Abstract:
An ergonomic keyboard assembly arranged for providing input to an existing keyboard device having a plurality of keys that are moveable relative to a frame. The ergonomic keyboard comprises means for attaching the ergonomic keyboard assembly to the existing keyboard device. The ergonomic keyboard assembly further comprises a plurality of keys mounted to the support surface, the keys being arranged in first and second key sections. The first key section carries thereon keys adapted for operation by fingers of one of the operator&#39;s right and left hands. The first key section is spatially separated from the second key section. The second key section carries thereon keys adapted for operation by fingers of the other of the operator&#39;s right and left hands. The ergonomic keyboard assembly also comprises a plurality of actuation mechanisms respectively linked with the plurality of keys mounted to the support surface. The actuation mechanisms have respective hammers each driven along a trajectory so as to strike one of the plurality of keys on the existing keyboard when an associated one of the plurality of keys mounted to the support surface is depressed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a Divisional of co-pending Application Ser. No. 09/584,897, filed May 25, 2000, entitled AN ERGONOMIC KEYBOARD DEVICE, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The basic stenographic recording machine mechanism today used by court reporters has changed little since the invention of the machine over 40 years ago. Modern stenographic recording machines have adapted the basic mechanism to digital computer technology. However, despite the addition of such technology, the basic mechanical mechanism remains essentially intact with no innovations being made to address repetitive stress injuries that can result from frequent and prolonged use of such devices.  
           [0003]    Frequent use of stenographic keyboards can result in injuries due to the unnatural angle the hands are required to assume to operate the keyboard of the existing stenographic recording machine when typing. An operator of a conventional stenographic keyboard must rotate his or her arms so as to dispose the hands in a palms-down position, by pronation, and align the fingers with the rows of keys by twisting each hand outwardly at the wrist, by ulnar deviation. Conventional stenographic keyboards can result in the operator&#39;s arm and hand muscles functioning poorly and increasing risks of injury. Tendons and nerves are adversely affected, and over time, this abuse can lead to repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are shooting pains from the wrists to the forearms, palms or fingers. In extreme cases, carpal tunnel syndrome is permanently debilitating. In a significant number of cases, repetitive stress injuries have forced court reporters and other workers which frequently use a stenographic keyboard to an alternative type of employment that does not require use of any keyboard.  
           [0004]    This invention relates generally to ergonomic keyboard devices and more particularly to an ergonomic keyboard assembly that is arranged for providing input to a stenographic keyboard. The present invention allows an improved and more natural hand and arm position while typing, thereby reducing repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. To reduce the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries, a keyboard should alleviate the underlying causes of repetitive stress injuries. Such an improved keyboard, which is realized in the present invention, relieves muscle and tendon strain, lessens or reduces wrist deviation, reduces or eliminates forearm pronation, reduces the distance fingers must travel and lessens the force necessary to the keys.  
           [0005]    A number of prior art keyboard designs have been proposed in an attempt to reduce repetitive stress injuries. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,449 (Danziger) discloses an ergonomic keyboard featuring a front keypad facing the operator and left and right keypads that are at approximately a 45 degree angle positioned in tripod fashion substantially forming a pyramid with the front keypad. U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,030 (Crews) discloses an ergonomically designed keyboard usable on a typewriter or a compute terminal that is configured in accordance with ergonomic principles using chording of one thumb and one finger to type the characters of the English alphabet. The keyboard includes right and left pre-loaded palm pads which are shaped and contoured to fit the hands. The palm pads support the hands and operate the SHIFT and SHIFT LOCK functions. The punctuation keys are not affected by the SHIFT function. Movement of the writing position or cursor with respect to the medium is controlled by thumb-operated keys which are pushed in the direction of the desired movement. U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,005 (Lahr) discloses a design wherein the conventional QWERTY keyboard layout is split into two separate pieces allowing the operator to space each horizontal keypad at a comfortable interval. U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,470 (Casey) discloses a keyboard with keys concentrated in clusters in such a manner so as to be operated by specific fingers designated for specific clusters. Keys are clustered and clusters arranged to allow rapid finger motion with little hand motion. The keyboard arrangement also allows the hands and arms to be positioned in a natural manner in relation to the body. U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,659 (Malt) discloses a typewriter keyboard arranged to take into account the frequency of occurrence of letters so that the keys for the most frequently occurring letters are positioned for easiest operation by the typist. U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,482 (Einbinder) discloses orthogonal ten-finger keyboards for typewriters, computer terminals, and other devices processing alphanumeric information that maximize entry rates and stroking accuracy and minimizes finger motions and the time needed to master the keyboard.  
