Abstract:
The present invention is a mouse pad for use with a computer mouse or tracking device. The mouse pad includes a planar plate including a top surface, adapted for use as a computer mousing surface. It also includes a flexible outer membrane including a bottom; wherein the planar plate is fastened to the flexible outer membrane, such that said outer membrane and planar plate define a cavity. It further includes fluid like fill media received within the cavity for supporting the planar plate such that the membrane bottom is adapted to substantially conform to the contour of an uneven surface it is placed upon, thereby providing a stable base and a usable mousing top surface when placed on uneven surfaces.

Description:
This is a continuation of provisional application Ser. No. 60/062,263, filed on Oct. 17, 1997. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to mouse pads and more particularly to mouse pads capable of being supported on a users thigh or other uneven surfaces. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Keyboards and mouse input devices are the two most common devices used to input information into a computer. Today, many software programs are designed to operate exclusively with either a key board or a mouse input device hereinafter called a mouse. Many other software programs are designed to operate with both devices which allows the user to alternate between them to carry out different operations in the program. 
     The mouse is a common pointing device which includes a small blocked shaped casing with a flat bottom designed to be gripped by one hand. The casing has one or more buttons on the top, a multi directional detecting component on the bottom, which is usually a ball. A cable connects the mouse to the computer. When the mouse is moved over a flat surface, it generates signals which control the position of a cursor or pointer on a graphical user interface shown on the computer display. 
     Although a mouse can be operated on any flat surface, it is commonly used on a mouse pad. A mouse pad is a flat pad like structure made of foam or latex material having approximately the same proportions as the computer display. The top surface of the mouse pad is textured so that the multi directional detecting component is moved when the mouse is moved across the mouse pact. 
     The use of the mouse and other computer signalling devices traditionally has been at the side of the keyboard on the desk or the table top which supports the keyboard and computer. This placement requires that the user reach outward to the right or left of the keyboard to control and activate the mouse. As software has been more mouse instruction intensive, the user is exposed to longer periods of reaching and operating the mouse and other signalling devices from this unnatural position, exposing the user to a number of physical problems including carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive motion injury and lower back injury and the mental problems associated with occupational related stress. 
     The present invention provides an operating surface for a mouse. The invention is easily and temporarily mounted on the thigh for either right hand use or left hand use of the mouse device depending upon the users preference. The present invention can also be mounted on other surfaces which may or may not be uneven. 
     The following inventions may be of interest: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,811 by Brewer dated Oct. 18, 1994, for an invention entitled ADJUSTABLE LEG SUPPORTED MOUSE PAD describes an adjustable leg supported mouse pad which requires a person using it to press a saddle like structure against the thigh, position a pillow like wedge against the top sides of the saddle, and then attach a mouse pad so that both ends of the mouse pad are supported by the pillow like support members. It is necessary that female users either wear pants, shorts, loose fitting dresses or raise their skirts to properly engage the thigh with the Brewer device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,128 by Odom Et Al issued Jan. 14, 1997 for LAP SUPPORTED COMPUTER MOUSE SURFACE describes a lap supported computer surface for placing either a mouse or other objects on the surface while the user is in the seated position in front of the computer. The mouse surface is placed over both thighs of the leg and has supports on either side as well an optional additional strap to go underneath the legs of the person using it. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,811 to Brewer and U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,128 to Odom Et Al require straps or other rigid means in order to hold the mouse pad on the thigh of a person. 
     The present invention may be useful for use by persons who would like to use their mouse in areas where there is no horizontal surface to mount a conventional mouse pad. It may also be useful for handicapped or bed ridden persons, who would desire to use a computer featuring software which requires a mouse. 
     It is desirable to have a mouse pad which may be used in locations which are not suitable for conventional mouse pads. In particular it is desirable to have a mouse pad which can be mounted on a thigh or chair arm and provide a suitable mousing surface. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention a mouse pad comprises a flexible outer membrane defining and enclosing a cavity, the outer membrane having a top and a bottom. A rigid base securely fastened to a portion of said top and defining a mouse surface, and fill media received within said cavity. The fill media being such that said bottom of said outer membrane will substantially conform to the contour of the surface it is placed upon. 
     Preferably the rigid base is a planar plate. 
     Preferably the rigid base is a planar plate securely fastened to an inner side of said top of said outer membrane. 
     Preferably the mouse pad further comprises a flexible inner membrane adjacent to an inner side of said outer membrane, said inner membrane defining said cavity, and said fill media placed within said cavity of said inner membrane. 
     Preferably the rigid base is a planar plate which is also securely fastened to said inner membrane, thereby forming said mouse surface, such that said planar plate is sandwiched between said outer membrane and said inner membrane. 
