Arm-rest keyboard

Claim 2

A keypad and armrest combination (2, 3), adapted to an arm of a chair (1), wherein said armrest (32) is positioned adjacent to and rearwardly of said keypad (17).

Claim 3

A keypad and armrest combination (2, 3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said keypad is comprised of a plurality of keys (36) arranged in rows and columns such that said rows are substantially aligned according to the natural lay of the curvature of the periphery of the fingers and thumb of a hand of an operator when said hand is in a substantially relaxed position.

Claim 4

A keypad and armrest combination as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said keypad is disposed a generally outwardly facing inclination relative to the longitudinal axis said chair arm.

Claim 5

A keypad and armrest combination as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said armrest (32) is adapted to support substantially the ulna side of the forearm of the operator, such that the palm of the hand of the operator is provided generally parallel to said keypad.

Claim 6

A keypad and armrest combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein said armrest (32) is slidably movable relative to said keypad, such that, said ulna side of the forearm may be slidably supported by said armrest whilst said forearm is moved forward and rearward relative to said keypad.

Claim 7

A keypad and armrest combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said keypad is further provided with at least one enlarged key (42) at the rear of said columns for activation by the thumb of the operator.

Claim 8

An ergonomically designed keyboard comprising: two keypads, each of said keypads comprising a plurality of keys (36) arranged in rows and columns; two armrests (32), each of said armrests (32) being positioned adjacent to and rearwardly of each of said keyboards; wherein; a first of said keypads has its rows of keys (36) substantially aligned to the natural lay of the curvature of the periphery of the fingers and thumb of the right hand of an operator when said right hand is in a relaxed position, a first of said armrests (32) being moulded to support the ulna side of the right forearm of said operator, and said f irst keypad and said first armrest are provided on a right arm of a chair (1); and, a second of said keypads has its rows of keys (36) aligned to the natural lay of the curvature of the periphery of the fingers and thumb of the left hand of said operator when said left hand is in a relaxed position, a second of said armrest (32) being moulded to support the ulna side of the left forearm of said operator, and said second keypad and said second armrest being provided on a left arm of said chair (1).

Claim 9

An ergonomically designed keyboard comprising: two keypads, each of said keypads comprising a plurality of keys (36) arranged in rows and columns; two armrests (32), each of said armrests (32) being positioned adjacent to and rearwardly of each of said keyboards; wherein; a first of said keypads has its rows of keys (36) substantially aligned to the natural lay of the curvature of the periphery of the fingers and thumb of the right hand of an operator when said right hand is in a relaxed position, a first of said armrests (32) being moulded to support the ulna side of the right forearm of said operator, and said f irst keypad and said first armrest are provided on a right arm of a chair (1); and, a second of said keypads has its rows of keys (36) aligned to the natural lay of the curvature of the periphery of the fingers and thumb of the left hand of said operator when said left hand is in a relaxed position, a second of said armrest (32) being moulded to support the ulna side of the left forearm of said operator, and said second keypad and said second armrest being provided on a left arm of said chair (1).

Claim 10

An ergonomically designed keyboard as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said keypads is positioned at a generally outwardly facing inclination relative to said chair arm.

Claim 11

An ergonomically designed keyboard as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said armrests (32) is adapted to support substantially the ulna sides of the forearms of the operator, such that the palms of each hand of the operator are provided generally parallel to the respective keypads.

Claim 12

An ergonomically designed keyboard as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said armrests (32) is slidably movable relative to its respective keyboard, such that the ulna sides of the forearms of the operator may be supported on said armrests (32) and be slidably moved in the forward and rearward directions relative to said keyboard.

Claim 13

An ergonomically designed keyboard as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein each of said keypads is provided with at least one further key (42) at the rear of said columns for activation by the thumbs of said operator.

Claim 14

An ergonomically designed keyboard as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the location and angular position of each of said keypads and armrests is fully adjustable relative to said chair (1), and may be selected by said operator.