The present invention relates to supports for computer keyboards, laptops and computer mice. In particular it relates to supports that are adjustable, allowing a user to work comfortably at a computer whilst adopting different postures.

Repetitive strain injury problems, posture related injuries and fatigue are some of the complaints which are claimed by many computer operators and indeed there are many patents which try to deal with these problems.

A keyboard operator may still spend most of their time sitting, but to relieve tension, fatigue or just for a change of posture then a period standing in front of their computer can be a comfortable alternative. However, computer keyboards and computer mice are generally designed for a user who is sitting. Typically a keyboard is- designed so as to lean gently towards a seated user so as to present the keys to a user' s hands in a fashion that allows all the keys to be easily reached and reduces substantially the amount of flexion or extension of the wrist joint beyond the horizontal that is required to type. Even keyboards that are adjustable are designed to suit the requirements of a seated typist.

For a user who is standing there are generally three options:

a) Stretch down to the keyboard and mouse and push the keys or mouse with the tips of their fingers. Typing

— 9 — when in this position is awkward because of the steep angle between the fingertips and the keys. The keys must be operated by a stabbing type motion of the fingers and it is more difficult to span the keys.

b) Bend down to reach the keyboard and mouse. This can allow the appropriate angle between wrist, hand and keys for comfortable typing, but results in uncomfortable posture and risk of back injury.

c) Raise the keyboard and mouse to reach the keys. For example a high table. It is not generally convenient to supply both a conventional desk or workstation for seated typing and an alterative high table for typing or computing whilst standing up.

Subsequently a user does not generally stand while computing. Typing and using a computer mouse is therefore normally only carried out from a seated position.

It is an object of the invention to avoid or minimise one or more of the foregoing disadvantages.

A further object of the invention is to provide a two position keyboard and mouse stand which allows the keyboard and mouse to be used in a sitting position and also to be comfortably used in a standing position. A further object of the invention is to provide flexibility as to which side of the keyboard a user requires mouse support. A yet further object of this invention is to provide supports that can be incorporated into a computer keyboard or be used as a stand-alone piece of equipment to support an existing keyboard and mouse.

The present invention provides a keyboard support system formed and arranged so as to support a keyboard on a substantially horizontal surface in such a manner that the keyboard is moveable, by rotation about an axis proximal to the edge of the keyboard most distal to a user, from a first position in which the keyboard is substantially horizontal, to a second position in which the keyboard is supported by the keyboard support system at an angle of at least 30 degrees from the horizontal, facing away from the user.

The benefit of the invention is that it allows a keyboard that is located for conventional seated typing, on a horizontal surface, typically a desk, to be easily moved to a position where it is tilted away from a user. In such a position the user can stand up and type with their arms extended comfortably, without excessive flexing of the wrists. Supporting a keyboard at an angle of at least 30 degrees, facing away from a user, has been found to provide a comfortable position for typing whilst standing up.

Preferably the axis of rotation is adjacent to the edge of the keyboard most distal to a user.

It will be understood that the expression "substantially horizontal" with reference to the position of a keyboard, being used with the support system, means that the keyboard, when in its first position is angled for conventional seated typing. Typical keyboards, for example for use with a personal computer, are constructed so that the keys are sloped slightly towards a user for comfort and ease of use when the keyboard is placed on a horizontal

surface. When used with a support system of the invention a keyboard in the first position retains its normal attitude towards a user or alternatively the support system may be formed and arranged so as to tilt the keyboard slightly, at up to 10 degrees from the horizontal, towards a user ("minus 10 degrees") . Such a slight tilt is considered to fall within the description "substantially horizontal".

Preferably the keyboard support system is formed and arranged to support a keyboard in more than one second position. In this way the keyboard support system can support a keyboard at more than one angle. The second position (angle) most comfortable for a given user in a given situation can then be selected. For example, for a given desk height, taller users may prefer a steeper angle from the horizontal to reduce flexing at the wrists when they are standing.

Advantageously the second position (or second positions) in which the keyboard is supported by the keyboard support system is between 30 and 80 degrees from the horizontal. Desirably the keyboard support system is formed and arranged so as to support a keyboard in a second position at any angle between 30 and 80 degrees from the horizontal. This arrangement allows the user of the support system to choose precisely their most preferred angle for standing and typing. However support systems which provide only one second position are satisfactory in many circumstances.

