Patent US5456542A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5456542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable data entry keyboard
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1993-01-11
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Granted: 1995-10-10
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Expires: 2013-01-11
Abstract
Abstract An integrated adjustable data entry keyboard. A divided keyboard arrangement comprises first key field and second key fields pivotably mounted upon a stationary base. The first and second key fields substantially comprise a keyboard arrangement. A space bar is separately attached to the base and occupies a lower keyboard region centrally disposed between the first and second key fields. The space bar is enlarged so as to remain within the radius of a user's thumb's "strike zone" when a user adjusts the first and second key fields. A synchronizing coupling means may be employed to ensure complimentary movement of the first key field relative to the second key field and thereby relative to the user's hands and wrists, even if only one of the individual key fields is pivoted. Compliantly mounted detachable palm rests may be attached to each of the first and second key fields to provide substantially integrated palm and hand support for the user throughout the range of motion of the key fields, thereby increasing the user's comfort.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Welch
- 👤 Stephen Peart
- 👤 Matthew Herron
- 👤 David Shen
- 👤 Ray Riley
- 👤 Andrew L. Carter
- 👤 Robert A. Howard
- 👤 Dexter Francis
- 👤 David Nguyen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:23
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H19/00; F16H55/00; F16H55/02; F16H55/08; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/0216; H; H01; H01H; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/034; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/046; H01H2223/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An integrated adjustable data entry keyboard, comprising:. a stationary base; a first key field arranged in a first key half pivotably mounted to said base; a second key field, arranged in a second key half pivotably mounted to said base; and a third key field fixedly mounted to said base synchronous coupling unit for coupling said first key field and said second key field together, said synchronous coupling unit further rotatably coupling said first key field and said second key field to said stationary base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An integrated adjustable data entry keyboard, comprising:. a stationary base; a first key field arranged in a first key half pivotably mounted to said base; a second key field, arranged in a second key half pivotably mounted to said base; and a third key field fixedly mounted to said base synchronous coupling unit for coupling said first key field and said second key field together, said synchronous coupling unit further rotatably coupling said first key field and said second key field to said stationary base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said synchronous coupling means causes one of said first and second key fields to be complimentarily positioned when the other of said key fields is moved by a user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The keyboard according to claim 2, wherein said first and second key fields maintain a substantially equally bisected angle relative to a said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The keyboard according to claim 3, wherein said third key field remains within the substantially equally bisected angle formed by said first and second key fields.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The keyboard according to claim 4, wherein said third key field comprises a space bar dimensioned to reside within the user's thumb's "strike zone" at all positions of said key fields.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The keyboard according to claim 5, wherein said space bar comprises a substantially rectangular key mounted to said base in first and second orthogonal dimensions, said space bar elongated in said first dimension and having first, second, third, and fourth edges, said first, second, and third edges being substantially straight, and said fourth edge comprising a radius disposed within the equally bisected angle formed by said first and second key fields.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said synchronous coupling unit comprises a synchronous gear mechanism having a limited rotation gear profile.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said synchronous coupling unit comprises a linkage mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
An integrated adjustable data entry keyboard, comprising: a stationary base; a first key field arranged in a first key half pivotably mounted to said base; a second key field, arranged in a second key half pivotably mounted to said base; a third key field fixedly mounted to said base; and a synchronous coupling unit for coupling said first key field and said second key field together, and further for rotatably coupling said first key field and said second key field to said stationary base, said synchronous coupling unit complimentarily positioning one of said key fields relative to the base when the other of said key fields is moved by a user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
An integrated adjustable data entry keyboard, comprising: a stationary base; a first key field arranged in a first key half pivotably mounted to said base; a second key field, arranged in a second key half pivotably mounted to said base; a third key field fixedly mounted to said base; and a synchronous coupling unit for coupling said first key field and said second key field together, and further for rotatably coupling said first key field and said second key field to said stationary base, said synchronous coupling unit complimentarily positioning one of said key fields relative to the base when the other of said key fields is moved by a user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The keyboard according to claim 9, wherein said first and second key fields maintain a substantially equally bisected angle relative to a said base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The keyboard according to claim 10, wherein said third key field remains within the substantially equally bisected angle formed by said first and second key fields.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The keyboard according to claim 11, wherein said third key field comprises a space bar dimensioned to reside within the user's thumb's "strike zone" at all positions of said key fields.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The keyboard according to claim 12, wherein said third key field comprises a space bar dimensioned to reside within the user's thumb's "strike zone" at all positions of said key fields.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
The keyboard according to claim 13, wherein said space bar comprises a substantially rectangular key mounted to said base in first and second orthogonal dimensions, said space bar elongated in said first dimension and having first, second, third, and fourth edges, said first, second, and third edges being substantially straight, and said fourth edge comprising a radius disposed within the equally bisected angle formed by said first and second key fields.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The keyboard according to claim 9, wherein said synchronous coupling means comprises a synchronous gear mechanism having a limited rotation gear profile.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The keyboard according to claim 9, wherein said synchronous coupling unit comprises a linkage mechanism.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for arranging an integrated adjustable data entry keyboard, comprising the steps of: providing a stationary base; pivotably mounting a first key field in a first key half to said stationary base; pivotably mounting a second key field arranged in a second key half to said stationary base.; mounting a third key field to said stationary base such that said third key field remains symmetrically disposed relative to said first and second key fields, synchronously coupling together said first key field and said second key field, and rotatably coupling said first key field and said second key field to said stationary base.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for arranging an integrated adjustable data entry keyboard, comprising the steps of: providing a stationary base; pivotably mounting a first key field in a first key half to said stationary base; pivotably mounting a second key field arranged in a second key half to said stationary base.; mounting a third key field to said stationary base such that said third key field remains symmetrically disposed relative to said first and second key fields, synchronously coupling together said first key field and said second key field, and rotatably coupling said first key field and said second key field to said stationary base.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-04-10 | 1999-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-09 | 2003-04-10 | 2003-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-09 | 2007-04-10 | 2007-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |