Computer keyboard

Abstract

An adjustable keyboard includes a first keying module situated pivotably with respect to the second keying module for providing a keyboard having improved ergonomics and comfort, and promoting improved productivity of a user. In one embodiment, the first and the second keying modules are pivotably mounted on a base assembly having fixed opposing tenting angles. In one embodiment the first and the second keying modules are mounted on a pivot link assembly configured to pivot the keying modules with respect to each other. In one embodiment, the first and the second keying modules are configured to also laterally separate. In one embodiment, first and second lift modules space a portion of the first and the second keying modules, respectively, from a supporting surface to form opposing tenting angles.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An adjustable keyboard assembly comprising:
 a pair of keying modules positionable next to each other on a work surface to define an operable keyboard, each of the pair of keying modules including a plurality of keys for operation by a respective hand of a user; and   a pair of lift modules, each lift module being removably coupleable to a respective one of the pair of keying modules near an inner lateral end thereof to space the inner lateral end from the work surface and being configured to unattachably rest on the work surface to support the respective keying module in at least one tenting angle relative to the work surface.   
     
     
         3 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 2  wherein each lift module includes at least one coupling structure for removably coupling the lift module to the respective keying module. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 2  wherein each lift module includes a base portion that is removably coupleable to the respective keying module and at least one limb pivotally coupled to the base portion for selectively adjusting the tenting angle of the keying module. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 4  wherein the at least one limb is pivotally coupled to the base portion to pivot about an axis that extends between a proximal end and a distal end of the keying module. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 2  wherein the at least one limb is pivotable into a position in which the at least one limb supports the inner lateral end of the keying module at an elevated position that is higher than an opposing outer lateral end of the keying module. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 2  wherein each lift module includes a base portion that is removably coupleable to the respective keying module and a pair of limbs coupled to the base portion to move between a plurality of distinct tenting positions. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 2  wherein each lift module includes a base portion that is removably coupleable to the respective keying module and a plurality of limbs pivotally coupled to the base portion for selectively adjusting the tenting angle of the keying module. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 8  wherein a first one of the limbs is positioned to contact the work surface when the keying module is supported in one of a plurality of distinct tenting angles, and wherein a second one of the limbs is positioned to contact the work surface when the keying module is supported in another one of the plurality of distinct tenting angles. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 2  wherein, when the lift modules are coupled to the keying modules, each keying module is adjustable between at least two distinct tenting angles by manipulating the respective lift module. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 10  wherein, when the lift modules are detached from the keying modules, each keying module is configured to rest on the work surface with the plurality of keys thereof level. 
     
     
         12 . An adjustable keyboard assembly comprising:
 a first keying module having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner lateral end and an outer lateral end;   a second keying module having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner lateral end and an outer lateral end;   a first lift module attached to the first keying module near the inner lateral end of the first keying module for spacing the inner lateral end from a resting surface, the first lift module being configured to unattachably rest on the resting surface to form at least one tenting angle between the first keying module and the resting surface; and   a second lift module attached to the second keying module near the inner lateral end of the second keying module for spacing the inner lateral end from the resting surface, the second lift module being configured to unattachably rest on the resting surface to form at least one tenting angle between the second keying module and the resting surface.   
     
     
         13 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 12  wherein each lift module includes at least one coupling structure for removably coupling the lift module to the respective keying module. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 12  wherein each lift module includes a base portion that is removably coupleable to the respective keying module and at least one limb pivotally coupled to the base portion for selectively adjusting the tenting angle of the respective keying module. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 14  wherein the at least one limb is pivotally coupled to the base portion to pivot about an axis that extends between the proximal end and the distal end of the keying module. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 12  wherein the at least one limb is pivotable into a position in which the at least one limb supports the inner lateral end of the keying module at an elevated position that is higher than the outer lateral end of the keying module. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 12  wherein each lift module includes a base portion that is removably coupleable to the respective keying module and a pair of limbs coupled to the base portion to move between a plurality of distinct tenting positions. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 12  wherein each lift module includes a base portion that is removably coupleable to the respective keying module and a plurality of limbs pivotally coupled to the base portion for selectively adjusting the tenting angle of the keying module. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 18  wherein a first one of the limbs is positioned to contact the resting surface when the keying module is supported in one of a plurality of distinct tenting angles, and wherein a second one of the limbs is positioned to contact the resting surface when the keying module is supported in another one of the plurality of distinct tenting angles. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 12  wherein, when the lift modules are coupled to the keying modules, each keying module is adjustable between at least two distinct tenting angles by manipulating the respective lift module. 
     
     
         21 . The adjustable keyboard assembly of  claim 20  wherein, when the lift modules are detached from the keying modules, each keying module is configured to rest on the resting surface with the plurality of keys thereof level. 
     
     
         22 . An adjustable keyboard assembly comprising:
 a pair of keying modules positionable next to each other on a work surface to define an operable keyboard, each of the pair of keying modules including a plurality of keys for operation by a respective hand of a user and a lift module located near an inner lateral end thereof to space the inner lateral end from the work surface, the lift module being configured to unattachably rest on the work surface to support the keying module in at least one tenting angle relative to the work surface.