Preferably the support system includes securing means to secure a keyboard in a said second position and releasable to allow the keyboard to return to the first position. The

securing means ensures that the keyboard remains supported in the second position until the user elects to return it to the first position, for seated typing.

Preferably the keyboard support system further comprises mouse support means formed and arranged to support a computer mouse, at substantially the same angle from the horizontal as the keyboard, and facing away from the user, when the keyboard is in a said second position. The provision of mouse support means which can support a mouse at the same angle as the keyboard allows a user to carry out both typing and mouse operations with the same degree of ease and comfort when typing standing up.

Desirably the mouse support means can be located either to the left or the right of the keyboard. This allows a user to operate a mouse with their chosen hand. Thus in the design of the keyboard support system some consideration has been given as to whether the user is more comfortable with the computer mouse on the right hand side of the keyboard or on the left hand side of the keyboard. Some operators even alternate their mouse hand over several months to relieve stress. Therefore it is preferred that the mouse support means of the keyboard support system is moveable from the left to the right side of a keyboard in use with the rest of the support system. Alternatively mouse support means may be provided for use at both left and right sides of a keyboard in use with the support system.

Thus the invention provides a keyboard support system including mouse support means which can support a computer keyboard and a computer mouse at an angle of between zero

degrees and minus 10 degrees from the horizontal plane, for seated typing, and at an angle of between 30 degrees and 80 degrees from the horizontal plane for standing and typing.

The keyboard support system may, for example, comprise a pair of substantially flat plates, hinged together along one edge. Preferably, one plate functions as a base plate and the other plate functions as a keyboard support top. In use, the base plate, with the keyboard support top lying on top of it, is placed on a horizontal surface, such as a desk. The hinged edge is placed away from a user who places their keyboard upon the keyboard support top. The forward edge of the keyboard, i.e. the edge most distal from the user, is located near the hinge. In this position the keyboard is substantially horizontal and is used for typing in the conventional, seated manner.

When the user wishes to stand and type they open the pair of plates about the hinge thereby rotating the keyboard placed on the keyboard support top away from the user to the second position. It can be held in place by securing means, which may be, for example, a locking mechanism which locks the hinge at a selected angle. A support strut or struts may be provided to hold the hinged plates open at the desired angle for standing and typing. This can provide a stiffer, more stable support. Optionally, the base plate may be provided with a plurality, most preferably a multiplicity, of grooves (or stops) with which the support strut (s) may engage, to enable the hinged plates to be held open at any one of a plurality of possible angles. Preferably a keyboard stop (or stops) is provided to ensure the keyboard remains located on the

support top. Keyboard stops may, for example, take the form of simple projections from the support top.

With such an arrangement mouse support means can be provided simply by the provision of a keyboard support top which has an area sufficiently large to accommodate the keyboard and a mouse. Alternatively a separate pair of hinged plates may be provided as mouse support means. This form of the mouse support means may be releasably attachable to either side of the keyboard support system. The mouse support means may be provided with a stop means to prevent a mouse sliding from the mouse support means when it is in the second position. Conveniently, suitable guides, such as for example a slot in the stop means, are provided to provide passage for a mouse cable.

Alternatively the keyboard support system may, for example, comprise a strut or struts formed and arranged for attachment to a keyboard. The struts may be moveable in relation to the keyboard. For example, the struts may be attached by hinges to the underside of a keyboard. In the first position, where the keyboard is substantially horizontal, the struts preferably lie horizontally, or substantially horizontally. Conveniently the struts are underneath the keyboard when in this position. To reach the second position, the keyboard is rotated about its forward edge (distal from a user) , which remains on the horizontal surface (desk) . The strut or struts are then deployed to support the keyboard in the second position. Securing means, such as a stop or locking mechanism on the hinges of the struts, may be provided to keep the keyboard in the second position until it is released for a return to the first position. Optionally, a plurality of struts

having different lengths and/or attached to the keyboard at different points may be provided, for enabling the keyboard to be supported at a plurality of different possible angles to the horizontal surface. Preferably three pairs of struts, each pair preferably having a different length, are provided, the struts of each said pair being spaced apart and hingedly connected to the underside of the keyboard.

The keyboard support system of the invention may also be employed in the support of a laptop computer. In this case the entire laptop computer, which generally has the keyboard located on top of the rest of the computer mechanism with a screen attached thereto by a hinge, is supported by the keyboard support system.