           [0006]    While the aforementioned patents may be suitable for their intended purposes, the keyboards disclosed in these patents are arranged to replace existing keyboards that are utilized in conjunction with electric or electronic typewriters, word processors or computer input terminals. In other words, none are arranged for actuation of an existing keyboard device such as the mechanical keyboard utilized on a stenographic recording machine. It would be a significant advance in the art to provide an ergonomic keyboard that is arranged for providing input to an existing keyboard device such as a stenographic keyboard.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide an ergonomic keyboard device that overcomes the disadvantages of prior art ergonomic keyboards.  
           [0008]    It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an ergonomic keyboard device that allows the hands and arms to be positioned in a natural manner in relation to the body.  
           [0009]    It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an ergonomic keyboard device that allows rapid finger motion with little hand motion.  
           [0010]    It is also a specific object of this invention to provide an ergonomic keyboard device that may be utilized to actuate a stenographic keyboard.  
           [0011]    It is also a specific object of this invention to provide an ergonomic keyboard device that may be quickly and easily attached to and removed from an existing stenographic recording machine.  
           [0012]    It is also a specific object of this invention to provide an ergonomic keyboard device which is portable.  
           [0013]    It is also a specific object of this invention to provide an ergonomic keyboard device which is simple in construction.  
           [0014]    It is also a specific object of this invention to provide an ergonomic keyboard device which is reliable in operation and easy to use.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    These and other objects of this invention are achieved by providing an ergonomic keyboard assembly arranged for providing input to an existing keyboard device having a plurality of keys that are moveable relative to a frame. The ergonomic keyboard assembly comprises means for attaching the ergonomic keyboard assembly to the existing keyboard device. The ergonomic keyboard assembly further comprises a plurality of keys mounted to the support surface, the keys being arranged in first and second key sections. The first key section carries thereon keys adapted for operation by fingers of one of the operator&#39;s right and left hands and is spatially separated from the second key section. The second key section carries thereon keys adapted for operation by fingers of the other of the operator&#39;s right and left hands. The ergonomic keyboard assembly also comprises a plurality of actuation mechanisms respectively linked with the plurality of keys mounted to the support surface. The actuation mechanisms have respective hammers each driven along a trajectory so as to strike one of the plurality of keys on the existing keyboard when an associated one of the plurality of keys mounted to the support surface is depressed.  
           [0016]    In a variation of the disclosed embodiment, the ergonomic keyboard assembly additionally includes a housing comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, a front edge closest to the operator and a rear edge, the housing including the support surface disposed in the lower portion.  
           [0017]    In another variation of the disclosed embodiment, the upper portion of the housing further comprises wrist support pads disposed on the top surface thereof and extending towards the front edge for reducing stress and tension.  
           [0018]    In another variation of the disclosed embodiment, the existing keyboard device is a stenographic keyboard device.  
           [0019]    In another variation of the disclosed embodiment, the actuation mechanism comprises an input arm, an output arm and a cable connecting the input arm with the output arm, the hammers being integral with each of the output arms.  
           [0020]    In another variation of the disclosed embodiment, each cable comprises a first end and a second end with cable stops disposed on the first and second ends.  
