Patent Publication Number: US-6659416-B2

Title: Computer keyboard/mouse support apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a nonprovisional application claiming the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No, 60/266,688, filed on Feb. 7, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns a computer keyboard support having at least one movable extension for supporting a data input device, such as a mouse, which allows the user to control a cursor position on a computer viewing screen or monitor. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The personal computer revolution has resulted in the use of personal computers and computer terminals on corporate and home desktops throughout the world. Almost all such computers and terminals allow data entry through an alphanumeric keyboard. Often the keyboard rests on a desktop surface which is at the same level as the surface that supports the viewing monitor. While such an arrangement may be fine for users who only spend a short period of time at the computer, for users who spend long periods of time at the computer, it is important to be able to adjust the position and/or orientation of the keyboard. Built in tabs that form an integral part of the keyboard allow for some adjustment. However, to allow more flexibility in positioning the keyboard, e.g. to suit a user&#39;s ergonomic requirements, it is desirable to provide the keyboard with its own support. It is also desirable to provide the mouse with its own support for the same reason. 
     One such keyboard/mouse support sold by the assignee of the present invention Ergonomic Design Inc. of Denver, Colo. is moveably supported by a keyboard arm that allows the keyboard to be moved out from under a user&#39;s desk and then stored beneath the desk when the keyboard is not in use. This keyboard support also has a pair of pivoting right and left mouse extensions that pivot out from underneath the keyboard support to the right and left of the keyboard. While this design works well, the surface of the mouse extension is at a level which is somewhat lower than the surface of the keyboard support. It would be desirable if the surfaces of the mouse extension and the keyboard support were at the same level or as close as possible to the same level. It would also be desirable if this apparatus had a more ergonomic shape that followed the movement of a user&#39;s arm as it moves between the keyboard support and the mouse extension. It would further be desirable if the keyboard support were easy to attach to a keyboard arm. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses that foregoing needs by providing a computer keyboard/mouse apparatus that includes a keyboard support and at least one mouse extension pivotally attached to the keyboard support. The keyboard support is of the type for attachment to a keyboard arm and has a top surface for supporting a keyboard and a generally planar underside surface. The mouse extension has a top surface for supporting a mouse and is pivotally attached to the keyboard support so that it pivots in a plane parallel to the plane of the keyboard support. The mouse extension pivots between an extended usable position in which a substantial portion of the mouse extension is exposed and capable of being used as a mouse extension and a retracted stored position in which a substantial portion of the top surface of the mouse extension is facing the underside surface of said keyboard support. The top surface of the mouse extension is also in close proximity to the underside surface of the keyboard support so that the distance between the surface is minimized. Preferably the surfaces are in actual contact with each other so that a pre-determined amount of force is required to pivot the extension and so that the extension is not easily moved by the user when moving a mouse on the top surface of the mouse extension. The mouse extension is also characterized by being capable of pivoting 360 degrees without contacting the keyboard arm when (1) the keyboard support is attached to the keyboard arm and (2) there is no other structure of the keyboard support or the mouse extension preventing such pivoting. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the keyboard support includes three layers which are rigidly sandwiched together. The top layer is for supporting a keyboard while the bottom layer is for attachment to a keyboard arm, typically a retractable keyboard arm. The center layer has a surface area which is substantially less than that of the top and bottom layers so that it defines a gap between the top and bottom layers. The mouse extension is pivotally attached to the keyboard support between said top and bottom layers for pivoting between its extended usable position and its retracted stored position. In its retracted stored position a substantial portion of the mouse extension is received within the gap between the top and bottom layers. 
     Another preferred A computer keyboard/mouse apparatus of the present invention provides a keyboard support having a generally rectangular shape so as to define a front edge, a rear edge and right and left side edges. In addition, a pair of right and left (or first and second) mouse extensions are provided that are pivotally attached to the keyboard support. As with the other embodiments of the present invention, each mouse extensions pivots between an extended usable position in which a substantial portion of the mouse extension is exposed and capable of being used as a mouse extension and a retracted stored position. Each mouse extension also has a front edge and the first or right mouse extension is pivotally attached to the keyboard support so that when it is pivoted to its extended usable position a substantial portion of it is located to the right of the right side edge of the keyboard support. Similarly, the second or left mouse extension is pivotally attached to the keyboard support so that when it is pivoted to its extended usable position a substantial portion of it is located to the left of the left side edge of the keyboard support. In addition and importantly, when the mouse extensions are in their extended usable positions the front edges thereof and the front edge of the keyboard support are flush with each other. In a most preferred embodiment, these flush edges define a curved edge having a predetermined radius of curvature. This predetermined curvature provides the apparatus with a more ergonomic shape that follows the movement of a user&#39;s arm between the keyboard support and the mouse extension. 
     The present invention also provides a novel keyboard support having a top layer and a bottom layer separated by a gap and an extremely easy method of attaching this keyboard support to a keyboard arm. The novel keyboard support has a top layer for supporting a keyboard and a bottom layer for attachment to a keyboard arm. The layers are separated by a gap and define at least one pair of axially aligned holes with the axis of said holes passing through the gap. The axially aligned hole of the top layer has a diameter which is large enough to pass the head of a given threaded fastener for securing the bottom layer to a keyboard arm and the axially aligned hole of the bottom layer has a diameter which is large enough to pass the shank but not the head of the said given threaded fastener. 
     The novel keyboard support is easily attached to a keyboard arm by simply inserting the given threaded fastener through the axially aligned hole in the top layer and into the axially aligned hole of the bottom layer so that it is in position to secure the keyboard support to the keyboard arm. The now positioned fastener is then threaded into the keyboard arm to secure the keyboard support to the keyboard arm. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the provision of the above described axially aligned holes in the top and bottom layers of the keyboard support makes it extremely easy for a user to attach the keyboard support to a keyboard arm since it enables the user to attach the apparatus to the retractable arm after it has been completely assembled. Therefore, the user does not have to assemble the keyboard. This can and normally would be done by the manufacturer. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the exemplary embodiment of the invention are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a computer keyboard/mouse apparatus of the present invention that includes a keyboard support and a pair of left and right mouse extensions; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the workstation apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the left and right mouse extensions thereof in their extended usable positions; 
     FIG. 2A is a top plan view similar to that of FIG. 2 differing, however, in that the left mouse extension is shown in its retracted stored position; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the workstation apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the left and right mouse extensions thereof in their extended usable positions as also shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 3A is a top plan view similar to that of FIG. 3 differing, however, in that the left mouse extension is shown in its retracted stored position as also shown in FIG. 2A; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 A— 4 A of FIG. 2A with the exception that a screw  54  is not shown threaded into a hole  52  of the keyboard support. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As shown in drawings, computer keyboard/mouse apparatus  10  of the present invention generally includes a keyboard support  12  for supporting a computer keyboard (not shown) and a pair of left and right mouse extensions  14 ,  16  for supporting a computer mouse (not shown). The mouse extensions  14 ,  16  are pivotally attached to the keyboard support by pins  18 ,  20 . The keyboard support is also provided with a conventional wrist support  22 . The keyboard support  12  is mounted to a retractable arm (shown in dotted line at  23 ) that typically extends out from beneath a workstation (not shown) and allows the user to adjustably position apparatus  10  relative to the workstation. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, keyboard support  12  preferably comprises three layers  24 ,  26  and  28  of material, preferably high pressure phenolic laminate, which are rigidly sandwiched together by fasteners  30 . The top layer  24  is for supporting a keyboard (not shown) while the bottom layer  28  is for attachment to the retractable keyboard arm  23 . The center layer  26  has a surface area which is substantially less than that of the top and bottom layers so that it defines a gap  32  between the top and bottom layers. The left and right mouse extensions  14 ,  16  are pivotally attached to the keyboard support by the aforementioned pins  18 ,  20  between the top and bottom layers for enabling the mouse extensions to pivot between their extended usable positions shown in FIGS. 2-4 and their retracted stored positions. Left mouse extension  14  is shown in its retracted position in FIGS. 2A,  3 A and  4 A. As will be appreciated, when a mouse extension is in its retracted stored position a substantial portion of it is received in gap  32  between the top and bottom layers as shown by extension  14  in FIG.  4 A. 
