Conformable portable computer hand pads

• US 6,336,614 B1
• Filed: 02/10/2000
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gellyfish Technology Of Texas, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Benjamin J. Kwitek
• Inventors: Kwitek, Benjamin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Tan
• Application Number:
  US09/500,816
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/918, 248/118.3, 248/118.5, 428/304.4, 428/192, 428/195, 400/715, 361/680, 361/681, 361/685
• US Class Current: 248/118
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

This invention relates to ergonomic hand rests for computers and other electronic devices. In particular, the invention relates to soft, conforming hand pads constructed integrally with the keyboard body of portable laptop or notebook computers.

Claims

1. A laptop computer, comprising:

a one-piece, unitary keyboard housing and a monitor, the keyboard housing supporting a plurality of keys for manipulation by a user of the computer; and

at least one hand pad recess formed on a top surface of the keyboard housing and a hand pad formed in the recess to create a unitary structure, the at least one hand pad being positioned adjacent the plurality of keys for supporting the hand of a user as the user manipulates the plurality of keys and rests the hand on the keyboard housing.

2. The laptop computer according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard housing includes first and second recesses on opposite sides of the keyboard housing, and first and second hand pads are respectively positioned within the first and second recesses.

3. The laptop computer according to claim 1, further including a tracking pad formed within the keyboard housing and an additional hand pad formed in the keyboard housing at a position adjacent the tracking pad for supporting the hand of a user as the user manipulates the tracking pad and rests the hand on the keyboard housing.

4. The laptop computer according to claim 3, wherein the keyboard housing includes an additional recess in which the additional hand pad is positioned.

5. The laptop computer according to claim 1, wherein the hand pad is a viscoelastic solid-phase material.

6. The laptop computer according to claim 5, wherein the viscoelastic solid-phase material is a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer.

7. The laptop computer according to claim 1, wherein the viscoelastic material is a viscous liquid material contained within an elastomeric bag.

8. The laptop computer according to claim 7, wherein the viscous liquid material is a silicone gel or thermoplastic elastomer.

9. A laptop computer, comprising:

a one-piece, unitary keyboard housing and a monitor, the keyboard housing supporting a plurality of keys and a tracking pad for manipulation by a user of the computer; and

at least one hand pad recess formed on a top surface of the keyboard housing and a hand pad formed in the recess to create a unitary structure, the at least one hand pad being positioned adjacent the tracking pad for supporting the hand of a user as the user manipulates the tracking pad and rests the hand on the keyboard housing.

10. The laptop computer according to claim 9, wherein the hand pad is a viscoelastic solid-phase material.

11. The laptop computer according to claim 10, wherein the viscoelastic solid-phase material is a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer.

12. The laptop computer according to claim 9, wherein the viscoelastic material is a viscous liquid material contained within an elastomeric bag.

13. The laptop computer according to claim 12, wherein the viscous liquid material is a silicone gel or thermoplastic elastomer.