Abstract:
A leg-mounted mouse pad for use with a computer cursor control device, said mouse pad comprising a generally oval-shaped flexible platform having a bottom surface and a top surface, wherein at least a portion of said top surface is adapted for use with a computer cursor control device. At least two bilaterally opposed pockets formed adjacent a perimeter of each half of the oval shaped mouse pad, the pockets adapted to contain a weighted media suitable for positioning the flexible platform on the leg of a user, the platform being substantially flexible such that when weight is contained with the pockets, the platform substantially conforms the surface of the user&#39;s leg.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a mouse pad. Specifically, the present invention is a flexible mouse pad capable of being positioned on a user&#39;s leg. 
   BACKGROUND 
   For many people, a working day typically means sitting at an office desk in front of a computer. Even in our free time, most of us use computers. We may use them for surfing the Internet, typing emails to family and friends, or playing video games. Whether it is for business or for recreational purposes, a computer mouse is generally used in order to control the computer applications. In turn, a computer mouse pad is usually required to operate the mouse. 
   However, users of currently available mouse pads have discovered that these mouse pads have several significant drawbacks. The primary drawback of conventional computer mouse pads is that they are commonly located at the side of the keyboard or on the same work surface that supports the computer or monitor. This placement requires that the user&#39;s arm be situated in an unnatural, flat position. It also generally necessitates that the user&#39;s arm be positioned out in front of him or her for long periods of time. These positions can put pressure on various muscles, which can result in stress to the fingers, wrist, arm, shoulder, and back areas. Consequently, a common complaint among computer users is that they experience discomfort when working with a computer mouse. Additionally, more than simple discomfort, the unnatural positioning of the user&#39;s arm may lead to more serious medical problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Lower back injury is another physical problem that may be encountered because, in order to reach the mouse, the user is typically forced to lean forward or sit on the edge of his chair without the support of the chair&#39;s back. This places a great deal of stress on the lower back and may also contribute to bad posture. 
   Another drawback is that mouse pads take up space on computer work areas. A cluttered desk often leaves very little room for a mouse or mouse pad. Even the most organized computer user typically has a need to save valuable workspace for other computer devices, such as for speakers, printers, scanners, and the like. Moreover, with laptop computers there may be no workspace at all in which to use an external mouse. Because laptop computers are frequently used when traveling in a car or on a plane, there may be no available workspace for operating an external mouse. 
   A final drawback is that users may develop eyestrain because users are required to sit very close to their computer monitors in order to access their mouse pads, which are usually located on the same workspace as the monitor or keyboard. Thus, eye problems are another common complaint among users, who may work on a computer for hours at a time with only inches between their eyes and the bright monitor screen. 
   Thus, it can be seen that there is a need in the art for a mouse pad that may be used without the need for an external working surface area. The above-noted shortcomings are overcome by the mouse pad embodiments of the present invention. As set forth in more detail below, the shortcomings of the conventional mouse pads are overcome by being conveniently positioned on a user&#39;s leg, while still retaining their traditional function. 
   SUMMARY 
   While the objects of the embodiments of the present invention are too numerous to fully list, several objects are listed herein for reference. 
   It is an object of the embodiments of the present invention that the leg mouse pad, reduce eyestrain by enabling the user to sit an extended distance from the computer monitor. 
   It is a further object that the mouse pad alleviate arm pain and back discomfort by allowing the user to work with a computer mouse in a more natural, relaxed position. 
   It is a further object that the mouse pad be used without the need for external workspace, thereby alleviating clutter and providing additional surface space for user. 
   Accordingly, the objectives of the embodiments of the present invention are accomplished by the invention described below. 
   In accordance with the present invention there is provided a mouse pad capable of being positioned on a user&#39;s leg. In general, the leg-mounted mouse pad comprises a flexible platform surface adapted for use with a computer control cursor or mouse, and a pair of saddlebags or pockets. The platform surface having the general shape of an ellipse or elongated circle is constructed such that in use the surface is sufficiently flexible to conform to the dorsal surface of a user&#39;s leg. Each one of a pair of pockets, located approximately equidistant from the center of the ellipse, comprises a cavity filled with a weighted material such as sand. The pockets are designed to drape the lateral and medial surfaces of a user&#39;s thigh and thereby prevent unwanted movement of the flexible platform-working surface. 
   A cord clip or other retaining means may also be located on the surface of flexible platform to keep the cord of the computer cursor control device out of the way of the user when operating the cursor device. When not in use, the mouse is removably coupled to the pockets. 
   Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the brief description of the drawings, the drawings and the detailed description which follow. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Details of the present invention will be further understood upon reference to the drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of a leg mounted mouse pad; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of an embodiment of a leg mounted mouse pad; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment from the perspective A towards A′ as seen in  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention will be described in relation to a first embodiment. It is to be understood, that various modifications, changes, substitutions of equivalents and other alterations can be made without departing from the inventive concept. It is intended that the present invention shall be limited only by the appended claims. Like numbers will be used to drawings to indicate the same or similar portions of the invention. 
