Computer wedge

Abstract

The invention is a wedge-shaped device attaching to a computer monitor which is removably attached to the undersurface of a computer keyboard, providing out of the way placement of the keyboard, use of the keyboard for standing computer operators, or providing keyboard use where limited surface space is provided.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Provisional Patent Application No. 60/179,429 filed Feb. 1, 2000.

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The invention is a wedge-shaped device attaching to a computer monitor which is removably attached to the undersurface of a computer keyboard, providing out of the way placement of the keyboard, use of the keyboard for standing computer operators, or providing keyboard use where limited surface space is provided.

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] The following United States patents were discovered and are disclosed within this application for utility patent. All relate to computer accessories and devices. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,390 to Berke, a wrist support for a computer keyboard which attaches to the keyboard is disclosed. A pivot mount assembly tray for a computer keyboard attaching to a desk is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,487 to Kirchhoff. U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,910 to Martin discloses a lap mounted computer keyboard or laptop computer stand having multiple vertical levels, including a bottom level having a wedge shape to accommodate the legs of the user. An extendable mouse pad support attached to a computer keyboard is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,387 to Tice. However, no patented device attaches the underside of a computer keyboard to the upper side of a computer monitor, providing a removable placement for the keyboard where limited space is available.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The computer keyboard wedge is a device having a primary objective of providing a use a means to removably attach a keyboard to a monitor to reduce the surface space requirements of a computer or the provide a solid keyboard surface where no surface space is provided. Especially where a computer monitor is mounted to a wall, on a swing arm, or where the monitor consumes the entire working space, this device provides removable angled and secure placement of the keyboard for use.

[0007] A secondary objective of the invention is to provide a keyboard placement on the top of a monitor for standing terminal use, as is now most common in the dental practice, medical practice or other occupations where data entry from a standing and mobile user is utilized.

[0008] A third objective of the invention is to provide the device is a flat format having folds to assemble the device and attach it to the computer monitor and the keyboard at a location desired by the user. The device may also be used to display trade name or advertising logo of products or supply companies at viewable locations on the computer assemblies.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The following drawings are submitted with this utility patent application.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in flat form.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention in folded and assembled form.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention in folded and assembled form attached to a computer monitor.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] The invention, a shown in FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, is a computer wedge support device attaching to the top surface 102 of a computer monitor 100 for removably attaching the bottom surface 112 of a computer keyboard 110, the device comprising a single sheet of flat rectangular material 10, the single sheet of flat rectangular material 10 subdivided into four segments 20, including a first segment 30, a second segment 40, a third segment 50 and a fourth segment 60, each segment having a respective upper surface 32, 42, 52, 62 and a lower surface 34, 44, 54, 64, the four segments 40 being segregated by a first perforated fold line 70, a second perforated fold line 72 and a third perforated fold line 74, the device also having multiple strips of a removable fastening material 80 and at least one strip of bonding adhesive 90.

[0014] The first segment 30, second segment 40, third segment 50 and fourth segment 60 of the single sheet of flat rectangular material 10 are generally the same size and shape, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The first perforated fold line 70 is between the first segment 30 and the second segment 40, the second perforated fold line 72 is between the second segment 40 and the third segment 50, and the third perforated fold line 74 is between the third segment 50 and the fourth segment 60. The single sheet of rectangular material 10 is folded at the location and along the first, second and third perforated fold lines 70, 72, 74 into a triangular tube 22. The fourth segment 60 attaches to the first segment 30 when folded into the triangular tube 22 by at least one strip of bonding adhesive 90, maintaining the triangular tube 22 in its folded configuration, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The upper surfaces 32, 42, 52, 62 of the four segments 20 should be exposed outwardly on the triangular tube 22 once assembled. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the permanent bonding adhesive 90 bonds the upper surface 62 of the fourth segment 60 to the lower surface 34 of the first segment 30.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the removable fastening material 80 is hook and loop material, having a hook strip 82 and a loop strip 84 attaching them to the device and also attaching them to the bottom surface 112 of the computer keyboard 110 and the top surface 102 of the computer monitor 100 by additional bonding adhesive 90. One embodiment may provide the device having the multiple strips of removable fastening material 80 applied to the upper surface 32 of the first segment 30 and the upper surface 42 of the second segment 40, and another embodiment may have the multiple strips of removable fastening material 80 applied to the upper surface 32 of the first segment 30 and the upper surface 52 of the third segment 50. When the removable fastening material 80 is thus attached, the device may be removably attached to the top surface 102 of the computer monitor 100 and the computer keyboard 110 may be removably attached to the device orienting the computer keyboard 110 above the computer monitor 100, when such placement of the computer keyboard 110 is desired. When such placement is not desired, the computer keyboard 110 may be detached and returned to where it is normally placed.

[0016] This placement of the computer keyboard 110 on the top surface 102 of the computer monitor 100 is useful where limited space is available, where computer data is input in a standing position, as in medical and dental practice and at industry terminal locations, or where the placement of the computer keyboard 110 in front of the computer monitor 100 is simply inconvenient.

[0017] Suggested materials from which the device may be made include reinforced cardboard, light-weight woods or wood composite materials, synthetic resin board or light metal. The invention may be provided in any number of colors and may also include the upper surface 42 of the second segment 40 and the upper surface 52 of the third segment 50 providing a location for the display of advertising medium and print.

[0018] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A computer wedge support device attaching to the top of a computer monitor for removably attaching a computer keyboard, the invention comprising:

a. a single sheet of flat rectangular material, the single sheet of flat rectangular material subdivided into four segments, including a first segment, a second segment, a third segment and a fourth segment, each segment having a respective upper surface and a lower surface;

b. a first perforated fold line, a second perforated fold line and a third perforated fold line, segregating the four segments indicating the locations where the device is folded;

c. multiple strips of a removable fastening material attached to any two of the four segments; and

d. at least one strip of bonding adhesive, the device being folded into a triangular tube, with the upper surfaces of the four segments outside the triangular tube when folded, attaching the first segment to the fourth segment by the bonding adhesive, having the strips of removable fastening material removably attaching the device to the top of the computer monitor and the bottom surface of the computer keyboard.

2. The device disclosed in

claim 1 wherein the multiple strips of removable fastening material are a hook and loop material with a permanent adhesive attaching said strips of removable fastening material to the device and to the bottom of the computer keyboard and the top of the computer monitor.

3. The device disclosed in

claim 1 wherein the multiple strips of removable fastening material are applied to the upper surface of the first segment and the second segment, and the permanent adhesive is provided on the upper surface of the fourth segment, attaching such upper surface of the fourth segment to the lower surface of the first segment.

4. The device disclosed in

claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the second segment and the upper surface of the second segment provide a location for the display of advertising medium and print.