EP0268802A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Support arm for computer keyboard
Assignee: Wang Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1987-10-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A support arm (18) for supporting a computer keyboard (16) on an ordinary desk (10), the support arm (18) being capable of supporting the keyboard (16) at an ergonomically correct height during use in front of the desk (10) and storing the keyboard (16) out of the way beneath the desk (10) when not in use.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence M. Kuba
- 👤 David J. Privitera
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:35
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M13/00; A; A47; A47B; A47B21/00; A47B21/03; A47B21/0314; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/04; F16M11/06; F16M11/10; F16M11/20; F16M11/2007; F16M11/2035; F16M11/2064; A47B2021/0321; A47B2021/0335; A47B2021/0342; A47B2200/00; A47B2200/0084; A47B2200/0085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A support arm (18) for installing a computer keyboard (16) on an ordinary desk (10) or table, comprising a base (20) for detachably securing said support arm (18) to said ordinary desk (10), said base (20) having a clamping means (44) for clamping said base (20) to the edge of said desk (10), an arm member (24) extending horizontally from said base (20) at a height below the level of the underside of said desk (10), a keyboard support plate (22) at the keyboard end of said arm member (24), and a first rotatable joint (32) at said base (20) with means for permitting rotation of said arm member (24) about a first vertical axis, said rotation being sufficient to move said arm member (24) from a keyboard-stored position in which said keyboard (16) is positioned beneath said desk (10) to an operating position in which said keyboard (16) is exposed in front of said desk (10).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A support arm (18) for installing a computer keyboard (16) on an ordinary desk (10) or table, comprising a base (20) for detachably securing said support arm (18) to said ordinary desk (10), said base (20) having a clamping means (44) for clamping said base (20) to the edge of said desk (10), an arm member (24) extending horizontally from said base (20) at a height below the level of the underside of said desk (10), a keyboard support plate (22) at the keyboard end of said arm member (24), and a first rotatable joint (32) at said base (20) with means for permitting rotation of said arm member (24) about a first vertical axis, said rotation being sufficient to move said arm member (24) from a keyboard-stored position in which said keyboard (16) is positioned beneath said desk (10) to an operating position in which said keyboard (16) is exposed in front of said desk (10).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The support arm (18) of claim 1 further comprising a second rotatable joint (56,60) at the keyboard end of said arm member (24) with means for permitting rotation of said keyboard (16) about a second vertical axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The support arm (18) of claim 2 wherein said second rotatable joint (56,60) includes means for rotating said keyboard (16) about a horizontal axis of rotation to permit tilting the keyboard to a desired position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
131 words
The support arm (18) of claim 3 wherein said second rotatable joint comprises a member (56) fixed to the underside of said keyboard support plate (22) and having a first cylindrical surface (58), an intermediate member (62) having a second cylindrical surface (60) adapted to mate with said first cylindrical surface (58), said two cylindrical surfaces being adapted to provide said tilting rotation of said keyboard, a first horizontal bearing surface (64) on said arm member, a second horizontal bearing surface (66) on said intermediate member (62) and adapted to mate with said first horizontal bearing surface (64), said two bearing surfaces being adapted to provide said rotation about a second vertical axis, and means (80) (e.g., a bolt passing through said members) for clamping together said cylindrical and horizontal surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The support arm (18) of claim 4 wherein said cylindrical surfaces (58,60) are on members constructed of sufficiently different plastic material that said keyboard (16) can be tilted to a desired position and retain that position without further tightening or other adjustment of said joint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
The support arm (18) of claim 1 wherein said base (20) further comprises an upper clamping member (44) with a surface for gripping the upper surface of said desk, a central member (32) with a surface (42) for gripping the undersurface of said desk, a thread rod (48) to which said upper member is threaded, said threaded rod extending vertically through said central member, an adjustment knob (46) connected to said threaded rod (48) and providing a means for tightening or loosening the grip of said clamping and central members on said desk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The support arm (18) of claim 6 wherein means (52,54) are provided for supporting said support arm (18) with respect to the other members of said base (20) so that said support arm (18) is free to rotate about said first vertical axis even when said base (20) is tightly clamped to said desk (10).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The support arm (18) of claim 7 wherein said threaded rod (48) and first vertical axis are coaxial.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The support arm (18) of claim 7 wherein said support arm (18) and central member (32) have mating cylindrical journals (50,74), said adjustment knob (46) is positioned beneath said arm (18), and said threaded rod (48) extends through the interior of the journal (50) of said central members (32).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The support arm (18) of claim 9 wherein said central member (32) and support arm (18) are shaped to conceal said journal (50) and threaded rod (48).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The support arm (18) of claim 1 further comprising means (28) in said support arm (18) for running the cable (26) of said keyboard (18) through said support arm (18) concealed from view.
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