WO1994019203A1 - Molded combined computer mouse pad and wrist rest apparatus - Google Patents
Molded combined computer mouse pad and wrist rest apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1994019203A1 WO1994019203A1 PCT/US1994/001806 US9401806W WO9419203A1 WO 1994019203 A1 WO1994019203 A1 WO 1994019203A1 US 9401806 W US9401806 W US 9401806W WO 9419203 A1 WO9419203 A1 WO 9419203A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- section
- mouse pad
- mouse
- wrist rest
- computer
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
- G06F3/039—Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads
- G06F3/0395—Mouse pads
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B21/00—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
- A47B21/03—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards with substantially horizontally extensible or adjustable parts other than drawers, e.g. leaves
- A47B21/0371—Platforms for supporting wrists
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
- Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
An integrally molded, combined computer mouse pad and wrist rest apparatus (10) for use with a computer with a mouse to operate the computer and keyboard, which apparatus (10) comprises an integrally molded polyethylene apparatus (10) having a generally planar mouse pad section (12) with reinforcing ribs (20, 22) on the bottom surface and a wrist rest section (14) integrally connected with the mouse pad section (12), and contoured to provide a wrist rest for the user and having a hollow interior containing a plurality of reinforcing ribs (24). The apparatus (10) provides for the insertion of the planar top mouse pad section (12) beneath the keyboard and the use of the wrist rest section (14) with the keyboard of a computer, or the employment of the wrist rest section (14) by a user to operate a mouse on a generally textured planar top surface (16) of the mouse pad section with the apparatus (10) in front of the keyboard and computer with video screen.
Description
DESCRIPTION
MOLDED COMBINED COMPUTER MOUSE PAD AND WRIST REST APPARATUS
Background of the Invention
The use of computers, particularly personal computers having keyboards, and the use of a mouse in connection with the operation of the computer involving repetitive movements by a user over a long period of time, have' led to a disorder known as carpal tunnel syndrome and other disorders associated with the use of keyboards and mouses. Such mouses are generally operated as a control to direct the operation of a computer, and are generally operated on a sturdy, flat, non-slip laminate pad-like surface by a user. Occasionally, the mouse pad includes a wrist rest section to relieve the tired or aching wrist of a user and to prevent the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome or other disorders by the user. Combined mouse pad and wrist rest supports have been employed for relieving repetitive motion stress on the wrist of the user and to provide for operation of a computer mouse, and generally have been composed of a separate resilient pad section having a planar support surface and a separate, foam wrist support section attached to the mouse pad.
It is desirable to provide for a new and improved, effective, inexpensive, easily manufactured, sturdy, combined wrist rest and mouse pad apparatus adapted for use with a mouse to operate a computer and to provide a wrist rest support for the mouse in the operation of the keyboard. Summary of the Invention
The invention relates to a combined computer mouse pad and wrist rest apparatus, and in particular to an
integrally molded polymeric one-piece computer mouse pad and wrist rest apparatus.
The combined computer mouse pad and wrist rest apparatus of the invention is adapted to be placed on a flat surface for use with a computer operated by a mouse and/or keyboard. The apparatus includes a wrist rest section to support the wrist of a user of the mouse, and which also may be used to support the wrist of a user of a keyboard. The molded, combined computer mouse pad and wrist rest apparatus comprises a molded apparatus composed of a polymer, typically an olefinic polymer, more particularly a polypropylene or polyethylene polymer and particularly a low density polyethylene .polymer. The apparatus has an integrally molded mouse pad section, having a flat top planar surface and a wrist rest section, integrally secured to the mouse pad section and having a rounded top surface, contoured to support the wrist of the user. The apparatus has a one and the other end and a top and bottom surface and sides. The apparatus is formed of a molded polymer sheet material as the top surface, which extends to the downwardly rounded sides and downwardly rounded sides at each end, and which define therein a rather shallow, hollow interior under the mouse pad section and a deeper, hollow interior under the wrist rest section.
The mouse pad section of the apparatus has a generally planar or flat top surface, with sufficient area, typically rectangularly shaped, for the movement by the user of a mouse to operate the computer. Generally and optionally, the top surface may be textured or otherwise treated or formed to provide for the controlled manual movement of the mouse on a typically anti-skid type surface. The mouse pad section has, integrally formed with the mouse pad section, a bottom surface, and on the bottom surface of the mouse pad section and within the hollow
interior a plurality of reinforcing ribs to provide strength to the mouse pad section and which ribs typically comprise a plurality of generally parallel, spaced apart ribs extending from side to side and from one to the other end of the mouse pad section to intersect and form generally uniform, typically square interiors within the intersecting reinforcing rib elements. Generally, the reinforcing rib elements may vary in number, but typically range from about 3 to 5 rib elements extending form side to side, with the same number of rib elements extending from one to the other end of the mouse pad section to form generally square interior sections within the hollow interior of the mouse pad section.
