A keyboard design that allows hands to naturally rest on the lap, while using
This is a design prototype in progress for a new keyboard that will hopefully fix some ergonomic issues with my desk at home. Namely, I'm sick of keeping my hands up on a desk all day. I'd much rather let them relax on my lap while I work. Nothing I can find for commercially available (or other build-your-own) keyboard/mouse units seem to fit the bill.
Split Sixty Wedge
- This is the first prototype I'm working on that is intended to be 'lap-friendly'. It should receive the custom PCBs I've designed to each include 5 switches in a column and a header that sticks out the top to allow for hand-wiring the key matrix between columns. This prototype is designed to be a simple 5x12 rectilinear split keyboard with each half arranged into a forward-pointing wedge. This configuration should get your wrists into a sensible orientation while typing either on a desk or your lap. It also includes a trackball, to help reduce the need for a dedicated pointing device. I'm calling this first prototype the split sixty wedge:
The prints section of this repo consists of OpenScad modules for any prototyping I'm doing and some that allow for quick definition of a keyboard with little more than the coordinates of where you want keys to be located. I've thrown together some brain_storming layouts with just coordinates that still produced a part that was reasonably printable, if not polished-looking.
Some of the OpenScad modules include:
- Any prototypes I'm currently working on
- A rough mock-up of a CherryMX switch:
Brain storming modules that can be used for quick brain storming of layout ideas and can potentially be printed out and hand-wired:
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Sockets to fit the CherryMX switch:
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A base to hold the sockets with space underneath for wiring:
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Some utility modules that can take a set of coordinates and translate them into the start of a workable keyboard:
The firmware section of this repo contains MicroController Unit firmware I've designed to run on the MCU that drives the keyboard prototypes. These firmwares use the QMK firmware as their base.
The pcbs section of the repo contains KiCad PCB design files for any PCBs I design as part of this project