Abstract:
A multi-functional adjustable tray that mounts on the arm of a chair to provide a comfortably accessible work surface to support a computer mouse and other devices. The adjustable tray may be easily mounted to either arm of a chair and provides width, length, rotation, and storage adjustments. The adjustable tray includes a generally planar platform and is pivotally connected to an armchair stop supported by adjustable guides secured to the chair arm by a compression element.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part application which claims the priority date from the utility application entitled ADJUSTABLE ARMCHAIR TRAY filed by Daniel V. Steenson on Aug. 18, 2004 with application Ser. No. 10/921,540, which is pending, and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention generally relates to the field of computer accessories. More particularly, the present invention provides an adjustable tray that may be easily mounted to the arm of a chair to provide a generally planar working surface to support a computer mouse and other accessories, devices and objects.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Computers are operated through the use of peripheral systems and devices such as the keyboard and the mouse. These devices enable a user to interact with a computer to input information, make decisions, and carry out various other functions. Direct physical contact with, and therefore close proximity to, these devices are essential to their operation.  
         [0004]     However, in most circumstances a computer user works at a desk and leans forward or sideways from a comfortable sitting position to reach a keyboard or mouse on a desk or other flat surface. Reaching for the keyboard or the mouse in this way makes it very difficult to maintain proper posture and operate the computer comfortably. Use of a computer mouse or similar input device on a desktop stresses the back, shoulder and the wrist. For wrist stress and carpal tunnel syndrome, numerous products, such as ergonomically shaped mice and wrist supports, attempt to address the symptoms of this stress without addressing the awkward positioning that often causes strain.  
         [0005]     Additionally, persons with debilitating injuries may find that reaching to a desk to use a keyboard, mouse, or other input device, is difficult or painful. Accordingly, there is a need for a surface for supporting an input device that maintains a position so that the user may maintain ergonomically correct posture and wrist position.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The physical stresses resulting from the awkward positioning and use of an input device on a desktop may be remedied by mounting an adjustable tray to the left or right arm of a chair in order to facilitate the operation of a mouse or other input device as a natural extension of a person&#39;s arm from a comfortable seated position. An adjustable tray that can be quickly and efficiently mounted to the arm of a chair may facilitate comfortable use of a computer keyboard on a person&#39;s lap without reaching for the mouse, or use of the keyboard on the platform itself, further correcting the hunched forward position of many computer users.  
         [0007]     As used herein, the adjustable armchair tray is referred to simply as an adjustable tray. The adjustable tray includes a platform that provides a generally planar working surface particularly suited for operation of a computer mouse, keyboard or other computer peripheral. The platform is rotatably fastened to a chair arm attachment body, which is adjustable to fit various styles, widths, and lengths of chair arms.  
         [0008]     The platform also preferably includes retainers around its perimeter to prevent devices from sliding off the platform, and retainers to retain a mouse pad on the platform when the platform is rotated and stored to the side of the chair.  
         [0009]     The main components of the chair arm attachment body are an armchair stop, guides and one or more compression elements. The armchair stop supports the platform for use and storage, and connects the platform to the guides that mount on the arm of a chair. The armchair stop preferably defines a groove, cavity or interconnecting groove by which the armchair stop is pivotally connected by a fastener to the platform through one of the slots in the platform. This interconnection allows the platform to slide and rotate within the horizontal plane for use, and within the vertical plane for storage of the platform to the side of a chair.  
         [0010]     The chair arm attachment body includes guides for allowing the adjustable tray to be mounted to the chair arm. The manner of compression presents various embodiments of the adjustable tray. In one embodiment, the guides are slidably interconnected to the armchair stop and fixed therein and against the chair arm by at least one securing device. The securing device is preferably a strap with a buckle for easy attachment.  
         [0011]     The adjustable tray is preferably adjustable to various sizes of chair arms. The adjustable tray may also include a pad disposed on the platform and retained by a retainer around the periphery of the platform or, one or more discrete pad retainers. Cushioning material may be used on the armchair stop, the plurality of guides, the plurality of vertical guides and the bottom support member to prevent movement of the adjustable tray or marring of the chair during use.  
