Keyboard support

• US 6,874,736 B1
• Filed: 07/28/2000
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Begin, Jason E., Jones, David K., Ruedinger, Joseph D.
• Primary Examiner(s): KING, ANITA M
• Application Number:
  US09/627,341
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 248/118, 248/346.01, 248/118.3, 248/393, 248/298.1, 248/295.11, 248/291.1, 248/292.14, 248/918
• US Class Current: 248/118
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0371 Platforms for supporting wrists
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A keyboard support platform including a keyboard support member adapted to support a keyboard and having a front edge adapted to be positioned adjacent a user. The keyboard support member includes first and second opposite side edges defining a width therebetween. A first mouse support surface is movably mounted to the keyboard member and movably positioned adjacent the first side edge to provide adjustment of the first mouse support surface. A second mouse support surface is movably mounted to the keyboard support member and movably positioned adjacent the second side edge of the keyboard support member to provide adjustment of the second mouse support surface. A palm rest is adjustably mounted to the keyboard support member adjacent the front edge and repositionable between a first position wherein at least a portion of the palm rest extends in front of the first mouse support surface, and a second position wherein at least a portion of the palm rest extends in front of the second mouse support surface. The palm rest has a length substantially greater than the width of the keyboard support member such that a portion of the palm rest extends in front of the keyboard support member and at least a selected one of the first and second supports.

Claims

1. A keyboard support platform, comprising:

a keyboard support member adapted to support a keyboard and having a front edge adapted to be positioned adjacent a user, and first and second opposite side edges defining a width therebetween;

a first mouse support surface movably mounted to said keyboard support member adjacent said first side edge to provide adjustment of said first mouse support surface;

a second mouse support surface movably mounted to said keyboard support member adjacent said second side edge to provide adjustment of said second mouse support surface; and

a palm rest adjustably mounted to said keyboard support member adjacent said front edge and repositionable between a first position wherein at least a portion of said palm rest extends in front of said first mouse support surface, and a second position wherein at least a portion of said palm rest extends in front of said second mouse support surface, said palm rest having a length substantially greater than said width of said keyboard support member such that a portion of said palm rest extends in front of said keyboard support member and at least a selected one of said first and second mouse supports.

2. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said first and second mouse support surfaces are pivotably mounted to said keyboard support member to provide tilt adjustment of said first and second mouse support surfaces.

3. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said first and second mouse support surfaces each include a detent that engages said keyboard support member when said first and second mouse support surfaces are generally coplanar with said keyboard support member.

4. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said first and second mouse support surfaces each define a front edge;

said keyboard support member and said first and second mouse support surfaces each include a groove extending along said front edges; and

said palm rest including a support engaging at least a selected one of said grooves and supporting said palm rest in a manner permitting side-to-side movement of said palm rest.

5. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said keyboard support member and said first and second mouse support surfaces each define a retaining edge extending parallel to said groove; and

said support having a pair of extensions forming a C-shape, a first extension engaging at least a selected one of said grooves and a second extension extending around at least a selected one of said retaining edges to support and retain said palm rest.

6. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 1, including:

a mounting member; and

wherein;

said keyboard support member is slidably mounted on-said mounting member for side-to-side adjustment of said keyboard support member.

7. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 6, including:

a document support on said mounting member configured to support documents in a generally upright position.

8. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 1, wherein:

at least a selected one of said first and second mouse support surfaces includes a mouse cable manager having a movable member biased into a clamped position wherein said cable manager grips and retains an associated mouse cable.

9. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 8, wherein:

said mouse cable manager includes a pass-through opening having sufficient size to permit a mouse or keyboard cable to slidably pass therethrough.

10. A keyboard support, comprising:

a keyboard support member configured to support a keyboard;

a mouse support surface adjacent said keyboard support member, said mouse support surface defining a side edge;

a cable manager positioned adjacent said mouse support surface, said cable manager including a movable retainer capable of gripping a mouse cable, said cable manager further including a pass-through opening adjacent said side edge permitting the mouse cable to freely slide therethrough, such that the mouse cable can be selectively gripped to prevent movement or slidably guided through the pass-through opening.

