Supports – Armrest or headrest
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-27
2001-08-28
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Armrest or headrest
C248S118100, C248S918000, C312S208100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279859
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a keyboard pad arrangement for a computer and, more particularly, to an improved keyboard pad arrangement employing separate keyboard and mouse support pads which are positionable in adjacent and interconnected relationship.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Articulated keyboard mechanisms are typically mounted on and associated with work surfaces and desk tops to support a computer keyboard. Such mechanisms are also often provided with an associated support pad for a computer mouse, and this associated support pad is either integrally related to the keyboard support pad so as to have minimum flexibility, or in the alternative includes a wholly independent mouse support pad which, while providing greater flexibility, nevertheless results in additional complications with respect to both structure and mounting.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved keyboard support arrangement which accommodates both a keyboard and a mouse, but which greatly improves upon both the structure and the convenience and flexibility of use in comparison to known structures.
Prior copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/866,137, which is owned by the same assignee of the instant application and which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, relates to a keyboard pad arrangement with a separate and detachable mouse pad. In an effort to improve on this type of keyboard pad arrangement, the present invention was developed.
In this regard, the present invention relates to an improved keyboard support arrangement which includes both a main support pad for the keyboard, as well as an auxiliary support pad for the mouse, with the auxiliary support pad being removably and multiply positionable on and relative to the main support pad so as to provide increased convenience and flexibility of use with respect to the mouse support pad and the mouse positionable thereon.
In the improved support pad arrangement of the invention, the mouse or auxiliary pad is totally separable from the keyboard support pad, and a connecting structure is provided for permitting the auxiliary pad to be mounted directly from the keyboard support pad adjacent either side edge thereof as selected by the user. In addition, the connecting structure enables the auxiliary support pad to be positioned relative to the keyboard support pad at one of a plurality of different angular relationships so as to provide for increased comfort during use. The connecting structure also permits the auxiliary support pad to be totally and easily detached from the keyboard support pad and moved about as a portable unit, thereby enabling it to be carried about for use as a writing surface, or enabling it to be positioned on a desk top or work surface.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support pad arrangement includes a main keyboard support pad and an auxiliary support pad adapted to support a computer mouse thereon. The auxiliary pad is detachably supported at either side of the main pad by one of two elongate support elements slidably supported on the main pad and extendible outwardly therefrom. The support pad arrangement additionally includes a fixing structure adapted to hold the auxiliary pad in an engaged position on one of the support elements.
Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 387744 (1997-12-01), Kirchhoff et al.
patent: 4077333 (1978-03-01), Ballas
patent: 4616798 (1986-10-01), Smeenge et al.
patent: 4691888 (1987-09-01), Cotterill
patent: 4863124 (1989-09-01), Ball et al.
patent: 4913390 (1990-04-01), Berke
patent: 4956929 (1990-09-01), Chirabnadalsuk
patent: 4988066 (1991-01-01), Cotterill
patent: 5037054 (1991-08-01), Mcconnell
patent: 5072905 (1991-12-01), Hyatt
patent: 5098053 (1992-03-01), Cotterill
patent: 5234186 (1993-08-01), Powell
patent: 5257767 (1993-11-01), McConnell
patent: 5292097 (1994-03-01), Russell
patent: 5294087 (1994-03-01), Drabczyk et al.
patent: 5342006 (1994-08-01), Tice
patent: 5375800 (1994-12-01), Wilcox et al.
patent: 5377951 (1995-01-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 5421543 (1995-06-01), Rossman et al.
patent: 5429337 (1995-07-01), Poole
patent: 5443237 (1995-08-01), Stadtmauer
patent: 5487525 (1996-01-01), Drabxzyk et al.
patent: 5492298 (1996-02-01), Walker
patent: 5509628 (1996-04-01), Noble
patent: 5513579 (1996-05-01), Allan
patent: 5522572 (1996-06-01), Copeland et al.
patent: 5564667 (1996-10-01), Copeland et al.
patent: 5568907 (1996-10-01), Wolfe et al.
patent: 5583496 (1996-12-01), Sharpe, III et al.
patent: 5601264 (1997-02-01), Peart
patent: 5628483 (1997-05-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5636822 (1997-06-01), Hendershot et al.
patent: 5655743 (1997-08-01), Gillis
patent: 5685235 (1997-11-01), Allan
patent: 5704299 (1998-01-01), Corpuz, Jr. et al.
patent: 5704698 (1998-01-01), Lin
patent: 5730408 (1998-03-01), Mcallister et al.
patent: 5732910 (1998-03-01), Martin
patent: 5924664 (1999-07-01), Mileos et al.
patent: 5927662 (1999-07-01), West et al.
patent: 5967479 (1999-10-01), Sweere et al.
patent: 5995082 (1999-11-01), Lakoski
patent: 6045098 (2000-04-01), Timm
patent: 6079676 (2000-06-01), Hackett et al.
patent: 9319135 (1994-03-01), None
patent: 0775456A2 (1997-05-01), None
Alexander Brian D. T.
LeClair Jim
Ola Mihai L.
Roslund, Jr. Richard N.
Tonizzo David
Flynn ,Thiel, Boutell & Tanis, P.C.
Haworth Inc.
Ramirez Ramon O.
Wood Kimberly
LandOfFree
Keyboard pad with reversible mouse pad does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Keyboard pad with reversible mouse pad, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Keyboard pad with reversible mouse pad will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2452391