GB2353699A

GB2353699A - Portable combined keyboard platform and document holder.

Info

Publication number: GB2353699A
Application number: GB9920498A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Edward Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-01
Filing date: 1999-09-01
Publication date: 2001-03-07
Also published as: GB9920498D0

Abstract

A portable combined keyboard platform and document holder comprises a ramp 1 and a level platform 10, both partially interrupted by slot 8, and both having side ribs 6, 6a. The ramp is supported by flange 12. In this orientation (Figure 1), a keyboard may be placed on ribs 6, 6a thus allowing documents to be stored underneath. The keyboard itself may be stored under the device when not in use. The device may also be inverted (Figure 2) and a keyboard stored between the flange 12 and intermediate rib 4, whereupon documents may be placed over the flange without touching the keys, or between said rib and the opposite end of the support. The device may also function simply as a document support by using flange 12 as a base portion (diagram not shown) and be hooked on the edge of a desk for storage by flange 12.

Description

2353699 PORTABLE CONMINED KEYBOARD PLATFORM AND DOCTJMENT HOLDER

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a portable combined keyboard platform and document holder.

Accessories for computer workstations are known which have the effect of extending the work surface available to the operator for positioning a keyboard, a mouse and/or documents at convenient locations in front of and/or beside a monitor screen on a desk or tabletop.

For example, in U.S. Patent numbers, 4635893 - Nelson, 5158257 - Wilson and 4546708 - Wilburth, one kind of such accessory includes a base which is intended to underlie the monitor resting on the desk or tabletop, and a platform or platforms position adjustably secured to the base to provide support surfaces for the keyboard, mouse and/or documents.

In U.S. Patent numbers, 5878674 - Scott, 5626323 - Lechman and 5823487 Kirchhoff, another kind of such accessory involves a platform or platforms adjustably secured to the desk or tabletop.

In U.S. Patent numbers, 5219136 - Hassel and 5242139 - Aldrich, a further kind of such accessory is in the form of a portable platform designed to be merely placed on the desk or table top to support a keyboard at a suitable inclination, together with a rest or wrist pad for the wrists of the operator.

These accessories offer advantages to persons using computers for repetitive word processing and who have gained the ability to touch type and copy type effectively from paper documents and/or audio signals.

2 The present invention is a radical departure from those cited, to address changes in work practice, it is designed to assist persons such as Engineers, Draughtsmen and Accountants who are not involved in repetitive word processing and who may not be skilled in the art of touch typing.

Persons such as Engineers, Draughtsmen and Accountants often need to consult various documents and make manuscript notes etc., whilst still using the keyboard. In these work situations the keyboard use is less intensive than is the case for a proficient copy-typist. In addition to this if the keyboard user, from any walk of life, does not touch type then he or she will look for the correct keys on the keyboard before depressing them, looking up only periodically to the monitor screen for confirmation. In a search of the prior art there is no comparable invention which claims to address the needs of people, either technical or non-technical, who have to work simultaneously with paper documents, in loose or in bound form, who need to sketch or do calculations on paper, who need to keep changing the juxtaposition of the documents and the keyboard, who need also to copy type, and who for whatever reason do not touch type.

An object of the invention is to address the needs of such persons at a computer workstation. In this context it is ergonomically more favourable to place the keyboard, monitor screen and various documents in a line ahead of the user so that the minimum movements required are eye movement up and down supplemented with a little head movement up and down also. Another object of the invention is to provide a support which can be placed on a desk or tabletop between a monitor and the user and enable the keyboard and documents to be placed interchangeably between the monitor screen and the user and to store the keyboard out-of-the-way without risk of accidental key operation 3 when it is not required. A further object of the invention is to provide a stand for documents in the form of a support, which can be stood on the desk or tabletop.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable combined keyboard platform and document support comprising a body for providing support for a keyboard and documents, and means for supporting a keyboard above a document support surface, whereby documents may be moved beneath a keyboard on the body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable combined keyboard platform and document support for location on a substrate such as a desktop, the support comprising a body defining a surface for supporting at least one of a keyboard and documents, the body defining a space beneath the surface for - accommodating a keyboard between the body and the substrate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable combined keyboard platform and document support for location on a substrate such as a desktop, the support comprising a body defining a support surface and being movable between a self-supporting prone first configuration in which the support surface may serve to support at least one of a keyboard and documents and a self- supporting upright second configuration in which the support surface may serve to support documents.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable combined keyboard platform and document holder in the form of a ramped support of generally rectangular shape having a flange at one end interrupted by a slot extending towards the opposite end of the support, for accommodating a cable extending from a keyboard, the flange providing a space for accommodating the keyboard when it is not in use and also providing a base for the support when used as a stand, the support presenting 4 surface means which lean back from a plane perpendicular to a plane containing the rear surface of the flange, which surface means has side ribs which enable documents to be moved under the keyboard.

