Computer keyboard shelf for mouse and other input devices

Abstract

A shelf that fits over the keypad portion of a computer keyboard and extends to the right, providing a convenient work area, closer to the QWERTY keys, for a mouse or other input device. Projections from the underside of the shelf straddle the keypad to position and steady the shelf, while preventing the shelf from touching the keys. Since the shelf is not attached to the keyboard in any way, it can be easily lifted and removed when the keypad is to be used. In one embodiment in which the shelf is about 9 inches by 9 inches, the approximate size of a mouse pad, adjustable legs extend beneath the right end of the shelf to the desk or platform on which the keyboard is resting. These legs provide stability for the shelf. The second embodiment is for use only with an input device requiring a smaller work area, such as a track ball or touch pad. The shelf in the second embodiment is no more than five inches wide and extends very slightly beyond the right edge of the keyboard, so no legs are required to provide stability.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates generally to a work surface for desktop computer input devices and pertains, more specifically, to a type of shelf that is used with a computer keyboard to hold a mouse, trackball, touch pad, tablet or other input device.

[0005] Since the development of the Windows and other operating systems for desktop computers using a graphical utility interface, various input devices have been devised to control the cursor. The most popular of these devices at the present time is the mouse. Other common input devices include the trackball, touch pad and tablet, although there are other less popular devices to input data that control the cursor and more devices are sure to be developed. All of these devices have one thing in common; they need a working surface, an area in which the device is used by the computer operator.

[0006] Computer keyboards are outgrowths of typewriter keyboards and include many keys in addition to the QWERTY keyboard and numbers above them. Typically, the QWERTY keyboard area also contains Control, Alternate and Windows keys alongside the space bar and twelve function keys and an Escape key near the top. To the right of the QWERTY area are two additional groups of keys. At the immediate right are “specialty keys” with specific functions, such as arrow keys to move the cursor one space in any direction, keys to move the cursor to the beginning or end of a line of test, to move pages up or down, to permit text to be inserted or overwritten, to delete a character, to copy the monitor screen and to perform several obscure functions. At the far right end of the keyboard, the group of keys form what is commonly known as a keypad, for numerical data entry and arithmetic functions. Many keyboards now also include special buttons along the top for Internet and other functions.

[0007] The mouse devices are typically placed on a “mouse pad” approximately 9 inches by 9 inches to protect the ball on the underside of the mouse from becoming clogged with dirt. While the newer optical mice do not need a mouse pad, they still require about the same area for movement to control the cursor. Trackballs and touch pads vary in size up to a footprint of about 5 inches by 7 inches. Tablets range from about 6 inches by 8 inches up to much larger sizes that would be unsuitable for this invention. These input devices are generally placed alongside the computer keyboard or, if the keyboard is on a special keyboard shelf in front of the desk, the input device may be placed on the desk within reach of the operator

[0008] Because the input devices that control cursor movement are not part of the keyboard, they require the computer operator to extend his or her arm to reach the mouse, trackball or other device. This substantially impairs the operator's efficiency, causes difficulty in the hand repositioning easily on the correct “home” keys of the keyboard and may also create additional arm strain.

[0009] Many computer operators use only the QWERTY keyboard and the specialty keys; they do not utilize the keypad or use it only occasionally, either because they do very little numerical input or simply prefer to use the number keys located above the letters of the QWERTY keyboard. As a result, valuable desk space is taken up by a portion of the keyboard that many computer operators do not use, which space could be better utilized as an area for the mouse or other input devices.

