Computer touch pad cover and method

• US 5,953,199 A
• Filed: 10/14/1997
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steve Owens
• Original Assignee: Steve Owens
• Inventors: Owens, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): FLEMING, FRITZ M
• Application Number:
  US08/949,345
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 361/212, 361/220, 361/683
• US Class Current: 361/212
• CPC Class Codes: H05F 1/00 Preventing the formation of electrostatic charges

Abstract

The present invention offers a touch pad cover for the touch pad of a Laptop/Notebook computer whereby the touch pad is protected from environmental conditions such as static electricity, particularly the static charge of a computer monitor when the computer is in a closed position and from the static charge transferred by the user, thus reducing the likelihood of a malfunctioning computer touch pad. These, as well as other objects of the invention, are accomplished by a cover for a touch pad of a Laptop/Notebook computer, the computer having a touch pad and an upper portion; the cover comprising an upper surface of nonconductive material (e.g. neoprene) in contact with the upper portion of the computer when the computer is in a closed position; a lower surface of nonconductive material opposite and parallel the upper surface, the lower surface in contact with the touch pad of the computer and depositing a powder residue of nonconductive material on the touch pad. The touch pad cover further comprises a storage compartment for storage of the touch pad cover when the computer is not in use.

Claims

1. A cover for protecting a touch pad of Laptop/Notebook computer, the computer having a touch pad and an upper portion, the cover comprising:

an upper surface of a nonconductive material in contact with an upper portion of said computer when the computer is in a closed position;

a lower surface of said nonconductive material opposite and parallel the upper surface, the lower surface in contact with the touch pad of the computer;

wherein the cover shields the touch pad from environmental influences from a computer and a user.

2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a friable material.

3. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface further comprises a fabric layer.

4. The cover according to claim 3, wherein said fabric layer is made of an anti-static fabric.

5. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the nonconductive material is neoprene.

6. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the nonconductive material leaves a powder residue on the touch pad.

7. The cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover extends fully co-planar with an exterior wall of the touch pad.

8. A method for reducing environmental interference with a touch pad of a Laptop/Notebook computer, the computer having a touch pad and an upper portion, the method comprising

determining the touch pad shape and dimensions;

providing a cover having dimensions sufficient to cover the touch pad shape and dimensions, the cover comprising;

an upper surface of nonconductive material in contact with the upper portion of the computer when the computer is in a closed position; and

a lower surface of said nonconductive material opposite and parallel the upper surface, the lower surface in contact with the touch pad of the computer;

placing the lower surface in contact with the touch pad; and

closing the computer such that the lower surface remains in contact with the touch pad and the upper surface is in contact with the upper portion.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the method comprises an additional step of depositing a powder residue material onto the touch pad.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the nonconductive material is neoprene.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the upper surface further comprises a fabric layer.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said fabric layer is made of an anti-static fabric.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of placing the cover over the touch pad further comprises:

removing said touch pad cover from a storage compartment defined by the computer.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said storage compartment further comprises:

a lower portion resting on or attached to the computer;

an upper portion parallel to the lower portion;

notched portions extending from the upper portion to the lower portion; and

a recess formed by the notched portions on the upper portion.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the touch pad cover is slidably stored in said storage compartment.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said touch pad is stored in said storage compartment when said computer is in an open position.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the storage compartment is adhesively attached to the computer.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the touch pad cover is integrally connected to the storage compartment.