Preferably the surface means comprises two surfaces, one of which surfaces extends from the said one end to an intermediate location between the said one end and the opposite end of the support and the other of which surfaces extend from the intermediate location to the said opposite end, the surfaces lying in respective first and second planes which lean back from the said perpendicular plane at different angles.

Preferably, also the support has a rib intermediate the flange and the opposite end of the support, which rib serves to co-operate with the flange in engaging a desk or tabletop so that when the support is moved towards the operator the said opposite end overhangs the desk or tabletop and the said surface means are at greater inclination to the desk or tabletop than when the support rests on the flange and the said opposite end. In an inverted attitude of the support the space between the rib and the flange may be occupied temporarily by the keyboard and documents may overlie the rib and flange without touching the keys. In this inverted attitude the surface between the rib and the said opposite end of the support is of such a low inclination in relation to the desk or tabletop that the user can place articles on this surface without their sliding off Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. I and 2 show pictorially, one embodiment of the invention, in two different attitudes; Figs. 3 to 6 show, in side elevation, the embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2 in different positions and attitudes relative to a desk or table top; Fig. 7 shows pictorially, the embodiment in Figs. I to 6 in a further attitude relative to a desk or tabletop; Figs. 8 and 9 show respectively in side elevation and in plan another embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 10 shows pictorially, a further embodiment of the invention.

In Fig. 1 a portable combined keyboard platform and document holder is shown in the form of a ramped support comprising a wedge-shaped portion I having a straight narrow free edge. The portion I is rectangular except where it is interrupted by a narrow slot 2. One surface 3 of the portion I terminates in portions 4 of an intermediate rib which extend across the portion 1 but are interrupted by the slot 2. The opposite surface of the portion 1 has on each side edge a tapered rib 6.

Beyond the rib portion 4 and the ribs 6 the support continues as two generally rectangular sections 7 of another portion interrupted by a wider slot 8 continuing from the slot 2. Each section 7 has a surface portion 9 which extends from the respective rib portion 4 and an opposite surface portion 10 which extends from a line 11 at an intermediate location forming a division between different inclinations of the surface 5 and the surface portions 10. Each surface portion 10 has on its outer edge a parallel rib 6a continuing from the respective rib 6. The sections 7 terminate in portions 12 of a flange, each portion 12 comprising a deeper rib 13 extending from the surface portion 9 and a shallower rib 14 extending from the surface portion 10. Each rib 13 and 14 has a groove 15 in its free edge 16.

The geometry of the support is such that a plane containing the free edge of the surface 3 and the free edges 16 of the ribs 13 is not intercepted by the rib portions 4.

This can be seen in Fig. 3 where the plane is represented by a desk or tabletop 17. A 6 single plane also contains the surfaces of the ribs 6 and the free edges 16 of the ribs 14.

This can be seen in Fig. 5. Furthermore the same single plane and surface means 5 and lean back from a plane perpendicular to a plane containing the rear surfaces of the flange portions 12. This can be seen in Fig. 7.

