geekhack

geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: sheeap on Fri, 21 November 2014, 00:27:28

Title: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: sheeap on Fri, 21 November 2014, 00:27:28
Hello GH community :). Longtime lurker, first time poster.

I would like to please ask if anyone has suggestions on how to make a holder that will place a trackpad vertically above a keyboard. I have only thought of a custom stand made out of wood or 3d printed, but maybe someone can think of how to use a combination of readily available materials instead.

To give a little background as to why I am using a trackpad: I have gone through a lot of pointing devices to alleviate my RSI symptoms, and the only long term solution I found was to track only on the trackpad with my right hand while using the left side of my keyboard for mouse clicks and shortcuts (via Autohotkey).

My current keyboard/trackpad set up:
(http://i.imgur.com/sLLt9Bp.jpg)

I would like to get to something like this:
(http://i.imgur.com/LheTDSE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iLy1SY7.jpg)

Something interesting I found in my searching, but due to the major funding shortfall, it looks like maybe not many others would agree with my vision ;):
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/192514556/the-magic-t-pad-a-vertical-adapter-for-the-magic-t (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/192514556/the-magic-t-pad-a-vertical-adapter-for-the-magic-t)
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: blackbox on Fri, 21 November 2014, 00:46:15
Hm interesting. Seems like your images does not work. Maybe you could use some small table vise for this/modify it?
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: sheeap on Fri, 21 November 2014, 01:10:15
Quote from: blackbox on Fri, 21 November 2014, 00:46:15
Hm interesting. Seems like your images does not work. Maybe you could use some small table vise for this/modify it?

I tried using Drive to host the images, but after some quick research found Imgur is the way to go ;).

Thanks for the suggestion blackbox, that does give me some ideas to pursue :). I will reply with what I find.
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: nuclearsandwich on Fri, 21 November 2014, 01:33:03
An old coworker of mine 3D printed a clip that held his trackpad on a kinesis. Maybe check thingiverse to see if it was ever shared.
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: blackbox on Fri, 21 November 2014, 02:37:39
Quote from: nuclearsandwich on Fri, 21 November 2014, 01:33:03
An old coworker of mine 3D printed a clip that held his trackpad on a kinesis. Maybe check thingiverse to see if it was ever shared.

that would be the best solution. Maybe a car tablet holder will do the trick?
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: JackMills on Fri, 21 November 2014, 03:10:00
I have the same trackpad, but I rarely use it because I didn't find it all that hand to point-and-click. I never considered to change the mouse button actions to my keyboard.

A tablet hold could be the fastest solution, you can find some desktop mounts (http://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Degrees-Rotating-Desktop-M-CA003/dp/B00JTUYMT2%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3DAKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q%26tag%3Dduckduckgo-d-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00JTUYMT2) that can accommodate a 5.2" device. This could possibly fit the T650 Touchpad.

The angle to position it wouldn't be ideal. But at $17 you can give it a try and eventually mod it or use it as a base for a custom design.
If you could change the ball at the end of the arm to have a 90°-angle and if the arm is long enough you could mount it at the end of your desk and position it above your keyboard. It would have more possibilities for good positioning compared to the MAC solution you posted, which is fixed.
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: 0100010 on Fri, 21 November 2014, 07:05:37
Using some kind of wall satellite speaker mounts comes to mind.
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: hoggy on Fri, 21 November 2014, 07:10:00
Something like this?
(https://ds5cvxtqu2rt0.cloudfront.net/media/catalog/product/cache/3/image/265x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/o/mountingsystemy-600.jpg)
https://www.enablemart.com/universal-mounting-system
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: sordna on Fri, 21 November 2014, 10:20:23
Quote from: sheeap on Fri, 21 November 2014, 00:27:28
I would like to please ask if anyone has suggestions on how to make a holder that will place a trackpad vertically above a keyboard

...

Something interesting I found in my searching, but due to the major funding shortfall, it looks like maybe not many others would agree with my vision ;):
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/192514556/the-magic-t-pad-a-vertical-adapter-for-the-magic-t (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/192514556/the-magic-t-pad-a-vertical-adapter-for-the-magic-t)

Nice idea !  I have a trackpad but not using it because it wasn't that comfortable sitting on my Kinesis Advantage horizontally. I'll try the vertical approach! That kickstarter project is very cool too! Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: dorkvader on Fri, 21 November 2014, 12:25:26
yeah veritcal trackpad is very interesting. I'll try that with my panavise sometime.
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: epicepee on Fri, 21 November 2014, 19:49:26
I've got a printer, I can prototype parts if you'd like.
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: sheeap on Sun, 23 November 2014, 23:24:45
Quote from: nuclearsandwich on Fri, 21 November 2014, 01:33:03
An old coworker of mine 3D printed a clip that held his trackpad on a kinesis. Maybe check thingiverse to see if it was ever shared.
Thanks nuclear :) . I found this (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:479576 (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:479576)) and yes, that would be the simplest solution for my Kinesis as it has a convenient area on the keyboard to mount it in the desired position. I would like to also find a solution for future keyboard purchases (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44940.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44940.0)) that don't have such an area.


