Support device and method for use with a miniature electronic device

• US 6,000,665 A
• Filed: 05/15/1998
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Clementson, Steven R. Green
• Original Assignee: David Clementson, Steven R. Green
• Inventors: Green, Steven R., Clementson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US09/079,878
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/918, 248/346.01, 248/118.3, 248/118.5, 361/683
• US Class Current: 248/118
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0371 Platforms for supporting wrists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A support device and method for use of a support device with a miniature electronic device are provided by the present invention. Use of the miniature electronic device is facilitated by the present invention'"'"'s anchoring the miniature electronic device and ergonomically supporting the operator'"'"'s hand such relative to the miniature electronic device. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the support device includes a base member having a receiving member adapted to securably receive a miniature electronic device formed in an upper surface of the base member. The base member is preferably formed of an elastomeric material. The upper surface of the base member is dimensioned to support the hand of an operator of the miniature electronic device, such that the level of the operator'"'"'s hand is substantially coplanar with the level of the top surface of the miniature electronic device. The receiving member can be positioned to accommodate right or left-handed operators. The receiving member can be formed either completely through the base member, as a depression that does not extend through the base member, and can be an insert member joined with the base member. The base member can be adapted for attachment to a fixed or to a mobile supporting surface.

Claims

1. A support device adapted to use with a miniature electronic device, comprising:

a base member having an upper and a lower surface, and with a thickness, the upper surface surrounded by at least one edge; and

a miniature electronic device receiving member disposed in the base member adapted to receive the miniature electronic device, such that a top surface of the miniature electronic device is substantially coplanar with the upper surface, and such that the receiving member is completely sounded by the edge surrounding the upper surface, wherein the upper surface is adapted to be dimensioned to support an operator'"'"'s hand at a level substantially even with the miniature electronic device'"'"'s top surface, wherein a stable support is provided for the miniature electronic device.

2. The support device of claim 1, wherein the receiving member is formed completely through the base member.

3. The support device of claim 2, wherein the base member is dimensioned such that the height of the base member is adapted to be substantially equal to the height of the miniature electronic device.

4. The support device of claim 1, wherein the receiving member is formed to a depth sufficient to securely support the miniature electronic device such that the top surface of the electronic device is substantially coplanar with the upper surface.

5. The support device of claim 1, wherein the receiving member is positioned to accommodate a right-handed operator.

6. The support device of claim 1, wherein the receiving member is positioned to accommodate a left-handed operator.

7. The support device of claim 1, wherein the base member is formed of an elastomeric material.

8. The support device of claim 1, wherein the base member is adapted for attachment to a supporting surface.

9. The support device of claim 1, further comprising at least one conduit formed in the base member for receiving a cable or other connecting device.

10. A support device adapted to use with a miniature electronic device, comprising:

a base member formed of an elastomeric material, the base member being adapted for attachment to a supporting surface, the base member further having an upper surface surrounded by at least one edge and a lower surface; and

a miniature electronic device receiving member disposed in the base member adapted to securably receive the miniature electronic device, such that a top surface of the miniature electronic device is substantially coplanar with the upper surface, such that the receiving member is completely surrounded by the edge surrounding the upper surface, wherein the upper surface is adapted to be dimensioned to support an operator'"'"'s hand at a level substantially even with the miniature electronic device'"'"'s top surface, wherein a stable support is provided for the miniature electronic device.

11. The support device of claim 10, wherein the receiving member is formed completely through the base member.

12. The support device of claim 11, wherein the base member is dimensioned such that the height of the base member is adapted to be substantially equal to the height of the electronic device.

13. The support device of claim 10, wherein the receiving member is formed to a depth sufficient to securely support the miniature electronic device such that the top surface of the electronic device is substantially coplanar with the upper surface.

14. The support device of claim 10, wherein the receiving member is positioned to accommodate a right-handed operator.

15. The support device of claim 10, wherein the receiving member is positioned to accommodate a left-handed operator.

16. The support device of claim 10, further comprising at least one conduit formed in the base member for receiving a cable or other connecting device.

17. A method for supporting a miniature electronic device, comprising the step of forming a receiving member in an upper surface of a base member the upper surface surrounded by at least one edge, the receiving member dimensioned for securably receiving the miniature electronic device, such that a top surface of the miniature electronic device is substantially coplanar with the upper surface, and such that the receiving member is completely surrounded by the edge surrounding the upper surface, wherein the upper surface is adapted to be dimensioned to support an operator'"'"'s hand at a level substantially even with the miniature electronic device'"'"'s top surface wherein a stable support is provided for the miniature electronic device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of forming the receiving member completely through the base member, wherein the base member is dimensioned such that the height of the base member is adapted to be substantially equal to the height of the miniature electronic device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the receiving member is formed to a depth sufficient to securely support the miniature electronic device such that the top surface of the electronic device is substantially coplanar with the upper surface.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of positioning the receiving member to accommodate any of a right-handed operator and a left-handed operator.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the base member is formed of an elastomeric material.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of adapting the base for attachment to a supporting surface.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of forming within the base member at least one conduit for receiving a cable or other connecting device.

24. A support device adapted to use with a miniature electronic device, comprising:

a base member having an upper and a lower surface and with a thickness, the upper surface surrounded by a plurality of edges;

at least one conduit formed in the base member for receiving a cable or other connecting device;

and

a miniature electronic device receiving member disposed in the base member for receiving the miniature electronic device, such that a top surface of the miniature electronic device is substantially coplanar with the upper surface, and such that the receiving member is completely surrounded by the edges surrounding the upper surface, wherein the upper surface is adapted to be dimensioned to support an operator'"'"'s hand at a level substantially even with the miniature electronic device'"'"'s top surface.

25. A support device adapted to use with a miniature electronic device, comprising:

a base member formed of an elastomeric material, the base member being adapted for attachment to a supporting surface, the base member further having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface surrounded by a plurality of edges;

at least one conduit formed in the base member for receiving a cable or other connecting device;

and

a miniature electronic device receiving member disposed in the base member for securably receiving the miniature electronic device, such that a top surface of the miniature electronic device is substantially coplanar with the upper surface, and such that the receiving member is completely surrounded by the edges surrounding the upper surface, wherein the upper surface is adapted to be dimensioned to support an operator'"'"'s hand at a level substantially even with the miniature electronic device'"'"'s top surface.

26. A method for supporting a miniature electronic device, comprising the steps of:

forming a receiving member in an upper surface of a base member, the upper surface being surrounded by a plurality of edges, the receiving member dimensioned for securably receiving the miniature electronic device, such that a top surface of the miniature electronic device is substantially coplanar with the upper surface, and such that the receiving member is completely surrounded by the edges surrounding the upper surface, wherein the upper surface is adapted to be dimensioned to support an operator'"'"'s hand at a level substantially even with the miniature electronic device'"'"'s top surface; and

forming within the base member at least one conduit for receiving a cable or other connecting device.