Supports – Supporting base
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2002-05-21
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Supporting base
C248S918000, C248S118100, C248S118000, C108S050010, C108S090000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06390432
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mouse pad support. More particularly, this invention relates to a mouse pad support that is removably coupled to a computer keyboard support without the use of fastening devices or tools. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a mouse pad support that has a swivel mechanism for adjusting the mouse pad support relative to a keyboard support. In yet an additional aspect, the invention relates to a keyboard support having a mouse pad support adjustably and detachably coupled thereto.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computers have now become commonplace in the work environment and, in a broadest sense, typically comprise a processing unit with a detached monitor and keyboard unit operably connected thereto. The monitor is typically placed on a work surface and the keyboard is typically placed on a keyboard support. The keyboard support can comprise the work surface as well, or on a keyboard support such as a keyboard tray mounted to the work surface. These types of keyboard trays are typically adjustably mounted to an underside of the work surface to accommodate the varying ergonomics of different users of the computer.
The advent of graphical user interfaces have a user of a computer operating system to perform commands and interact with applications running on the computer by merely pointing and clicking on items displayed on the computer monitor. This has necessitated the use of a pointing device, or a “mouse,” also interconnected with the computer processing unit which a user can operate by sliding the mouse over a textured surface and clicking on button(s) provided on the mouse.
The mouse is typically supported on a mouse “pad”, which provides sufficient surface area on which the user can slide the mouse and submit commands to the processing unit therewith. This mouse pad is typically supported on either the worksurface or a separate platform, typically supported by the keyboard tray.
The use of a mouse (or any other point-and-click device such as a trackball or stylus pad) has complicated the ergonomics of the user, typically seated in front of the computer monitor and typing on the keyboard provided on the keyboard support. In addition, employers have become more sensitive to such ergonomics as a result of the raised awareness of repetitive stress disorders sometimes encountered by users of computers in the workplace. Some users prefer that the mouse be located at a different angular position than their preferred keyboard support position. Some users are left-handed versus right-handed, and would prefer that their mouse be located on a particular side of the keyboard support or work surface.
One example of an adjustable mouse pad support is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,572 to Copeland et al., issued Jun. 4, 1996, which discloses a mouse pad support for both right- and left-handed users wherein a user can switch the effective side of the mouse pad from left to right by sliding a pair of interconnected mouse pads along rails on the keyboard tray to expose either a right or left side mouse pad. A user can also pivotably adjust the effective mouse pad once the mouse pads are located on the desired side of the keyboard tray by tightening the interconnected mouse pads on a threaded shaft which interconnects the mouse pads.
However, this and other prior art attempts to produce an easy to manufacture and assemble mouse pad and keyboard support associated therewith have fallen short. First, users typically cannot change the angle of the mouse pad relative to the keyboard support except by rotating the mouse pad about an axis that is typically planar with the keyboard support. For example, in the Copeland reference, the mouse pads are rotatable with respect to each other about an axis planar with the keyboard tray, i.e., along a threaded shaft extending between the mouse pads. Second, users typically cannot easily re-configure a mouse pad for a left-handed user from a right-handed configuration, or vice versa, except to purchase two mouse pad supports such as that shown in the Copeland reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention relates to a mouse pad support adapted for mounting to a keyboard support comprising a platform adapted to support a computer mouse, a connector arm adapted for mounting to the keyboard support, and a joint mounting the connector arm to the platform for swivel movement of the platform with respect to the connector arm about a generally vertical axis for adjustably mounting the connector arm to the platform. The platform can thereby be adjustably positioned relative to the keyboard support.
The joint can comprise a universal joint mounting the connector arm to the platform for movement of the platform with respect to the connector arm about multiple axes. The joint can comprise a ball-and-socket joint. A lower socket can be formed in the platform defining a portion of a ball socket. An upper socket portion can form a complementary portion of the ball socket with the lower socket and in register with the lower socket. The upper socket can include at least one resilient finger which resiliently grip a ball positioned in the ball socket. The at least one resilient finger preferably comprises four resilient fingers. A clamp can be provided for clamping the upper and lower sockets together.
The ball can have a threaded stud thereon, wherein the connector arm further comprises a threaded socket and the threaded stud on the ball is received in the threaded socket to fixedly mounted the ball to the connector arm. The connector arm can further comprise an interior latticework for adding structural support to the connector arm and resisting torsional and shear stresses imparted to the arm during adjustment and use of the platform.
The connector arm can further comprise a cover plate having an opening in register with the threaded socket whereby the cover plate is retained over at least a portion of the connector arm. The connector arm can preferably have at least two tabs which extend laterally from the connector arm in spaced relationship from the threaded socket whereby the tabs are adapted to mount the connector arm to the keyboard support. The socket can include at least one resilient finger which resiliently grips a ball positioned in the socket.
In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a mouse pad support adapted for mounting to a keyboard support comprising a platform adapted to support a computer mouse, a connector arm mounted to the platform and adapted for mounting to the keyboard support, and a connector adapted to removably mount the connector arm to a complementary-configured pocket in the keyboard support. The connector preferably comprises at least two locking tabs extending laterally from the connector arm for slidable receipt within the complementary-configured pocket. The locking tabs can thereby be received within the pocket in the keyboard support to detachably mount the connector arm to the keyboard support without the use of tools.
A joint can be provided for mounting the connector arm to the platform for swivel movement of the platform with respect to the connector arm about a generally vertical axis. The joint can preferably comprise a universal joint mounting the connector arm to the platform for movement of the platform with respect to the connector arm about multiple axes. The joint preferably comprises a ball-and-socket joint. The ball further comprises a threaded stud thereon, the connector arm further comprises a threaded socket, and the threaded stud on the ball can be received in the threaded socket to fixedly mount the ball to the connector arm.
The connector arm can be provided with an interior latticework for adding structural support to the connector arm and resisting torsional and shear stresses imparted to the arm during adjustment and use of the platform. The connector arm can further comprise a cover plate mounted to at least a portion of the connector arm at the mounting between the connector ar
Hodge David H.
VanderHeide Craig L.
Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company
McGarry Bair LLP
Ramirez Ramon O.
Sy Holly N.
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