Typewriting machines – Key-board or key lever-actuating mechanism – Key-board arranged according to character location
Patent
1994-09-23
1997-08-26
Eickholt, Eugene H.
Typewriting machines
Key-board or key lever-actuating mechanism
Key-board arranged according to character location
361680, 3404072, 36470912, 400488, 400489, B41J 508
Patent
active
056604882
ABSTRACT:
An ergonomically improved, reduced size keyboard having a QWERTY keyboard layout allows maintenance of the same typing speed and accuracy associated with conventional keyboards. In one embodiment, the keys of the keyboard are divided into two sections, the sections being arranged to form a V-shape such that the centermost key in each row of each section approximately contacts the centermost key of the corresponding row in the other section. The V-shaped key layout allows the keyboard to maintain nearly all of the interkey spacing of a full-size keyboard while reducing overall keyboard width. The V-shaped key layout also alleviates wrist and finger strain that may otherwise occur during prolonged use of a keyboard. In another embodiment, further ergonomic improvement and size reduction of the keyboard is obtained by arcing each row of keys. Keys not on the row of home row keys are placed in the same positions relative to home row keys as found on a standard QWERTY keyboard. As a result, typists may switch easily between standard QWERTY keyboards and the keyboard according to the invention. A keyboard with a V-shaped keyboard layout and arced key rows according to the invention has a width 22.7% smaller than a typical full-size keyboard, while maintaining 95% of the interkey spacing. This keyboard according to the invention also has approximately the same width as a comparable reduced size keyboard, while increasing interkey spacing 18.75%.
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Eickholt Eugene H.
Gunnison Forrest E.
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