Quote from: 0100010 on Fri, 21 November 2014, 07:05:37
Using some kind of wall satellite speaker mounts comes to mind.
This would also be a quick and easy solution, thank you :) .


Quote from: blackbox on Fri, 21 November 2014, 02:37:39
that would be the best solution. Maybe a car tablet holder will do the trick?

Quote from: JackMills on Fri, 21 November 2014, 03:10:00
A tablet hold could be the fastest solution, you can find some desktop mounts (http://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Degrees-Rotating-Desktop-M-CA003/dp/B00JTUYMT2%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3DAKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q%26tag%3Dduckduckgo-d-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00JTUYMT2) that can accommodate a 5.2" device. This could possibly fit the T650 Touchpad.

The angle to position it wouldn't be ideal. But at $17 you can give it a try and eventually mod it or use it as a base for a custom design.
If you could change the ball at the end of the arm to have a 90�-angle and if the arm is long enough you could mount it at the end of your desk and position it above your keyboard. It would have more possibilities for good positioning compared to the MAC solution you posted, which is fixed.

Quote from: hoggy on Fri, 21 November 2014, 07:10:00
Something like this?
Show Image
(https://ds5cvxtqu2rt0.cloudfront.net/media/catalog/product/cache/3/image/265x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/o/mountingsystemy-600.jpg)

https://www.enablemart.com/universal-mounting-system (https://www.enablemart.com/universal-mounting-system)

Yes, I think these suggestions would be the best universal solution. Thank you all very much!
There are a lot of options to choose from. I will look for one with a suction cup desk mount so it wouldn't have to reach from the edge of the desk so far away, or maybe I could just mod one with a suction cup.
I will post back with developments :).
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: sheeap on Sun, 23 November 2014, 23:46:23
Quote from: JackMills on Fri, 21 November 2014, 03:10:00
I have the same trackpad, but I rarely use it because I didn't find it all that hand to point-and-click. I never considered to change the mouse button actions to my keyboard.

Quote from: sordna on Fri, 21 November 2014, 10:20:23
Nice idea !  I have a trackpad but not using it because it wasn't that comfortable sitting on my Kinesis Advantage horizontally. I'll try the vertical approach! That kickstarter project is very cool too! Thanks for sharing.

Yep, there is no way I could use a trackpad for work if I didn't remap the keyboard left side to mouse clicks, and other useful commands.

I originally posted my Autohotkey code here but then realized I need to get my latest version from work :). But in essence, I use the CapsLock key to toggle in and out of a shift state where I have the left home row remapped as my main mouse commands, and also where I have remapped other keys to frequently used keys/shortcuts.
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: sheeap on Sun, 23 November 2014, 23:54:24
Quote from: epicepee on Fri, 21 November 2014, 19:49:26
I've got a printer, I can prototype parts if you'd like.

Thank you very much for the offer epicepee :). I have a neighbor that can do it for me also.
Title: Re: Hold Trackpad Vertically Above Keyboard
Post by: sheeap on Mon, 24 November 2014, 13:17:23
Below is my AHK code; sorry for not having it commented, but it isn't long/complicated :). Just one explanation, I use the AHK tray icon as a visual cue to know when the shift state is engaged or not. Also, some of the key remappings only make sense if one remembers I am using a Kinesis Advantage keyboard.


#NoTrayIcon
Pause::Capslock

Toggle=0 ; off by default/startup

Capslock::
XButton2::
   Toggle:=!Toggle
   If (A_IconHidden = 1)
      {
         menu, tray, Icon
      }
      Else
         {
            menu, tray, NoIcon
         }   
Return

#If (Toggle = 1) ; only active if Toggle = 1 similar to #IfWinActive

#x::ExitApp
f::LButton
s::RButton
d::Send {click 2}
g::Send ^c
b::Send ^v
r::Backspace
t::Delete
h::Send !{F4}
n::Send !fc
Backspace::Enter
a::Send +{F10}{s}{v}
e::WheelUp
c::WheelDown
v::Send ^x
w::Send {=}