Abstract:
An ergonomic support is disclosed for use with a computer input device such as a mouse. Some embodiments allow the same support to be used with a wide range of mouse sizes. Some embodiments allow a user to make a customized fit between the user&#39;s hand, the support and the input device. Many embodiments include a deformable member which continues to apply force to the input device after being deformed by a user, thereby coupling the support to the input device without the need for external fasteners. In other embodiments, an attachment member couples the input device to a recessed area of the support.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to the field of computer accessories and particularly to ergonomic supports for use with a computer “mouse” or a similar input device. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     A “mouse” is a well-known type of input device for a personal computer. Because a mouse (or similar input device) enables intuitive “point and click” interaction with text and objects displayed on a computer screen, the use of such devices has gained widespread popularity. 
     A variety of devices have been developed to provide additional comfort to users while they are using a mouse (“mousing”). These devices include stationary “wrist rests” which are typically positioned on one edge of a mouse pad. Although wrist rests can alleviate some of the muscle fatigue which may be caused by mousing, stationary devices such as wrist pads can interfere with the free movement of the user&#39;s hand and of the mouse. 
     A number of movable supports are available for use with a mouse, but none is fully satisfactory. For example, one commercially available hand device supports a user&#39;s hand and wrist while mousing, but does not fit snugly to the mouse. Instead, the mouse is free to move within an opening of the hand support. Some users find that the mouse tends to migrate when using this hand support and that they end up struggling to keep the mouse in place. Moreover, some mice are not compatible with this hand support. 
     A second device attaches to the mouse and is moved with the mouse. However, the second device must be attached with VELCRO™ or similar fasteners, one side of which must be glued to the mouse. This attachment process is inconvenient. Some users may find it unacceptable to attach foreign objects to their mouse, especially because it makes the mouse uncomfortable to grasp if the mouse is used alone. Moreover, the second device cannot accommodate a wide range of mouse shapes and sizes. Accordingly, several different sizes are needed to accommodate various types of mice. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the limitations of prior art devices, the present application discloses an improved hand and wrist support for use with a mouse or a similar input device. The support of the present invention wraps around at least a portion of the input device and moves with the input device. In some embodiments, the support may be coupled to the input device without using any type of fastener. In some embodiments, the support will substantially return to its original shape when de-coupled from the input device. In some embodiments, at least part of the support is made of deformable material which will retain a desired shape after being deformed by a user. The support may be used with a wide range of input device shapes and sizes. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the support is formed primarily of cushioning material for cushioning a user&#39;s hand and wrist. The cushioning material is coupled to a deformable member to which a user may apply force in order to form a pressure fit against an input device. The deformable member may be made of any convenient deformable material, but is preferably made of plastic or metal. 
     Some embodiments use attachment members, such as straps, for coupling the support to an input device. In one such embodiment, the attachment member is a strap which wraps around a portion of the input device and is adjustably secured to another portion of the support. 
     Another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes various methods of forming a customized support for use with a computer input device. One such method includes the steps of disposing an input device in a recessed portion of a support and applying force to deform the support, thereby causing a pressure fit between the support and the input device. 
     When the deformable material is a shape memory polymer or resin, the support is heated to a temperature above the deformable material&#39;s glass transition point, placed next to an input device, deformed to a desired shape which accommodates at least a portion of the input device&#39;s shape, then cooled to a temperature below the deformable material&#39;s glass transition point in order to preserve the desired shape. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3A illustrates how the first embodiment of the present invention may be shaped to fit a standard mouse. 
     FIG. 3B illustrates how the first embodiment of the present invention may be shaped to fit a fat mouse. 
     FIG. 3C illustrates how the first embodiment of the present invention may be shaped to fit a thin mouse. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-section of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is an illustration of a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is an illustration of an eighth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is an illustration of a ninth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12A is a top view of an tenth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12B is a side view of an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, an adjustable support is provided for use with a computer mouse or similar device. A top view of a first embodiment is depicted in FIG.  1 . In this embodiment, support  100  is formed in a horseshoe shape, with a concave portion  125  for accommodating a mouse and a convex portion  130  on an opposing side. Although this embodiment of support  100  is symmetrical, support  100  may also be made asymmetrical. 
