KEYBOARDS FOR THE RELIEF OF RSI

These fully ergonomic two handed keyboards fit the shape of hands and the different lengths of fingers to reduce movement and tension.

L Type USB Two-handed Keyboard

The fully ergonomic L-Type MALTRON USB keyboard uses the same body shell and features of the E-Type MALTRON PS/2 keyboard with a native USB controller for use with both PC and Apple computers.

L Type USB Ergonomic Keyboard.

Features:

• The fully ergonomic fits the shape of hands and the different lengths of fingers to reduce movement and tension.
   

• Split design eliminates wrist twist and allows a central number cluster which can be used by right or left hand as preferred.
   

• Tilted keys and pads minimise palms downward movement (Pronation) to further reduce muscle tension.
   

• Straight vertical key columns eliminate tens of thousands of finger and wrist twists in a day's work.
   

• Thumb keys for Space (plus E on Maltron layouts), Return, Delete, Backspace and Cursor keys reduce hand and arm movement. Versatile thumbs are used far more effectively.
   

• Built in large palm resting pads allow immediate hand and arm relaxation during "Thinking Time", and promote a reduction in arm rotation.

Click on this link for more information on the L type USB keyboards (including languages and layouts).

L89 Type USB Two-handed Keyboard

For existing Maltron keyboard users wishing to upgrade from earlier Maltron keyboards and want the convenience of a USB interface whilst keeping to a familiar layout. Key placement is similar to the classic Maltron J88 layout but optimised for modern computer standards.

The L89 Keyboard is the same letter layout as the E Type J89 PS/2 keyboard but with a native USB interface and may be used with either a PC or an Apple. More details...

E Type PS/2 Two-handed Keyboard

E Type J89 Ergonomic Keyboard.

For existing Maltron keyboard users wishing to upgrade from earlier Maltron keyboards or who need a second keyboard for home or work use. Key placement is similar to the classic Maltron J88 layout but optimised for modern computer standards.

Click on this link for more information on the E type PS/2 keyboards (including languages and layouts).

Why?

Karen M's new keyboard.

It makes sound economic sense for Human Resource Departments to buy a Maltron fully ergonomic keyboard for anybody starting to suffer from RSI (keyboard-induced pain). 

Karen M, a litigation assistant for a Shropshire solicitor was suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists.

Encouraged to persevere in spite of the “strange” shape of the Maltron keyboard and only six weeks later Karen no longer needed her wrist braces and reported  “I enjoy typing again, and the best benefit is no pain. Not one days pain since using the keyboard, which is amazing”

This decision by a Human Resource department to try out a simple “cure” for keyboard-induced pain has avoided time off work, injections, physiotherapy or even surgery.  It has shown the most cost-effective way to keep an expensively trained skilled keyboard operator as an active staff member, and at the same time remove the risk of a compensation claim. 

The change to using a Maltron keyboard has been effective in thousands of cases so far, and has enabled Duty of Care in its widest interpretation.  Care for the individual.  Care for the Company’s reputation as an employer.  Care for the bottom line.

Using the Maltron Keyboard:

In these pictures note the straight wrists and relaxed hand shapes.

Straight wrists and minimal palms down rotation of the hands reduces strain in the wrists, arms, shoulders and neck.

It is the sustained strains required by the flat keyboard that can lead to fatigue, then pain and finally disability.

The MALTRON letter layout:

The advanced MALTRON letter layout is available on all models¹ with simple key (E Type) or switch (L Type) selection .

The E is placed on the thumb and the other most used letters are on the centre (Home) row reducing finger movement and learning time².

Operators who have been badly hurt by the flat keyboard often prefer to learn the MALTRON letter layout when adapting to the new shape and confirm its easier use.

Engraved key tops are fitted to suit either layout, or may be dually designated as an option.

Click on this link for more information on the Maltron Letter Layout.

1. All keyboards ship with built in key-tables for both Maltron and Qwerty (Azerty/Qwertz) except the L90 Dvorak specific keyboards which have Dvorak instead of Maltron key-tables.

2. See Frequency of Use Information page for letter analysis and most common words.

3. Try the Maltron letter layout on a standard 102 key keyboard. See the Custom Language page for further information.

Maltron Dual Handed Keyboards

Hand and Keyboard position information.

The unusual shape of the Maltron keyboard often gives rise to questions concerning how to place the hands to take advantage of the strain free design.

The best way to assess this is to do the following actions:

1. Either standing or seated, allow both arms to fall totally relaxed by the sides.

2. Open and close the hands 2 or 3 times and then allow them to be totally relaxed.

3. Look at the finger shape. Usually seen in the half open position the finger end directions now lie at 70-90 degrees from the forearm axis, with the wrists still totally relaxed.

4. Keeping the hands in this position, raise the forearms to be horizontal, and position the hands so that there is a distance of roughly 20cms. between the index fingers.

5. Opening and closing the fingers now shows that the ends move in arcs of different radius.

6. As far as possible the keys have been positioned to fit these, so that lowering the hands on to the keys should give comfortable finger positions on the ASDF on the Left and the JKL; keys on the Right. The thumbs should be relaxed to fall on the Space and Enter keys.

7. The back of the hands will also be tilted to give angles of about 30 deg. to the horizontal, and a strain free wrist position.

8. When keying, the palms should be around 1cm. above the resting pads, but at any pause for 'thinking' time they should be lowered on to the pads immediately, and the hands and arms relaxed.

Note the Keyboard Position.

The keyboard should be mounted low enough to ensure that the horizontal arm position and the conditions of 7 & 8 above are fully met. This may mean mounting it on a pull out slide under the desk top, or sitting on a chair high enough to give this condition with the keyboard on top of the desk.

We do NOT recommend resting the palms when typing as this restricts the small amount of hand movement needed for smooth typing. But for small pauses or 'thinking time', as noted above, the palms should be immediately dropped onto the rests and all arm muscles relaxed completely. By doing this, sustained strain is avoided, muscles and nerves receive a better blood flow and RSI type problems do not develop, indeed, as noted in user reports, recovery can be achieved.

Although the C Type MALTRON keyboard (as shown in this picture) is no longer a current production model it is still fully supported and repair, refurbishment and upgrades are available.

See the price list for further details.

The stress relieving design of MALTRON keyboards has already enabled hundreds of RSI or CTS (Repetitive Strain Injury or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) sufferers to return to work with career prospects recovered. The new combination in the MALTRON Trackball Keyboard can be a significant step in overcoming problems from mice as well.

Paper and Computer based keyboard training courses are available.

• User Reports on Maltron Ergonomic Keyboards

• Press Reports on Maltron Ergonomic Keyboards