Method for retaining a user configurable wrist pad

• US 6,618,242 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Philippsen, Joseph H., Kurgan, Jeffrey A., Garel, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US09/957,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20030058609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-686, 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/918, 248/631, 400/715, 400/691, 400/693, D14/455-461
• US Class Current: 361/679.08
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

A customer configured computer includes a keyboard having an exterior surface and input components mounted on a portion of the exterior surface. A user wrist rest area is adjacent the keyboard and includes a pad retention apparatus having a base member with a protruding contoured surface and a peripheral edge extending from the contoured surface; a resilient pad member covering the contoured surface and having a terminal edge extending toward the peripheral edge; and a frame member attached to the peripheral edge and securing the terminal edge of the resilient pad member between the frame member and the base member.

Claims

1. A gel pad retention apparatus comprising:

a base member including a protruding contoured surface and a peripheral edge extending from the contoured surface;

a resilient pad member supported by the contoured surface and having a terminal edge extending toward the peripheral edge; and

a frame member attached to the peripheral edge and securing the terminal edge of the resilient pad member between the frame member and the base member.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the base member is releasably attached to the frame member.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the base member is heat staked to the frame member.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the frame member includes a protrusion for engaging the resilient pad.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the protrusion includes a plurality of teeth.

6. A customer configured computer comprising:

a keyboard including an exterior surface and input components mounted on a portion of the exterior surface;

a user wrist rest area adjacent the keyboard, including a pad retention apparatus including;

a base member having a protruding contoured surface and a recessed peripheral edge extending from the contoured surface;

a resilient pad member supported by the contoured surface and having a terminal edge extending toward the peripheral edge; and

a frame member attached to the peripheral edge and securing the terminal edge of the resilient pad member between the frame member and the base member.

7. The computer as defined in claim 6 wherein the base member is releasably attached to the frame member.

8. The computer as defined in claim 6 wherein the base member is heat staked to the frame member.

9. The computer as defined in claim 6 wherein the frame member includes a protrusion for engaging the resilient pad.

10. The computer as defined in claim 9 wherein the protrusion includes a plurality of teeth.

11. The computer as defined in claim 6 further comprising:

a portable computer chassis, the keyboard being on the chassis; and

the base member being releasably attached to the chassis.

12. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the base member is releasably attached to the frame member.

13. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the base member is heat staked to the frame member.

14. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the frame member includes a protrusion for engaging the resilient pad.

15. The system as defined in claim 14, wherein the protrusion includes a plurality of teeth.

16. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the base member is releasably attached to the chassis.

17. The computer as defined in claim 11 wherein the keyboard is separated from and coupled to the chassis and the base member is mounted adjacent the keyboard.

18. A computer system comprising:

a chassis having an exterior surface;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

a storage coupled to the microprocessor;

a keyboard including input components mounted on a portion of the exterior surface;

a user wrist rest area adjacent the keyboard, including a pad retention apparatus including;

a base member having a protruding contoured surface and a recessed peripheral edge extending from the contoured surface;

a resilient pad member supported by the contoured surface and having a terminal edge extending toward the peripheral edge; and

a frame member attached to the peripheral edge and securing the terminal edge of the resilient pad member between the frame member and the base member.

19. A method of retaining a customer configured wrist pad for a computer system comprising:

providing a base member including a protruding contoured surface and a recessed peripheral edge extending from the contoured surface;

covering the contoured surface with a resilient pad member having a terminal edge extending toward the peripheral edge; and

attaching a frame member to the peripheral edge and securing the terminal edge of the resilient pad member between the frame member and the base member.

20. The method as defined in claim 19 wherein the pad member is formed of a customer selected material.

21. The method as defined in claim 20 wherein the pad member material is of a customer selected color.