         [0012]     The purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.  
         [0013]     Still other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein only the preferred embodiments of the invention will be described and shown, simply by way of illustration of the best modes contemplated to manifest the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , as mounted on a chair arm.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a fastener according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.  
         [0020]     Embodiments of the present invention are adjustable trays that may be mounted on various types of chair arms. Although many different uses are available for the present invention as there are uses for chairs, the present invention will commonly be referenced as an adjustable tray.  FIG. 1  shows a top view of an embodiment of the adjustable tray  10 . The adjustable tray  10  includes a platform  12 , which provides a generally planar surface for devices such as a roller mouse or optical mouse, pen, joystick, keyboard, keypad, roller ball, or similar device. Additionally, the platform  12  may be used to write notes, secure a remote control, hold food or a beverage, or facilitate other similar uses. The adjustable tray  10  may be used on any device or location that is equipped with a chair arm or substantially equivalent structure. For example, many automobile seats are now equipped with armrests that the adjustable tray  10  would easily adapt to fit for the previously mentioned uses.  
         [0021]     The chairs to which the adjustable tray  10  may be attached are often mounted on rollers. In normal operation, the user may roll the chair and cause the platform  12  to contact a desk or other external object. To avoid being captured between the external object and the chair arm, the perimeter of the platform  12  may be shaped generally as an oval or an ellipse in some embodiments, and preferably modified by a peak  15 . Peak, in this context, means a region of the perimeter that converges more sharply than an oval or ellipse. The overall oval shape of the platform  12  allows the platform  12  to rotate to either side of the chair arm and slide along the object as the object gently pushes it aside. The peak  15  insures that the platform  12  swings to one side or the other, rather than being captured along the long axis of the chair arm. The perimeter of the platform  12  need not be perfectly elliptical; rather, the perimeter of the platform  12  preferably curves smoothly along the sides, and curving more sharply on the end.  
         [0022]     The platform  12  and other parts of the adjustable tray  10  may be built or molded of any material that allows for strength and ease of use such as wood, plastic or other similar materials. The platform  12  may incorporate at least one retainer  14 , preferably located around the periphery of the platform  12 , to allow a mouse, pad, or other device to be retained within the perimeter of the platform  12 . The retainer  14  provides a boundary that prevents a mouse, writing utensil, notebook, personal digital assistant, cell phone or other device from falling off the platform  12 . In some embodiments, one or more discrete retainers  14  may be placed on all sides of the platform  12  to assure that the mouse does not fall off any side of the platform.  
         [0023]     A pad  16  or other similar material may be positioned on top of the platform  12  and configured to be easily replaced when worn out. The pad  16  is preferably made of materials similar to those used for basic stand-alone computer mouse pads, typically neoprene. Additionally, the pad  16  may be rubber, plastic or other material that facilitates the operation of a roller ball mouse, optical mouse or other similar computer-interfacing device. To prevent the pad  16  from falling when the platform  12  is placed in a stored or disengaged position, the mouse pad may be held in place by glue or restraining tabs (not shown) protruding from the retainer  14 . In other embodiments, the mouse pad retainers may be a molded part of the platform or clamps, tie downs, hook and loop fasteners, snaps or other elements that could similarly maintain the correct positioning of the mouse pad on the platform  12 .  
         [0024]     A fastener  18  passes through a hole  20  in the platform  12 , pivotally securing the platform  12  to an armchair stop  22 . As herein defined, the fastener  18  is a threaded nut and bolt, a pin connection with a threaded end for tightening purposes, or any other element that provides a rotational pivot for the angular adjustment of the platform  12 , while still interconnecting the platform  12  with the armchair stop  22 . In the embodiment of fastener  18  shown in  FIG. 4 , the fastener  18  includes a threaded bolt  40 . Threaded nut  42  screws onto the shank of bolt  40 , capturing the platform  12  between threaded nut  42  and the head  44  of bolt  40 . Tightening nut  42  secures platform  12  and prevents it from rotating; loosening nut  42  slightly releases the platform  12  enough to allow rotation to a comfortable position.  