           [0021]    In another variation of the disclosed embodiment, the plurality of keys mounted to the support surface are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    Other objects and many attendant features of this invention will become readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the ergonomic keyboard device of the present invention attached to a stenographic recording machine;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the ergonomic keyboard device of the present invention illustrating the manner for attaching the device to the stenographic recording machine;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a view of the ergonomic keyboard device of the present invention with its cover removed and attached to a stenographic recording machine to illustrate its operation;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken through line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken through line  5 - 5  of FIG. 3;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the area circled and labeled “ 6 ” in FIG. 3;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the area circled and labeled “ 7 ” in FIG. 3; and,  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is an isometric view from below illustrating attachment of the ergonomic keyboard device of the present invention to a stenographic recording machine. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]    Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown at  10  in FIG. 1 a first embodiment of the ergonomic keyboard device installed on a stenographic recording machine  20 . The stenographic recording machine  20  is utilized by a court reporter or stenographer for creating a transcript which is a word-for-word account of questions asked and responses given during a court proceeding or an out-of-court proceeding such as a deposition. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stenographic recording machine  20  includes an LCD display  22 , a keyboard  24  and a housing  26 . In use, in response to the manipulation of a particular key on the keyboard  24 , a type bar element (not shown) emerges from the housing  26  and impresses a portion of an endless inked ribbon (not shown) against a print medium (not shown). As best shown in FIG. 2, the keys of the stenographic recording machine  20  are arranged in an upper number bar  28 , an upper horizontal row  30  of rectangle-shaped keys, a second horizontal row  32  of keys having rounded bottoms and a lower horizontal row  34  of keys having rounded bottoms.  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIG. 1, the ergonomic keyboard device  10  of the present invention includes a housing  40  that includes an upper shell  36  that is arranged to fit over a lower shell  38 . As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower shell  38  is provided with a plurality of upstanding bosses  44 , each boss  44  being molded into the lower shell  38  and located to correspond with one of a plurality of bosses (not shown) located in the upper shell  36 .  
         [0033]    As best shown in FIG. 3, the lower shell  38  is provided with an inner ridge  39  along its periphery to enable the upper and lower shells to fit together in a tongue-in-groove manner to give the appearance of one integral shell when fitted together. Once fitted together, the upper and lower shells  36  and  38 , may be affixed to each other using any suitable securing hardware, e.g., threaded screws, extending upwardly through the upstanding bosses  44  located in the lower shell  38  and into the threaded bosses (not shown) located in the upper shell  36 . Referring now to FIG. 4, the upper shell  36  is provided with a plurality of internal ribs  46  that actually extend downwardly slightly beyond the parting line of the upper shell  36 . The ribs  46  are provided for alignment of the upper and lower shells to prevent inward movement of the lower shell  38  with respect to the upper shell  36 .  
         [0034]    Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a rod-like pivot shaft  50  spanning almost the entire length of the lower shell  38  is fixedly secured within the lower shell  38 . As best shown in FIG. 3, the pivot shaft  50  is cylindrical along its length and is provided with flats  52  at its opposite ends. The flats  52  are provided with through openings to enable fixed securement of the pivot shaft  50  to upwardly extending bosses  54  molded within the lower shell  38 , the bosses  54  having threaded inserts disposed thereon. Fixed securement of the pivot shaft  50  within the lower shell  38  is accomplished by any suitable means, e.g., passing socketed cap screws  56  through the openings provided at the flattened ends  52  of the pivot shaft  50  and into the upwardly extending bosses  54 . Securement of the pivot shaft  50  in this manner prevents rotational movement of the pivot shaft  50  along its longitudinal axis during use of the ergonomic keyboard device of the present invention. Support ribs  57  molded into the lower shell  38  extend upwardly therefrom to provide additional support for the pivot shaft  50  at evenly spaced intervals along the length of the pivot shaft  50  in order to minimize flexing of the pivot shaft  50 .  
         [0035]    Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the ergonomic keyboard device  10  of the present invention is provided with a plurality of keys  59  that are arranged into two sets, i.e., a right set of input keys, indicated generally at  60  (FIG. 3), and a left set of input keys, indicated generally at  62 . If the right set  60  and left set  62  of input keys were placed together, they would be arranged in the conventional keyboard distribution as is found on the keyboard  24  of the stenographic recording machine  20  shown in FIG. 2. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the input keys of the ergonomic keyboard device  10  are split into two different sets, i.e., the right set  60  and the left set  62 . The right set  60  is disposed to the right of the stenographic recording machine  20  while the left set  62  is disposed to the left side of the stenographic recording machine  20 . In other words, the stenographic recording machine  20  is disposed between the right set  60  and left set  62  of keys. When split in this manner, the keyboard arrangement of the present invention reduces stress and tension experienced by a human stenographer or court reporter during a court proceeding or an out-of-court proceeding such as a deposition.  