     Preferably said outer membrane further comprises baffles within said cavity attached to and extending between said top and said bottom of said outer membrane, whereby said baffles help maintain uniformity of said fill media within said cavity. 
     Preferably said rigid base is a top base securely fastened to an outer side of top of outer membrane. 
     Preferably the mouse pad comprises a planar plate securely fastened to an inner side of top of outer membrane, and a top base securely fastened to an outer side of top of outer membrane, such that the outer membrane is sandwiched between the planar plate and the top base. 
     Preferably the mouse pad comprises a flexible inner membrane adjacent to an inner side of said outer membrane, said inner membrane defining said cavity, and said fill media placed within said cavity of said inner membrane. 
     Preferably said inner membrane further comprises baffles within said cavity attached to and extending between an inner top and an inner bottom of said inner membrane, whereby said baffles help maintain uniformity of said fill media within said cavity. 
     In a presently preferred embodiment a mouse pad for use with a computer mouse or tracking device comprises: 
     (a) an upper surface means, including a top surface, adapted for use as a computer mousing surface; and 
     (b) a lower support means for supporting said upper surface means, wherein said upper surface means rests upon and is supported by said lower support means, said lower support means being connected to said upper surface means, said lower support means being deformable and able to substantially conform to the contour of an uneven surface thereby providing a stable base and a usable mousing top surface when placed on uneven surfaces. 
     Preferably said lower support means includes a fluid like medium. 
     Preferably said lower support means includes; 
     (a) a flexible outer membrane including a bottom; 
     (b) a fastening means for securely fastening said upper surface means to said flexible outer membrane, such that said outer membrane and surface means define a cavity; and 
     (c) fluid like fill media received within said cavity for supporting said upper surface means such that said membrane bottom is adapted to substantially conform to the contour of an uneven surface thereby providing a stable base and a usable mousing top surface when placed on uneven surfaces. 
     Preferably the upper surface means is a planar plate. 
     Preferably said uneven surface includes a persons thigh, chesterfield arm, chair arm, or similar surface. 
     Preferably said upper surface means comprises an upper plate securely fastened to said membrane wherein said membrane defines said cavity. 
     Preferably said upper surface means comprises an upper plate securely fastened to a membrane end wherein said membrane end is secured to a portion, being the attachment area, of the outer periphery of said upper plate. 
     Preferably said upper surface means comprises an upper plate and a cooperating lower ring securely fastened to a membrane end, such that the membrane end is sandwiched between the upper plate and lower ring wherein said membrane end is secured to a portion, being the attachment area, of the outer periphery of said upper and lower plates. 
     Preferably said upper surface means comprises an upper plate and a cooperating lower ring adhesively glued to a membrane end, such that the membrane end is sandwiched between the upper plate and lower ring wherein said membrane end is secured to a portion, being the attachment area, of the outer periphery of said upper plate and lower ring. 
     Preferably said upper surface means comprises an upper plate and a cooperating lower ring including an attachment means for securely fastening said upper plate and lower ring together with a membrane end therebetween, wherein said membrane end is secured to a portion, being the attachment area, of the outer periphery of said upper plate and lower ring. 
     Preferably the attachment means is selected from the group comprising: fastening screws, adhesive bonding, friction joints, dove tail joints, clip joints, male-female locking mechanisms and or a combination of the above. 
     Preferably said fill media is selected from the group comprising: beans, beads, peas, plastic particles, sand, styrofoam chips, gel or a combination of one or more of these. 
     Preferably the upper surface means includes a planar plate selected from the group comprising: plastic, lexan, vinyl, wood, polycarbonate, PVC, cardboard, or a combination of one or more of these. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described by way of example only, with references to the following drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention a mouse pad shown in use mounted on a users thigh. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view taken through A—A of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the mouse pad. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of mouse pad take through B—B of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of mouse pad. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic cross sectional view of mouse pad take through C—C of FIG. 3 
     FIG. 7 is an alternate schematic cross sectional view of mouse pad take through C—C of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 8 is an alternate schematic cross sectional view of the mouse pad. 
     FIG. 9 is an alternate schematic cross sectional view of the mouse pad. 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a presently preferred embodiment of the mouse pad. 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-section view of the presently preferred mouse pad taken through D—D of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of a presently preferred embodiment of the mouse pad. 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the presently preferred mouse pad taken through E—E of FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 14 is a schematic top view of the presently preferred embodiment of the mouse pad. 
     FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the presently preferred embodiment of the mouse pad taken through F—F of FIG.  14 . 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic top view of the presently preferred embodiment of the mouse. 
     FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the presently preferred mouse pad taken through G—G of FIG.  16 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Definitions: 
     Mousing surface: A surface which enables the operation of a computer mouse or computer tracking device thereon. 