The wrist section is a generally arcuate, rounded type top surface contoured to support the wrist of a user and having a short, flat top section, and having an upwardly extending side extending continuously from the one end of the mouse pad section and a sharp downwardly extending side extending downwardly to the edge of the rounded sides, at the one end of the combined mouse pad wrist rest apparatus. The rounded wrist rest section extends from one to the other side of the mouse pad section, so that the mouse pad section and the wrist rest section in combination generally and optimally form a generally square-shaped apparatus. The wrist rest section as formed on the bottom surface of the wrist rest section is integrally reinforced by and secured to a plurality of generally spaced apart parallel reinforcing rib elements extending from one to the other side of the wrist rest section, with typically such rib elements being extending from the bottom surface of the apparatus of the rounded wrist rest section to the bottom surface, and therefore are generally arcuate in shape and may comprise for example, 2, 3, or more arcuate type reinforcing rib sections.
The combined wrist rest mouse pad apparatus is designed for use with a computer having a monitor screen and operated by a mouse of track ball control and optionally having a keyboard. In one use, the combined wrist rest and mouse pad apparatus is placed in front of the keyboard, with the wrist rest section extending toward the user to support' the wrist of the user, while the mouse is placed and manually operated on the generally planar top surface of the mouse pad section for the operation of the computer. When the wrist rest section is not required, the apparatus may be revised, with the wrist rest section placed toward the computer and the mouse pad section just used for the mouse or track ball control use. Where the mouse is not employed, the combined wrist rest mouse pad apparatus of the invention may also be used by extending the generally planar mouse pad section beneath a keyboard, either of a computer or other keyboard, and with the wrist rest section adjacent the keyboard, so that the apparatus only functions as a wrist rest support for the user and with the mouse pad section beneath the keyboard in a non-use position.
The combined wrist rest mouse pad apparatus is easily molded in a single molding operation with the reinforcing ribs in the polymer sheet material, forming the mouse pad section and the rounded wrist rest section, employing typically a soft-type of polymer, such as a low density polyethylene polymer. Generally, the apparatus will employ a wrist rest section having a rounded, generally smooth, soft polymer top surface, while the mouse pad section will have a textured, roughened or anti-skid type top surface. The apparatus may optionally include on the bottom surface thereof a plurality of anti-skid type feet secured on the bottom surface to prevent movement of the apparatus when placed on a flat substrate surface
on which it is to be used, for example, a desk or table top. The rounded sides on both sides and each end of the apparatus together with the reinforcing ribs within the wrist rest section in the mouse pad section extend to a generally planar bottom surface and provides stability and rigidity to the apparatus and yet the rounded sides prevent the accumulation of dirt, dust, or debris within the interior of the combined apparatus. Generally, the wrist rest section extends upwardly from the mouse pad section at an angle of about 30 to 60 degrees, to a rounded section which then extends for a short distance as a flat section and then another rounded section which extends sharply downwardly on the opposite side at the one end to form a defined wrist rest section. The exact curvature of the wrist rest section may be altered as desired to provide for various wrist rest adjustments.
The combined wrist rest and mouse pad apparatus of the invention will be described and illustrated in connection with certain embodiments; however, it is recognized that various changes, modifications, additions and improvements will be made to the illustrated embodiments by those persons skilled in the art, all falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above of the apparatus of the invention showing the reinforcing ribs of the apparatus in dotted lines.
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the combined wrist rest mouse pad apparatus of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side plan view of the apparatus of Fig.
1, with the other side being the same.
Fig. 4 is a front plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a back plan view of the apparatus of Fig. i.
Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus of the combined wrist rest and mouse pad of the invention in use as a wrist rest in connection with the computer and with a keyboard.
Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of a combined wrist rest and mouse pad apparatus of the invention in use with a computer keyboard and mouse. Description of the Embodiments
With reference to Figs. 1-6, there is shown a combined wrist rest mouse pad apparatus of the invention 10 composed of a mouse section 12 and an integrally formed wrist rest section 14, the apparatus composed of a low density, soft polyethylene resin and molded in a single shot molding operation. The apparatus shows a textured, anti-skid top surface 16 defining a generally square planar top section 48 for the operation of a mouse. The apparatus 10 has downwardly extending sides 18 about the apparatus and a plurality of generally straight, spaced apart parallel rib elements 20 and 22 within a hollow, shallow interior section beneath the planar top mouse section 12 to provide reinforcement to the apparatus 10. The wrist rest section 14 defining an integrally molded section is connected to the mouse section 12 by a continuous slope 26 extending into a rounded arcuate type wrist section 12 having a short, generally top planar surface 28 and extending into a downwardly extending side surface 20 at the one end. The wrist rest section 14 has a smooth top surface that includes arcuate type reinforcing ribs 24 imposed within the hollow interior to provide reinforcement and support for the wrist rest section.