         [0036]    As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each key  59  is disposed on the fore end of an associated input arm shaft  64 . As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and  6 , in proximity to its aft end, each input arm shaft  64  includes a through opening  64   a  for rotatable attachment to the rod-like pivot shaft  50 . The input arm shafts  64  are spaced from one another along the length of the pivot shaft  50  by means of cylindrical spacers  66  disposed therebetween. The cylindrical spacers  66  may be formed of any suitable material, e.g., plastic, and are sized to enable lateral adjustment of the input arm shafts  64  on the pivot shaft  50  to assure they are accurately spaced from one another to simulate spacing of the keys on the keyboard  24  of the stenographic recording machine  20 . Referring now to FIG. 2, the pivot shaft  50  is also provided with grooves (not shown) in which retaining clips  69  are arranged to be disposed. The retaining clips  69 , when disposed within the grooves (not shown) of the pivot shaft  50 , act to prevent lateral movement of the input arm shafts  64 , spacers  66  and output arms  80  in lateral directions along the length of the pivot shaft  50 .  
         [0037]    Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4 and  6 , a cable  68  of any suitable diameter, e.g., 0.017 to 0.018 inches in diameter, is connected to the aft end of each input arm shaft  64  by means of a cable stop  70  disposed at one end of each cable  68 . Each cable  68  extends through a cable collar  72  and through a sheath  74  which acts to cover and protect the length of the cable  68 . The cable collar  72  is secured within a notch formed in a web  73  that is molded into and extends upwardly from the lower shell  38 . Referring now to FIGS. 2, 5 and  7 , at its second end, each cable  68  extends through a second cable collar  78  and into a cable stop  79  which connects the cable  68  with an output arm  80 . The second cable collar  78  is mounted within a notch provided within a web  81  molded into and extending upwardly from the lower shell  38 . Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5,  6  and  7 , upon depression of the key  59  associated with the cable  68 , the sheath  74  and collars  72  and  78  remain stationary and in position while the length of cable  68  between the second cable collar  78  and the output arm  80  decreases thus pulling on the output arm  80  and causing it to rotate downwardly which acts to depress a corresponding key in the second horizontal row  32  on the keyboard  24  of the stenographic recording machine  20 . Thus, the cable mechanism described herein works under the same principal as a bicycle brake cable. Although not completely shown in the figures, the remaining keys  59  are connected to the remaining output arms  80  in the same manner.  
         [0038]    The right and left sets  60 ,  62  of input keys are arranged to duplicate the arrangement of the conventional keyboard distribution as is found on the keyboard  24  of the stenographic recording machine  20 . As best shown in FIG. 2 and referring now to the right set  60  of input keys and their associated input arm shafts  64 , the left-most input arm shaft  64  in the right set  60  includes two arms on a single shaft. Hence, the keys  59   a  associated with this input arm shaft  64  are tied together to match the manner in which the stenographic recording machine  20  is manufactured. Thus, by depressing either of the keys  59   a  disposed on this input arm shaft  64 , both keys get depressed. Likewise, the right-most and left-most input arm shafts  64  associated with the left set  62  of input keys each have two keys associated with each arm shaft  64 . The keys  59   b  associated with these input arm shafts  64  are also tied together to match the manner in which the stenographic recording machine  20  is manufactured. Further, to duplicate the arrangement of the conventional keyboard distribution as is found on the keyboard  24  of the stenographic recording machine  20 , both the left and rights sets  60  and  62  are provided with a number bar  82 . As best shown in FIG. 2, the common number bar  82  is mounted to a metal stamping  110  which is secured to a pair of arms  112  by any suitable means, e.g., screws  114 . By depressing the number bar  82  while depressing other keys, numbers are printed on the printed medium instead of letters.  
         [0039]    Again referring to FIG. 3, the right set  60  of input keys is provided with a right-hand spring support bracket  84  which is disposed over the input arm shafts  64  associated with the right set  60  of keys  59 . The right-hand spring support bracket  84  is mounted to upwardly extending bosses  86  molded within the lower shell  38  by any suitable means, e.g., self-tapping screws  87 , the bosses  86  having threaded inserts disposed therein. As best shown in FIG. 4, each input arm shaft  64  is provided with a hook  65  to enable attachment to the right-hand spring support bracket  84  by means of an extension spring  75  disposed therebetween. The extension spring  75  may be of any suitable construction, e.g., 0.062 inch diameter music wire and provides spring loading of the keys  59 . In particular, after depressing a key  59 , the extension spring  75  acts to pull up on the input arm shaft  64  to return it to a position it occupied prior to being depressed so that it is ready for the next actuation during use. Likewise the left set of input keys  62  are provided with a left-hand spring support bracket  85  disposed over the input arm shafts  64  associated with the left set  62  of keys  59  to provide spring-loading for these keys in the same manner as discussed above.  