11. The keyboard support set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said cable manager includes a spring biasing said movable retainer into a position wherein said retainer grips an associated mouse cable.

12. The keyboard support set forth in claim 10, including:

a mounting member; and

wherein;

said keyboard support member is slidably mounted on said mounting member for side-to-side adjustment of said keyboard support member.

13. The keyboard support set forth in claim 12, including:

a document support on said mounting member configured to support documents in a generally upright position.

14. The keyboard support set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said mouse support surface is rotatably mounted to said keyboard support member to provide tilt adjustment of said mouse support surface.

15. The keyboard support set forth in claim 14, wherein:

said keyboard support member and said mouse support surface each have a front edge adapted to be positioned adjacent a user; and

including;

a palm rest extending along each said front edge.

16. The keyboard support set forth in claim 15, wherein:

said keyboard support member defines first and second side edges;

said mouse support comprises a first mouse support rotatably mounted along said first side edge; and

including;

a second mouse support defining a front edge and rotatably mounted along said second side edge;

said palm rest slidably mounted to said keyboard support member for side-to-side movement.

17. The keyboard support set forth in claim 16, including:

a mounting member; and

wherein;

said keyboard support member is slidably mounted on said mounting member for side-to-side adjustment of said keyboard support member.

18. The keyboard support set forth in claim 17, including:

a document support on said mounting member configured to support documents in a generally upright position.

19. The keyboard support set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said mouse support comprises a first mouse support surface; and

including;

a second mouse support surface; and

wherein;

said first and second mouse support surfaces each include a detent that engages said keyboard support member when said first and second mouse support surfaces are generally coplanar with said keyboard support member.

20. A keyboard support platform, comprising:

a mounting member adapted to be secured to an associated worksurface;

a keyboard support member adapted to support a keyboard;

said keyboard support member slidably supported by said mounting member to permit side-to-side movement of said keyboard support member relative to said mounting member; and

wherein;

said mounting member includes a document support configured to support a document in a generally upright position wherein the document is visible to a user

said keyboard support member defines opposite side edges; and

including;

first and second mouse support surfaces pivotably mounted to said opposite side edges; and

wherein;

said keyboard support member and said first and second mouse support surfaces each define front edges; and

including;

a palm rest slidably mounted to said keyboard support member for side-to-side movement whereby said palm rest can be selectively positioned along each said front edge.

21. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 20, wherein:

said document support defines an upwardly-opening groove having a curved shape in plan view.

22. A keyboard support, comprising:

a keyboard support member configured to support a keyboard;

a mouse support surface adjacent said keyboard support member;

a cable manager positioned adjacent said mouse support surface, said cable manager including a movable retainer capable of gripping a mouse cable, said cable manager further including a pass-through opening alongside said movable retainer, said pass-through opening permitting the mouse cable to freely slide therethrough, such that the mouse cable can be selectively gripped to prevent movement or slidably guided through the pass-through opening.

23. A keyboard support platform, comprising:

a mounting member adapted to be secured to an associated worksurface;

a keyboard support member adapted to support a keyboard;

said keyboard support member slidably supported by said mounting member to permit side-to-side movement of said keyboard support member relative to said mounting member; and

a document support configured to support a document in a generally upright position wherein the document is visible to a user, said document support adjustable side-to-side relative to said keyboard support member.

24. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said keyboard support member defines opposite side edges; and

including;

first and second mouse support surfaces pivotably mounted to said opposite side edges.

25. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said document support is connected to said mounting member such that said document support does not move relative to said mounting member.

26. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 25, wherein:

said keyboard support member defines a rear edge and includes an upwardly extending wall along said rear edge; and

said document holder includes at least one retainer extending downwardly in front of said wall.

27. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 26, wherein:

said mounting member includes at least one slot; and

said document support includes at least one tab received in said slot.

28. The keyboard support platform set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said document support includes an upwardly opening groove having a curved shape in plan view, said groove configured to support a sheet of paper in a generally upright position.