Flexible keyboard

Claim 2

A flexible or roll-up electronic keyboard assembly for electronic devices which comprises: a first section comprising a thin planar sheet of flexible and resilient non-conductive plastic or polymeric material having an indicia array; a second section comprising a circuit pattern containing an upper array of deformable contacts which are arranged in a matrix pattern; a third section comprising a non-conductive flexible and resilient plastic or polymeric spacer with openings corresponding to the array of deformable contacts in said second section; a fourth section comprising a non-conductive flexible and resilient plastic or polymer comprising a lower array and arranged in apposition to said second section and electrically connectable thereto connected; and a fifth bottom section comprising two overlaid layers of a non-conductive flexible and resilient plastic or polymer overlaid and bonded to form a network of substantially rigid gas filled support members when inflated; and at least one gas conduit communicating with said support members.

Claim 3

The keyboard assemble of claim 1 wherein said second and fourth sections are provide with edge connectors which are connected by a circuit pattern to a microprocessor or alternately to other support circuitry having suitable connection to an electronic device.

Claim 4

The keyboard assembly of claim 1 in which each section comprises a non-conductive flexible and resilient polymer selected from the group of polyvinyl chloride, polysiloxane, polyurethane and polyester.

Claim 5

The keyboard assembly of claim 1 wherein said first section has a plurality of flexible molded keys; and the indicia array consists of a full alphanumeric layout.

Claim 6

The keyboard assembly of claim 1 comprising tough contact switches having a stroke height of from about 1 to 4 mm.

Claim 7

The keyboard assembly of claim 1 wherein said sections are sealed so as to be waterproof.

Claim 8

The keyboard assembly of claim 1 including an elastomeric layer of key covers for providing a tactile feel to said keys.

Claim 9

The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly comprises the shape of a curved, substantially rigid, but slightly deformable, contoured monolith.

Claim 10

The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly comprises two substantially planar halves joined by a deformable accordion-pleated midsection.

Claim 11

The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly comprises two substantially planar halves detachably joined together at the midsection thereof.

Claim 12

The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein a variable inflatable/deflatable wedge means is positioned and fixed to the bottom thereof so as to variably orient the plane or planes of said keyboard relative to the hands of the operator thereof, sufficient to substantially reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome to said operator.

Claim 13

The keyboard assembly of claim 11, wherein said inflatable/deflatable wedge means is permanently fixed to the bottom of said assembly.

Claim 14

The keyboard assembly of claim 12, wherein said inflatable/deflatable wedge means is detachably fixed to the bottom of said assembly.

Claim 15

In an electronic keyboard assembly for computers including a first flexible section having deformable contacts, a second flexible section having deformable contacts, and a third section which forms a spacer therebetween, the improvement which comprises a bottom section consisting of two overlaid layers of a non-conductive flexible and resilient plastic or polymer overlaid and bonded to form a network of substantially rigid gas filled support members when inflated, and at least one gas conduit communicating with said members.

Claim 16

In an electronic keyboard assembly for computers including a first flexible section having deformable contacts, a second flexible section having deformable contacts, and a third section which forms a spacer therebetween, the improvement which comprises a bottom section consisting of two overlaid layers of a non-conductive flexible and resilient plastic or polymer overlaid and bonded to form a network of substantially rigid gas filled support members when inflated, and at least one gas conduit communicating with said members.

Claim 17

The keyboard assembly of claim 14, wherein a variable inflatable/deflatable wedge means is positioned and fixed to the bottom thereof so as to variably orient the plane or planes of said keyboard relative to the hands of the operator thereof, sufficient to substantially reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome to said operator.

Claim 18

The keyboard assembly of claim 14, wherein said assembly comprises two substantially planar halves joined by a deformable accordion-pleated midsection.

Claim 19

The keyboard assembly of claim 14, wherein said assembly comprises two substantially planar halves detachably joined together at the midsection thereof.

Claim 20

The combination of a flexible or roll-up electronic keyboard assembly for electronic devices which comprises: a first section comprising a thin planar sheet of flexible and resilient non-conductive plastic or polymeric material having an indicia array; a second section comprising a circuit pattern containing an upper array of deformable contacts which are arranged in a matrix pattern; a third section comprising a non-conductive flexible and resilient plastic or polymeric spacer with openings corresponding to the array of deformable contacts in said second section; a fourth section comprising a non-conductive flexible and resilient plastic or polymer comprising a lower array and arranged in apposition to said second section and electrically connectable thereto connected; a fifth bottom section comprising two overlaid layers of a non-conductive flexible and resilient plastic or polymer overlaid and bonded to form a network of substantially rigid gas filled support members when inflated; at least one gas conduit communicating with said support members; and one of the group consisting of a musical instrument, a toy, a computer and a telephone.

Claim 21

The combination of a flexible or roll-up electronic keyboard assembly for electronic devices which comprises: a first section comprising a thin planar sheet of flexible and resilient non-conductive plastic or polymeric material having an indicia array; a second section comprising a circuit pattern containing an upper array of deformable contacts which are arranged in a matrix pattern; a third section comprising a non-conductive flexible and resilient plastic or polymeric spacer with openings corresponding to the array of deformable contacts in said second section; a fourth section comprising a non-conductive flexible and resilient plastic or polymer comprising a lower array and arranged in apposition to said second section and electrically connectable thereto connected; a fifth bottom section comprising two overlaid layers of a non-conductive flexible and resilient plastic or polymer overlaid and bonded to form a network of substantially rigid gas filled support members when inflated; at least one gas conduit communicating with said support members; and one of the group consisting of a musical instrument, a toy, a computer and a telephone.