With reference to Fig. 6, anti-skid pads 38 are secured to the connecting sides and bottom edge of the apparatus 10 to prevent movement by the apparatus 10.
With particular reference to Fig. 5 there is shown a defined system 40 composed of a computer 42 with a video screen 44 with an accompanying keyboard 46 and with a combined mouse pad and wrist rest apparatus 10 shown with the planar section of the mouse pad 12 placed beneath the keyboard section 46 and the wrist section 14 exposed for use by the user in operating the keyboard.
With reference to Fig. 8, there is shown a system 50 that includes the computer 42, the video screen 44 of the computer, the keyboard 46 (optional) and the combined wrist pad and mouse pad apparatus 10 of the invention, wherein the wrist pad section 14 is disposed toward the user and the planar section comprising the mouse pad section 12 exposed in front of the keyboard 46 and showing a mouse 48 on the textured surface 16 for manual movement of the mouse 48 on the textured top surface 16 by a user to operate the computer.
The invention is thus described and illustrated to provide an effective, inexpensive, integrally molded, easily manufactured, sturdy, combined wrist rest and mouse pad apparatus for use on a flat surface and/or for use with a computer keyboard and mouse.
Claims
What is 
is : An jntegra||y m0|ded combined computer mouse pad and wrist rest apparatus adapted to be placed on a work surface for use with a computer and keyboard and for the operation of a mouse to operate the computer, which apparatus comprises: a) an integrally molded apparatus comprised of a molded polymer having a mouse pad section and a wrist rest section having a longitudinal axis, the apparatus having a one and the other end, a top and bottom surface, and connection sides; b) the apparatus having a sheet material on the top of the surface extending to downwardly extending sides about the apparatus to define a shallow, hollow interior underneath the mouse pad section and a deeper hollow interior under the wrist rest section; c) the mouse pad section having a generally flat top planar surface of sufficient area for the movement of a mouse thereon to operate a computer, and having integrally formed with the bottom surface of the mouse pad section and in the hollow interior thereof a plurality of reinforcing rib elements extending between connecting sides, or the one or other end of the mouse pad section or both; and d) the wrist rest section having a generally arcuate raised surface contoured to support the wrist of a user and extending from the one to the other side of the mouse pad section and extending upwardly from the planar top surface at the one end of the mouse section, and downwardly to the outer edge of the rounded side at the one end of the apparatus, and said wrist section defining beneath the wrist rest section a hollow interior with a plurality of reinforcing rib elements.
Claim 2. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes anti-skid means on the bottom surface to prevent movement of the apparatus when placed on a support surface.
Claim 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wrist rest section is characteristic of a generally smooth surface thereon.
Claim 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mouse pad section is characterized by a textured anti-skid surface thereon.
Claim 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing rib elements in the hollow interior of the mouse pad section comprise a plurality of generally straight intersecting reinforcing rib elements extending from the one to the other end and between connecting sides.
Claim 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing rib elements within the hollow interior of the wrist rest section comprise a plurality of generally spaced apart, reinforcing rib elements, extending from the one to the other end of the wrist rest section and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wrist res* section.
Claim 7. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the molded polymer comprises a low density polyethylene polymer.
Claim 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises a generally rectangular shaped apparatus.
Claim 9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the reinforcing rib elements in the hollow, interior space of the mouse pad section are space apart, generally parallel straight rib elements to form a plurality of square sections.
Claim 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the reinforcing rib elements are within the hollow interiors of the wrist rest section are generally uniformly spaced apart and arcuate in shape.
Claim 11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the reinforcing rib elements in the hollow interior space of the mouse pad section and extending between connecting sides or the one and other end range from three to five in number.
Claim 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing rib elements within the hollow interior of the mouse pad section extend generally from the bottom surface of the mouse pad to a planar bottom surface of the mouse pad section to provide for the planar surface of the mouse pad section to be generally parallel to the work surface in use.
Claim 13. In combination, a computer having a video screen and a mouse to operate the computer and the apparatus of claim 1 extending in front of the computer and with the wrist rest section extending toward the user to support the wrist of the user in the operation of a mouse on the mouse pad section to operate the computer.
Claim 14. In combination, a computer having a video screen and a keyboard to operate the computer and the apparatus of claim 1 with mouse pad section disposed beneath the keyboard and with the wrist rest section disposed in front of the keyboard to support the wrist of the user in operating the keyboard.