The keyboard support system of the invention may be constructed of any suitably rigid material, such as, for example, metal, plastic or wood.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 (a) shows in exploded view components for a keyboard support system according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 (b) shows in exploded view components for a mouse support for use with the keyboard support system of Figure 1 (a) ;

Figure 1 (c) shows in exploded view components for two alternative versions of one of the components of the system of Figure 1 (a) ;

Figure 1 (d) shows in exploded view, components for a keyboard support system for use with a laptop computer;

Figure 2 shows in perspective view the components of Figures 1 (a) to (d) in assembled condition;

Figure 3 shows the assemblies of figure 2 in position for supporting keyboards and computer mice when a user is standing and typing;

Figure 4 shows in perspective view keyboard support systems of the invention including mouse support means in various configurations;

Figures 5 to 10 show in plan, end and rear elevations the components of the keyboard support system of figure l(a);

Figures 11 to 13 show in plan, end and rear elevations the components of the mouse support means of figure l(b);

Figures 17 to 22 show in plan, end and rear elevations the keyboard support tops of figure l(c);

Figures 23 to 28 show in plan, end and rear elevations the keyboard support system of figure 1 (d) ;

Figure 29 shows in side elevation keyboard support systems in closed and opened positions;

Figure 30 is a perspective schematic view of an embodiment of the keyboard support system of the invention, in use with a keyboard and a computer mouse;

Figure 31 (a) shows in exploded view components for a further embodiment of a keyboard support system of the invention;

Figure 31 (b) shows the components of figure 31 (a) in assembled condition;

Figures 32 (a) and (b) shows an embodiment of the invention employing a strut to support a keyboard;

Figure 32 (c) is a rear view of a modified version of the embodiment of Figures 32 (a) and (b) ;

Figure 33 shows a further embodiment of the invention employing a strut.

Figure 1 (a) shows in exploded view an embodiment of a keyboard support system 1 of the invention which consists of a base 2 and a keyboard support top 4. The base 2 and keyboard support top 4 are shown in plan view in figures 5 and 6 respectively, with corresponding end elevations in figures 7 and 8 and front elevations in figures 9 and 10.

The base 2 is a substantially flat plate 6 of a plastic material. Along the front (hinge) edge 8 the plate is bent slightly upwards from the line 10 (see figure 8) . The front edge 8 of the plate 6 has two upper rotation supports 12 and two lower rotation supports 14, each support being a curved plate of part cylinder form projecting forwards from

-lithe front edge 8 of the plate 6. The rotation supports 12,

14 have the same diameter and are centred on the same axis, which runs parallel to the front edge 8 of the plate 6. The upper rotation supports 12 project above the front edge 8 and the lower rotation supports 14 project below the front edge 8 (see figure 10) . The lower rotation supports 14 abut two guide slots 16 on the front edge 8 of the plate 6. Also provided on the plate 6 are two pairs of combining slots 18, 20 which are located towards the left 22 and right 24 edges respectively of the base 2.

The keyboard support top 4 is a substantially flat plate 26 of similar construction to the base 2, and of a size suitable for the placement of a keyboard (not shown) thereon. The front edge 30 of the plate 26 has two pairs of rotation supports, upper 32 and lower 34, of part cylinder form projecting from it. These rotation supports 32, 34 have a diameter slightly larger than the rotation supports 12, 14 of the base 2. The lower rotation supports 34 of the top 4 are angled, having parallel left and right edges that project obliquely from the front edge 30 of the plate 26. Stop shoulders 36 in the form of notches are provided along one edge of each upper rotation support 32.

The keyboard support top 4 is also provided with two keyboard stops 37 which project vertically from the front edge 30 of the support top 4. A folded portion 38 of the keyboard support top 4 provides added strength to the plate 26.

When fitted together, as shown in figures 2 and 3, the rotation supports 12, 14 of the base 2 rest inside those 32, 34 of the keyboard support top 4 to form a hinge

assembly 39, with the lower rotation supports 34 of the keyboard support top 4 passing through the guide slots 16 on the front edge 8 of the base 2.