     Uneven surface: A surface not suitable for placement of a traditional thin pad or vinyl type mouse pad. Surfaces which are concave, convex, a combination of concave and convex. Non horizontal surfaces such as a persons thigh, a chesterfield or sofa arm, a chair arm, and similar surfaces. 
     Fluid like medium or fill media: Any material or materials which exhibit fluid like properties such that they will substantially conform to the contour of uneven surfaces. Examples include but are not limited to water, gel, beads, beans, chips, sand, plastic particles and the like. 
     Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 and 4 the present invention a mouse pad shown generally as  10  comprises an outer membrane  12  defining a cavity  15  filled with fill media  20  having a mouse surface  16  and optionally having a handle  36 . Mouse pad  10  is shown in position on a persons leg  42  and more particularly on the thigh top  48  of a persons thigh  40 . Shown on mouse surface  16  is a computer mouse (or tracking device)  50  having a cord  52 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, mouse pad  10  shown schematically in cross section in FIG. 4 comprises outer membrane  12  having a planar plate  14  positioned between outer membrane  12  and inner membrane  18  and is adjacent top  17  of outer membrane  12 . Top surface  24  of planar plate  14  is adhesively glued to top  17  of outer membrane  12  thereby providing a flat mouse surface  16 . Note that inner membrane  18  is optional and if present is filled with fill media  20 . Plate bottom surface  26  is optionally adhesively glued or laminated to inner top  30  of inner membrane  18 . Inner membrane  18  optionally has baffles  22  extending vertically from the inner top  30  to inner bottom  31  of inner membrane  18  to form individual compartments having fill media  20  therein. Baffles  22  serve to prevent fill media  20  from excessively accumulating in one location in inner membrane  18  thereby providing more uniformity in the distribution of fill media  20 . Plate top surface  24  is preferably adhesively glued to the inner side  72  of outer membrane  12 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, optionally planar plate  14  may be adhesively glued to outer side  70  of outer membrane  12 . In this configuration plate bottom surface  26  is adhesively glued to outer membrane  12 . Therefore mouse surface  16  may have as its outer surface outer membrane  12  as shown in FIGS. 3,  4  and  7  or top surface  24  of planar plate  14  as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. 
     Fill media  20  may be beans, beads, peas, plastic particles, sand, Styrofoam chips, gel, or any other fluid like media which will allow bottom  64  of outer membrane  12  to conform to the contour of an object it is placed upon. Optionally mouse pad  10  may have a handle  36  or mouse cord retaining device or handle attached at one end. 
     Preferably outer membrane  12  is made from material and is sewn together in two halves which are connected at the centre at seam  60 . The optional inner membrane  18  likewise is also constructed of material which is sewn together in two halves and is connected together at seam  62 . Other suitable methods of construction that are known in the art are acceptable. Outer membrane  12  and inner membrane  18  may be made of cloth, plastic, netting, or any other relatively flexible material. A person skilled in the art can appreciate that prior to closing off seams  60  and  62  completely, cavity  15  is filled with an adequate amount of fill media  20 . 
     The outer periphery  30  of planar plate  14  may be of any size or shape which is practical and useful. For example planar plate  14  when viewed from above as in FIG. 3 may be oval (as shown) or square, rectangular, round, triangular or any other shape. Outer periphery  32  of outer membrane  12  is preferably larger in diameter than outer periphery  30  of planar plate  14  to allow for droop of outer periphery  32  when placed on thigh  40 . This droop allows outer membrane  12  to better follow the contour of the surface it is placed upon. 
     Referring now to FIGS.  5 , 6 , 7 , 8  and  9 , alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention a mouse pad shown generally as  10  comprises an outer membrane  12 , a planar plate  14 , and a mouse surface  16 . In these Figures you will note that inner membrane  18  has been eliminated, except as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     Outer membrane  12  is filled with fill media  20  and which may be beans, beads, peas, plastic particles, sand, Styrofoam chips, gel or any other fluid like media which will allow bottom  64  of outer cover  12  to conform to the contour of an object it is placed upon. In particular bottom  64  should be able to conform to the contour of thigh top as best seen in FIG.  2 . Mouse pad  10  can be manipulated to form an ergonomic wrist support or into a position most comfortable to the user. 
     FIG. 6 depicts an optional top base  19  which is adhesively glued to outer side  70  of top  17  of outer membrane  12 . Viewed from the top as in FIG. 5, top base  19  has similar geometry as planar plate  14 . Top base  19  when used defines mouse surface  16 . The use of top base  19  permits the characteristic of mouse surface  16  to be selected independent of the material of outer membrane  12 . Therefore, top base  19  may be made of material ranging from soft to hard and or special surfaces depending upon the mouse used and the users preference. Therefore top base  19  may be made of various materials for optimal mouse performance and may be attached to outer membrane  12  by adhesively glueing or laminating or spraying into position. 
