KEYBOARD-TO-LAP HOLDING DEVICE

Abstract: A computer keyboard holding device, designed to keep the keyboard on the computer operator's lap comprising: a leg strap (11, 12, 13 and 14), encircling one leg and adjustably fixed above the knee of the computer operator. A holding mechanism consisting of one clip (15) to hook the bottom of the keyboard and a second clip (16) to hook the top of the keyboard. The two clips are mounted in an opposing fashion on elastic (17). The keyboard holding mechanism, which is attached to the leg strap, lies on the top portion of the operator's leg. The two opposing clips hold the keyboard gaining a small mechanical advantage from the elastic as it stretches. It is an ergonomic device.

Description: DESCRIPTION KEYBOARD-TO-LAP HOLDING DEVICE Technical Field The invention relates directly to the use of a personal computer by means of a keyboard and to an article holding device attached to a person between the hip and the knee. At convenient times it is a practice, while sitting, for the computer operator to place the computer keyboard on his/her lap. The invention is an adjustable device that restrains the keyboard at or near a desired location on the operator's lap. When the keyboard is so restrained the operator gains freedom of movement allowing for comfortable and efficient operation. Elastic makes the device soft and supple in its application and accommodates variation. Elastic also provides a small mechanical advantage in the keyboard holding mechanism, enough to restrain the keyboard on the operator's lap. It is an ergonomic device. Disclosure of Invention Many computer operators place the computer keyboard on their lap while operating casually or for an extended period. The present invention is a convenient and effective device for holding the keyboard on the operator's lap. The keyboard, unrestrained, has a tendency to slide off of the lap of the operator. With the device the operator may move, stretch and use the keyboard without holding it at the same time. This holding device prevents the keyboard from falling to the floor while the operator reaches, leans and interfaces with the computer. Using the keyboard on the lap allows the operator to relax and assume a casual position that lends itself to extended periods of use. The present invention, when not being used, may be stored in a small place such as a shirt pocket. This aspect of its design makes it completely portable. The leg strap encircles one of the operator's legs above the knee. The keyboard holding mechanism, attached to the leg strap, lies on the top portion of the operator's leg. The keyboard holding mechanism uses opposing clips mounted on elastic strap material. This elastic allows adjustment to keyboards of different sizes. The keyboard is placed between the clips where the elastic is also employed to gain a small mechanical advantage, holding the keyboard on the operator's lap Brief Description of Drawings FIG. 1 Is a side view of the device holding the computer keyboard (the keyboard) on the computer operator's (the operator's) lap. FIG. 2 Is a top view of the device holding the keyboard on the operator's lap. FIG. 3 Is a top view of the device laid flat without the clips. FIG. 4 Displays a clip in an isometric view. FIG. 5 Is an isometric view displaying the device in use, eliminating the operator and the keyboard from view. FIG. 6 Is a front view displaying the device in use, as in FIG. 5, with the leg strap hook type released. FIG. 7 Is a section view along the line 7-7 in Fig 6. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention In the drawings, where operator means computer operator, keyboard means computer keyboard, hook type means hook-type strap material, loop type means loop-type strap material, and where an "a" reference means the underside of either the hook-type or loop-type strap material; FIG. 1 shows the keyboard clipped in the holding device on the operator's lap. The loop type leg strap (11) and (11a), encircles one of the operator's legs. Attached at the first end of the leg strap is a short piece of hook type (12a) which is passed through the transverse ring (13). The ring is attached to the second end of the loop type leg strap (11) with elastic material (14). Said attachment is made by passing a length of elastic material (14) through the transverse ring (13) and attaching both ends of said elastic to the second end of the loop- type leg strap (1 1). The first end (12a) doubles back on the leg strap and is adjustably fixed hook to loop. The keyboard holding mechanism lies on the top portion of the operator's leg. Shown are the base clip (15) and the top clip (16). Attached at right angles to the leg strap, the second piece of elastic (17) holds both clips to the leg strap. The keyboard lies across the operator's legs. The holding device restrains the keyboard on the operator's lap. FIG. 2 looking down on the keyboard on the operator's lap, the top clip (15) and the bottom clip (16) are visible. In FIG. 3 the device without clips is laid out flat. The leg strap (11) is loop type. At the first end of the leg strap, hook type (12) is attached. Elastic material (14) passes through a slotted ring(13), and both ends of the elastic material are attached to the second end of the leg strap (11), holding the ring to the leg strap. A second piece of elastic material (17) is attached to the leg strap (11) at right angles. At the first end of this second piece of elastic a piece of loop type (18) is attached and at its second end a piece of hook type (19a) is attached. FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the clip, commonly made of plastic. Clips vary in size. The clip is a hollow right circular cylinder with a full section removed by passing a plane through the cylinder at right angles to the ends. The drawing also shows the clip with rounded corners. The elastic of the holding mechanism passes through the straight slot along one of the straight sides. This elegant shape holds any keyboard. FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the device in use as it is employed in FIG. 1 and FIG.2 without representation of the operator or the keyboard. It shows the loop type leg strap (11) and (11a), the hook type (12a) at it's first end and the transverse ring (13) at it's second end. The first end(12a) passes through the ring (13), doubles-back on the leg strap and fixes hook to loop. The elastic (14), which holds the ring (13) to the loop type leg strap, allows for comfort and compliance of the leg strap. The parts of the holding mechanism shown are the second piece of elastic (17) attached at right angles to the leg strap, the base clip (15) and the top clip(16).This second piece of elastic allows for keyboards of different sizes and achieves a small mechanical advantage as it stretches when the base clip (15) and the top clip (16) are fixed to the keyboard. FIG. 6 Is a front view of the device in use as it is employed in FIG. 1 and FIG.2 without representation of the operator or the keyboard. The leg strap(l 1) and (1 la) is shown with the hook type first end (12) passed through the ring (13), at its second end with hook released. The elastic (14), the top clip(16), and the second piece of elastic(17) are also in view. FIG. 7 is a cross-section of FIG. 6 at the line 7-7. It shows the leg strap (11), and the second piece of elastic (17). The loop type (18) attached to the first end of the second piece of elastic (17) passes through the slot in the base clip (15). The hook type(l 9) attached to the second end of the second piece of elastic(17) passes through the slot in the top clip(16). The ends, (18) and (19), are mated hook to loop and the clips oppose each other.

