Computer mouse pad having inclined surfaces

• US 5,678,800 A
• Filed: 10/16/1995
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brad D. Markussen
• Original Assignee: Brad D. Markussen
• Inventors: Markussen, Brad D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US08/541,199
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 246/346.01, 246/118, 246/118.1, 246/118.2, 246/118.3, 246/918, 400/715
• US Class Current: 248/346.01
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0095 Computer mouse platform
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

An ergonomically designed computer mouse pad for use with a hand operated computer mouse includes an inclined work surface for supporting the computer mouse. The mouse pad is symmetric so that it can be used with either the right hand or the left hand. During operation, the computer mouse is positioned on the inclined surface and the user'"'"'s hand is positioned with the palm of the hand on top of the computer mouse so that the user'"'"'s hand is positioned at an angle relative to the table supporting the mouse pad. The angled position of the hand creates ergonomic benefits such as reducing the muscular and skeletal strain on the user'"'"'s hand and wrist. In addition, two inclined side surfaces adjacent the inclined work surface ensure that the user'"'"'s hand and wrist does not rest on an abrupt edge.

Claims

1. A computer mouse pad for positioning a computer mouse at an incline in relation to a support surface, comprising:

a top surface including a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge, wherein said top surface increases in height above said support surface from said third edge to said fourth edge, and wherein said top surface forms a first non-perpendicular angle with said support surface;

a first side surface extending outwardly and downwardly from said first edge of said top surface toward said support surface in such a manner that said top surface forms a second non-perpendicular angle with said first side surface; and

a second side surface extending outwardly and downwardly from said second edge of said top surface toward said support surface in such a manner that said top surface forms a third non-perpendicular angle with said second side surface, and wherein said third non-perpendicular angle is approximately equal to said second non-perpendicular angle.

2. The computer mouse pad of claim 1, wherein said top surface has a symmetrical shape.

3. The computer mouse pad of claim 2, wherein said top surface has a trapezoidal shape.

4. The computer mouse pad of claim 1, wherein said first side surface and said second side surface both have triangular shapes.

5. The computer mouse pad of claim 4, wherein said first side surface and said second side surface both have right triangular shapes.

6. The computer mouse pad of claim 1, wherein said first non-perpendicular angle is between ten and twenty degrees.

7. The computer mouse pad of claim 1, wherein said second non-perpendicular angle is approximately equal to fifteen degrees.

8. The computer mouse pad of claim 1, wherein said second non-perpendicular angle and said third non-perpendicular angle are both approximately equal to 135 degrees.

9. The computer mouse pad of claim 8, wherein said second non-perpendicular angle and said third non-perpendicular angle are both approximately equal to 135 degrees.

10. The computer mouse pad of claim 1, including a removable frame nestable with said first side surface, said second side surface, and said top surface.

11. The computer mouse pad of claim 10, wherein said frame includes a bottom section and a first section extending upward from said bottom section and said third edge of said top surface is parallel to said first section.

12. The computer mouse pad of claim 11, wherein said third edge of said top surface is adjacent said first section.

13. The computer mouse pad of claim 10, wherein said frame includes a bottom section and adjustable supports connected to said bottom section for adjusting said first angle.

14. The computer mouse pad of claim 1, including a third side surface connected to said first side surface, said second side surface, and said fourth edge of said top surface.

15. A computer mouse pad, comprising a solid form having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, a second side surface having a shape and size approximately equal to said first side surface, and a third side surface, wherein said top surface is connected to said bottom side surface, said first side surface, said second side surface, and said third side surface, said bottom side surface is also connected to said first side surface, said second side surface, and said third side surface, and said third side surface is also connected to said first side surface and said second side surface, further wherein said top surface and said bottom surface form a first non-perpendicular angle, said top surface and said first side surface form a second non-perpendicular angle, and said top surface and said second side surface form a third non-perpendicular angle equal to said second non-perpendicular angle.