         [0025]     The fastener  18  is preferably ergonomically designed or covered so that it does not interfere with the user during use of devices on the adjustable tray  10 . This may be accomplished by incorporating a rounded or other shape that allows it to be easily tightened while simultaneously maintaining user comfort. Rounded in this context means that the nut has no sharp edges exposed to the user when installed.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the armchair stop  22  is shaped to be positioned directly against a chair arm  24  while preventing the platform  12  from sliding toward the back of the chair. On some chairs, that position will be where the armrest transitions from horizontal to vertical. The adjustable tray  10  will also work on different styles of arms and chairs with the only general compatibility requirement being that the chair has an armrest equivalent. The armchair stop  22  has a curved or slanted region  26  to accommodate any curvature of chair arm  24 . When the region  26  of armchair stop  22  abuts the chair arm  24 , the chair arm  24  provides additional support to the adjustable tray  10 .  
         [0027]     In a preferred embodiment, the platform  12  is constructed on two levels: a first level that supports a mouse or other input device, and a second level lower than the first level through which the fastener  22  passes. This two-tier structure allows the first level to be generally level with the chair arm, so that the user&#39;s wrist is approximately straight when using the input device without interference by the fastener  22 . Optionally, a wrist pad or cover (not shown) may be placed on the second level to help support the user&#39;s wrist.  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , the fastener  18  flexibly secures the platform  12  to armchair stop  22  by passing through the hole  20  in the platform  12 , through a slot  28  in the armchair stop  22 , and into a cavity  30  ( FIG. 3 ) in armchair stop  22 . The slot  28  in the armchair stop  22  has a generally horizontal top leg  32  ( FIG. 1 ) having curved regions on each end and connecting to two generally vertical legs  34  on either side of armchair stop  22  ( FIG. 2 ). The slot  28  has additional generally horizontal side legs  36  on either side of armchair stop  22 , terminating in an enlarged hole  38 . The shape of slot  28  allows the platform  12  to be positioned on the top of armchair stop  22  for use, or positioned to either side of chair arm  24  by sliding the fastener  22  from horizontal leg  32  into one of vertical legs  34 . Vertical legs  34  need not be precisely vertical: they may slope fore and aft or side-to-side to accommodate chair arms of various shapes. Similarly, horizontal side legs  36  need not be precisely horizontal  
         [0029]     As a result, a person may use the adjustable tray  10  with the platform horizontal and then rotate the platform and the fastener  18  within the slot  28  so that the platform  12  is in a vertical storage position. The transition is easily made by loosening the fastener  18  slightly, and then sliding the fastener  18  and the connected platform  12  within the slot  28  from the horizontal plane to the vertical plane. In another embodiment, the slot  28  has only one vertical leg  34  so that the platform  12  may be stored only on one side of the chair arm  24 .  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the platform  12  may be removed from the armchair stop  22  by sliding the fastener  18  along the leg  36  of the slot  28  to enlarged hole  38 . Hole  38  is sufficiently large to allow an end of fastener  18  to pass through, releasing the fastener  18  and the platform  12  from the armchair stop  22 .  
         [0031]     The embodiment of the fastener  18  shown in  FIG. 4  has a threaded bolt  40  and an ergonomically shaped threaded nut  42 . Bolt  40  has a head  44  that is small enough to pass through enlarged hole  38 , yet still engage legs  32 ,  34 , and  38  of slot  28 . An embodiment of bolt  40  has a frustoconical ring  46  circumvolving the shank of bolt  40  and one or more bosses  48  protruding from the shank of bolt  40 .  
         [0032]     The hole  20  in the platform  12  may be sized to allow the bolt  40  with the ring  46  to pass through as a press fit. After the ring  46  passes through the hole  20  ( FIG. 2 ), the bolt  40  is captured on the topside of the platform  12  by the ring  46  and on the bottom side by head  44 , while still allowed to move a short distance in an axial direction. The hole  20  may optionally be made of a smaller diameter at the upper end, to allow the ring  46  to easily pass through during assembly, while still capturing the bolt  40  during operation. In another embodiment, annular ring may be replaced with one or more barbs.  