Considering the support in use in Figs. 3 and 4 with a monitor (not shown) positioned behind the support, a keyboard (not shown) may be placed on the pair of ribs 6 and/or the pair of ribs 6a in which case documents may be slid along the surface means 5 and 10, between the pair of ribs 6 and/or the pair of ribs 6a and underneath the keyboard, provided that the keyboard is wired off-centre beyond the respective left or right-hand sides of the support. Documents may also be placed behind the keyboard at various angles using the free edge of the ribs 14 if desired. Alternatively, the keyboard may be placed over the surface portions 10 on the ribs 6a with documents placed in front of the keyboard. Another possibility is to stow the keyboard in the space below the portions 7, with the keys clear of the surface portions 9, so that documents may be used on the surface 5 and the surface portions 10 and/or in the grooves 15 in the free ends 16 of the ribs 14 while the keyboard is temporarily not in use. In the case of a bound document which is stood in the grooves 15, and leant back against the monitor screen, page rests 15a in front of the grooves 15, prevent the pages from drooping, e.g. pages in a two-ring ring-binder. The inclination of the support may also be increased, if desired and as shown in Fig. 4, by pulling it forward until the rib 4 rests on the top 17.

The support may also be used in the attitude shown in Figs. 5 and 6, again with a monitor (not shown) positioned behind the support. A keyboard (not shown) may be positioned either on the surface 3 or on the surface portions 9. When the keyboard is positioned on the surface 3 the document may be placed at various angles between the 7 keyboard and the monitor screen using the free edges of the rib portions 4 and/or the ribs 13 and the grooves 15. Again, the grooves 15 and rests 15a are available for bound and unbound documents. The keyboard may alternatively be positioned on the surface portions 9 in which case a document could be placed on the surface 3 which is at such a low inclination that loose articles such as pens and pencils placed thereon remain in place, and the rib portions 4 could serve as rests for the wrists of the operator. A finther document could be placed on the free edges of the rib portions 4 and the ribs 13 to overlie the keyboard while it is temporarily not in use and be clear of the keys.

Furthermore the support may be used as a stand in the attitude shown in Fig. 7 with the flange portions 12 resting on the desk or tabletop 17 and the sloping surface 5 and surface portions 10 available to support documents.

The purpose'of the slots 2 and 8 is to accommodate centre-wired keyboards. The slot 2 being provided to accommodate straight cable and the slot 8 being provided to accommodate curly cable. The slots 2 and 8 also give finger access for the lifting and placing of documents and the width of the slot 8 between the flange portions 12 is sufficient to accommodate the broad spine of a ring binder. The shape of the slots 2 and 8 are stylised and could instead be straight-edged. The closed end of the slot 2 provides also for storage of the support when it is hung by this feature on a wallpeg or similar fixed projection, i.e. in a similar orientation as that shown in Fig. 7.

In Figs. 8 and 9 is shown a modification of the support shown in Figs, 1 to 7, in that the flange portions 12 in the latter are replaced by pocketed flange portions 18 having pockets 19 therein for note-pads, highlight markers etc.

In Fig. 10 is shown a further modification of the support shown in Figs. 1 to 7, in that recesses 20 are provided in the surface portions 10 for storing pens, highlight 8 markers etc. The number, size, shape and contours of the recesses could be precise so as to house particular objects if need be.

A width for the support in the region of 250 millimetres provides a stable platform for a number of commonly available computer keyboards, without hindering their left or right hand keyboard wiring options if selected. The distance between the pairs of ribs 6 and the pairs of ribs 6a would be such as to readily accommodate standard widths of paper, e.g. A4 sheets in portrait style. The distance between the ribs 4 and 13 would be such as to acconunodate a range of keyboards currently available for example between and 200 millimetres in front to back depth. To accommodate inline, a range of keyboards, manuscripts and drawings etc., the overall distance of the support from front to back may be in the region of 500 millimetres. To reduce eyestrain, especially when using a CRT monitor, the front to back dimension of the support could also be optimally determined to hinder the user from sitting too close to the screen.

As the support could be used either way up, referring to Fig. 3 and to Fig. 5, the user could readily select the most convenient working position for the keyboard and the documents.

The geometry of the support is such that it could be hung for storage over the edge of the desk or tabletop 17 by the inner faces of the ribs 13 i.e. upside down from the position shown in Fig. 7.

The free edge of the portion 1 could be used for drawing straight lines and could be provided with rule graduations. The support could also be stood on either of its sides to act as a privacy screen.

