12) exercise pressure on its end points.

4. Keyboard as claimed in claim 1, charazterized in that the bed (2) consits of hingeably connected halves, the connection point (7) of which is raised or lowered to provide the desired setting when pressure" is exercised on at least one of the ends..

5. Keyboard as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the halves are lowered or raised by a torque being exercised on at least one of the halves.

6. Keyboard as claimed in any of claims 4-5, characterized in that the hingeably connected halves are rigid.

7. Keyboard as claimed in any of claims 4-5, characterized in that the bed consists of elasticly deformable material, the h.inge point being formed by a weakening of the material cross-section.

- JRE OMPI

8. Keyboard as claimed in any of the preceding claims, charaterized in that the beds are eonnected, at least at one end, to a common adjusting means (16).

O PI