     In FIG. 8 mouse pad  10  is depicted with top base  19  laminated onto the top  17  of outer membrane  12 . In this embodiment an inner membrane  18  is also present to provide a separate cavity  15  for receiving fill media  20 . In FIG. 9 mouse pad  10  is depicted with top base  19  laminated onto top  17  of outer membrane  12 . This embodiment has only one membrane being outer membrane  12  which forms cavity  15  wherein fill media  20  is received. 
     In use, bottom  64  of mouse pad  10  is placed on a persons thigh  40 . As best seen in FIG. 2, mouse pad  10  takes on the contour of thigh top  48  thereby providing a comfortable fit on a persons thigh  40 . Fill media  20  is fluid in nature and will redistribute itself within the membranes when subject to outside forces such as the force of gravity acting on mouse pad  10  when placed on a surface. 
     As best shown in FIG. 1, mouse surface  16  is more or less a flat surface upon which mouse  50  can be manoeuvred. Mouse surface  16  may be slightly convex or concave without affecting the mouse tracking performance. Mouse cord  52  is preferably placed through an optional handle  36 . There is no reason why mouse surface  16  needs to be in the horizontal position and in fact, some users may prefer to use it at some angle other than horizontal. No straps or added devices are required to hold mouse pad  10  into position but rather, mouse pad  10  is held in place through friction of bottom  64  with thigh top  48  as well as through gravitational forces. In practise it has been found that mouse surface  16  may be placed at an angle to the horizontal of for example  45 . 
     In addition mouse pad  10  may also be placed on other surfaces such as the arm of a chesterfield or chair. The advantage of mouse pad  10  is that it does not have to be placed on a flat surface to provide an acceptable flat mousing surface. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 10,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  and  17  which are presently preferred embodiments of the present invention a mouse pad shown generally as  100  having a membrane  112  with bottom  113 , forming a cavity  108  which is filled with fill media  110  and is assembled together with upper plate  102  and lower ring  104 . 
     Referring now specifically to the cross-section of mouse pad  100  shown in FIG. 11, in this presently preferred embodiment, membrane end  120  is attached to lower ring  104  at attachment area  119  by clamping upper plate  102  together with lower ring  104  thereby sandwiching membrane end  120  between upper plate  102  and lower ring  104  at attachment area  119 . The clamping forces are applied by screws  114  which are fastened through lower ring  104  and remain flush or below mouse surface  116  by using screw countersinks  118 . Optionally membrane end  120  may be adhesively glued to both upper plate  102  and lower ring  104  at attachment area  119 . Referring now to the cross-section show in FIG. 13 in addition to screws  114 , locking clip  124  integrally molded with upper plate  102  cooperates with clip recess  126  in lower ring  104  thereby providing additional clamping force and locking between upper plate  102  and lower ring  104  when they are joined together to sandwich membrane end  120  there between. 
     Referring now to the cross-section shown in FIG. 15, you will note that screws  114  are totally eliminated leaving only locking clips  124  cooperating with clip recess  126  to provide the necessary clamping force to lock into position membrane end  120  between upper plate  102  and lower ring  104 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 17 you will note that both screw  114  and locking clip  124  have been eliminated and membrane end  120  is adhesively glued and clamped between upper plate  102  and lower ring  104 . 
     Outer periphery  140  of upper plate  102  is as shown in FIG.  10  and may be any other shape which is aesthetically pleasing or ergonomically practical. Outer periphery  142  is generally speaking larger in diameter and outside of outer periphery  140  and more or less parallel to the contour of outer periphery  140 . Although it is not strictly necessary that out periphery  142  be parallel with outer periphery  140 . 
     In use, mouse pad  100  is assembled by securely fastening membrane end  120  to lower ring  104  by screwing, glueing, adhesively bonding, friction joining, dove tailing, or other known methods in the art. The outer periphery of membrane  112  shown as membrane end  120  is connected at attachment area  119  to lower ring  104 . Fill media  110  is then introduced into cavity  108 . Subsequently upper plate  102  is also securely fastened to membrane  112  and lower ring  104  at attachment area  119 . Mouse surface  116  is integrally part of upper plate  102  or can be additionally applied to upper plate  102 . Bottom  113  of mouse pad  100  will substantially conform to the contour of an uneven surface. Therefore mouse pad  100  can be placed on uneven surfaces and yet provide a suitable mousing surface. The presently preferred embodiments depicted in FIGS. 10 through 17 are used in analogous fashion as the embodiments described above and depicted in FIGS. 1 through 9. 
     It should be apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications and adaptions of the structure described above are possible without departure from the spirit of the invention the scope of which is defined in the appending claims.