Adjustable computer mouse stand

A computer mouse stand which takes the form of a flat planar base from which extends upwardly an extensible telescoping tube assembly. The telescoping tube assembly is to be adjustable to various extended positions and then to be fixed in the selected extended position. The lower end of the extensible telescoping tube assembly may be fixedly secured to the base or may be secured to the base by means of a magnet. The upper end of the extensible telescoping tube assembly includes a ball socket with a ball to be mounted in conjunction with the socket. The ball can be connected to a platform or the ball could actually comprise a trackball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of this invention relates to a stanchion or stand which is to be usable in conjunction with a computer mouse that can be adjusted by the user to ergonomically facilitate the usage of the mouse in conjunction with the stand.

2. Description of the Related Art

The term mouse is meant to include any kind of computer input device such as a trackball, touchpad, tablet and joystick.

In conjunction with computers, there is utilized a mouse. A mouse comprises a pointing device which provides an input for a viewpoint or cursor on a computer display that is moved across the display of a computer monitor. The mouse commonly utilizes a ball. Rolling of the ball on the surface causes the cursor on the computer screen to move to various locations.

Some people spend many hours per day on a computer. It is common for computers to be located on a desk. The user's arm and hand, when located on the mouse, is also located on the desk. The mouse is then moved on the desk which results in the cursor on the computer display being moved.

People that work on computers many hours per day are subject to certain health problems. One of these health problems is carpal tunnel syndrome. Another one would be muscle fatigue and repetitive stress injuries. These injuries occur within the hand and wrist area of the user with this being the hand or wrist that is used to move the mouse. There is no way that the user can adjust the position of the mouse as the work surface of the desk is at one fixed level. If some type of device could be utilized on which could be located the mouse and that device could be ergonomically altered to be comfortable to the specific user, it is believed that such a device would be in great demand.

Many places of business that utilize computers as a main work station by employees encounter significant health expense for these employees having to do with the repetitive stress injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and muscle fatigue. Such places of business would like to be able to provide for their workers an alternate surface on which the mouse can be operated where the device could be adjusted to be most comfortable for the specific individual that is using it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a computer user with position adjustability for a mouse when the individual is working at a computer. This position adjustability is to help reduce the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle fatigue and repetitive stress injuries by allowing the user to place the mouse in whatever position is most natural to their individual desires. The subject matter of this invention may also be used by people with disabilities and people that have a limited range of motion. The subject matter of this invention may also be used as a support system for existing computer workstations, such as an arm or wrist rest while utilizing existing input devices on a desktop. The subject matter of this invention could be used to hold a keyboard or laptop computer or even hold a monitor, printer, stenograph or any other similar item.

The basic embodiment of the present invention comprises a computer mouse stand which has a thin, substantially planar base on which is mounted an extensible telescoping tube assembly. The upper end of the telescoping tube assembly includes a ball socket. An attachment, which has a ball interconnecting with a ball socket, is to be adjustably movable within the ball socket. A portion of the ball extends exteriorly of the ball socket.

A further embodiment of the present invention is where the basic embodiment is modified by defining that the base has three in number of points of support with there being an enlarged recess formed in the base structure and located between two of the points of support.

A further embodiment of the present invention is where the basic embodiment is modified by defining that the extensible telescoping tube assembly is capable of being fixed in various extended positions.

A further embodiment of the present invention is where the basic embodiment is modified by defining that the lower end of the telescoping tube assembly includes a magnet with this magnet to permit attachment on the base at any desired position on the base not requiring to be fixed at a single position on the base.

A further embodiment of the present invention is where the basic embodiment is modified by there being defined that there is a first platform mounted on a ball which is in turn mounted in the ball socket.

A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by defining that the first platform is tiltable vertically within a range of about fifty-five degrees over the horizontal range of movement of three hundred sixty degrees.

A further embodiment of the present invention is where a previous embodiment is modified by there being utilized a second platform that is mounted in conjunction with the first platform.A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the second platform having a groove with the peripheral lip of the first platform being mounted in this groove when the second platform is mounted on the first platform.

A further embodiment of the present invention is where the basic embodiment is modified by there being included a clamping ring in conjunction with the ball socket so that the clamping force can be varied so that a snug mounting can be obtained which will remain in a fixed established position but at the same time will permit adjustability of the platform if it is desired that the platform needs to be adjusted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown the first embodiment20of mouse stand of this invention. The mouse stand20utilizes a sheet material planar base22which has an upper surface24and a bottom surface26. The material of construction for the base22will be metal with generally steel being preferred. Plastic could also be used. Mounted on the bottom surface26are three different points of support in the form of resilient feet28. The base22, located between a pair of the feet28, includes an enlarged recess30. The function of the recess30is to permit the base22to be placed under a piece of furniture with a leg of the furniture (not shown) to be located within the recess30. The use of the recess30is to provide the user with a greater variety of placement locations of the first embodiment20of mouse stand of this invention.