In the position shown in figure 2 the keyboard support top 4 rests on the base 2 at a 10° angle from the horizontal towards a user (see figure 29 where the angle marked X is 10 degrees) . Thus, with the base 2 resting on a horizontal surface, with the support system in the position shown in figure 2, the top 4 is supported at a 10° angle to the horizontal. In this position a keyboard (not shown) placed on the support top 4 is suitably angled towards a user for normal, seated, typing. For typing when standing up, the keyboard support top 4 is rotated about the hinge assembly 39 to the position shown in figure 3 in which the support top 4 faces away from a standing user and is disposed at an angle at least 30 degrees to the base plate (in the illustrated embodiment this angle is approximately 60 degrees) . As the support top 4 is rotated upwards into the position shown in figure 3 it is also moved slightly sideways, by the action of the obliquely angled lower rotation supports 34 passing through the guide slots 16 into which they are a close fit. The stop shoulders 36 engage with an edge of guide slot 16 when the position of figure 3 is reached, to act as securing means to hold the support top 4 in position. In the position of figure 3 a standing typist, with arms extending more or less straight downwardly towards a keyboard placed on the support top 4, can type comfortably, without excessive flexing at the wrists. The keyboard is prevented from sliding forwards by the keyboard stops 37 against which a forward edge (namely the edge most distal to the user) of the keyboard rests. To return the keyboard support top 4 to the normal typing

position, it is moved slightly sideways to disengage the stop shoulders 36 from the slots 16, and then simply lowered back to the position of figure 2.

Figure 1 (b) shows in exploded view a mouse support 42 which is adapted to act as mouse support means as an optional part of the keyboard support system 1 already described. The mouse support 42 is of generally the same construction as that of the keyboard support system 1. The mouse support has a mouse base 43 and a mouse support top 44 with a surface area corresponding to that of a typical mouse mat. The mouse base 43 and mouse support top 44 are also shown in plan view in figure 12 and 11 respectively with corresponding end elevations in figures 14 and 13 and front elevations in figures 16 and 15. As can be seen from figures 11 and 12 the guide slots 16 are located on the support top 44 in this embodiment. The upper rotation supports 12 of the mouse base 43 are obliquely angled and have stop shoulder 36, for engagement with the guide slots 16. When connected together as shown in figures 2 and 3 the mouse support top 44 can pivot about a hinge assembly 39 of the same form as that of the rest of the keyboard support system.

The mouse base 43 is provided with two pairs of combining lips 48, 50, one pair on each side edge of the base 43. A strip-like mouse stop 52 projects from the front edge 54 of the mouse support top 44 and has a slot 58 for passage therethrough of a mouse cable (not shown) . A mouse socket slot 60 is provided on the support top to enable passage of a cable end having a socket for connecting a mouse to a computer.

In use the mouse support 42 can be pivoted in the same manner as that of the keyboard support system 1, as shown in figures 2 and 3, to facilitate use of a mouse by a user, from a seated or standing position. Furthermore the mouse support 42 can be connected to the rest of the keyboard support system 1 by locating either of the pairs of combining lips 48, 50 into corresponding slots 18, 20 of the base 2. This is shown in figure 4 for either left or right hand mouse operation. Once connected together the combination keyboard support system 1 and mouse support 42 can be raised and lowered together for seated or standing use.

Figure 1 (c) shows two alterative embodiments of the keyboard support top which include an area for mouse support, 61 in left hand 62 and right hand 64 forms respectively. These keyboard support tops 62, 64 are shown in plan view in figures 17 and 18 respectively in elevation in figures 19 and 20 and front elevation in figures 21 and 22. These keyboard tops 64, 62 can be combined with the keyboard support base 2 as shown in figures 2 and 3 to form a keyboard support system for both a mouse and a keyboard. Figure 30 illustrates the use of the right hand top 64 in such a support system with a keyboard 40 and mouse 66 in place for a standing typist working at a display screen 68, with the support system on a horizontal surface 70, which in this case is a desktop. In this embodiment the mouse stop 52 acts as one of the support system' s keyboard stops against which the forward edge 84 of the keyboard 40 rests.

As illustrated in figure 4 the alternative keyboard support tops 62, 64 can also be used together with a mouse support

42 to provide an arrangement where a mouse can be used at the left or right hand of a user.

A support system 72 adapted for use with a laptop computer is shown in figure l(d) . It has the same general construction of the keyboard support system 1 but has a top 4 of smaller dimension suitable for supporting a laptop computer. In this example the keyboard stop 21 has the form of an elongate bar 73. Plan, end and front elevations of the components of the support 72 are shown in figures 23 to 28 with the assembled support 72 shown in figures 2 and 3. In this embodiment the lower rotation supports 34 on the top 4 are not angled obliquely from the front edge 30 and the stop shoulder 36 are slots in the lower rotation supports (see figure 23) . When the top 4 has been rotated to the second position it moves to the right to engage the stop shoulders (slots) 36 with an edge of the guide slots 16 to secure the laptop in the second position. The support 72 can be used in conjunction with a mouse support 42 is illustrated in figure 4.

