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(11) | EP 1 003 188 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Ergonomic computer keyboard |
| (57) 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. |