US5129747A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-07-15
•
Granted: 1992-07-14
•
Expires: 2011-07-15
Abstract
Abstract Alphanumeric keyboard input apparatus has a mount and a plurality of keys on the mount arranged in four V-shaped rows, the four rows nested together, one within the other, so as generally to form a chevron. Alphanumeric indicia on the keys are arranged in QWERTY typing layout. At least two keys have base perimeters forming chevrons, one in a first row of the four rows and one in a second row of the four rows. Four keys of the first plurality have base perimeters forming irregular trapezoids, two in a third row of the four rows and two in a fourth row of the four rows.
Inventors
- 👤 Tom C. Hutchison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:30
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/0219; B; B41; B41J; B41J5/00; B41J5/08; B41J5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
Keyboard apparatus including: a mount; a first plurality of keys on the mount arranged in a plurality of unbroken V-shaped rows, the plurality of rows nested together, one within the other, so as generally to form a chevron; and at least one key of the first plurality having a base perimeter forming a chevron and lying wholly within one row of the plurality of rows.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
Keyboard apparatus including: a mount; a first plurality of keys on the mount arranged in a plurality of unbroken V-shaped rows, the plurality of rows nested together, one within the other, so as generally to form a chevron; and at least one key of the first plurality having a base perimeter forming a chevron and lying wholly within one row of the plurality of rows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: there are at least two keys of the first plurality having base perimeters forming chevrons, one wholly within a one row of the plurality of rows and one wholly within another one of the rows of the plurality of rows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: at least one of the keys of the first plurality has a base perimeter forming an irregular trapezoid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: there are four keys of the first plurality having base perimeters forming irregular trapezoids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further including: an additional key of the first plurality having a generally chevron-shaped base perimeter and forming a fifth row nested together with the previous four rows at the bottom thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including: a second plurality of keys on the mount, the second plurality located to the left of the first plurality, the second plurality operably connected to means for controlling the movement of a cursor on a computer screen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further including: a third plurality of keys on the mount, the third plurality located to the right of the first plurality, the third plurality operably connected to the cursor movement control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
Alphanumeric keyboard input apparatus including: a mount; a first plurality of keys on the mount arranged in four unbroken V-shaped rows, the four rows nested together, one within the other, so as generally to form a chevron; alphanumeric indicia on the keys of the first plurality arranged in QWERTY typing layout; and at least one key of the first plurality having a base perimeter forming a chevron lying wholly within one of the four rows.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
Alphanumeric keyboard input apparatus including: a mount; a first plurality of keys on the mount arranged in four unbroken V-shaped rows, the four rows nested together, one within the other, so as generally to form a chevron; alphanumeric indicia on the keys of the first plurality arranged in QWERTY typing layout; and at least one key of the first plurality having a base perimeter forming a chevron lying wholly within one of the four rows.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: there are at least two keys of the first plurality having base perimeters forming chevrons, one bearing the letter Y in one row of said four rows and one bearing the letter B in another row of said four rows.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: at least one of the keys of the first plurality has a base perimeter forming an irregular trapezoid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: there are four keys of the first plurality having base perimeters forming irregular trapezoids, one bearing the number 6 and one bearing the number 7 in one of said four rows, and one bearing the letter G and one bearing the letter H in another of said four rows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further including: a space bar having a chevron-shaped base perimeter and nested together with the four rows at the bottom thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein: at least one of the keys of the first plurality has a base perimeter forming a rectangle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further including: a second plurality of keys on the mount, the second plurality located to the left of the first plurality, the second plurality operably connected to means for controlling the movement of a cursor on a computer screen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further including: a third plurality of keys on the mount, the third plurality located to the right of the first plurality, the third plurality operably connected to the cursor movement control means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
79 words
Alphanumeric keyboard input apparatus including: a mount; and a first plurality of keys on the mount arranged in four V-shaped rows, the four rows nested together, one within the other, so as generally to form a chevron, wherein two keys of the first plurality have base perimeters forming chevrons, one in one of said four rows and one a second of one of said four rows, and four keys of the first plurality have base perimeters forming irregular trapezoids.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
79 words
Alphanumeric keyboard input apparatus including: a mount; and a first plurality of keys on the mount arranged in four V-shaped rows, the four rows nested together, one within the other, so as generally to form a chevron, wherein two keys of the first plurality have base perimeters forming chevrons, one in one of said four rows and one a second of one of said four rows, and four keys of the first plurality have base perimeters forming irregular trapezoids.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4804279A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-01-13 | 1996-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-14 | 2000-01-13 | 2000-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-14 | 2004-01-13 | 2004-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |