Heated mouse pad

• US 5,674,423 A
• Filed: 12/02/1994
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Design Wire Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dennis E. Wright Sr
• Inventors: Wright, Dennis E. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VALENCIA, RAPHA
• Application Number:
  US08/352,845
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 219/200-201, 219/213, 219/217, 219/528-529, 219/544, 219/548, 219/549, 400/715, D14/114, 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/118.5, 248/346, 248/633, 248/918, 607/98-99, 607/111, 607/152, 607/108-110, 607/144, 607/96, 601/15
• US Class Current: 219/549
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/003 using serpentine layout
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/014 Heaters using resistive wires or cables not provided for in H05B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/017 Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/36 heating conductor embedded in insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A computer mouse pad is heated for reducing repetitive motion stress for a user and for providing potential therapeutic treatment for the user'"'"'s hand and wrist while operating a mouse thereon. The pad has a resistance-type heating element which is embedded in the rubber material of the pad. The mouse is either a stationary mouse or a conventional movably positioned mouse and is operated on the level section of the top surface of the pad. If a stationary mouse is utilized, the user'"'"'s hand and wrist are support by an elevated section of the top surface of the pad. A non-skid surface is on the bottom of the pad. A conventional electric power outlet is utilized as the power source.

Claims

1. A heated computer mouse pad for reducing repetitive motion stress for a user and for providing potential therapeutic treatment for the user'"'"'s hand and wrist while operating a mouse thereon, comprising:

an upper layer and a lower layer, the lower layer having a non-skid area for engagement with a supporting surface;

a working surface on the upper layer, the working surface having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end having a planar surface;

the planar surface being adapted to receive a computer mouse thereupon;

the rearward end having an elevated portion adapted to support and warm the user'"'"'s hand and wrist;

four peripheral edges, each having a substantially uninterrupted surface;

electrical means embedded in said lower layer for heating the pad, said electrical means being connected to an electrical power cord that extends from the surface of only one of said peripheral edges; and

control means associated with the electrical means that regulates power thereto.

2. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 1, wherein the upper layer is made of a fabric material.

3. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 2, wherein the fabric material is a vinyl fabric.

4. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 2, wherein the fabric material is a canvas fabric.

5. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 1, wherein the lower layer is made of a rubber material.

6. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 1, wherein the planar surface constitutes substantially two-thirds of the area of the working surface.

7. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 6, wherein the remaining substantially one-third of the area of the working surface is configured as an elevated area, there further being a depression, dimensioned and configured for supporting a user'"'"'s hand and wrist thereupon.

8. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 1, wherein said electrical means comprises a heating element comprising resistive wire.

9. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 1, wherein said control means is selected from the group consisting of a thermostat and a switch.

10. A heated computer pad for reducing repetitive motion stress of a user and for providing potential therapeutic treatment for the user'"'"'s hand and wrist while operating a computer, comprising:

an upper layer and a lower layer, the lower layer having a non-skid bottom surface for engagement with a supporting surface;

a working surface on the upper layer, the working surface having a forward first end and a rearward second end;

the forward first end having a level surface;

the rearward second end having a surface elevated relative to the surface of the first end and including an elongated depression dimensioned and configured for supporting the user'"'"'s hand and wrist thereon;

four peripheral edges, each having a substantially uninterrupted surface;

an electrical element molded into the lower layer for heating the pad and thereby the user'"'"'s hand and wrist, said electrical element being provided with an electrical power cord that extends from the surface of only one of said peripheral edges; and

control means associated with the electrical element that regulates power thereto.

11. A heated mouse pad according to claim 10, wherein the upper layer is made of a fabric material.

12. A heated computer pad according to claim 11 wherein the fabric material is a vinyl fabric or a canvas material.

13. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 10, wherein the lower layer is made of a rubber material.

14. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 10, wherein the level surface constitutes substantially two-thirds of the area of the working surface.

15. A heated computer pad according to claim 10 further comprising a switch for controlling the electrical element.

16. A heated computer pad according to claim 10 wherein the electrical element provides for heating the second end of the pad to a surface temperature of about 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

17. A heated computer pad according to claim 10, wherein said electrical means comprises a heating element comprising resistive wire.

18. A heated computer pad according to claim 10, wherein said control means is selected from the group consisting of a thermostat and a switch.

19. A heated computer mouse pad for reducing repetitive motion stress of a user and for providing potential therapeutic treatment for the user'"'"'s hand and wrist while operating a mouse thereon, comprising in combination:

an upper layer and a lower layer, the lower layer having a non-skid bottom surface for engagement with a supporting surface;

a working surface on the upper layer, the working surface having a plurality of sectional surface areas;

one sectional surface area constituting a planar working area for operation of the computer mouse thereon;

another sectional surface being dimensioned and configured as an elevated area for supporting the user'"'"'s hand and wrist thereon;

four peripheral edges, each having a substantially uninterrupted surface;

an electrical heating device molded within the lower layer for heating the pad and provided with an electrical power cord that extends from the surface of only one of said peripheral edges; and

means associated with the electrical heating device for providing uniform heat to the pad, whereby said elevated area is employed by a user to support the wrist and hand of the user while the mouse controls are operated, and upon reorientation 180 degrees of the pad with respect to the user, the said one sectional surface area is employed to support the mouse, the said elevated area remaining unemployed during such reoriented configuration of the pad.

20. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 19, wherein the upper layer is made of a fabric material.

21. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 20, wherein the fabric material is a vinyl fabric.

22. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 20, wherein the fabric material is a canvas material.

23. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 19, wherein the bottom layer of the lower surface is made of a rubber material.

24. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 19, wherein the planar working surface constitutes substantially two-thirds of the area of the working surface.

25. A heated computer mouse pad according to claim 19, wherein the elevated area constitutes substantially one-third of the area of the working surface.