         [0040]    Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, the aft ends of the output arms  80  rest against a spring bar  90  having a felt pad  92  which serves as a surface contact material. The felt pad  92  provides two functions: shock resistance and noise reduction. As shown in FIG. 2, the spring bar  90  is mounted within the lower shell  38  by attachment to a bracket  94 . As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the bracket  94  is provided with a through opening  94   a  to enable mounting of the bracket  94  onto the pivot shaft  68 . As best shown in FIG. 4, the bracket  94  is mounted within the lower shell  38  using suitable mounting hardware, e.g., screws  97 . Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a spring  98  having hooks at its ends is arranged for attachment at one end to an opening in the bracket  94 . At its other end, the spring  98  is mounted to a small post  100  (best shown in FIG. 2) molded into and extending upwardly from the lower shell  38 . The post  100  is provided with a detent to enable mounting of the spring  98 . The spring bar  90  pivots with spring retention on the pivot shaft  50 . The felt pad  92  mounted to the spring bar  90  backs up and keeps pressure on the aft ends of the output arms  80 . In other words, the felt pad  92  provides resistance against the aft ends of the output arms  80  in response to rotation of the output arms  80  caused by actuation of keys  59 . As shown in FIG. 5, at their opposite end, each output arm  80  is provided with a tip  80   a  arranged for contacting the keyboard  24  of the existing stenographic recording machine  20 . The tip  80   a  of each output arm  80  is provided with a suitable coating, e.g., polyethylene, to reduce noise and prevent marring of the surface of the keyboard  24  of the existing stenographic recording machine  20 .  
         [0041]    Referring again to FIG. 3, an output spring support bracket  95  is disposed over the output arms  80 . The output spring support bracket  95  is mounted to upwardly extending bosses  96  molded within the lower shell  38  by any suitable means, e.g., self-tapping screws, the bosses  96  having threaded inserts disposed therein. As best shown in FIG. 5, each output arm  80  is provided with a hook  88  to enable attachment to the output spring support bracket  95  by means of an extension spring  75  disposed therebetween. The extension spring  75  may be of any suitable construction, e.g., 0.062 inch diameter music wire. After rotation of the output arm  80  in response to actuation of a key  59 , the extension spring  75  acts to pull up on the output arm  80  to return it to a predetermined position that is determined by an output arm adjusting plate  101 . The output spring support bracket  95  provides the un-actuated output arms  80  with self-tensioning so that the ergonomic keyboard d e v i c e  10  of the present invention has the same feel as the keyboard  24  of the stenographic recording machine  20 . Moreover, the output spring support bracket  95  is provided so that the weight of unactuated output arms  80  will not rest upon the keyboard  24  of the of the stenographic recording machine  20 .  
         [0042]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, upward movement of the output arms  80  is limited by the output arm adjusting plate  101 . The output arm adjusting plate  101  limits movement of the output arms in a similar manner to that in which movement of keys on the keyboard  24  of the stenographic recording machine  20  are limited. The output arm adjusting plate  101  is provided with a control knob  102  which is positioned above the upper shell  36  of the housing  40 . The control knob  102  engages the adjusting plate  100  to permit vertical adjustment of the position of the adjusting plate  100  and thus vertical adjustment, i.e., raising and lowering, of the output arms  80  to eliminate any gaps between the output arms  80  and the keyboard  24  of the stenographic recording machine  20  when the ergonomic keyboard is mounted to the existing stenographic recording machine  20 . Accordingly, the length of the keystroke is controllable by means of control knob  102  by up to a predetermined amount, e.g., one-quarter of an inch. The adjusting plate  100  is provided to adjust the height of the output arms  80  so that it does not become necessary to adjust the height of the keyboard  24  of the stenographic recording machine  20 .  