     FIGS. 1 ,  2  &amp;  3 , illustrate embodiments of the invention in which leg-mounted mouse pad  10  having the general shape of an ellipse or oval is comprised of flexible platform surface  100  adapted for use with a computer cursor control device or mouse. The mouse pad  10  includes two arms  102  and  104 , each of which extends distally from a transverse axis  106 , and a first cavity  108  disposed on the first arm  102  and a second cavity  110  disposed on the second arm  104 . A mouse  112  and mouse cord  114  are shown lying on the flexible platform surface  100 . 
   In some embodiments, mouse cord  114  is inserted through an opening or a hole  116  through a top surface  118  and a bottom surface  120  of flexible platform surface  100  to prevent mouse cord  114  from becoming disengaged from top surface  118  of leg mouse pad  10 . In other embodiments, flexible platform surface  100  of leg-mounted mouse pad  10  further comprises a loop  122  affixed to the top surface  118  through which a mouse cord  114  is inserted to prevent unwanted movement of mouse cord  114  off the top surface  118 . While loop  122  and hole  116  are described, it is understood that unwanted movement of mouse cord  114  can be restrained by any suitable means such as a clip strap, fastener or hook and lop fasteners such as VELCRO®. 
   In some embodiments, top surface  118  is coupled with a wrist rest or pad  124  to provide comfort to a user&#39;s arm (not shown) when using leg-mounted mouse pad  10 . Wrist rest  124  is made of any conventional construction and is removably or permanently coupled with top surface  118  by any conventional means. 
   In some embodiments, a coupling means  128  is affixed to top surface  119  and a corresponding coupling means (not shown) is attached to any surface of mouse  112 . The coupling means  128  allows the mouse  112  to be removably coupled to top surface  119  of cavities  108 ,  110  when mouse  112  is not in use. It is noted that removable coupling means  128  can be disposed along any portion of top surface  118  of the flexible platform  100 . For example, the coupling means  128  may be disposed along a top surface  118  of arm  102  or arm  104 . In some embodiments, coupling means  128  include a snap, hook, or hook and loop devise fasteners such as VELCRO®. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , for ease of reference, embodiments of the present invention are described from the perspective of a user who places leg mouse pad  10  on a right leg  129 , namely a thigh  131 , such that wrist rest  124  is proximate the user&#39;s torso (not shown) and hole  116  is distal the user&#39;s torso. Those skilled in the art however, will appreciate that leg mouse pad  10  is constructed to be positioned on either a right or on a left leg of the user. When flexible platform surface  100  is placed over a user&#39;s leg  129  the flexible platform surface  100  must be sufficiently flexible to generally bend and conform to a top surface of the user&#39;s leg  129  along a transverse axis  130  of the user&#39;s leg  129  such that transverse axis  106  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is generally aligned with transverse axis  130  of the user&#39;s leg  129 . When flexible platform  100 , having arms  102  and  104 , is placed over the user&#39;s leg  129  in the manner described, flexible platform  100  and each arm  102  &amp;  104  drapes at least a portion of the user&#39;s leg  129 . Flexible platform surface  100  is made of any natural or synthetic materials such as leather, wool, canvas, vinyl or rubber or any combination thereof which are sewn or glued together. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other materials and combinations of materials can be used to accomplish this objective without departing from the scope of the invention. 
   Cavities  108  &amp;  110 , best shown in  FIG. 3 , are formed between layers of material forming flexible platform surface  100  and constructed to house or contain a weight  120 , such as sand. In some embodiments, cavities  108  &amp;  110  have resealable openings  122  &amp;  124  through which any suitable weighted media is inserted into cavities  108  &amp;  110  by the user. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that resealable openings  122  &amp;  124  may be constructed by any conventional resealable means such as buttons, snaps, zippers, zip-lock devices, or hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO®. In some embodiments, cavities  108  &amp;  110  are filled with weight  120  during manufacture while in other embodiments first and second cavities  108  &amp;  110  are filled with weight  120  selected by the user prior to use. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , in use, arm  102  is positioned on a medial side of the user&#39;s right leg  129 , such that leg-mounted mouse pad  10  is positioned on the leg  129  according to the preference of the user. Top surface  118  and bottom surface  120  of leg-mounted mouse pad  10  are fabricated of a flexible material to allow top and bottom surfaces  118  &amp;  120  of leg mouse pad  10  to substantially conform to the contour of the user&#39;s leg  129  when weight  120  is positioned in first and second cavities  108  &amp;  110 . The weight  120  housed in the first and second cavities  108  &amp;  110  is comprised of any suitable weighted media such as sand, water or gel. When filled with a fluid media such as water or gel, cavities  108  &amp;  110  are each lined with a suitable water retaining membrane (not shown). 
   METHOD OF USE 
   A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for using leg mouse pad  10  generally comprises placing bottom surface  120  of leg-mounted mouse pad  10  on a user&#39;s leg  129  such that the first arm  102  is positioned on a medial side of a user&#39;s leg and a second arm  104  is positioned on an lateral side of user&#39;s leg  129  wherein the flexible platform surface  100  is sufficiently flexible to drape at least a portion of the user&#39;s leg  129 ; locating a computer cursor control device  112  on a flexible platform surface  100  of leg-mounted mouse pad  10 ; and operating the computer cursor control device  112  with the user&#39;s arm in a relaxed position to provide comfort to user&#39;s arm and shoulder. 
   Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to multiple embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.