     Deformable strip  105  extends along convex portion  130  but is disposed within cover  135  and need not be visible to a user. In this embodiment, deformable strip  105  also extends along at least part of concave portion  125 . A user may readily shape deformable strip  105  and may form a pressure fit between support  100  and mouse  110  by applying force to support  100 . For example, a user may shape support  100  by squeezing support  100  in the direction of mouse  110  with a hand which will operate the input device. Deformable strip  105  has a relatively low yield strength, so that the user&#39;s squeeze changes the shape of deformable strip  105 . 
     Even after the user stops applying force to support  100 , deformable strip  105  continues to exert force  115  on mouse  110 . Support  100  may readily be attached to mouse  110  solely by force  115  and the resulting frictional force  135  which develops between mouse  110  and concave portion  125 . In this way, the user may pressure fit support  100  to a variety of mouse shapes and to the user&#39;s hand. 
     In this embodiment, deformable strip  105  is preferably formed of a metal such as aluminum, tin, copper, magnesium, steel or titanium. If deformable strip  105  is formed of metal, its preferred dimensions are in the range of 60 to 70 mm in width, 90 to 100 mm in length, 30 to 40 mm in height, and 1.5 to 3.0 mm in thickness. 
     However, deformable strip  105  may be formed in a variety of sizes and may be made of any material which is easy for a user to deform and which retains its shape after deformation. For example, deformable strip  105  may be formed of graphite or a synthetic material such as PC (polycarbonate), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PP (polypropylene), styrene, acrylic, or nylon. 
     Alternatively, deformable strip  105  may be fashioned from a shape memory alloy such as nickel-titanium or a shape memory resin or polymer such as polynorbornene, trans-1, 4-polyisoprene, polyurethane, or the like. Such resins or polymers may be easily formed into arbitrary shapes, for example by injection molding. Shape memory resins have the advantageous property that when they are heated to a temperature above a “glass transition point” or T g , their modulus of elasticity abruptly changes to a rubbery, easily deformable state. If a shape memory resin is heated above T g , deformed from the shape into which it was originally molded into a desired shape and then cooled to a temperature below T g , the shape memory resin&#39;s modulus of elasticity abruptly changes. At temperatures below T g , a shape memory resin assumes a more rigid, vitreous state but retains its deformed shape. However, if a shape memory resin is subsequently heated to a temperature above T g , the resin will return to the shape into which it was originally molded. 
     Shape memory resins can be manufactured with a range of T g  values. If a shape memory resin is used to form part or all of the deformable portion of support  100 , the resin&#39;s T g  is preferably selected to be at least above 40° C. If the resin&#39;s T g  is lower, a user&#39;s body heat could cause the shape memory resin to be heated above its glass transition point. If deformable strip  105  is made from a shape memory resin, support  100  may be readily deformed by a user after deformable strip  105  is heated above T g , which is preferably a low enough temperature to avoid discomfort to a user (e.g., 45° to 50° C.). After a user deforms support  100  to a desired shape, deformable strip  105  may be cooled to retain the desired shape. If the user later desires to use support  100  with a different mouse, deformable strip  105  may be heated to above T g , which will cause deformable strip  105  to return to the shape into which it was originally molded. 
     In order to increase frictional force  135 , at least some portions of support  100  which will be in contact with mouse  110  are preferably made of material which has a high coefficient of friction, such as an elastomer (e.g., SBR—styrene-butadiene, neoprene, and urethane) TPR (thermoplastic rubber) or rubber. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the first embodiment of support  100  from the vantage point of cross-section A—A shown on FIG.  1 . In this embodiment, cushion  210  occupies most of the volume of support  100 . Cushion  210  may be formed of any cushioning material, such as gel or foam, and may or may not be resilient. In one preferred embodiment, cushion  210  is formed of polyurethane. In other embodiments, cushion  210  is made of gel, common dampening foam (low and high density), SBR (styrene-butadiene), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). 
