Ergonomically Optimized Self-Stabilizing Leg Mounted Mouse Pad With Integrated Mouse Storage Holster

Abstract

The ergonomically optimized self-stabilizing leg mounted mouse pad with integrated mouse storage holster provides a stable working surface area designed specifically for operating a common wireless computer mouse while resting the mouse pad discussed here on other than flat firm surfaces. Such alternative platforms upon which this device can be used effectively would include a user's thigh, the arm of a couch or an automobile's center console. The design features are purposefully engineered to ensure that the invention is self stabilizing on other than a flat firm surface through the use of a contact surface that is a curvilinear concavity with a camphered surface architecture that maximizes the advantage of the weight of the device coupled with the tacky characteristics of the material from which the device is constructed. The device is stable in its intended use without the use of supplemental attachments to secure or stabilize the device.

Claims

1. A platform used to operate wireless computer input devices that predominantly include but are not limited to wireless computer mice, said platform comprising: a flat working surface finished in typical mouse pad material which has been applied with appropriate adhesive to the designated recessed area of the single piece molded unit body with a surface that is completely planar up to a raised finished edge which is a part of the molded unit structure thereof; a molded single piece unit body platform composed of urethane or like material that incorporates a designated molded in recessed area for placement of the working surface constructed of typical mouse pad surface material attached with an intervening layer of appropriate adhesive material; a molded single piece unit body platform whereby the molded single piece unit design incorporates a molded-in concave curvilinear bottom surface feature with camphered hexagonal surface architecture which engages the surface upon which it is placed in an enhanced manner thus improving frictional adherence with the contacted surface upon which it is placed and utilized thus allowing the use of the platform on other than flat hard surfaces such as the anterior thigh of a user or the arm of a couch or the center console of an automobile; a molded single piece unit body that incorporates an integral molded pliable conforming holster for storage of a wireless computer mouse when it is not in use which incorporates a specialized ramp feature which secures the mouse in the holster in conjunction with the external shell of the mouse contacting the inner walls (sides and top of the holster) as it is advanced/inserted into the holster by the user; a molded single piece unit body platform for use with computer input devices predominantly consisting of wireless computer mice but not limited to such, that also incorporates an integrated bilateral footer feature for use on flat surfaces such as a desk with each footer bordering the length of the concave curvilinear bottom feature on each side;

2. A platform as recited in claim 1, said molded unit body composed of urethane or like material has incorporated into its unitary molded design an integrated holster for storage of a wireless computer mouse when it is not in use.

3. A holster for storing a wireless computer mouse as recited in claim 2, wherein said holster incorporates a ramp feature that forces the mouse to contact the top and/or sides of the holster as it is advanced into the holster, thus securing the mouse inside the holster when not in use.

4. A camphered architectural feature as recited in claim 1, as a component of the actual point of contact of the raised hexagonal surface component of the concave curvilinear surface which is the point of rest of the device on the user's thigh or arm rest. Said camphered architectural detail as recited in claim 4, of the raised hexagonal surface detail because the actual point of contact is thinner than its base, it is therefor more pliable and thus given the weight of the platform itself in combination with the soft durometer of the material of which it is constructed, the frictional characteristics are enhanced thus resulting in a self stabilizing platform.

5. A platform as recited in claim 4, which because of the weight of the platform itself, the increased frictional characteristics associated with the camphered hexagonal area of actual contact in combination with the relatively soft durometer of the urethane or like material from which it is molded, this platform is self stabilizing within the context of its intended use without the need for accessory attachment devices.

6. A platform for use as a working surface for the operation of common wireless computer input devices such as computer mice as recited in claim 3, where the floor ramp(s) within the holster which serve to secure the wireless computer mouse within the pliable conforming holster when the mouse is advanced into the holster, rides up the ramp(s) until it contacts the top and/or sides within the confines of the holster thus securing the mouse within the holster.

7. A platform for use as a mouse pad as recited in claim 1, does incorporate a moderately flexible yet supportive aft area of the pad structure which provides support to the hand and wrist when the pad is used conventionally on the desk as well as when mounted on alternative surfaces.

8. There exists an inherent advantage in the narrower working surface as compared to the conventional size mouse pad whereby the user is encouraged by the design to rest the two pads of the palm of his/her hand on the flexible but supportive aft area of the pad irrespective of what position the pad is placed whether on the user's anterior thigh or conventionally on the top of the desk. U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,128 Feb. 16, 1995 January 14, Odom; 1997 Patricia B. Lap supported computer mouse surface Work pad for supporting an

9. The narrower working surface recited in claim 8, does also inherently encourage the user to manipulate the mouse whether the mouse pad is used on the desk top or on the anterior surface of the user's thigh or similar, to use the fingers to operate the mouse and less so the larger muscles of the arm and shoulder thus securing an ergonomic advantage.

10. When used in conventional fashion on the top of a desk, because the working surface of the platform is elevated approximately 0.75 inches the computer mouse operator may encounter decreased flexion of the wrist depending upon the seated height of the operator as compared to the height of the user's desk.