Claims: CLAIMS I claim: 1.A holding device that restrains a computer keyboard (the keyboard) on the computer operator's (the operator's) lap, characterized by: A leg strap: Made of loop type strap material.(l 1) At the first end of the leg strap a piece of hook type strap material(12) is attached. At the second end of the leg strap a transverse ring (13)is attached by passing a piece of elastic strap material (14) through the ring and attaching both ends of this elastic to the leg strap. The transverse ring rides free in this attachment. So, that the leg strap encircles one of the operator's legs, passes its first end through the ring at its second end and doubling back on itself is adjustably fixed hook to loop. This leg strap is common in the previous art used primarily in orthopedic devices such as splints and walkers. A keyboard holding mechanism: A second piece of elastic(17) attached at right angles to the leg strap. A piece of loop type(18) attached to the first end of this second piece of elastic, A piece of hook type(19) attached to the second end of the second piece of elastic. A base clip(15), to fit the bottom of the keyboard, that is a hollow right circular cylinder with a section removed by passing a plane through the piece at right angles to the bases, with a straight slot in the clip along one of the straight edges to allow mounting. A top clip(16), to fit the top of the keyboard, of the same description as the base clip. The first end of the second piece of elastic passes through the base clip. The second end of the second piece of elastic passes through the top clip. The clips are mounted in opposing fashion. The first and second ends of the second piece of elastic are mated hook to loop, passing under the leg strap. Wherein, the keyboard holding mechanism lies on the top portion of the operator's leg. The keyboard is placed between the two clips, stretching the second piece of elastic, thereby gaining a small mechanical advantage and fixing the keyboard in the holding mechanism. 2. The holding device of claim 1 where instead of using the base clip(l 5) and the top clip (16) to hold the keyboard, the first end of the second piece of elastic is attached to the bottom of the keyboard and the second end of the second piece of elastic is attached to the top of the keyboard. So that the holding device is permanently attached to the keyboard. 3. The device of claim 1 where the leg strap is fastened with a buckle instead of the hook to loop closure.

Inventors: HACKER DOUGLAS G, HACKER, DOUGLAS, G.
Applicants: HACKER DOUGLAS G, HACKER, DOUGLAS, G.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A47B23
IPC codes: A47B23, G06F1, G06F3