     In other embodiments, support  100  is firm and is not filled with cushioning material. Instead, support  100  may be filled with material such as sand, metal filings, grains, beans, clay or other firm material. In such embodiments, support  100  preferably includes a soft cover to increase a user&#39;s comfort. 
     In this embodiment, deformable strip  105  is disposed on the outside of cushion  210 , but in other embodiments deformable strip  105  is embedded in cushion  210 , situated between cushion  210  and base  215 , disposed around base  215  or embedded in base  215 . Here, cover  205  and base  215  enclose cushion  210  and deformable strip  105 . However, in other embodiments, no cover is used. Cover  205  is preferably formed of a material which “breathes” and is pleasant for a user to touch, such as lycra, leather (synthetic or real), neoprene, vinyl, cotton., velvet, nylon, or Jersey cloth. 
     Base  215  is smooth on its bottom surface  220 , to allow a user to glide support  100  along a mouse pad or other work surface with little effort. In one preferred embodiment, base  215  is made of PC. In other embodiments, base  215  is made of plastic other than PC, of vinyl, or of acrylic. Base  215  may be coated with a low-friction material such as Teflon™. In FIG. 2, base  215  is shown to be continuous across the bottom portion of support  100 . However, base  215  may be discontinuous if deformable strip  105  is disposed around, or disposed within, base  215 . The discontinuity or discontinuities allow base  215  to avoid resisting the force applied by a user and allows deformable strip  105  to change its shape. 
     FIGS. 3A,  3 B and  3 C illustrate support  100  engaged with mice of three different shapes. In FIG. 3A, support  100  has been shaped to fit standard mouse  305 . In FIG. 3B, support  100  has been shaped to accommodate fat mouse  310 . In FIG. 3C, support  100  has been shaped to fit thin mouse  315 . 
     In FIGS. 3A-3C, support  100  has been shaped by deformation of strip  105 . However, a wide variety of alternative embodiments are within the scope of the present invention: any construction of support  100  which allows a user to deform support  100  and make a pressure fit around a computer input device is part of the present invention. Exemplary alternative embodiments are set forth in the following paragraphs. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-section which illustrates one such alternative embodiment. Here, deformable member  400  includes segments  405  and main portion  410 . Main portion  410  is preferably embedded in cushion  415 , but may be disposed between cushion  415  and base  450  (not shown) or disposed within base  450 . In this embodiment, cover  425  encloses deformable member  400  and cushion  415 . When a user applies force  430  to support  100 , the shape of deformable member  400  is changed to accommodate at least a portion of mouse  435 . Segments  405 , which are disposed near concave portion  420  of support  100 , are pressed towards mouse  435 , making a pressure fit to hold mouse  435  in place. As noted above, if deformable member  400  is formed of a shape memory polymer or resin, deformable member  400  should be heated above its T g  prior to deformation and cooled after deformation to retain its shape. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of support  100  which is suitable for all types of deformable member  500  but particularly advantageous if deformable member  500  is made of metal, such as aluminum, copper, tin, titanium or steel. Here, deformable member  500  includes interior segments  505 , which are disposed along at least a part of concave portion  520 , and exterior segments  510 , which are disposed along at least part of convex portion  525 . 
     Medial segments  512  connect interior segments  505  and exterior segments  510 . Although three medial segments  512  are shown in FIG. 5, this number is purely illustrative; any convenient number of medial segments  512  may be used. Medial segments  512  preferably include at least one pre-stressed portion  515 , which has been stressed above the yield strength of medial segments  512 . Pre-stressed portions  515  allow a user to deform medial segments  512  by applying less force than would be necessary if medial segments  512  had not been pre-stressed beyond their elastic limits. 
