Abstract:
A pair of wrist pads removably and adjustably attached adjacent to the keyboard of a portable computer to aid in the comfort of a user.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/394,193, filed Sep. 10, 1999 abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to alleviation of manual discomfort arising from use of computer such as a portable, laptop type computer; and more particularly to provision of two hand, wrist or palm support pads which are spaced apart and positioned to extend directly beneath the normal position of the hands, wrists or palms of the operator of the computer, to yield the normal feel of the solid surface computer, yet also provide cushioning for comfort, and protect on against static electricity build-up, and heat expulsion from the computer body in contact with the user&#39;s hand, or hands. 
     The use of and advantages associates with portable computers are well known in the art. Over the last decade, there has been an intense effort in the computer industry to down size the personal computer to provide users with a powerful yet portable computer that can be taken out of the office and fully utilized at home or on the road. As advancements have been made in both microprocessing chip and battery technologies, particularly over the last decade, personal computers were eventually downsized into “laptop computers”. 
     While these computers offered the portability and processing power of a full sized personal computer, the laptop was still somewhat large and heavy for the user to carry around. In response to these disadvantages, the laptops were downsized even further into what is now commonly known in the industry as a notebook computer, which is smaller and more light weight yet possessing equal or greater processing capabilities than their earlier laptop counterpart. 
     Because of their portability, notebook computers are frequently used in many applications for many different forms of industry and commerce. Due to their increased power and processing capabilities, these machines operate with greater levels of static electricity and heat expulsion. These “wasten” products of this modern technology can cause discomfort to the user at any given time. If an operator uses a notebook or portable computer computer for an extended period of time, he or she may experience hand discomfort and particularly the palms of the hands from such residual “waste” products. Therefore, need exists to develop a more effective means to counteract these adverse affects. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a major object of the invention to provide improved support pads positioned and individually adjusted on a computer to alleviate or eliminate the problems referred to. Basically, the invention provides for a combination that includes a computer having a first section supporting a keyboard and a second section supporting a screen, the second section pivotally connected to pivot between upright raised position, and a down pivoted position, with the second section then overlying the first section and keyboard, the improvement comprising 
     a) the base section having two laterally spaced upward facing surfaces offset from the keyboard, 
     b) the flat support pads respectively adhered or attached to said two spaced surfaces, in adjusted positions and openly spaced below the second section in down pivoted position thereof, so as not to interfere with such down pivoting to closed position, 
     c) the pads consisting essentially of elastomeric foam material, and being relatively thin, 
     d) the pads sized to comfortably support the computer user&#39;s wrists during stroking of the keyboard, when the second section is in raised position. 
     As will be seen the pads may have undersides adhesively attached to such surfaces; each pad preferably and typically has thickness between {fraction (1/32)} inch and {fraction (3/16)} inch throughout the area of the pad; and each pad typically has a looping edge bounding the pad area which is between 1 square inch and 4 square inches. This allows pad adjustment or positioning to a selected zone or zones under the user&#39;s wrists or palms. 
     A further object includes provision of such pads that are everywhere at levels below a plane defined by the uppermost levels of keyboard keys, whereby the pads do not interfere with closing of the laptop. 
     Yet another object includes provision of each such pad to consist of 
     i) an intermediate layer of neoprene foam 
     ii) an upper nylon layer attached to that intermediate layer, the upper layer having less than half the thickness of the intermediate layer, 
     iii) an under layer of adhesive material for adhesively attaching the pad to one of the base section upward facing surfaces, and allowing pad pull off and re-positioning. 
     A further object includes optional provision of a third support pad adhered in superposed stacked relation to the upper surface of one of such two pads, whereby the combined height of the stacked pads provides more cushioning, as well as elevating the user&#39;s wrist and hand to a selected level affording greater finger accommodation to the keyboard, and provision of a fourth such support pad adhesive in superposed stacked relation to the upper surface of the other of said two support pads. 