There will normally be included a centrally located hole32within the base22. The hole32is to be able to connect with a screw fastener34. The screw fastener34is to connect with a plug36. Plug36is fixedly mounted within a magnet38. The magnet38has an exterior surface which is coated with a protective coating40with generally the coating being of a plastic composition. The coating40is to abut directly against the upper surface24. The magnet38is fixedly mounted within the lower end42of a tube44. It is to be understood that by eliminating of the bolt fastener34that the telescoping tube assembly can be moved to any position on the upper surface24according to individual desires. The telescoping tube assembly will remain in the established position on the base22by means of the magnet38.

The tube44is basically cylindrical in configuration and would generally be constructed of a metal or plastic material. Typically, the tube44will have a length of between one to two feet. The upper end of the tube44has an ornamental band46. The band46surrounds a clamping band48. The band46is strictly for ornamentation purposes and is intended to cover the clamping band48. The clamping band48terminates in a pair of ends50and52. Ends50and52include threaded holes which connect with a manually turnable nut54. The outer end of the nut54includes a threaded member55with there being a shoulder57formed on the nut54. Manually turning of the nut54by application of manual force to handle56will cause the shoulder57to abut against the end52and move such closer to end50. This will result in an annular clamping force being applied by the clamping band48onto the upper end of the tube44. This upper end of the tube44has a series of evenly spaced apart slots which are shown to be twenty-four in number. However, the number of the slots58can be increased or decreased without departing from the scope of this invention. The slots58permit the upper end of the tube44to move tightly against tube60which is telescopingly mounted within the tube44. Therefore, tightening of the nut56causes an annular clamping force to be applied from tube44to tube60and thereby fix tube60on tube44.

Formed through the sidewall of the tube44is a hole62. Mounted within the hole62is a cap64. Located within the cap64is a coil spring66. One end of the coil spring66abuts against the inside forward surface of the cap64, which is basically closed except for the exception of a hole68, with the other end of the coil spring66abutting against annular flange70which is mounted on a pin72. The inner end of the pin72includes a threaded section74which is threadably engaged with a knob76. The pin72is capable of being located within a hole78formed within the tube60. There are ten or twelve in number of evenly spaced apart holes78all located in a single line. Each of the holes78connect with an elongated groove80. Pulling outward on the knob76can cause the pin72to be disengaged from a hole78but the pin72will still be engaged with the groove80. The function of the groove80is to ensure that the tube60is not capable of being rotated relative to the tube44so that the tube60only can move in a lineal direction relative to the tube44. It is to be understood that the pin72is capable of connecting with any one of the holes78with the result that the tube60can be only slightly extended relative to the tube44or the tube60can be extended a significant distance almost double the length of tube44.

Mounted within the body of the tube60is another knob82which connects with a pin, which is similar to pin72, which in turn rides within a groove84formed within the body of a tube86. Tube86is telescopingly mounted within the confines of tube60. Associated with the groove84are a plurality of evenly spaced apart holes88with it being understood that the pin that is attached to knob82is capable of engaging with any one of the holes88and rides within the groove84thereby keeping the tube86from rotating relative to the tube60. Incorporated with the upper end of the tube60is a band90which is basically similar to band46. Mounted on the band90is a threaded member92which operates in conjunction with a pair of ends94and96of a clamping band, which is not shown, which is mounted on the inside surface of the band90. The upper end of the tube60also includes a series of slots, which are not shown, which are similar to slots58. Tightening of the clamping band by turning of threaded member92by means of handle98will result in the tube60to be tightly clamped onto the tube86.

The tubes44,60and86constitute a telescoping tube assembly. With the threaded members55and92loosened, the tube60can readily move relative to tube44as long as knob76is pulled outwardly so that the pin72is out of engagement from a hole78. Once a desired hole78is selected, the knob76is released and the pin72engages with that particular selected hole and now the tube60is longitudinally fixed in position relative to the tube44. To tightly secure tube60to tube44, the nut54is then turned to clamp together tubes44and60. The same procedure can be accomplished relative to tubes60and86with the net result that the telescoping assembly can be extended between a distance of one foot to three feet in length.

The upper end of the tube86includes a cap100. Associated with the cap100is a clamping band102. Clamping band102terminates in a pair of ends104and106. Connecting with the ends104and106is a threaded member108. The threaded member108has mounted thereon a handle110. The upper end of the tube86is formed into a ball socket112. The ball socket112includes a series of evenly spaced apart slots114. A ball116is to be located in a close conforming manner within the ball socket112. The ball116can be tightened within the ball socket112by causing rotation of threaded member108which moves ends104and106closer together which will cause the construction of the ball socket112to move slightly inwardly, which is permitted by the slots114. In this way, the ball116can be made to be easily movable within the ball socket112or can be made to be movable but yet require a degree of force in order to effect the movement. Also, the ball116could be tightly secured within the ball socket112by completely tightening the threaded member108.