     As in the other embodiments, deformable member  500  is preferably disposed within cushion  540 , but may also be disposed between cushion  540  and base  550  (not shown), or disposed within and/or around base  550 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of support  100  which is suitable for all types of deformable member  600  but particularly advantageous if deformable member  600  is made of a shape memory polymer or resin. Here, deformable member  600  includes interior segments  605 , which are disposed along at least a part of concave portion  610 , and exterior segments  615 , which are disposed along at least part of convex portion  620 . 
     Medial segments  625  connect interior segments  605  and exterior segments  510  and/or may extend from one exterior segment  510  to the other. Although five medial segments  625  are shown in FIG. 6, this number is purely illustrative; any convenient number of medial segments  625  may be used. Medial segments  625  may be formed in any convenient shape, but are preferably thinner in the middle to allow easier deformation. If a shape memory polymer or resin is used to form deformable member  600 , medial segments  625  may be easily formed into various shapes. Exemplary shapes of medial segments  625  are illustrated in FIG.  6 . Here, medial segments  625  are thinner in the middle and have cross-sectional shapes similar to concave lenses. 
     As in the other embodiments, deformable member  600  is preferably disposed within cushion  630 , but may also be disposed between cushion  630  and basal portion  650  (not shown), positioned around basal portion  650 , and/or embedded in basal portion  650 . 
     The present invention is not limited to supports which require internal deformable members, but includes other means for securing a support to an input device. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates support  700 , which may be dynamically conformed to a wide variety of input devices  705  by the use of attachment member  710 . In one preferred embodiment, attachment member  710  is an elastic strap which includes fixed portion  720  and removable portion  745 . Fixed portion  720  is secured to first lobe  715  of support  700  and removable portion  745  may be secured to second lobe  735  in various positions, according to the size of input device  705 . Attachment member  710  passes through loop  725 , which is affixed to first lobe  715 , and through loop  730 , which is affixed to second lobe  735 . 
     In one preferred embodiment, removable portion  745  is adjustably secured to second lobe  735  by a “loop and hook” fastener, such as VELCRO™. One portion of the fastener is surface  740 , which is disposed on second lobe  735 , and the other portion of the fastener is disposed on removable portion  745 . 
     However, in alternative embodiments, attachment member  710  may be adjustably secured in a variety of ways, including one or more snaps, buckles, buttons, pull-ties, or similar devices. Attachment member  710  need not be elastic and need not be a strap, but may be formed of one or more cords, webs, chains, bands, or the like. Moreover, attachment member may have more than one removable portion. Loops  725  and  730  are optional in most embodiments. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment which does not require an internal deformable member to secure an input device and which is particularly suitable for input devices which do not use a trackball, such as optical input devices. FIG. 8 depicts the underside of support  800 , which is dynamically conformed to input device  810  by one or more attachment members  820 , which include couplings  825 . The edges of cushion  805  may be seen protruding around base  815 . Attachment members  820  are preferably made of elastic material in order to apply a compressional force to input device  810 , thereby securing it to support  800 . However, attachment members  820  need not be elastic, but can be secured by sliding couplings  825  to positions which engage input device  810 . Alternatively, tension could be applied to attachment members  820  by a spring or similar device disposed within base  815  or another portion of support  800 . 
     FIG. 9 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, mouse cradle  900  includes skeleton  905 , which provides a support structure for cover  910  and creates a cavity for cushion  915 . Skeleton  905  includes grip portions  920 . In one preferred embodiment, grip portions  920  are pushed outwards when a mouse (not shown) is inserted into recessed area  925 . In an alternative embodiment which is advantageous for narrower mice, a user places a mouse into recessed area  925 , then presses grip portions  920  against the mouse. In either case, grip portions  920  exert forces  930  against the mouse. The frictional force between grip portions  920  and the mouse is increased by grip pads  925 , which are preferably disposed on both of grip portions  920 . Grip pads  925  may also be positioned on other portions of mouse cradle  900  which come in contact with the mouse. 