     In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention and as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the top surfaces  34  of the mouse extensions are in close proximity to the underside surface  36  of the keyboard support&#39;s top layer  24  so that the distance between the surfaces is minimized. Preferably the surfaces are in actual contact with, i.e. they frictionally engage, each other as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A so that a pre-determined amount of force is required to pivot the extension. This amount is preset or pre-determined to prevent the extension from being easily moved by the user when moving a mouse on the top surface of the mouse extension. In addition, by keeping these surfaces in contact or as close as possible to each other, preferably within ⅛ of an inch of each other, the top surface  34  of the mouse extension is at a level which is close to the level of the working surface  38  of the top layer  24  of the keyboard support. This makes the apparatus more ergonomic since it means the user will not have to move his hand vertically very much when moving it between the keyboard and the mouse. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the three layered nature of the apparatus allows the keyboard support to be mounted to the retractable arm on the bottom surface of the support&#39;s bottom layer  28 . The enables the mouse extensions to be located in the center layer, thereby positioning the working surfaces of the mouse extensions and the keyboard support as close as possible to each other. This is an important structural feature of the invention which is described in the claims appended hereto since it provides the mouse extensions with the theoretical capability of pivoting 360 degrees without contacting the keyboard arm when (1) the keyboard support is attached to the keyboard arm and (2) there is no other structure (such as center layer  26 ) of the keyboard support or the mouse extension preventing such pivoting. As indicated, such 360 degree pivoting is theoretically possible since the keyboard support is mounted to the keyboard arm on its bottom layer  28 , thereby theoretically allowing the mouse extensions to freely pivot since they are positioned in the center layer and could indeed pivot 360 degrees if center layer  26  were removed. As will be appreciated, the center layer prevents further pivoting of the mouse extensions when they are pivoted to their retracted stored positions. FIGS. 3 and 3A illustrate that edges  39  of the mouse extensions contact the front edge of the center layer  26  when the mouse extensions are pivoted to their retracted stored positions, thereby preventing further inward movement of the extensions. Similarly, FIGS. 2A and 3A illustrate that each mouse extension is provided with a curved lip edge  41  which prevents outward movement of the mouse extensions when it is pivoted outwardly to its extended usable position. As will be appreciated, lip edge  41  contacts the outer edge of the center layer  26  to prevent such movement when the mouse extension is pivoted to its extended usable position. 
     Another important aspect of the present invention is directed to the design or shaping of the front edges  40 ,  42  and  44  of the keyboard support and left and right mouse extensions, respectively, which causes these edges to be flush with each when the mouse extensions are in their extended usable positions. In addition and as shown, these flush edges define a curved edge having a predetermined radius of curvature which as shown in the disclosed embodiment is about 36.625 degrees. This predetermined curvature provides the apparatus with a more ergonomic shape that follows the movement of a user&#39;s arm between the keyboard support and the mouse extension. 
     The sizing and shaping of the mouse extensions also enables a mouse bumper strip  46  to be positioned along the peripheral edge of each extension which as will be appreciated covers almost 180 degrees of each extension&#39;s peripheral edge. As shown, strip  46  clearly extends more than 125 degrees around each mouse extension&#39;s peripheral edge, thereby substantially enhancing the mouse extension&#39;s usability. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a mouse extension which does not prevent the user from running the mouse off the edge of the extension is not very user friendly. 
     The present invention also provides an extremely easy method of attaching keyboard support  12  to the retractable keyboard arm  23 . This is accomplished by simply providing as shown six pairs of differently sized but axially aligned holes  50 ,  52  in the top and bottom layers of the keyboard support with the axis of each pair of holes passing through the gap  32  of the keyboard support. The axially aligned hole  50  of the top layer is dimensioned so that it has a diameter which is large enough to pass the head of a given threaded fastener  54  for securing the bottom layer to the keyboard arm. The axially aligned hole  52  of the bottom layer has a diameter which is large enough to pass the shank but not the head of the given threaded fastener for securing said bottom layer to said keyboard arm. 
     With the axially aligned holes provided in the top and bottoms layers as described, the keyboard support is easily attached to the keyboard arm by simply: 
     1. Inserting a given threaded fastener  54  through each hole  50  of the top layer and into its corresponding axially aligned hole  52  of the bottom layer so that it is in position to secure the keyboard support to the keyboard arm and then; 
     2. Threading each now positioned screw or fastener  54  into the keyboard arm to secure the keyboard support to the keyboard arm as such is shown in FIG.  4 . In FIG. 4A, the screw or fastener  54  has been removed from the left hole  52  to provide a better view of the hole and its corresponding axially aligned hole  50  located immediately above hole  52  in the top layer  24 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the provision of the above described axially aligned holes in the top and bottom layers of the keyboard support makes it extremely easy for a user to attach the keyboard support to a keyboard arm since it enables the user to attach the apparatus to the retractable arm after it has been completely assembled. Therefore, the user does not have to assemble the keyboard support. This can and normally would be done by the manufacturer. 
     While the present invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is the intent that the invention include all modifications and alterations from the disclosed design falling with the spirit or scope of the appended claims.