11. Wherein the molded unit body is constructed of urethane or like material that as recited in claim 1, the physical characteristics of which are that it is soft, pliable and to a degree, is inherently adherent or sticky thus coupled with the camphered hexagonal bottom feature and the weight of the device the mouse pad for its intended use is inherently self stabilizing without additional securing elements such as straps.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS (10)

[0046] The invention is described in graphic detail in one well-regarded embodiment through the attached diagrams detailed in the following. Thus

[0047] FIG. 1 presents one embodiment of the invention in a top front left diagram;

[0048] FIG. 2

[0049] FIG. 3 FIG. 4

[0050] FIG. 5 FIG. 6 FIG. 7 FIG. 8 FIG. 9

[0051] presents the contemplated embodiment of the invention in a top left exploded view;

[0052] presents the invention as viewed from directly above;

[0053] presents one embodiment of the invention as viewed from the rear showing ramp feature with tangent lines shown;

[0054] presents one embodiment of the invention as viewed from below and to the right;

[0055] presents the invention as viewed from directly below revealing bottom detail features;

[0056] presents a view of the bottom camphered contact surface including cross-section of the raised surface contact structure;

[0057] presents a view of the invention from directly above with a common medium size wireless computer mouse placed on the working surface of the invention;

[0058] presents a cross-sectional cutaway view of the front mouse holster showing a common wireless computer mouse interfacing with the internal ramp apparatus at the threshold of the holster;

[0059] FIG. 10 presents a left side view of the invention diagramming a typical physical relationship of a medium size common wireless computer mouse with a standard size embodiment of the invention;

[0060] FIG. 11 presents a detailed close-up cross sectional cutaway view of a mouse (mouse not to scale) interfacing with the ramp on the floor of the holster showing only a partial cross sectional cutaway view of the holster portion of the invention;

[0061] FIG. 12 presents a diagram of the invention in a typical manner of designed use placed on the user's right leg with computer mouse operated with the user's right hand.

[0062] Reference Numbers Detailing Specific Features of The Invention Ref. 1 represents: One piece molded unit body of urethane or like material. Ref. 2 represents: Integral pliable conforming mouse storage holster.

[0063] Ref. 3 represents: Molded integrated recessed area for placement of working surface.

[0064] Ref. 4 represents: Molded integral leg with footer for use on flat surface.

[0065] Ref. 5 represents: Access hole with reinforced border lip for using finger to eject wireless computer mouse from holster.

[0066] Ref. 6 represents: Adhesive layer for securing final working mouse pad surface.

[0067] Ref. 7 represents: Finished imprinted working surface upon which computer mouse is operated.

[0068] Ref. 8 represents: Threshold vestibular lip support structure of mouse storage holster. Ref. 9 represents: Raised radius feature bordering working surface area. Ref. 10 represents: Integral external holster base support structure. Ref. 11 represents: Decorative design feature.

[0069] Ref 12 represents: Internal mouse storage holster base support structure.

[0070] Ref. 13 represents: Floor of mouse storage holster.

[0071] Ref. 14 represents: Ramp feature for locking mouse in place when mouse is advanced into flexible conforming mouse storage holster.

[0072] Ref. 15 represents: Aft palmar support structure.

[0073] Ref. 16 represents: Concave bottom feature.

[0074] Ref. 17 represents: Raised camphered hexagonal bottom contact feature on curvilinear base.

[0075] Ref. 18 represents: Aft reinforcing stanchion providing stiffness to aft palmar support structure.

[0076] Ref. 19 represents: Flat bottom footer feature. Ref. 20 represents: Common medium size wireless computer mouse. Ref. 21 represents: Common wireless computer mouse (Not to Scale).

[0077] Ref. 22 represents: Surface of incline ramp whereby the wireless computer mouse of various design and/or configuration will, when advanced into the holster ride up the inclined ramp(s) until secured by contact with the top and/or sides of the pliable conforming mouse holster.

[0078] Ref. 23 represents: View from left of right leg of wireless computer mouse operator engaging in typical use of invention.

[0079] Ref. 24 represents: View from left of right hand of user operating a wireless computer mouse using the invention mounted on dorsal aspect of user's right thigh.

[0080] Ref. 25 represents: Cross sectional view of camphered design feature incorporated into the hexagonal bottom contact surface configuration.

[0081] Ref. 26 represents: Inside aspect of footer allowing for use on flat surface such as that of a desk.

[0082] Ref. 27 represents: Leading edge of mouse riding up ramp incline.

[0083] Ref. 28 represents: Top of wireless computer mouse contacting top of mouse storage holster as it rides up ramp while being advanced by the user into the pliable conforming mouse storage holster.

[0084] Ref. 29 represents: Pliable mouse storage holster expands upward and outward to accommodate wireless computer mouse as it is advanced into the holster.

[0085] Ref. 30 represents: An area of shallow linear recess in the footer resulting in a divided footer.