Claim 15. A combined wrist rest and mouse pad apparatus adapted to be placed on a flat support surface for use with a keyboard or a mouse which operates a computer keyboard, and which apparatus comprises in combination; a) an integrally molded apparatus composed of a low density, polyethylene molded polymer, having a mouse pad section and a wrist rest section, the apparatus having a one and the other end and a top and bottom surface and downwardly sloping, connection sides; b) the apparatus having sheet material on the top surface, which is textured in nature and extended to the rounded connecting sides to define a shallow, hollow interior underneath the mouse pad section and a deeper hollow interior under the wrist rest section; c) the mouse pad section having a planar flat top surface which is textured for anti-skid purposes on the operation of the mouse and of sufficient area for the movement of mouse to operate a computer, having integrally formed with the bottom surface of the mouse pad section.and within the hollow interior a plurality of intersecting, straight, spaced apart, reinforcing rib elements extending from the one to the other connection sides and from one to the other end of the mouse pad section to form a plurality of generally uniform squares within the hollow interior of the mouse pad section; and d) the wrist rest section comprising a generally arcuate top surface and contoured to support the wrist of the user, and extending from one to the other connecting sides of the mouse pas section and having a generally smooth top surface extending upwardly continuously from the one end of the mouse pad section, and downwardly to the connecting side edge at the other end of the apparatus and having integrally formed with the bottom surface of the wrist rest section, and in the hollow interior thereof a plurality of generally spaced apart, arcuate-shaped reinforcing rib elements.
Claim 16. In combination, a computer having a video screen, a keyboard to operate the computer, and a mouse to operate the computer, and the apparatus of claim 15 with the mouse adapted to be employed in connection with the planar textured top surface of the mouse pad section and the wrist rest section adapted to provide support for the wrist of a user in the operation of the keyboard alone or with the mouse.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US2010793A | 1993-02-19 | 1993-02-19 | |
| US08/020,107 | 1993-02-19 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1994019203A1 true WO1994019203A1 (en) | 1994-09-01 |
Family
ID=21796789
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US1994/001806 WO1994019203A1 (en) | 1993-02-19 | 1994-02-18 | Molded combined computer mouse pad and wrist rest apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO1994019203A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0884692A1 (en) * | 1997-06-13 | 1998-12-16 | Listawood Limited | Mouse mat |
| AU704896B3 (en) * | 1998-10-26 | 1999-05-06 | John Harrison Harvey | A computer mouse pad |
| GB2335025A (en) * | 1999-06-24 | 1999-09-08 | Daniel Mark Cainer | Computer mouse mat with inflatable wrist support |
| EP2246772A3 (en) * | 2009-04-27 | 2011-08-17 | Mr. Zhi Gang Xiang | Mouse pad with touch panel pointing device |
| CN106775032A (en) * | 2016-12-23 | 2017-05-31 | 浙江八瓦文化创意发展有限公司 | A kind of intelligent mouse pad |
| CN106843552A (en) * | 2016-12-23 | 2017-06-13 | 浙江八瓦文化创意发展有限公司 | Mouse pad with keyboard |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4481556A (en) * | 1980-04-04 | 1984-11-06 | Joseph J. Berke | Computer terminal support and hand rest |
| US5131614A (en) * | 1990-10-01 | 1992-07-21 | Garcia James M | Wrist rest support for a computer user |
| US5203845A (en) * | 1991-12-05 | 1993-04-20 | 2749394 Canada Inc. | Computer mouse support |
-
1994
- 1994-02-18 WO PCT/US1994/001806 patent/WO1994019203A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4481556A (en) * | 1980-04-04 | 1984-11-06 | Joseph J. Berke | Computer terminal support and hand rest |
| US5131614A (en) * | 1990-10-01 | 1992-07-21 | Garcia James M | Wrist rest support for a computer user |
| US5203845A (en) * | 1991-12-05 | 1993-04-20 | 2749394 Canada Inc. | Computer mouse support |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0884692A1 (en) * | 1997-06-13 | 1998-12-16 | Listawood Limited | Mouse mat |
| AU704896B3 (en) * | 1998-10-26 | 1999-05-06 | John Harrison Harvey | A computer mouse pad |
| GB2335025A (en) * | 1999-06-24 | 1999-09-08 | Daniel Mark Cainer | Computer mouse mat with inflatable wrist support |
| GB2335025B (en) * | 1999-06-24 | 2000-04-19 | Daniel Mark Cainer | A computer mouse mat |
| EP2246772A3 (en) * | 2009-04-27 | 2011-08-17 | Mr. Zhi Gang Xiang | Mouse pad with touch panel pointing device |
| CN106775032A (en) * | 2016-12-23 | 2017-05-31 | 浙江八瓦文化创意发展有限公司 | A kind of intelligent mouse pad |
| CN106843552A (en) * | 2016-12-23 | 2017-06-13 | 浙江八瓦文化创意发展有限公司 | Mouse pad with keyboard |
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