EP 1003188 A3 20010425 - Ergonomic computer keyboard
Title (en)
Ergonomic computer keyboard
Title (de)
Ergonomische Rechnertastatur
Title (fr)
Clavier d'ordinateur ergonomique
Publication
Application
Priority
US 19632698 A 19981119
Abstract (en)
[origin: EP1003188A2] A computer keyboard system 10 is illustrated having a keyboard array of keys 14 that are utilized for activating digital membrane keyswitches 32 for providing informational electrical signals to a computer. Each key 14 has an elastomeric dome 40 for resisting downward movement of a keytop 28, 50 from an un-depressed position to an actuation position and for returning the keytop 28, 50 to an un-depressed position when the actuation force is released. Each dome 40 has a collapsible side wall 44. The keys 14 are subdivided into groups 68, 70, 72, and 74 associated with the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger, respectively. The collapsible side walls 44 of the domes 40 associated with the little and ring fingers are thinner than the side walls 44 of the side walls associated with the index and middle fingers so that less force is required to actuate the keys in groups associated with the ring and little fingers than that required to actuate the keys in groups associated with the index and middle fingers. Additionally the forces required to actuate a group of peripheral and control keys is greater than thatrequired to actuate the alphabetical keys. <IMAGE>
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
H01H 13/705 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP)
H01H 13/705 (2013.01); H01H 2215/006 (2013.01); H01H 2217/044 (2013.01); H01H 2227/034 (2013.01)
Citation (search report)
- [Y] US 5801345 A 19980901 - MIKULA-CURTIS ANASTASIA M [US], et al
- [Y] EP 0518648 A2 19921216 - FUJITSU LTD [JP]
- [Y] WO 8503595 A1 19850815 - NPM INT [GB], et al
- [A] US 4602135 A 19860722 - PHALEN ROBERT F [US]
- [A] GB 2151405 A 19850717 - KOKOKU RUBBER IND
- [A] WO 9405027 A1 19940303 - KEY TRONIC CORP [US] & US 5329079 A 19940712 - ENGLISH GOERGE P [US], et al
Designated contracting state (EPC)
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
DOCDB simple family (publication)
DOCDB simple family (application)
EP 99302414 A 19990329