P.C.D. MALTRON LTD. 	    	    15, Orchard Lane,
    	    	    	    	    	    	    East Molesey,
    	    	    	    	    	    	    Surrey KT8 0BN
    	    	    	    	    	    	    England.
    	    	    	    	    	    	    Tel: 01-398-3265

THE MALTRON ERGONOMIC KEYBOARD -- DESIGNED TO FIT HANDS

DESIGN CONCEPT

Specially shaped to fit hands, the MALTRON offers a new level of
keyboard comfort and accuracy. Comfort implies freedom from postural
stress and this in turn means reduced fatigue. The standard Qwerty
typewriter keyboard requires the hands to be held together with the
wrists turned outwards. This action, almost unconsciously, causes the
shoulders to be slightly raised and it is this sustained tension,
needed to maintain the typing position, which causes the shoulder and
neck aches and pains experienced by so many typists and other keyboard
operators.

By dividing the keys into two well separated groups, the MALTRON
allows wrists to be quite straight and so removes the prime cause of
trouble.  This change frees space in the centre of the keyboard so
that keys can now he allocated to the thumbs which are strong and
versatile.

The improved accuracy of the MALTRON comes from the way in which the
keys fit the shape of the fingers.  From the tactile information
received through the finger ends, the position of the hand is known.
There is no possibility of it being displaced one row sideways without
the operator knowing.  Allocation of the Return or Enter key to the
right thumb also removes the long little finger stretch to reach it in
the usual position.

The MALTRON keyboard for the IBM PC is illustrated.  Other models for
BBC, Apple, Wordplex etc are available.


The MALTRON Single Handed Keyboard.dard has been developed as a
logical step forward from the standard MALTRON to meet the needs of
people who for physical or occupational reasons have to perform
keyboard operations With one hand.  The letter layout of the-keyboard
has been very carefully developed to meet the needs of single handed
operation, taking into account the limited number of keys which can be
accessed comfortably.  The right hand BBC "B" model is illustrated.
IBM PC and other models available.


MALTRON MOUTH/HEADSTICK KEYBOARD Designed with a curved front to match
head movement, this unit may be mounted on an articulated arm for head
or mouth stick operation, or it can be placed on a table for single
finger or stick use.  This keyboard also has a letter layout designed
to reduce movement.  It is based on the concept of a circular motion,
starting and ending with the Space key at the bottom centre position.
This also applies to the number row which is split to give the most
used numbers 1 & O either side of Space.  Essential for single finger
operation are push on and push off keys fitted to operate Control and
Shift.  BBC model illustrated.  IBM etc models are available.

Several MALTRON training manuals have been prepared.  The first is for
Executives who aim to do their own composing at the keyboard and
intend to develop speeds up to 50wpm.  The second is a longer and more
detailed course for Professional and Secretarial operators who are
aiming at 80wpm or more.  Both of these courses include audio cassette
instructions.  The handbook which accompanies the keyboard includes an
adaptation typing refresher course for Qwerty keyboard operators so
that they can quickly become used to the new relaxed feel of the
MALTRON.  A special training manual, without cassettes, is available
for use with the single handed keyboard.  A list of 150 most used
words (over 50% of keying) is provided for initial training of MSK
operators.
                                                                        
Further details of these items are separately available.