Figure 29 shows in end elevation the support system arrangements of figure 3 in closed (for seated typing) and open (for standing and typing) positions. In the closed position a keyboard or mouse sited on the devices is gently angled (X = 10 degrees to the horizontal) towards a user. In the open position an angle Y, in this case about 60 degrees from the horizontal, is obtained.

Figures 31 (a) and (b) show modified versions of embodiments of the keyboard support 1 and mouse support 42 of figures l(a) and (b) in exploded and assembled views. In these embodiments, the base 2 of the keyboard 1 has two upper

rotational supports 12 and a single lower rotational support 14 which has feet 74 for resting on a substantially- horizontal surface. Two main strut support slots 76 are supplied on the plate 6 of the base 2, spaced apart for receiving opposite end portions of a support strut 82. A series 77 of further spaced strut support grooves/stops are also provided on the plate 6 of the base 2, spaced forwardly (i.e. more towards the user) of the main support slots 76, for enabling the keyboard support top 4 to be supported at several different possible angles to the horizontal. This range of possible angles allows people of different heights (e.g. tall and small) to choose an appropriate angle to suit their own height. The main strut support slots 76 are raised slightly relative to the other support groves/stops, so as to maximise the angle to the horizontal which can be achieved. In this embodiment, with the strut located in the main strut support slots 76 the keyboard support top is at an angle of approximately 57 degrees to the horizontal.

The keyboard support top 4 has two upper rotation supports 32 and one lower rotation support 34. It is also provided with two lugs 78 for attachment of a keyboard stop 37 which can also act to provide extra support for a laptop screen (when opened from the laptop keyboard) if the support system 1 is used with a laptop computer. Hinge attachment points 80 are provided for a support strut 82. As shown in the assembled views of figure 31 (b) , when the support top 4 is elevated for a user typing from a standing position, the support strut 82 is located in the support slots 76 to hold the device in the desired position. Stop shoulders are therefore not required to act as securing means in the hinge assembly 39.

The mouse support 42 of figures 31 (a) and (b) takes the same general form as that of the keyboard support 1 of the same figures.

Figure 32 (a) shows a further alternative embodiment in a perspective view and an end elevation. The keyboard 40 is shown in its second position supported by an interengaged support strut 82 which is hinged to the back of the keyboard 40. When not in use the support strut 82 is folded by means of the hinge 83 to lie under the keyboard 40 which itself rests on the horizontal surface 70 in the conventional manner (first position) for typing. The keyboard 40 is then moved into the second position as shown in figure 32 (a) by rotation about the forward edge (the edge distal from a user) 84 of the keyboard 40 in the direction shown by the curved arrow F in the end elevation view. The support strut 82 is then deployed in the manner shown to support the keyboard 40 by acting as prop between it and the horizontal surface 70 as shown.

Figure 32 (b) shows use of the embodiment of figure 32 (a) in conjunction with a mouse support 42 to provide a keyboard support system which can support a keyboard 40 and a mouse (not shown) for standing and typing.

Figure 32 (c) shows a rear view of a modified version of the embodiment of Figure 32 (a) in which the back of the keyboard 40 has three pairs of support struts 82a, 82b, 82c hinged thereto. The two struts in each pair are spaced apart and each positioned proximal to a respective one of the side edges 81a, 81b of the keyboard, as shown in Figure 32 (c) . Each pair of struts is of a different length,

enabling the keyboard to be supported at three different possible angles to the horizontal surface on which the keyboard is placed.

Figure 33 illustrates a yet further embodiment where a keyboard is supported on a plate 26 which is similar to the keyboard support top 4 of the embodiment of figure 1 (a) but without the components for a hinge assembly. The plate 26 has a strut 82 attached by a hinge 83. As shown, when the plate 6 is rotated in the direction of the arrow G, the keyboard 40 is moved into position for standing and typing with its forward edge 84 resting on the horizontal surface 70 and the strut 82 holds the plate 26 in position.

It will be appreciated that various other modifications to the above described embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.