Computer mouse support

• US 5,636,822 A
• Filed: 08/09/1995
• Issued: 06/10/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Hendershot, Thomas E., Johnson-Zeh, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US08/512,878
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 248/917, 248/918, 248/919, 248/920, 248/921, 248/922, 248/923, 248/924, 248/442.2, 248/346.01, 248/118, 248/51, 248/52, 403/59, 403/61
• US Class Current: 248/346.01
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/009 Keyboards associated with mousepads
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0095 Computer mouse platform
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32073 Pivot stud slidable in elongated opening

Abstract

A computer mouse accessory includes a platform having a substantially planar upper surface upon which a computer mouse can be operated, a bracket for mounting the accessory to a support structure, such as keyboard shelf, the platform being secured to the bracket in a manner which allows for linear movement of the platform with respect to the bracket along a generally horizontal line. The linear adjustability of the platform relative to the bracket allows the platform to be positioned anywhere between a fully deployed position wherein the platform is located laterally adjacent to an end of a computer keyboard shelf to which the bracket is secured, and a fully retracted position wherein the platform overlies one side of the keyboard so that when the keyboard shelf is mounted on an articulated arm secured to the underside of a worksurface of the desk, the keyboard shelf and computer mouse accessory can be store together beneath the worksurface. The platform of the computer mouse accessory is desirably tiltable with respect to a portion of the bracket which is stationary when mounted to a structure, and is also preferably rotatable with respect to the bracket, to provide a full range of motion which provides an exceptionally flexible, ergonomically adaptable, mousing surface which can be positioned to comfortably accommodate most mouse users.

Claims

1. A computer mouse accessory, comprising:

a platform having a substantially planar upper surface upon which a computer mouse can be operated; and

a bracket for mounting said accessory to a support structure;

said platform being slidably mounted on said bracket for sliding linear movement with respect to said bracket along a substantially horizontal plane;

said bracket including a first member for mounting said computer mouse accessory to a support structure, and a second member secured to said first member, said second member being pivotally adjustable with respect to said first member.

2. The computer mouse accessory of claim 1, wherein said platform is tiltable with respect to a portion of said bracket which is stationary when mounted to a structure.

3. The computer mouse accessory of claim 2, wherein channel members are secured to the underside of said platform in spaced, parallel relationship, said channel members in combination with the underside of said platform defining channels having openings which face each other;

and wherein said bracket includes a guide member having opposing flange edges which are confined within said channels.

4. The computer mouse accessory of claim 2, wherein said platform is rotatable with respect to said bracket about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to said upper surface or said platform.

5. The computer mouse accessory of claim 1, wherein said second member is secured to said first member by means of a pair of fasteners, a first of said fasteners passing through apertures in adjacent upright wall portions of said first and second members, the other of said fasteners passing through an aperture in one of said upright walls and an arcuate slot in the other of said upright walls, said arcuate slot defining an arc segment of a circle centered at said first fastener, whereby said second member can be pivoted with respect to said first member about a longitudinal axis of said first fastener through an angle defined by said arcuate slot.

6. The computer mouse accessory of claim 1, further comprising a mouse containment device secured to an underside of said platform for storing a computer mouse.

7. The computer mouse accessory of claim 1, wherein said platform defines a notch for mouse wire management.

8. A computer mouse accessory comprising:

a platform having a substantially planar upper surface upon which a computer mouse can be operated; and

a bracket for mounting said accessory to a support structure;

said platform being slidably mounted on said bracket for sliding linear movement with respect to said bracket along a substantially horizontal plane, said platform being tiltable with respect to a portion of said bracket which is stationary when mounted to a support structure, and rotatable with respect to said bracket about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to said upper surface of said platform.

9. A combination computer keyboard support and computer mouse support assembly, comprising:

a computer keyboard shelf;

a bracket mounted to said keyboard shelf;

a platform mounted on said bracket, said platform being slidably mounted on said bracket for sliding linear movement with respect to said bracket along a substantially horizontal plane; and

channel members secured to an underside of said platform in spaced, parallel relationship, said channel members in combination with the underside of said platform defining channels having openings which face each other, and said bracket including a guide member having opposing flange edges which are confined within said channels.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said platform is tiltable with respect to a portion of said bracket which is stationary when mounted to a structure.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said bracket is comprised of a first member for mounting said computer mouse accessory to a structure, and a second member secured to said first member, said second member being pivotally adjustable with respect to said first member.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said second member is secured said first member by means of a pair of fasteners, a first of said fasteners passing through apertures in adjacent upright wall portions of said first and second members, the other of said fasteners passing through an aperture in one of said upright walls and an arcuate slot in the other of said upright walls, said arcuate slot defining an arc segment of a circle centered at said first fastener, whereby said second member can be pivoted with respect to said first member about a longitudinal axis of said first fastener through an angle defined by said arcuate slot.

13. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising a mouse containment device secured to an underside of said platform for storing a computer mouse.

14. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said platform is rotatable with respect to said bracket about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to said upper surface of said platform.

15. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said platform defines a notch liar mouse wire management.

16. A computer mouse accessory, comprising:

a platform having a substantially planar upper surface upon which a computer mouse can be operated; and

a bracket for mounting said platform to a computer keyboard support adjacent one end thereof;

said platform being slidably mounted on said bracket for linear movement between a first position adjacent to said one end of said keyboard support and a second position wherein said platform overlaps said one end of the keyboard support.

17. A combination computer keyboard support and auxiliary support surface for a computer input device, comprising:

a computer keyboard shelf;

a bracket mounted to said keyboard shelf; and

a platform mounted on said bracket, said platform being supported for sliding linear movement with respect to said computer keyboard shelf along a substantially horizontal plane, said platform being tiltable with respect to said computer keyboard shelf and rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a substantially planar upper surface of said platform.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein said platform defines a notch for mouse wire management.

19. An auxiliary support for operation of a computer input device, comprising:

a platform having a substantially planar upper surface upon which a computer input device can be operated;

a bracket for mounting said platform to a support structure, said bracket being comprised of a first member for mounting said auxiliary support to a support structure, and a second member secured to said first member, said second member being pivotally adjustable with respect to said first member, said platform being supported on said second member; and

said platform being slidably mounted upon said bracket for sliding linear movement with respect to said bracket along a substantially horizontal plane.

20. The auxiliary support of claim 19, wherein said platform is tiltable with respect to a portion of said bracket which is stationary when mounted to a structure.

21. The auxiliary support of claim 20, wherein said platform is rotatable with respect to said bracket about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to said upper surface of said platform.

22. The auxiliary support of claim 21, wherein said platform defines a notch for management of a wire electrically connecting said computer input device with a computer.