The ball116is mounted onto a first platform118. First platform118is basically planar in construction and has an outer surface120which can be utilized by a user as a working surface, such as permitting movement of a mouse thereon, which is not shown. The first platform118includes an extension122which is capable of abutting against an extension124which is mounted on the undersurface126of a second platform128. The extension122is to be located in abutting alignment with the extension124and within each of these extensions are a through hole through which is to be conducted a locking pin130. The locking pin130functions to secure the first platform118to the second platform128with the forward end of the first platform118connecting with a hook132to hold the first platform118in abutting connection with the second platform128. The outer surface120of the first platform118is surrounded by a peripheral lip136. The peripheral lip136will function to keep the mouse confined to the area of the working surface120. The peripheral lip136is to be locatable in conjunction with a groove138formed in the undersurface126of the second platform128. The peripheral lip136in connection with the groove138then securely locks together the first platform118to the second platform128. The exterior surface140of the second platform128is to be used as a working surface and may be not only used in conjunction with a mouse but also will support a laptop computer, keyboard or other electronic related structure. The exterior surface140has a lineal edge strip142on one edge of the platform128. The platform118may also include a spirit level123for the user to use to perfectly level the platform118. There is a hole127in second platform128that permits a user to observe the spirit level123.

It is also to be understood that the first platform118can be moved to an angle of about fifty-five degrees in a vertical direction, which is depicted by arrow144, with this angle being denoted as A, although any angle could be used up to ninety degrees. It is to be understood that this vertical movement of the first platform118and also the second platform128, if it is attached to the first platform118, can be in any vertical direction as further exemplified by arrow146. The movement of the first platform118and the second platform128if it is attached can be accomplished in any vertical direction along three-hundred sixty degrees in the horizontal direction. The movement of the telescoping tube assembly on the base24is depicted generally in the dotted line position shown inFIG. 2with this movement being depicted by arrow148. The locking pin108is to be fixedly connected to the undersurface126of the second platform128by means of a chain150. Platform128has a hole127to enable the user to observe spirit level123when platform128is mounted on platform118.

Referring particularly toFIG. 13, there is shown a modified form of the invention with like numerals being used to refer to like parts. The only difference is that the ball117is attached to a smaller in sized platform119which may be referred to as an optional input device platform which may be desired by some users. The platform119can be used to mount a user's own trackball or other input device. Platform119is adjustably movable as indicated by arrow121prior to tightening of threaded member108.

Referring particularly toFIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown the upper end of a tube86′ which is basically similar to tube86with like numerals being used to refer to like parts. The socket112may have associated with it electronics, such as in the electronics152commonly associated with a trackball or other input devices. The electronics152would be mounted within the confines of the upper end of the tube86′. Rotation of the ball154can cause movement of a curser on a computer screen, which is not shown. The upper end to be86′ will also include button housings101and103on which are mounted respectively buttons105and107.

Referring particularly toFIG. 16, there is shown a modified form of the invention where the upper end of the tube86″ has a ball158mounted thereon. The ball158is connected to a larger ball160within which is mounted a rotatable trackball162. Mounted on the ball160are buttons164and166. The buttons164and166can be activated by the user when necessary to perform certain procedures on a computer monitor screen, which is not shown. Buttons164and166are similar to buttons that are typically associated with a computer input device. Rotation of the rotatable trackball162will result in movement of a curser on that screen.

Referring particularly toFIG. 17, there is shown yet a further embodiment of the invention where the upper end of the tube86has mounted therein the ball117. Ball117is attached to platform119. The user would mount on platform119their own trackball or other input device. It is to be understood that within both embodiments inFIGS. 16 and 17the ball160and the mouse housing170can be canted to any desirable position and then fixed in that position by tightening of threaded member108.

Although the structure of this invention is intended to be made of plastic, it is to be considered possible that the structure could be constructed of almost entirely of metal, carbon fiber and possibly even wood. The structure of this invention can be in any color and can be painted. Base22can be made of any desirable size. Base22can also be made in very different styles and shapes. There also could be incorporated in conjunction with a base a plurality of the holes32to provide for multiple positions for anchoring of the telescoping tube assembly to the base22. The clamping method and arrangement of the telescoping tube assembly, comprising clamping bands48and102, can be readily altered, if such is desired, without departing from the scope of this invention. The integrated trackball162and172that is shown inFIGS. 16 and 17can be altered in many ways to include more functions, more buttons, as well as changing the position of the buttons on the units. The trackball can be made in varying sizes and could be made large enough for a person to rest his or her hand on the ball. The electronic mechanism associated with the structure of this invention could be of any type of control device from a standard wire device to infrared, optical or wireless. A touch pad or other input device could be also easily mounted on the outer surface119or120, if such were desired. The amount of vertical adjustment for the balls116and117could be any desired amount such as up to ninety degrees.

The discussion included in this patent is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible and alternatives are implicit. Also, this discussion may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. These changes still fall within the scope of this invention.