     An added object includes provision of use of such pads through their selective adhering to the computer base section, whereby the pads being approximately of wrist width, and as selectively and locally positioned, serve to orient the user&#39;s hands or wrists to correct positions relative to the keyboard, and with comfort. Also, the slippery-ness of the pad upper surface or surfaces allows the user&#39;s hand surfaces in contact with the pads to easily slide on such surfaces during computer keyboard use, while the pad provides cushioning directly below that slippery or low friction upper surface. 
     Yet another object includes a method of use of such pads whereby they are selectively located at laterally adjustable distances, and relative to an intermediate control zone, to provide the advantages as referred to, and to orient the user&#39;s wrists. 
     The pads of the invention provide more comfort and shield protection from heat and static electricity generated by said notebook computers and are easily adapted to the computer geometry to help defend against such irritations. The pads are self-adhering, safe and easy to use and are removable, for individual and relative adjustment. They are sized to fit multiple brands and types of portable or notebook computers. The user receives benefits from the pads in an ergonomic manner, with comfort as during lengthy sessions at the computer. 
    
    
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which: 
     DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred pad in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a laptop type computer, to which pads have been selectively applied; 
     FIG. 3 is a left side view of the computer and pad combination, of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing relative heights of an installed pad and keyboard keys; 
     FIG. 6 is an elevation showing peel-off removal of a pad, for subsequent adjustable positioning; and 
     FIG. 7 is a view showing two staked superposed pads adhered to a computer base, proximate a keyboard. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a laptop computer  10  has a first or lower section  10   a  supporting a keyboard  11  having multiple keys  11   a , as is known. A second or upper section  10   b  supports or carries a screen or display zone  12 . The second section is pivotally connected to the first section, as at horizontal pivot locations  13  and  14 , to pivot between upright raised position  10   b ′ seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a down pivoted or closed (stored) position indicated by broken lines at  10   b ″ in FIG.  3 . In that position, section  10   b  overlies the first section  10   a  and the tops of the keys  11   a.    
     It will be noted in FIG. 2 that the first or base section  10   a  has two laterally spaced upward facing surfaces  15  and  16 . Surface  15  is located laterally and rightwardly inwardly from the left end  17  of the section  10   a , and longitudinally and forwardly inwardly form the front end  18  of the section  10   a . Likewise, surface  16  is located laterally and leftwardly inwardly from the right end  19  of section  10   a , and longitudinally forwardly and inwardly form the front end  18  of section  10   a . There is a computer control region  20  between surfaces  15  and  16 , and separating those surfaces. During manual stroking of the keys  11   a , the user&#39;s left hand or wrist overlies region  15 , and the user&#39;s right hand  18  wrist overlies region  16 . Surfaces  15  and  16  are also rearwardly offset form the keyboard. 
     In accordance with the invention, two flat support pads  21  and  22  are respectively attached, for example removably adhered, to the two spaced surfaces  15  And  16 , in selected adjusted positions, and in such manner that the pads are openly spaced below the second section  10   b  in its down position, as is clear from FIGS. 3 and 5. See space  23  between the top level  22   a  of a pad  22  and the downfacing display side  12   a  of the down position  10   b ″ of upper section  10   b . Note also lesser space  24  between  12   a  and the top levels  11   a ′ of the keyboard keys, in FIG.  5 . 
     The two pads  21  and  22  each consist essentially of elastomeric cushioning material, such as elastomeric foam, and are relatively thin. The pads have overall thickness between {fraction (1/32)} and {fraction (3/16)} inch, throughout the area of each pad, in order to provide the gap or space  23  referred to, and also to provide cushioning for the user&#39;s hand or wrist undersides, during key stroking use of the computer, over extended time periods. Also, each pad has a looping edge, which bounds the pad area, that area being between 1 square inch and 4 square inches. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the pad  22  is generally rectangular, and has two laterally spaced edges  22   b  and  22   c  each of about 2.5 inches length, and two longitudinally spaced edges  22   d  and  22   e  each of about 3.6 inches length. The lateral space or spacing S between edges  22   b  and  22   c  is of approximately wrist width, to widthwise and visually orient the user&#39;s hand in overlying position, and correctly relative to the keyboard, for correct address of that keyboard. The same is also true for pad  21 , the two pads  21  and  22  being alike. 
