Computer keyboard tray

• US 6,903,924 B1
• Filed: 07/25/2002
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeff D. Tyner
• Original Assignee: Jeff D. Tyner
• Inventors: Tyner, Jeff D.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, YEAN HSI
• Application Number:
  US10/205,059
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 361/680, 361683-686, 361/679, 361/681, 206/701, 206/706, 211/1.3, 211/41.17, 211/85.17, 211/86.01, 220/4.02, 220/543, 220/555, 220/559, 248/560, 248/118, 248/274.1, 248/298.1, 248/681, 248/682, 248/918, 248/919, 108/1, 108/6, 108/8, 108/10, 108/26, 108/42, 108/50, 108/50.2, 108/93, 108/134, 108/147.11, 3122231-2233, 3122081-2083, 312/283, D14/331
• US Class Current: 361/679.08
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment

Abstract

A computer keyboard tray includes a tray body formed from a compressible material and a support member, which provides reinforcement to the tray body. Optionally, the keyboard tray may incorporate an attachment assembly, allowing the keyboard tray to be removably attached to a computer keyboard support mechanism. Preferably, the keyboard tray includes a wrist rest which is monolithically formed with the tray body. In an alternative preferred embodiment, an adjustable wrist rest assembly is attached to the tray.

Claims

1. A keyboard tray for use with a computer keyboard, said keyboard tray comprising:

a tray body formed from a compressible material, said body having a perimeter and a generally planar upper surface, said compressible material comprising a compressible cushioning material, said cushioning material forming said generally planar upper surface dimensioned for supporting a computer keyboard thereon and said perimeter, said cushioning material further forming perimeter sides of said tray body wherein said tray body has compressible perimeter sides to provide increased comfort to the user of the tray; and

a support member positioned at least partially within said body inwardly of said perimeter sides wherein a portion of said compressible material extends around a perimeter of said support member to form said compressible perimeter sides, said support member comprising a substantially rigid material and providing reinforcement to at least a portion of said body.

2. The keyboard tray of claim 1, wherein said cushioning material forms a wrist rest.

3. The keyboard tray of claim 2, wherein said compressible cushioning material forms a rim extending at least partially around said planar upper surface.

4. The keyboard tray of claim 3, wherein said rim extends from said wrist rest.

5. The keyboard tray of claim 1, wherein said compressible cushioning material comprises a foamed polymeric material.

6. The keyboard tray of claim 1, wherein said support member is integrally molded in said tray body.

7. The keyboard tray of claim 6, wherein said support member includes a lower surface, said body having a lower surface substantially flush with said lower surface of said support member.

8. The keyboard tray of claim 1, wherein said body includes a recess, said support member positioned in said recess.

9. The keyboard tray of claim 1, further comprising an attachment assembly, said attachment assembly mounted to said support member, said attachment assembly providing attachment of said tray body to a computer keyboard support mechanism.

10. The keyboard tray of claim 1, said tray body comprising at least one throughhole formed therein for receiving at least a cable or wiring.

11. The keyboard tray of claim 1, wherein said tray includes a pair of arcuate channels, each channel of said pair of channels dimensioned to receive a thigh of an operator.

12. The keyboard tray of claim 1, wherein said tray body includes a contoured lower surface configured to incline said upper planar surface when said lower surface is supported on a generally horizontal surface.

13. The keyboard tray of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable mouse pad assembly carried by said body.

14. A keyboard tray for use with a computer keyboard and a computer keyboard support mechanism, said keyboard tray comprising:

a compressible tray body having an upper planar surface and an enlarged portion forming a wrist rest, said upper planar surface dimensioned for supporting a keyboard thereon, said compressible tray body formed from a cushioning material and having a perimeter, said compressible tray body including a support member, said support member comprising a substantially rigid web and being positioned at least partially in said compressible tray body to thereby reinforce said compressible tray body wherein said compressible tray body is capable of supporting a keyboard, and said support member positioned inwardly of said perimeter wherein said cushioning material extends around said support member to thereby form cushioned sides to provide increased comfort to the user of the tray; and

an attachment assembly carried by said tray body and configured to removably mount said tray body to a computer keyboard support mechanism.

15. The keyboard tray of claim 14, wherein said attachment assembly is mounted to said support member.

16. The keyboard tray of claim 14, wherein said cushioning material comprises a foamed polymeric material.

17. The keyboard tray of claim 16, wherein said polymeric material comprises a foamed urethane.

18. The keyboard tray of claim 14, wherein said cushioning material forms a rim extending around at least a portion of said planar upper surface.

19. The keyboard tray of claim 18, wherein said rim extends from said wrist rest.

20. A method for making a keyboard tray comprising the steps of:

providing a substantially rigid support member;

applying compressible material to the support member;

forming a substantially planar support surface with the compressible material sized for supporting keyboard and forming sides of the tray with the compressible material wherein the sides of the tray are cushioned sides to increase the comfort to the user of the keyboard tray; and

forming a raised portion adjacent said planar portion with the compressible material to thereby form a wrist rest wherein said planar portion and said wrist rest are monolithic.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said applying includes one of dipping, spraying, and coating.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein said applying including molding.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said molding includes providing an injection mold having a mold cavity and supporting the support member within said mold cavity and, further, injecting the cushioning material in said mold cavity to at least partially encapsulate said support member.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising tilting said injection mold at a first preselected angle.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said tilting step further comprises tilting said injection mold at a second preselected angle.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said support member is supported within said mold interior by at least one electromagnetic assembly.