     In one embodiment, mouse cradle  900  is approximately 60 to 75 mm in width, 115 to 130 mm in length, and 35 to 45 mm in height. In the same embodiment, recessed area  925  (including grip portions  920 ) is approximately 60 to 75 mm in width, 115 to 130 mm in length, and 35 to 45 mm in height. In this embodiment, the covered portion of mouse cradle  900  is approximately 60 to 70 mm in width, 65 to 70 mm in length, and 30 to 40 mm in height. 
     Skeleton  905  may be made of any convenient deformable material. In one preferred embodiment, skeleton  905  is made of PC. In other embodiments, skeleton  905  is made of metal, graphite, ABS, PVC, PP, styrene, acrylic, nylon, a shape memory alloy such as nickel-titanium, or a shape memory resin or polymer such as polynorbomene, trans-1, 4-polyisoprene, or polyurethane. 
     Cover  910  is preferably formed of a material which “breathes” and is pleasant for a user to touch, such as lycra, leather (synthetic or real), neoprene, vinyl, cotton, velvet, nylon, or Jersey cloth. However, in some embodiments cover  910  is not used. 
     In one preferred embodiment, cushion  915  is formed of polyurethane gel. However, cushion  915  may be formed of any cushioning material, such as foam or other types of gel, and may or may not be resilient. For example, cushion  915  may be made of common dampening foam (low and high density), SBR (styrene-butadiene), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). In other embodiments, cushion  915  is firm. In firm embodiments, cushion  915  may be filled with material such as sand, metal filings, grains, beans, clay or similar material. In some “firm” embodiments, the material used to make skeleton  905  is also used to make cushion  915 . 
     Grip pads  925  are preferably made of material which has a high coefficient of friction, such as an elastomer (e.g., SBR—styrene-butadiene, neoprene, and urethane) TPR (thermoplastic rubber) or rubber. Although grip pads  925  are shown attached to inner surfaces of grip portions  920 , in some embodiments grip pads  925  are positioned in recesses which are formed in grip portions  920 . In some such embodiments, grip pads  925  are positioned in holes which are formed through grip portions  920 . In some such embodiments, grip pads  925  are formed to be replaceable with different sized pads. In other embodiments, grip pads  925  are unnecessary, because skeleton  905  is made from a material with a sufficiently high coefficient of friction. 
     In FIG. 10, grip portions  1005  have openings  1007  which adjustably accommodate engagement members  1010 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, engagement members  1010  are threaded and include pads  1020  which contact an input device after engagement members  1010  have been adjusted to hold the input device in place. In this embodiment, engagement members  1010  may be adjusted by rotating engagement members  1010  in openings  1007  in the same manner that a screw is advanced through a nut or other orifice. In some embodiments, openings  1007  are also threaded. However, some embodiments of engagement members  1010  are not threaded and some embodiments do not include pads  1020 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates grip portion  1105 , which includes a hole through which engagement member  1110  is fitted. Instead of threads, engagement member  1110  features indentations  1115  for positioning engagement member  1110  in a variety of positions with respect to grip portion  1105 . In one preferred embodiment, engagement member  1110  is deformable to more easily enable a snug fit between engagement member  1110  and an input device. 
     FIG. 12A illustrates an embodiment in which the orientation of grip portions  1205  with respect to main portion  1210  may be changed by rotating one or both of grip portions  1205 . Teeth  1215  are formed to engage with recesses  1220  in order to securely maintain grip portions  1205  in various positions with respect to main portion  1210 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, pin  1225  extends through grip portion  1210  and extension  1230  of main portion  1210 , thereby allowing grip portion  1205  to rotate around pin  1225 . 
     While the best modes for practicing the invention have been described in detail, those of skill in the art will recognize that there are numerous alternative designs, embodiments, modifications and applied examples which are within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is not limited to the previously described embodiments.