A material for the support could be a foamed polymer such as polyurethane, which can be produced with an integral textured surface finish, or polyethylene, or 9 polystyrene etc. These would be sufficiently rigid but light in weight and would allow documents to be fastened or hung over the support for reference particularly when used in the attitude in Fig. 7.

It is envisaged that the support would be manufactured as a single component as is shown in the embodiments. In addition to this it would also be possible to manufacture the support in the form of an assembly where rails to support the keyboard were fastened to a basic structure. The support, e.g. as in the case of expanded polystyrene, might also have a skin applied to its surface to add reinforcement, texture, colour etc. The support might also be produced with a distinctive smell incorporated into its surface or structure, such as the smell of pine resin.

Claims

I A portable combined keyboard platform and document support comprising a body for providing support for a keyboard and documents, and means for supporting a keyboard above a document support surface, whereby documents may be moved beneath a keyboard on the body.

2 A portable combined keyboard platform and document support according to claim 1, wherein the said means are in the form of ribs on opposing sides of the said surface of the body.

3 A portable combined keyboard platform and document support for location on a substrate such as a desk top, the support comprising a body defining a surface for supporting at least one of a keyboard and documents, the body defining a space beneath the surface for accommodating a keyboard between the body and the substrate.

4 A portable combined keyboard platform and document support according to claim 3, wherein the said body has a flange at one end, defining the said space.

A portable combined keyboard platform and document support for location on a substrate such as a desk top, the support comprising a body defining a support surface and being movable between a self-supporting prone first configuration in which the support surface may serve to support at least one of a keyboard and documents and a self supporting upright second configuration in which the support surface may serve to support documents.

11 6 A portable combined keyboard platform and document support according to claim 5, wherein the said body has a flange at one end, serving as a base to support the portable combined keyboard platform and document support in the said upright second configuration.

7 A portable combined keyboard platform and document holder in the form of a ramped support of generally rectangular shape having a flange at one end interrupted by slot means extending towards the opposite end of the support, to a closed end by which the support may be hung, the slot means being provided to facilitate the positioning of 10 documents placed upon the document support surface, or to accommodate a cable extending from a keyboard, the flange providing a space for accommodating the keyboard when it is not in use and also providing a base for the support when used as a stand, and providing means whereby the support may be hung from the edge of a substrate, the support presenting surface means which lean back from a plane perpendicular to a plane 15 containing the rear surface of the flange, which surface means has raised side ribs which enable documents to be moved under the keyboard. 8 A portable combined keyboard platform and document holder according to claim 7, wherein the surface means comprises two surfaces, one of which surfaces extends from 20 the said one end to an intermediate location between said one end and the opposite end of the support, and the other of which surfaces extends from the intermediate location to the said opposite end, the surfaces lying in respective first and second planes which lean back from the said perpendicular plane at different angles.

12 9 A portable combined keyboard platform and document holder according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the support has a rib intermediate the flange and the opposite end of the support, which rib serves to co-operate with the flange in engaging a desk or table top so that when the support is moved towards the operator the said opposite end overhangs the desk or table top and the said surface means are at greater inclination to the desk or table top than when the support rests on the flange and the said opposite end, the support being invertible so that the space between the rib and the flange may be occupied temporarily by the keyboard and the documents may overlie the rib and flange without activating the keys, and in this inverted attitude the surface between the rib and the said opposite end of the support being of such a low inclination in relation to the desk or table top that the user can place articles on this surface without their sliding off.

A portable combined keyboard platform and document holder according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the edges of the flange have formations for receiving the edges of bound and unbound documents.

11 A portable combined keyboard platform and document holder according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the flange is pocketed to hold accessories.

12 A portable combined keyboard platform and document holder according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the surface means is recessed to hold accessories.

13 13 A portable combined keyboard platform and document holder according to any one of the claims 7 to 12, wherein the distance between the ends of the support is optimally determined to hinder the user from sitting too close to a viewing screen.

14 A portable combined keyboard platform and document holder, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. I to 7 of the accompanying drawings. 15 A portable combined keyboard platform and document holder according to claim 14 but modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9 of the 10 accompanying drawings.

16 A portable combined keyboard platform and document holder according to claim 14 but modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 10 of the accompanying drawings.