Typewriting machines – Key-board or key lever-actuating mechanism – Key-cap or key-stem structure
Patent
1998-03-18
1999-09-14
Burr, Edgar
Typewriting machines
Key-board or key lever-actuating mechanism
Key-cap or key-stem structure
400472, B41J 508
Patent
active
059511796
ABSTRACT:
A method of operating a keyboard assembly for a personal computer. In one embodiment, the keyboard assembly has a housing and an actuator coupled to the housing. The housing may have an elongated front edge, an elongated rear edge, a lower surface, and an upper surface. A plurality of keys may project from the upper surface of the housing. The actuator is coupled to the housing to rotate the housing about a rotational axis for changing the inclination of the housing and the keys during operation. For example, the actuator may continuously rotate the housing about a rotational axis during operation in a manner that causes a computer operator to continuously flex his/her wrists. In another embodiment, the housing may be attached to a separate base that has a bottom surface for resting on a support surface. The base may also have a top surface with a channel extending along the rotational axis that is defined by a curved surface with a circular cross-section. The housing may have a tube or a portion of cylindrical surface depending downward from its lower surface and running longitudinally across its lower surface to fit within the channel of the base. The actuator may be coupled to either the base or the housing to rotate the tube within the channel for changing the inclination of the housing. The actuators for rotating the housing may also have several embodiments. In one particular embodiment, an actuator has a motor attached to either the base or the housing, a shaft rotationally driven by the motor, and a wheel attached by the shaft to engage either the tube or the channel. The rotation of the wheel accordingly causes the housing to rotate with respect to the base.
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RCA Remote Model No. RTB 100, Top Isometric View.
RCA Remote Model No. RTB100, Bottom Isometric View.
Sejin Electron Inc., SWK-5697WT, Top Isometric View.
Sejin Electron Inc., SWK-5697WT, Bottom Isometric View.
SONY Playstation, Top Isometric View.
Burr Edgar
Micron Electronics Inc.
Nguyen Anthony H.
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