[0010] Numerous patents have been issued for inventions seeking to provide easier and more comfortable use of the various input devices, including some that use a portion of the keyboard. However, none of those patents provide the elegant solution of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention provides a shelf for input devices which responds to the above-mentioned problems and which exhibits several objects and advantages. In one embodiment, the left portion of the shelf rests on the keypad area of the keyboard and the right portion of the shelf has two adjustable legs that rest on the desk or other surface on which the keyboard has been placed. The shelf has dimensions of approximately 9 inches by 9 inches and can have a covering affixed to serve as mouse pad. The underside of the left portion of the shelf has projections of approximately one-half inch which fit around the keypad and hold the shelf in position without depressing any of the keys. The legs on the right side of the shelf, which rest on the desk, are adjustable so that the shelf is steady. Silicone or a similar non-slippery substance may be applied to the portions of the shelf and legs which contact the keyboard and desk, to provide further stability. In a second embodiment, to be used for a trackball or touch pad, the shelf has dimensions of approximately 5 inches by 7 inches; the entire shelf fits over the keypad area of the keyboard, with projections on the underside to position and hold the shelf. Since neither embodiment of the shelf is attached to the keyboard in any way, it can be removed quickly and easily when the operator needs to use the keypad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a transparent top view of the shelf positioned on a keyboard and desk, illustrating the relative positions of the keypad and the projections and legs on the underside of the shelf.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a prospective view of the underside of the shelf of the first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a prospective view of the shelf positioned on a keyboard and desk.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a prospective view of the underside of the shelf of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In its first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the invention consists of a shelf 102 providing an area upon which a computer mouse, tablet or other input devices may be used, said shelf 102 having projections 103, 107 and 108 on the left portion of the underside of the shelf 102 and adjustable legs 104 and 106 at the right end of the underside of the shelf 102. The invention is used in conjunction with a computer keyboard 101. The shelf 102 is placed over the keypad 105 area of the keyboard 101, so that the upper projection 103 fits against the upper keys (NUM LOCK, /, * and -) of the keypad 105, lateral projection 108 fits against the left side keys of keypad 105 and lateral projection 107 fits against the right side keys of keypad 105. The adjustable legs 104 and 106, rest on the desk 301 or other platform on which keyboard 101 has been placed, as illustrated in the prospective view in FIG. 3.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates projections 103, 107 and 108 which rest on keyboard 101 and surround keypad 105. These projections extend approximately one-half inch from the underside of shelf 102 so that they keep shelf 102 from coming into contact with the keys of the keypad 105. Since most keyboards are designed with legs in the rear to create a slight tilt, adjustable legs 104 and 106, shown on FIG. 2, have lengths of approximately one and one-half inches for leg 106 and 3 inches for leg 104. Legs 104 and 106 are adjusted after the invention is placed on keyboard 101 so that shelf 102 does not wobble.

[0018] Projections 103, 107 and 108 and legs 104 and 106 combine to position and steady shelf 102; however, additional stability is obtained by affixing silicone or other non-slippery material to those portions of the projections and legs which come into contact with keyboard 101 and desk 301.

[0019] Shelf 102 can be made 8 inches by 9.5 inches to accommodate the most common size of mouse pads, or can be made with a mouse pad affixed to its surface. The preferred embodiment of shelf 102 is approximately 9 inches by 9 inches, which provides ample work surface. Future development of input devices may demand larger or, more likely, smaller work surfaces and the dimensions of shelf 102 should be adjusted accordingly.

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates the second embodiment of the invention, designed for use with an input device that does not require as much work area as a mouse or tablet, such as a track ball or touch pad. Shelf 401 is approximately 5 inches by 7 inches, which is ample to accommodate the largest track balls and touch pads currently being made.

[0021] In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, projections 402, 403 and 404 are placed over the keypad area 105 of keyboard 101 just as in the first embodiment. These projections extend approximately one-half inch from the underside of shelf 401 so that they keep shelf 401 from coming into contact with the keys of the keypad 105. The upper projection 403 fits against the upper keys (NUM LOCK, /, * and -) of the keypad 105, lateral projection 404 fits against the left side keys of keypad 105 and lateral projection 402 fits against the right side keys of keypad 105, similar to the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. The projections position and steady shelf 401. However, additional stability is obtained by affixing silicone or other non-slippery material to those portions of the projections which come into contact with keyboard 101.

[0022] If an input device requires a work area width of greater than 5 inches, then the first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, should be used, because a width of more than 5 inches for shelf 401 would not be steady.

[0023] The detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments of the invention are provided by way of example only. Various details of design and construction may be modified without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprised of a flat surface used in conjunction with a computer keyboard to provide an area for using a mouse, tablet or other input device, with projections on the underside of the left portion of the surface which projections fit against the keypad portion of the keyboard to position and support the surface above the keypad without depressing the keys and with legs on the underside of the right portion of the surface which legs rest on the desk or other platform on which the keyboard is placed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the projections on the underside of the surface hold the surface in place in relation to the keyboard.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lengths of the legs on the underside of the surface are adjustable.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bottommost portion of the projections and the legs are covered with silicone or other non-slippery material.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the legs provide support for the surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a portion of each leg is comprised of a threaded cylinder to facilitate adjustment of the length of said leg.

7. An apparatus comprised of a flat surface used in conjunction with a computer keyboard to provide an area for using a trackball, touch pad or other input device requiring a relatively small work area, comprised of projections on the underside of the surface which fit against the keypad portion of the keyboard to position and support the surface above the keypad without depressing the keys.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the projections on the underside of the surface hold the surface in place in relation to the keyboard.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the bottommost portion of the projections are covered with silicone or other non-slippery material.