     For best results, each pad preferably consists of: 
     i) an intermediate layer of neoprene foam, 
     ii) an upper nylon layer attached to the intermediate layer, the upper layer having less than half the thickness of the intermediate layer, 
     iii) an under layer of adhesive material adhesively attaching the pad to one of the base section upward facing surfaces. 
     In FIG. 4, the intermediate layer is indicated at  30 ; the upper Nylon layer at  31 ; and the under layer at  32 . Layers  31  and  32  are each substantially thinner than intermediate layer  30 , to maximize cushioning provided by the overall thin pad. The upper layer  31 , for example, has thickness between 1 mm and 2.3 mm, and is adhered to layer  30 . Upper surface of layer  31  is relatively slippery to facilitate wrist shifting while pad supported. Lower adhesive layer  31  preferably removably but firmly attaches the pad  22  to surface  16 . See FIG. 6 showing capability for forcible peel-off, in order to re-adjust the pad position on surface  16 , i.e. closer to or further from each of edges  18  and  19 . Such adjustability enables optimum pad positioning relative to the user&#39;s overlying wrist position, for addressing the keyboard. Layer  31  may consist of a wax paper with adhesive material on each of its opposite sides, to enable adhesion to layer  30 , and also to surface  16 . 
     FIG. 7 shows two such pads  22  and  122  adhesively stacked together in superposed relation, the lower pad  22  adhered to the computer surface  16 , and the upper pad  122  underlying the computer section  10   b  in lowered position. Such an arrangement enhances cushioning. 
     The method of provision and use of the invention includes the steps: 
     a) providing the computer first section to have two laterally spaced upward facing surfaces offset from the keyboard, 
     b) providing two flat support pads respectively attached to those two spaced surfaces, and openly spaced below the computer second section in down pivoted position thereof, 
     c) the pads consisting essentially of elastomeric foam material, and being relatively thin, 
     d) the pads sized to support the computer user&#39;s wrists during stroking of the keyboard, when the second section is in raised position. 
     The method may include the further steps of selectively removing such pads from adherence to the base section laterally spaced upward facing surfaces; and re-adhering said pads to those surfaces, as in adjusted positions relative to the control  20  and the user&#39;s wrists. 
     Unusual advantages of the invention includes the following: 
     1. Provision of a pad configured for use as a palm or wrist comfort means, to provide protection from static electricity and heat generated from computer usage to the operators of portable or notebook type computers; the pad including a foam or neoprene material with sticky back for adhesion to a surface of the portable or notebook computer; the pad dimensioned or sized to fit universally onto many brands of portable or notebook computers on the market; 
     2. Provision of such a pad that defines an ergonomical comfort zone upon which the palm or wrist of the hand may rest while doing work on the portable or notebook computer; 
     3. Provision of such a pad of thickness, when applied to portable or notebook computer, that is not to exceed height of manufactured portable or notebook computer&#39;s built in keys or keyboard; 
     4. Provision of such a pad of a height not to interfere with nor damage the portable or notebook computer&#39;s active matrix or regular screen; 
     5. Provision of multiple such pads which can be stacked in face to face relation to provide selective cushioning for the computer user&#39;s hands, wrists or palms. 
     6. Provision for adjustable positioning of each of two pads, as by removal and re-attachment in adjusted position, to optimize hand orientation relative to the keyboard, thereby tailoring the position of each pad to the user&#39;s left or right hand position, considering that a control or controls must be readily operable between the pads.