Support device for a computer mouse

• US 6,203,642 B1
• Filed: 02/08/2000
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hirsch & Partner GmbH (HIRSCH & Partner GmbH /Fugger/)
• Original Assignee: Hirsch & Partner GmbH (HIRSCH & Partner GmbH /Fugger/)
• Inventors: Hirsch, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Deborah
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bahta, Abraham
• Application Number:
  US09/499,714
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 428/14, 428/13, 428/72, 428/304.4, 428/178, 428/76, 428/218, 428/192, 428/315.9, 428/318.6, 248/118, 248/118.1, 156/145, 156/146, 156/308.4, 156/292
• US Class Current: 156/145
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/0235 Vinyl halide, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/412 Transparent
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/00 Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin fibrous or filamentary layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/02; particulate layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/16; foamed layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/18
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/065 of foam
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/304 comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/08 characterised by added members at particular parts layer formed of separate pieces of material which are juxtaposed side-by-side B32B3/14, B32B3/18
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/18 characterised by features of a layer of foamed material
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/234 including elements cooperating to form cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/239 Complete cover or casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24661 Forming, or cooperating to form cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24777 Edge feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24992 Density or compression of components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249953 Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24998 Composite has more than two layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249988 Of about the same composition as, and adjacent to, the void-containing component

Abstract

A support device for a computer mouse (mouse pad) comprises, extending over the lower foil made of foam material, at least one thin, colored liquid layer which is enclosed between two foils welded together along the edge in a liquid-tight manner and is visible through the transparent foil or foils. The liquid occupies the available cavity only incompletely and it spreads out in puddle-like patterns to define void spaces which change continuously due to the actuation of the mouse, thereby providing the mouse pad with an optically interesting appearance.

Claims

1. A method of making a support device for a computer mouse comprising the steps of:

laminating a carrier layer over a lower foil;

positioning the thus formed laminate such that the carrier layer faces upwardly;

applying a liquid to the carrier layer without using confining means to confine the liquid such that the liquid remains on the carrier layer after application thereof; and

then

welding a transparent upper foil to the carrier layer along a continuous liquid-tight welding seam to define the periphery of a sealed cavity within which the liquid is captured, thereby creating a support device for a computer mouse having a transparent upper foil on which the computer mouse is manipulated and a liquid layer in the support device viewable through the transparent upper foil.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 comprising the further step of disposing one or more generally flat solid bodies in the liquid layer before said welding step.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 comprising the further step of applying a reversed image to the underside of the upper foil before said welding step to create an image viewable through the transparent upper foil.