Apparatus for securing a computer mouse support pad to a member

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for securing a mouse support pad to a predetermined member. The apparatus comprises a vertical member having a predetermined size and shape. The vertical member has a first end and a second end. There is a slot disposed within the vertical member closely adjacent the first end of the vertical member. The slot has a predetermined width. There is a securement device disposed on the first end of the vertical member for securing the vertical member to such predetermined member and a means for securing the mouse support pad to the second end of the vertical member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The invention taught in this patent application is closely related to the invention taught in the following co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/267,263 and was filed on Feb. 9, 2001. All the teachings therein are incorporated into this application by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to a computer mouse support pad, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for securing a computer mouse support pad to a member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Various studies and tests have shown that placing the computer mouse at a predetermined level above the computer keyboard minimizes shoulder and wrist muscle strain. Although various designs for keyboard platforms with integrated mouse support pads currently exist, there are many keyboard platforms without this feature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides an apparatus for securing a mouse support pad to a predetermined member. The apparatus comprises a vertical member having a predetermined size and shape. The vertical member has a first end and a second end. There is a slot disposed within the vertical member closely adjacent the first end of the vertical member. The slot has a predetermined width.

[0005] There is a securement device disposed on the first end of the vertical member for securing the vertical member to such predetermined member and a means for securing the mouse support pad to the second end of the vertical member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the invention to provide a support pad for a computer mouse that is elevated so as to minimize shoulder and wrist muscle strain.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an elevated mouse support pad that could be tilted.

[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a support pad for a computer mouse that is easily attached to a keyboard platform or a desk top.

[0009] These and various other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an application of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

[0014] Illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an apparatus, generally designates 10, for securing a computer mouse support pad 2 to a predetermined member 4. Such predetermined member 4 may be any one of a variety of supports; however, the most common being a computer keyboard platform and a desk top.

[0015] The apparatus 10 comprises a vertical member 6 which has a predetermined size and shape. The vertical member has a first end 8 and a second end 12. The vertical member 6 further has a slot 14 disposed in the vertical member 10 intermediate the first end 8 and the second end 12 but is closely adjacent the first end 8. In a preferred embodiment of the invention such slot is disposed between 0.25 and 0.50 inches from the first end. The slot 14 is designed to slide over such keyboard platform 4 (or other predetermined member) so the width of the slot 14 must be sufficient to slide over such predetermined member 4 whether it be a desk top or a keyboard platform.

[0016] The apparatus further includes a securement device, generally designated 20. Such securement device 20 is disposed on the first end 8 of vertical member 6. In a preferred embodiment of the invention such securement device 20 includes a bolt 16. A first end of bolt 16 is threadably attached to the first end 8 of vertical member 6. Further, it is preferred that the second end of such bolt 16 have a 3-star knob 18 for ease in turning the bolt so to secure the apparatus 10 to such predetermined member 4. As the bolt is threaded through such first end 8 of the vertical member 6, the first end of the bolt enters into the slot 14 and makes contact with the predetermined member 4 and secures the apparatus 10 to such predetermined member 4.

[0017] The apparatus 10 further includes a mouse support pad 2 which is attached to the second end 12 of such vertical member 6. There is also a means, generally designated 30, for securing such mouse support pad 2 to such vertical member 6. In a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention such means 30 is a capscrew 22. A spacer 12 may also be included on such vertical member 6.

[0018] As is evident in FIG. 2 such mouse support pad 2 can be tilted or used parallel to the keyboard platform 4 by simply changing the way that the keyboard platform 4 is mounted in such slot 14. Slot 14 has a ledge portion 24 which when used causes the apparatus to be tilted and when not used as is seen in FIG. 1 such mouse support pad 2 is parallel to the keyboard platform or desk 4.

[0019] Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which simply shows the apparatus 10 as it would be used in actual operation as it attached to a computer keyboard platform 4 with a mouse support pad 2 on the second end of such vertical member 6.

[0020] While both the presently preferred and a number of alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above it should be understood that various other adaptations and modifications of the present invention can be envisioned by those persons who are skilled in the relevant art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a mouse support pad to a predetermined member, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a vertical member having a predetermined size and shape, said vertical member having a first end and a second end;

(b) a slot disposed within said vertical member intermediate said first end and said second end of said vertical member, said slot having a predetermined width;

(c) a securement device disposed on said first end of said vertical member for securing said vertical member to such predetermined member; and

(d) a means for securing such mouse support pad to said second end of said vertical member.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said securement device includes a bolt.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein a first end of said bolt is threadably attached to said first end of said vertical member.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said bolt enters said slot when said first end of said bolt is threaded through said first end of said vertical member.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein a second end of said bolt further includes a three star knob for turning said bolt.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined width of said slot is sufficient to slide onto one of a computer keyboard platform and a desktop.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said means for securing such mouse support pad to said vertical member is a capscrew.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said slot has a ledge disposed in said slot.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said slot is disposed between 0.25 inches and 0.5 inches from said first end.

10. In combination with a mouse support pad, an apparatus for securing said mouse support pad to a predetermined member, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a vertical member having a predetermined size and shape, said vertical member having a first end and a second end;

(b) a slot disposed within said vertical member intermediate said first end and said second end of said vertical member, said slot having a predetermined width;

(c) a securement device disposed on said first end of said vertical member for securing said vertical member to such predetermined member; and

(d) a means for securing said mouse support pad to said second end of said vertical member.

11. The combination, according to claim 10, wherein said mouse support pad is a solid platform made of plastic.

12. The combination, according to claim 11, wherein said plastic is a phenolic resin.

13. The combination, according to claim 10, wherein said securement device includes a bolt.

14. The combination, according to claim 13, wherein a first end of said bolt is threadably attached to said first end of said vertical member.

15. The combination, according to claim 13, wherein said bolt enters said slot when said first end of said bolt is threaded through said first end of said vertical member.

16. The combination, according to claim 13, wherein a second end of said bolt further includes a three star knob for turning said bolt.

17. The combination, according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined width of said slot is sufficient to slide onto one of a computer keyboard platform and a desktop.

18. The combination, according to claim 10, wherein said means for securing said mouse support pad to said vertical member is a capscrew.

19. The combination, according to claim 10, wherein said slot is disposed between 0.25 inches and 0.5 inches from said first end.