U.S. patent application number 10/291274 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for mouse pad accessory.
Invention is credited to Eliason, Jay, Eliason, Valerie.
Application Number | 20040089782 10/291274 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32229227 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040089782 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eliason, Jay ; et
al. |
May 13, 2004 |
Mouse pad accessory
Abstract
An accessory for use with a computer mouse, including a base
which defines an area to be utilized for the mouse and a
utilitarian assembly overlying the defined area for supporting a
beverage container or other accessories as desired by the mouse
user.
Inventors: |
Eliason, Jay; (Deary,
ID) ; Eliason, Valerie; (Deary, ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jensen & Puntigam, P.S.
Suite 1020
2033 Sixth Avenue
Seattle
WA
98121
US
|
Family ID: |
32229227 |
Appl. No.: |
10/291274 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/346.01 ;
248/311.2; 248/918; D14/458 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0395
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/346.01 ;
248/311.2; 248/918; D14/458 |
International
Class: |
A47K 001/08; B65D
019/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tool to be used in conjunction with a computer, comprising: a
structure defining a location for a mouse pad or mouse operating
area; and a rigid tower extending upwardly, terminating in an
upwardly open cup holder.
2. A tool as in claim 1, and further including means to support
eyeglasses.
3. A tool as in claim 1, and further including a tray.
4. A mouse operating area accessory, comprising: a first structure
defining a location for a mouse pad or operating area; and a second
structure rigidly secured to the first structure and extending
upwardly therefrom, said structure defining a beverage holder,
wherein said second structure extends over the mouse operating
area.
5. An accessory for a computer mouse, comprising: a base, including
at least two rigid horizontal legs at right angles to define the
location for a mouse operating area; and a tower extending upwardly
from the intersection of the legs, said tower supporting a
platform.
6. An accessory as in claim 5, wherein the platform is a beverage
holder.
7. An accessory as in claim 5, wherein the platform extends over at
least one leg, forming a tray.
8. An accessory for a computer mouse, comprising: a base defining a
mouse operating area that can be adjusted to tilt to align the
operator's wrist for comfort, and supports extending upward
therefrom, defining a beverage holder and tray that include angular
adjustment for keeping the beverage holder and tray level if the
base is tilted or the accessory is used on a tilted keyboard and
mouse tray.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to accessories for use with
computers, and more particularly, to accessories for use with a
computer mouse, including a device used in conjunction with a mouse
operating area, a storage device usually located in the space above
the mouse operating area, without restricting the use of the mouse,
space that is normally not utilized.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It would appear from the observation of many desks that the
improved technology of computers, while solving a number of
problems, has in and of itself created new problems. For example,
desk space has become at a premium; what was previously occupied by
other support materials is now occupied by computer monitors,
keyboards and the mouse. Since the majority of the "mice" in use
today include a rubber ball on the bottom of the mouse housing,
these mice also require additional space on the desktop. Previous
efforts to combine or better utilize space occupied by the keyboard
and/or the mouse operating area include:
[0003] U.S. Design Pat. No. 374,868, granted to Craft, Oct. 22,
1996, which utilizes the space over the keyboard for the mouse and
mouse operating area.
[0004] U.S. Design Pat. No. 400,924, granted to Cornell et al, Nov.
10, 1998, discloses an ornamental mouse operating area accessory
holder.
[0005] U.S. Design Pat. No. 411,192, granted to Wu, Jun. 22, 1999,
discloses a mouse operating area and mouse container.
[0006] U.S. Design Pat. No. 453,164, granted to Bach, Jan. 22,
2002, discloses a combination mouse operating area and beverage
holder.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,697, granted to Fletcher et al, Jul. 9,
1996 discloses a mouse operating area with a beverage holder.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,637, granted to Schriner, Aug. 6, 1996,
discloses a mouse operating area with a storage compartment.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,815, granted to Murphy, Dec. 2, 1997,
discloses a mouse operating area and item holder.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,267, granted to Mori, Dec. 11, 2001,
discloses an arm support and operating area for a mouse, using
same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is a feature of the present invention to provide a device
which provides a location or definition for a mouse operating area
and/or holder, while at the same time providing storage in the
space vertically above the mouse operating area itself.
[0012] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a
device defining a location for a mouse pad and/or operating area,
while providing at least a place to support a beverage container
above the mouse operating area.
[0013] Still a further feature of the present invention is to
provide a device which defines the location for mouse pad and/or
operating area while providing support for a beverage container and
storage for other devices in the space vertically above the mouse
operating area, allowing access and no interference to the
utilization of the mouse operating area, while yet providing the
storage space in a heretofore unused location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the
inventive mouse operating area accessory.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the
mouse operating area accessory, including a detachable wrist
support.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the accessory of FIG. 2, with
the wrist support attached.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a planar view of the mouse operating area
accessory of FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0018] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the
inventive mouse operating area accessory.
[0019] FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric of the accessory of FIG. 5
with additional storage.
[0020] FIGS. 7 and 8 are isometric views of yet another embodiment
of the inventive mouse operating area accessory.
[0021] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the
inventive mouse accessory showing a cup holder and tray that can be
adjusted to remain level on a tilted keyboard and mouse tray or
when the mouse operating area is tilted.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0022] As seen in FIG. 1, the basic concept of the current
invention includes a rectangular configuration of frame 2 for
resting on the desk and surrounding a mouse pad or defining a mouse
operating area. At one corner of rectangular frame 2 is an
upstanding post 4 having secured thereto a rigid cup holder 6,
which may include an insulated liner 8.
[0023] As seen in FIG. 2, an alternate embodiment includes a rigid
rectangular base 10 with a raised corner 12 supporting a cup holder
6 having a removable insulated liner 8. Also seen in this view is a
wrist rest 14 which is removably attached to base 10 by Velcro.RTM.
or some other similar easily used fastening means.
[0024] The accessory of FIG. 2 is likewise shown in FIGS. 3 and 4
and the same numbers are used.
[0025] As seen in FIG. 4, a slightly raised corner 18 can also be
provided to hold a mouse pad in a secure position.
[0026] Reference is now had to FIGS. 5 and 6 to include a rigid
base 10, removable wrist support 14 and include in addition to the
cup holder 6 additional pedestal means 20, 22 to support tray 24
for eyeglasses, pencils and also heavier objects such as
calculators, small digital cameras, cell phones, handheld
organizers, etc. and the like and a smaller opposing tray 26 for
other small objects.
[0027] FIGS. 7 and 8 depict another embodiment, wherein the wire
legs 30, 32 support a tray 34 and cup holder 36, while defining a
space for the mouse operating area. It is to be noted that leg 32
also supports a smaller tray 38, which may be used for writing
instruments or eyeglasses.
[0028] As seen in FIG. 9, the inventive device includes a flat
rectangular base 40 to which a wrist rest 42 is removably attached.
The base 40 is supported by pivotably mounted support members 44
which can place the base 40 at an angle for comfort. Extending
upwardly from base 40 are a pair of rigid parallel ears 46 to which
are pivotably attached a pair of parallel depending ears 48 which
allow angular adjustment to tray 50, cup holder 52 and insulative
insert 54.
[0029] Thus, as can be seen, the present invention utilizes the
normally unused space above a mouse operating area to provide
proximate easy access for materials normally used in conjunction
with a computer.
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