Abstract: A mouse pad, keyboard tray, or other surface for use with a computer pointing device, the surface of the mouse pad, keyboard tray, or other surface including a raised bump, barrier, or warning structure about a central area to allow the user to know that the perimeter or edge of the mouse pad or surface is near. The bump, barrier, or warning structure may be located at the perimeter of the surface or displaced from the perimeter allowing the mouse or other pointing device to run over the raised bump, barrier, or warning structure and still be supported by the surface on both sides of the bump, barrier, or warning structure. The bump, barrier, or warning structure also prevents the mouse or computer pointing device from sliding off of the surface when the keyboard tray is at an angle of up to 15 degrees with respect to the ground.

Abstract: An illuminated membrane switch assembly lighted by internal bulb units. A membrane switch sub-assembly is finger touch actuated by a small translucent plastic button with a graphic overlay on its forward surface and a light-diffusing textured rear surface. A clear plastic backplate is provided for the membrane switch sub-assembly, and in one embodiment light is transmitted to the button directly through a complex partly opaque conductor area in the membrane switch by a single bulb unit mounted in the rear of an enclosing housing that has a white interior surface, and in another embodiment light is transmitted to the button through the switch conductive area by a bulb mounted inside the transparent backplate.

Abstract: An illuminated membrane switch assembly lighted by a contained rearwardly positioned bulb unit. A membrane switch is actuated by a small reciprocable transparent plunger with an illuminated graphics bearing overlay on its forward surface. Light is transmitted axially from the rear of the switch around the periphery of conductive areas on the membranes to the transparent plunger without any shadowing.