         [0033]     One or more bosses  48  engage corresponding axial grooves or similar features in the hole  20  to prevent rotation of the bolt  40  relative to the platform  12  when the nut  42  is tightened, eliminating the need for a washer and facilitating tightening of the nut  42  to secure the platform  12 . While the bosses  48  are depicted as cylinders, the bosses  48  may be of any shape that engages the grooves and prevents rotation, including a polyhedron or hemisphere.  
         [0034]     The adjustable tray  10  further includes one or more guides  50  slidably connected to the armchair stop  22 . Viewed from above as shown in  FIG. 1 , the guides  50  are approximately L-shaped on each end, and one leg of each guide is inserted into a hole  58  and a hole  60  in the armchair stop  22 . Holes  58  and  60  are offset, permitting the legs inserted into the slot to be relatively long, accommodating both wide chair arms and narrow chair arms, where the legs overlap each other in the slots. In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the rear of the armchair stop  22  may include one or more recesses  64  sized to accommodate guides  50 , allowing guides  50  to be adjusted to accommodate a chair arm  24  narrower than armchair stop  22 .  
         [0035]     In a preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , the guides  50  are compressed against the sides of the chair arm by at least one securing device  52 . The securing device  52  as herein defined includes, but is not limited to, a clamp, tape, bungee cords, string, tie cords, or straps. Each securing device  52  preferable passes around the chair arm  24  and guides  50  and is preferably fastened by a fastener  54 . Fastener  54  may be a Velcro fastener, a Tabler buckle, a clip, or similar buckling device. The compression force of the devices  52  presses the guides  50  against the chair arm and into the armchair stop, effectively securing the adjustable tray  10 . This embodiment provides the advantage of simplicity and allows the adjustable tray  10  to be quickly and easily mounted to the chair arm with ease.  
         [0036]     Another embodiment may include at least one strap slot or loop in each guide  50  in which to thread the securing devices  52  to compress and secure the guides  50  to the chair arm. The strap slots preferably run a substantial length of the guides  50  allowing the securing devices  52  to be slid or moved to accommodate the configuration of the chair arm and particularly the support members.  
         [0037]     In a preferred embodiment, the guides  50  each have a tab  56  on the end furthest from the armchair stop  22  to prevent securing devices  52  from slipping off the ends of guides  50 . Guides  50  may also be tapered to better conform to curved chair arms.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the guides  50  curve downward in the region  64  nearest the armchair stop  22  so that the platform  12  is approximately level with the uppermost surface of guides  50 . Without the curved region  64 , the platform  12  would be positioned above the chair arm  24 , causing the user&#39;s wrist to flex upward when using a mouse or other input device, potentially causing carpal tunnel stress within the wrist. In another embodiment, a deeper curve positions the platform  12  below the chair arm  24 , which may be comfortable for some users. Curved region  64  need not be smoothly curved in the S-shape shown; it may descend sharply in a Z-shape or with perpendicular angles.  
         [0039]     Adjustable tray  10  may include multiple sets of guides  50 , each set tapered, curved, and including features that best fit a class of chair arms. The user may then select the set of guides that best fits the user&#39;s chair.  
         [0040]     The armchair stop  22 , the guides  50 , and the securing devices  52  are preferably lined with a cushioning material  66 . The cushioning material  66  allows the guides  50  and the armchair stop  22  to be tightened against the surface of a chair without scratching or other marring of the chair. Cushioning material  66  also provides a non-slip surface that prevents movement during the use of the adjustable tray  10 . Cushioning material  66  may be any material such as rubber, plastic or cloth that prevents slippage and marring of the arm of the chair. In a preferred embodiment, the cushioning material  66  is neoprene or other non-skid rubberized material used to form traditional stand-alone mouse pads.  
         [0041]     While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.