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US5096317A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Computer key cover apparatus

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-03-12
•
Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2011-03-12
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Abstract

Abstract A cover apparatus including a transparent housing overlying a computer keyboard, wherein the cover apparatus includes a plurality of forward and rear side walls defining rows of openings, wherein each row of openings is arranged overlying rows of computer keys. The openings are provided with cover housings to selectively cover individual or the plurality of keys, wherein each of the plurality of keys of the computer keyboard is positioned within the openings to provide selective covering thereof to minimize inadvertent pressing of such keys in usage of the keyboard.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kerin L. Phillippe

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 15:07
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J5/00; B41J5/08; B41J5/10; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 389 words
A computer key cover apparatus comprising, in combination, a computer keyboard, the computer keyboard defined by a predetermined geometric configuration, with a keyboard top wall with a plurality of key members projecting reciprocatably therethrough, the key members are arranged in parallel rows, and further including a transparent unitary cover housing, the transparent unitary cover housing defines a cavity, wherein the cavity defines a configuration equal to the predetermined geometric configuration to complementarily receive the computer keyboard therewithin, and the keyboard includes a plurality of first hook and loop fastener strips mounted to opposed side walls of the keyboard, and the cover housing includes spaced parallel cover housing side walls, wherein each cover housing side wall includes a hook and loop fastener second strip securable to a respective hook and loop fastener first strip to fixedly secure the cover housing to the keyboard, and the cover housing includes parallel rows of key member openings in surrounding relationship relative to the key members, and the key member openings are defined by parallel side walls, and each of the side walls includes equally spaced side wall apertures directed therethrough, and each key member includes a plurality of pairs of apertures associated with each key member defined by a plurality of forward apertures positioned forwardly of the key members, and a plurality of rear apertures positioned rearwardly of the key members, and a key member cover housing, wherein the key member cover housing is securable to the forward apertures and the rear apertures to selectively secure the key member cover housing overlying selective portions of the key member openings, and wherein the key member cover housing includes a forward side all and a rear side wall, the forward side wall and rear side wall are spaced apart a predetermined spacing, and the side walls of the openings are spaced apart an equal predetermined spacing, and the cover housing forward side wall includes a plurality of spherical forward projections, and the cover housing rear side wall includes a plurality of rear spherical projections, wherein the spherical forward projections extend forwardly and beyond the cover housing forward side wall, and the spherical rear projections extend rearwardly of the rear side wall, wherein the forward and rear projections are respectively receivable within a forward side wall and a rear side wall about a respective key member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 389 words
A computer key cover apparatus comprising, in combination, a computer keyboard, the computer keyboard defined by a predetermined geometric configuration, with a keyboard top wall with a plurality of key members projecting reciprocatably therethrough, the key members are arranged in parallel rows, and further including a transparent unitary cover housing, the transparent unitary cover housing defines a cavity, wherein the cavity defines a configuration equal to the predetermined geometric configuration to complementarily receive the computer keyboard therewithin, and the keyboard includes a plurality of first hook and loop fastener strips mounted to opposed side walls of the keyboard, and the cover housing includes spaced parallel cover housing side walls, wherein each cover housing side wall includes a hook and loop fastener second strip securable to a respective hook and loop fastener first strip to fixedly secure the cover housing to the keyboard, and the cover housing includes parallel rows of key member openings in surrounding relationship relative to the key members, and the key member openings are defined by parallel side walls, and each of the side walls includes equally spaced side wall apertures directed therethrough, and each key member includes a plurality of pairs of apertures associated with each key member defined by a plurality of forward apertures positioned forwardly of the key members, and a plurality of rear apertures positioned rearwardly of the key members, and a key member cover housing, wherein the key member cover housing is securable to the forward apertures and the rear apertures to selectively secure the key member cover housing overlying selective portions of the key member openings, and wherein the key member cover housing includes a forward side all and a rear side wall, the forward side wall and rear side wall are spaced apart a predetermined spacing, and the side walls of the openings are spaced apart an equal predetermined spacing, and the cover housing forward side wall includes a plurality of spherical forward projections, and the cover housing rear side wall includes a plurality of rear spherical projections, wherein the spherical forward projections extend forwardly and beyond the cover housing forward side wall, and the spherical rear projections extend rearwardly of the rear side wall, wherein the forward and rear projections are respectively receivable within a forward side wall and a rear side wall about a respective key member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 131 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the key member cover housing includes a forward side wall and a rear side wall, the forward side wall and rear side wall are spaced apart a predetermined spacing, and the side walls of the openings are spaced apart an equal predetermined spacing, and the cover housing forward side wall includes a plurality of spherical forward projections, and the cover housing rear side wall includes a plurality of rear spherical projections, wherein the spherical forward projections extend forwardly and beyond the cover housing forward side wall, and the spherical rear projections extend rearwardly of the rear side wall, wherein the forward and rear projections are respectively receivable within a forward side wall and a rear side wall about a respective key member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cover housing includes a top wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the top wall includes a flexible bladder, the flexible bladder includes a compressible fluid filling the bladder.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1203570A Cited
US4060163A Cited
US4119839A Cited
US4294557A Cited
US4449763A Cited
US4671688A Cited
US4893954A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-03-17 1995-09-16 1996-03-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-03-17 1999-09-16 2000-03-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-03-17 2003-09-16 2004-03-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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