Keyboard having variable inclination of the key plane
AssigneeIng. C. Olivetti & C., S.p.A.
InventorDomenico Bertina
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A contact keyboard comprising a plurality of modular keys individually insertable in a base frame having feet adjustable in height in order to permit a variable inclination of the key plane. The back feet are pivoted on a shaft internally to lateral sides of the base frame and are provided with edges engaging the support plane for the base frame. The edges have extensive planar portions lying at different distances from the shaft for regulating the inclination of the key plane. The angular position of each back foot is stabilized by a corresponding spring supported by the pivoting shaft and which urges the foot against an associated lateral side of the base frame and causes one of a plurality of notches of the foot to be engaged by a tooth of the associated lateral side of the base frame.
Claims6
A keyboard comprising a frame, a plurality of keys mounted in said frame and defining a key plane;
- and means for modifying the inclination of said key plane with respect to a support plane for said frame, wherein said inclination modifying means comprise a pair of support feet pivotally mounted on and in said frame, said pair of support feet having peripheral edge means engaging the support plane, positioning means defining a given number of different stable angular positions of said pair of support feet with respect to said frame, said positioning means includes a teeth and notches coupling between said support feet and said frame and plural spring means for holding said teeth and notches coupling in engagement to define the stable angular positions of said support feet, said support feet being rotated from one to another of said stable angular positions by forcing the engagement of said teeth and notches coupling against the action of said plural spring means, said peripheral edge means of each of said support feet comprises a number of sections equal to said given number of different, stable angular positions, said sections having extensive planar portions lying on different distances from said pivot means for causing each of said planar portions to cooperate planarly with said support plane for each one associated position of the stable positions of said support feet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.