16. The computer mouse pad of claim 15, wherein said first non-perpendicular angle is between ten and twenty degrees.

17. The computer mouse pad of claim 16, wherein said first non-perpendicular angle is approximately equal to fifteen degrees.

18. The computer mouse pad of claim 16, wherein said top surface has a trapezoidal shape.

19. The computer mouse pad of claim 15, wherein said second non-perpendicular angle and said third non-perpendicular angle are both between 130 and 165 degrees.

20. The computer mouse pad of claim 19, wherein said second non-perpendicular angle and said third non-perpendicular angle are both approximately equal to 135 degrees.

21. The computer mouse pad of claim 15, wherein said top surface has a symmetrical shape.

22. The computer mouse pad of claim 15, wherein said first side surface and said second side surface both have triangular shapes.

23. The computer mouse pad of claim 22, wherein said first side surface and said second side surface both have right triangular shapes.

24. The computer mouse pad of claim 23, wherein said first side surface and said fourth side surface form an edge having a resilient notch extending inward into said solid form.

25. The computer mouse pad of claim 24, wherein said second side surface and said fourth side surface form an edge having a resilient notch extending inward into said solid form.

26. The computer mouse pad of claim 24, wherein said notch includes two resilient lips.

27. A computer mouse pad for positioning a computer mouse at an incline in relation to a support surface, comprising:

a top surface having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge, wherein said top surface increases in height above said support surface from said third edge to said fourth edge and wherein said top surface forms a first angle with said support surface;

a first side surface extending outwardly and downwardly from said first edge of said top surface toward said support surface in such a manner that said top surface forms a second angle with said first side surface;

a second side surface extending outwardly and downwardly from said second edge of said top surface toward said support surface in such a manner that said top surface forms a third angle with said second side surface, and wherein said third angle is approximately equal to said second angle; and

a frame nestable with said first side surface, said second side surface, and said top surface, wherein said frame includes a bottom section and a first section extending upwardly from said bottom section, said third edge of said top surface being parallel to said first section.

28. The computer mouse pad of claim 27, wherein said third edge of said top surface is adjacent said first section.

29. The computer mouse pad of claim 27, wherein said frame includes a bottom section and adjustable supports connected to said bottom section for adjusting said first angle.

30. The computer mouse pad of claim 27, wherein said top surface has a symmetrical shape.

31. The computer mouse pad of claim 30, wherein said top surface has a trapezoidal shape.

32. The computer mouse pad of claim 27, wherein said first side surface and said second side surface both have triangular shapes.

33. The computer mouse pad of claim 32, wherein said first side surface and said second side surface both have right triangular shapes.

34. The computer mouse pad of claim 27, wherein said first angle is between ten and twenty degrees.

35. The computer mouse pad of claim 34, wherein said first angle is approximately equal to fifteen degrees.

36. The computer mouse pad of claim 27, wherein said second angle and said third angle are both between 130 and 165 degrees.

37. The computer mouse pad of claim 36, wherein said second angle and said third angle are both approximately equal to 135 degrees.

38. A computer mouse pad, comprising a solid form nestable within a frame, said solid form having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, a second side surface having a shape and size approximately equal to said first side surface, and a third side surface, wherein said top surface is connected to said bottom side surface, said first side surface, said second side surface, and said third side surface, said bottom side surface is also connected to said first side surface, said second side surface, and said third side surface, and said third side surface is also connected to said first side surface and said second side surface, further wherein said top surface and said bottom surface form a first angle, said top surface and said first side surface form a second angle, and said top surface and said second side surface form a third angle equal to said second angle, further wherein said frame includes a bottom section and a first section extending upward from said bottom section, and said third edge of said top surface is parallel to said first section.

39. The computer mouse pad of claim 38, wherein said third edge of said top surface is adjacent said first section.

40. The computer mouse pad of claim 38, wherein said frame includes a bottom section and adjustable supports connected to said bottom section for adjusting said first angle.