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US 5,745,056 AGranted
Single-hand input keyboard
AssigneesFujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
InventorsKimiyo Takahashi, Masakatsu Sugimoto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to a single-hand input keyboard for inputting data into various data processing devices, which can be held and operated by a single hand. The keyboard includes a case having an upper case and a lower case, the upper case having an opening at a central portion thereof, a switch unit mounted in the case, the switch unit having a plurality of button switches facing the opening, and a holder formed in a back face of the case. A plurality of the button switches are arranged so as to be pressed by fingers when the single-hand input keyboard is held by a single hand with the thumb and the palm.
Claims22
A single-hand input keyboard comprising:
- a case including an upper case and a lower case, said upper case having an opening at a central portion thereof;
- a switch unit mounted in said case, said switch unit having a plurality of button switches facing said opening;
- and
- a holder formed in a back face of said case,
- wherein a plurality of said button switches are arranged so as to be pressed by fingers when said single-hand input keyboard is held by a single hand with a thumb and a palm, wherein the holder holds the thumb.
2 more elements
A single-hand input keyboard comprising:
- a case including an upper case and a lower case, said upper case having an opening at a central portion thereof;
- a switch unit mounted in said case, said switch unit having a plurality of button switches facing said opening;
- a holder formed in a back face of said case,
- wherein a plurality of said button switches are arranged so as to be pressed by fingers when said single-hand input keyboard is held by a single hand with a thumb and a palm;
- and
- a palm rest provided in a side face of said case facing said palm when said single-hand input keyboard is held by a single hand,
- wherein said case has an engaging portion rotatably supporting a first end of said switch unit and a supporting portion extending from a bottom plate of said case, said supporting portion supporting a second end of said switch unit, said switch unit being positioned between said lower case and said supporting portion when said switch unit is pressed downwardly, said switch unit being positioned between said upper case and said supporting portion when said switch unit is pressed upwardly, and
- wherein said switch unit having a lever in a lower face thereof, said switch unit positioned between said lower case and said supporting portion and being pushed upwardly by said lever when said cover is attached to said lower case.
5 more elements
A single-hand input keyboard comprising:
- a case including an upper case and a lower case, said upper case having an opening at a central portion thereof;
- a switch unit mounted in said case, said switch unit having a plurality of button switches facing said opening;
- a holder formed in a back face of said case;
- and
- a cover, said cover covering said opening of said upper case to protect said button switches when said single-hand input keyboard is not operated, said cover being attached to said lower case when said single-hand input keyboard is operated, and said holder is provided in an exposed face of said cover when said cover is attached to said lower case,
- wherein a plurality of said button switches are arranged so as to be pressed by fingers when said single-hand input keyboard is held by a single hand with a thumb and a palm,
- wherein said case has an engaging portion rotatably supporting a first end of said switch unit and a supporting portion extending from a bottom plate of said case, said supporting portion supporting a second end of said switch unit, said switch unit being positioned between said lower case and said supporting portion when said switch unit is pressed downwardly, said switch unit being positioned between said upper case and said supporting portion when said switch unit is pressed upwardly, and
- wherein said switch unit having a lever in a lower face thereof, said switch unit positioned between said lower case and said supporting portion and being pushed upwardly by said lever when said cover is attached to said lower case.
5 more elements
A single-hand input keyboard comprising:
- a case including an upper case and a lower case, said upper case having an opening at a central portion thereof;
- a switch unit mounted in said case, said switch unit having a plurality of button switches facing said opening;
- a holder formed in a back face of said case,
- wherein a plurality of said button switches are arranged so as to be pressed by fingers when said single-hand input keyboard is held by a single hand with a thumb and a palm;
- a palm rest provided in a side face of said case facing said palm when said single-hand input keyboard is held by a single hand;
- and
- a cover, said cover covering said opening of said opening of said upper case to protect said button switches when said single-hand input keyboard is not operated, said cover being attached to said lower case when said single-hand input keyboard is operated, and said holder is provided in an exposed face of said cover when said cover is attached to said lower case,
- wherein said case has an engaging portion rotatably supporting first end of said switch unit and a supporting portion extending from a bottom plate of said case, said supporting portion supporting a second end of said switch unit, said switch unit being positioned between said lower case and said supporting portion when said switch unit is pressed downwardly, said switch unit being positioned between said upper case and said supporting portion when said switch unit is pressed upwardly, and
- wherein said switch unit having a lever in a lower face thereof, said switch unit positioned between said lower case and said supporting portion and being pushed upwardly by said lever when said cover is attached to said lower case.
6 more elements
A single-hand input keyboard comprising:
- a case including an upper case and a lower case, said upper case having an opening at a central portion thereof;
- a switch unit mounted in said case, said switch unit having a plurality of button switches facing said opening;
- and
- a holder formed in a back face of said case;
- wherein a plurality of said button switches are arranged so as to be pressed by fingers when said single-hand input keyboard is held by a single hand with a thumb and a palm,
- wherein said switch unit comprises a panel attached to said case, a printed circuit board mounted in said panel and an acoustic sheet provided between said panel and said printed circuit board and, each of said button switches comprises a switching element mounted on said printed circuit board and a key top positioned above said switching element, said key top being provided slidably in said panel,
- wherein said case has an engaging portion rotatably supporting a first end of said switch unit and a supporting portion extending from a bottom plate of said case, said supporting portion supporting a second end of said switch unit, said switch unit being positioned between said lower case and said supporting portion when said switch unit is pressed downwardly, said switch unit being positioned between said upper case and said supporting portion when said switch unit is pressed upwardly, and
- wherein said switch unit having a lever in a lower face thereof, said switch unit positioned between said lower case and said supporting portion and being pushed upwardly by said lever when said cover is attached to said lower case.
5 more elements
A single-hand input keyboard comprising:
- an upper housing;
- a lower housing;
- a plurality of keys recessed in said upper housing, said keys being provided on a surface capable of vertical movement between a recessed, closed position, and an upper, operative position, said surface including a projection that extends through a hole in said lower housing;
- and
- a cover unit that is rotatable between two positions, a closed position where the plurality of keys are covered and said cover unit is in contact with the upper housing and an open position where the cover unit is disposed in contact with said lower housing and said projection;
- wherein said cover unit forces the surface to its upper, operative position by pressing said projection when said cover unit is in said open position.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.