Sliding pointing device tray

• US 5,746,403 A
• Filed: 04/29/1996
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flex-Rest LLC (Flex-Rest)
• Original Assignee: Flex-Rest LLC (Flex-Rest)
• Inventors: Hawley, David, Ambrose, Frederic C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US08/641,007
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/118.5, 248/918, 248/301, 400/715, 400/717, 108/102, 108/143
• US Class Current: 248/118
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/009 Keyboards associated with mousepads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for positioning a pointing device such as a computer mouse relative to a computer keyboard. The system comprises a keyboard support tray having a support surface, first and second side walls, and a rear wall. The support surface is adapted to support the keyboard. The system further comprises a palm rest connected to the keyboard support tray. The system further comprises a bracket member having a mounting portion and a channel. The mounting portion of the bracket is adapted to engage with the rear wall of the keyboard support tray. The system further comprises a pointing device positioning member having a support surface, a first end, and a second end. The first end of the pointing device positioning member is slidably disposed upon the palm rest while the second end is slidably engaged within the channel of the bracket. In operation, an operator may slide the pointing device positioning member to any one of a variety positions above the computer keyboard.

Claims

1. A system for positioning a pointing device relative to a computer keyboard having a cable, the system comprising:

(a) a keyboard support tray having a support surface, a front portion, first and second sidewalls, and rear wall portion, said support surface being adapted to support the computer keyboard;

(b) a palm rest disposed substantially adjacent said front portion of said keyboard support tray;

(c) a bracket member having a mounting portion and a channel, said mounting portion adapted to engage with said rear wall portion of said keyboard support tray; and

(d) a pointing device positioning member adapted to support the pointing device and having a support surface, a first end, and a second end, said first end being slidably disposed upon said palm rest and said second end being slidably engaged within said channel of said bracket member,

whereby said pointing device positioning member may be moved about said palm rest and said channel to thereby position the pointing device to a variety of positions above the computer keyboard.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said palm rest is connected to said keyboard support tray.

3. A system for positioning a pointing device relative to a computer keyboard having a bottom surface, a rear portion, a front portion, and a cable, the system comprising:

(a) a bracket having a support surface and a channel, said support surface being adapted to be inserted under the bottom surface of the computer keyboard;

(b) a support member disposed adjacent said front portion of the computer keyboard; and

(c) a pointing device positioning member adapted to support the pointing device having a support surface, a first end, and a second end, said first end being slidably disposed upon said support member and said second end being slidably engaged within said channel of said bracket,

whereby said pointing device positioning member may be moved about said support member and said channel to thereby position the pointing device to a variety of positions above the computer keyboard.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said support member comprises a palm rest.