Abstract: A tilt control arrangement for office furniture chairs of the type having a chair seat structure mounted on a supporting base for rearward and forward tilting movement of the chair seat about an essentially horizontal axis extending essentially crosswise of the seat. The tilt control arrangement comprises a bifurcated seat structure mounting member defining a pair of parallel arms for pivotally mounting the seat structure for its tilting movement. Depending from the underside of the chair seat structure 15 a lug that projects below the level of the chair seat tilt axis. A front to rear extending rod member extends freely through the chair seat lug to have its rear end threadedly engaged with a nut anchored to the chair base, and the rod member having its forward end headed. A resiliently elastomeric cylindrical body is made fast to the rod member only at the rod member head, with the elastomeric body being placed in compression between the rod member head and the seat lug.

Abstract: A computer system has a plurality of independent input peripheral devices which create a more user-friendly and versatile way to interact with the computer. An alphanumeric keyboard, a numeric keyboard, a function keyboard and a Mouse pointing device all communicate input data to the computer. The computer is simultaneously responsive to the data communicated by all of the input peripherals. The user may select one or more of the input peripherals to operate simultaneously to effect efficient data input. The input peripherals may be connected to the computer with cords, or may be operated in a cordless mode. The computer maps the data generated by the three keyboards into the same symbol table so that it need not determine where the data originated. Three of the input peripherals are disposable into cradles defined in a housing, while the alphanumeric keyboard is disposable into a cavity defined within the housing.

Abstract: An input apparatus for use with a computer, including a housing having a top aperture and a bottom aperture, a spherical member supported in the housing so that a portion thereof protrudes through the top and bottom apertures, and encoding means for transforming the motion of the ball into computer compatible signals, wherein the input apparatus can be moved over a surface, so as to function as a mouse, or can be supported by its housing, with motive force applied to the portion of the spherical member protruding from the top aperture, so as to function as a trackball.

Abstract: An electronic mail terminal 10 that includes a keyboard 12, multi-character display 14, thermal printer 22, tape drive 118, and communication and control circuitry. The tape drive and printer mount to molded-in features of a base housing 20. A printed circuit board 28 containing the communication and control circuitry and the display is mounted to molded-in features of the base housing. The keyboard plugs into the printed circuit board from above and is supported at the sides by stand-offs in the base housing. A cover housing 88 mates with molded-in features of the base housing. The tape drive mechanism includes cassette guides 98 and 376 that are molded into the base and cover housings and a spring loaded motor mount that automatically compensates for wear and positioning tolerances. A printer carriage motor 184 drives a toothed belt 182 to position a carriage 138 which holds a thermal print head 140.

Abstract: Disclosed is a monitor foot for supporting a video monitor which allows adjustment of the extension of the foot. By adjusting the monitor foot, the angle of presentation of the screen of the video monitor is adjusted. The monitor foot of the present invention is adjusted using a spring loaded ratchet means which, when engaged with the foot, prevents the sliding of the foot.

Abstract: An electronic mail terminal 10 that includes a keyboard 12, multi-character display 14, thermal printer 22, tape drive 118, and communication and control circuitry. The tape drive and printer mount to molded-in features of a base housing 20. A printed circuit board 28 containing the communication and control circuitry and the display is mounted to molded-in features of the base housing. The keyboard plugs into the printed circuit board from above and is supported at the sides by stand-offs in the base housing. A cover housing 88 mates with molded-in features of the base housing. The tape drive mechanism includes cassette guides 98 and 376 that are molded into the base and cover housings and a spring loaded motor mount that automatically compensates for wear and positioning tolerances. A printer carriage motor 184 drives a toothed belt 182 to position a carriage 138 which holds a thermal print head 140.