         [0043]    The manner for mounting the ergonomic keyboard device  10  of the present invention over the keyboard  24  of the stenographic recording machine  20  is fully illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, holes  116  are opened through side walls on opposite sides of the housing of the stenographic recording machine  20 . A bushing  118  is inserted into each hole  116  and provides a through hole through which a latch pin  120  may be inserted. As best shown in FIG. 8, the length of the bushing  1   18  corresponds to the thickness of the sidewall of the stenographic recording machine  20 . Once inserted through the bushing  118 , the latch pin  120  is secured to the housing  26  by threading through a lock nut  122  located on the inside of the sidewalls. In FIG. 8, the lock nut  122 , bushing  118  and latch pin  120  are shown assembled to the housing  26  so that the entire weight of the ergonomic keyboard device  10  of the present invention can be supported by the latch pins  120  installed onto the housing  26 . The latch pins  120  are arranged to accept a latch block  124  having a groove  126 , the latch block  124  being attachable to the upper shell  36  (see FIGS. 2 and 4) utilizing suitable hardware, e.g., screws. Each latch block  124  is provided with a spring-loaded pull pin  132  which provides a locking function. That is, the spring-loaded pull pin  132  acts as a gate latch to retain and captivate the latch pin  120  within the groove  126  of the latch block  124 . Additional mounting blocks  131  are provided to enable attachment of a clip bar  133  to the housing  26  of the stenographic recording machine  20 . Specifically, the clip bar  133  is provided with flat portions  134  to enable attachment of the clip bar  132  to the mounting blocks  131  using suitable mounting hardware  136 , e.g., spherical washers and bolts. Specifically, for secure mounting of the mounting blocks  131 , the spherical washers are to be located within the housing  26  of the stenographic recording machine  20  and the bolt passed from within the housing  26  and into the blocks  131 . As best shown in FIG. 8, the mounting blocks  131  are mounted to the existing stenographic recording machine  20  in the area of the battery compartment  138 . All of the mounting hardware  136  for affixing the mounting blocks  131  to the stenographic recording machine  20  is hidden within the battery compartment  138  and does not interfere with insertion or removal of batteries within the battery compartment  138 . Once the clip bar  133  and latch pins  120  are installed on the existing stenographic recording machine  20 , the ergonomic keyboard device  10  of the present invention is provided with a quick release attachment and removal feature as described above.  
         [0044]    Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 8, a spring clip  140  is arranged to be mounted to the lower shell  38  using any suitable hardware, e.g., screws  142 . Once mounted, the spring clip  140  is arranged to clip onto the clip bar  133 . For mounting the ergonomic keyboard device  10  of the present invention to an existing stenographic recording machine  20 , the spring clip  140  mounted to the housing of the ergonomic keyboard device  10  is first clipped to the clip bar  133 . Next, the ergonomic keyboard device  10  is rotated downwardly causing the blocks  124  having grooves  126  to come down into position over the latch pins  120  mounted to the side walls of the stenographic recording machine  20 . The spring-loaded pull pins  132  may retract under the weight of the ergonomic keyboard device  10  or it may be necessary to pull the pull pins  132  out to allow the latch pins  120  to enter the blocks  124 . Once the latch pins  120  are disposed within the blocks  124 , the pull pins  132  snap in to lock the latch pins  120  within the latch blocks  124 . For detachment, the process is reversed. That is, the spring-loaded pull pins  132  may be pulled out manually allowing the ergonomic keyboard device  10  to be rotated upwardly. Thereafter, the spring clip  140  may be flexed to release the clip bar  133  from the spring clip  140 .  
         [0045]    As shown in FIG. 1, there are also provided a pair of palm pads  141  located near the proximal edge of the upper shell  36  on the right and left hand sides. These palm pads  141  are shaped and contoured to receive the palms of the hands and thereby to comfortably support the hands during operation of the ergonomic keyboard device  10  of the present invention. The palm pads  141  may be formed of any suitable material, e.g., a dense material, and may be of any suitable thickness, e.g., one-eighth of an inch. Further, by providing a comfortable and convenient rest for the palms of the hands, the palm pads greatly reduce the strain on the user&#39;s body of having to hold the hands in an elevated position. Also unlike certain wrist support structures known in the prior art, the palm pad of the present invention does not produce discomfort of the relatively un-cushioned and closely ligamented wrist, but instead supports the hand on the relatively well padded and less sensitive proximal part of the palm, resulting in a much more comfortable and sustainable support.  
         [0046]    Although this invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments and variations, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made which clearly fall within the scope of the invention.