Abstract:
A mouse pad, keyboard tray, or other surface for use with a computer pointing device, the surface of the mouse pad, keyboard tray, or other surface including a raised bump, barrier, or warning structure about a central area to allow the user to know that the perimeter or edge of the mouse pad or surface is near. The bump, barrier, or warning structure may be located at the perimeter of the surface or displaced from the perimeter allowing the mouse or other pointing device to run over the raised bump, barrier, or warning structure and still be supported by the surface on both sides of the bump, barrier, or warning structure. The bump, barrier, or warning structure also prevents the mouse or computer pointing device from sliding off of the surface when the keyboard tray is at an angle of up to 15 degrees with respect to the ground.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/381,820. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to mouse pads and surfaces for use with computer mice or pointing devices. The invention also relates to adjustable keyboard trays. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Users of computer mice have employed mouse pads on desktops to provide a mouseing surface on which to operate the computer mouse. The mouse pad typically provides a uniform and flat surface that allows the mouse ball to experience uniform and sufficient traction, or in the case of optical mice, provides a surface of uniform texture and reflectivity. The pad may also include a wrist rest that is elevated above the mouseing surface to increase the users comfort. The wrist rest is located on one side of the mouse pad and is approximately 0.5 to 1.0 inches in height above the mouseing surface. 
         [0004]    The mouse pads of the prior art are typically a thin rectangle of material, such as plastic, neoprene, rubber, typically faced with a fabric surface. The thickness of the pad can vary, but it typically is approximately 0.25 inches thick. This thickness elevates the mouseing surface above the user&#39;s desktop. Thus, if the user moves the mouse too far, the feet or pads on the bottom of the mouse may run off the edge of the mouse pad, causing the user to experience increased friction as the bottom of the mouse contacts the surface of the mouse pad. The mouse may also tilt as it goes over the edge, causing the mouse ball to lose traction and possibly stop functioning to move the screen cursor, or move the cursor in a manner not intended by the user. If the mouse is an optical mouse, the uneven transition may cause the cursor to behave in a manner not intended by the user. Thus it is desirous to produce a mouse pad that warns the user that the edge of the mouse pad is approaching. It is also desirous to allow the user to easily overcome the structure providing the warning so that the user may continue using the mouse. It is a purpose of the invention to produce a mouse pad or other mouseing surface that provides a warning to the user that the edge of the mouse pad is being approached by the mouse, yet allows the user to mouse over the warning structure or barrier if so desired. 
         [0005]    Adjustable keyboard trays have also become popular. The trays allow the keyboard to be suspended at different angles from below the desk. Some of the trays include space or a platform for the computer mouse. However, because the trays are adjustable in the angle with reference to the desk surface, the tray or mouse platform may be at an incline with respect to the ground. In such instances, a mouse located on the tray or platform may roll off of the tray or platform. It is an object of the invention to provide a structure or barrier to prevent the mouse from rolling off the inclined tray or platform, yet still allow the user to move the mouse over the structure during use of the mouse. Thus, the warning structure of the invention also may perform the function of retaining the mouse on the mouse platform or mouseing area of a keyboard tray or platform. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The mouseing surface disclosed herein includes a warning structure such as a slight bump, set back slightly from the perimeter of the mouseing surface. The warning structure may be at the perimeter of the mouseing surface, pad, or platform, but is preferably displaced there from. The displacement allows for a small border region so that the user may still have support for the mouse feet for a short distance after a mouse foot is run over the warning structure or barrier. 
         [0007]    The warning structure is of such a height above the mouseing surface to allow the body of the mouse to pass over without contacting the warning structure, but to interfere with the feet of the mouse. When used with keyboard trays, the warning structure should stop the mouse from going over the warning structure or bump when the mouseing surface is inclined 15 degrees, so that the mouse does not fall off of the mouseing surface and fall to the floor. 
         [0008]    The warning structure should be constructed of a material that will offer some frictional resistance different than that of the mouseing surface. Thus, it is preferred that the warning structure be made of a material different than the material of the mouseing surface. This greater or lesser resistance will provide some tactile feel to the user as the user moves the mouse over the warning structure. 
         [0009]    The warning structure can produce the tactile feel by all or any one of three mechanisms. 
         [0010]    The bump may create softness or give in the surface if the warning structure is created out of a material that is softer than that of the mouseing surface. As the mouse foot encounters the raised warning structure, the warning structure will give, allowing the user tactile input that the structure has been reached, but also allowing the user to easily pass over. The warning structure may also provide a tactile input to the user by the slight bump raising the mouse upwards as the user passes the mouse over the warning structure. Frictional resistance as the mouse feet contact the warning structure may also provide a tactile input to the user. In most cases, it will be of benefit to have a frictional resistance that is greater than that of the mouseing surface. In such an embodiment where the warning structure is hard and does not give or compress much, it may be of benefit to have the warning structure have a frictional resistance that is less than that of the mouseing surface in order to allow the mouse to pass over since the warning structure may not have as much give. However, the lesser frictional resistance may be detrimental to the warning structure containing the mouse on a sloped surface. A greater resistance will also resist the mouse foot from going over the warning structure when the mouse is not being used, which may occur when the mouseing surface is set at an incline, as might be the case if the mouseing surface is on an angled keyboard tray. One skilled in the art will recognize that the warning structure can be constructed with different combinations of these properties to achieve the desired result for a specific application. 
         [0011]    It is also of a benefit, although not necessary, to construct the warning structure with a material that has some give, so that the warning structure depresses downward as the mouse foot is moved over the warning structure by the user operating the mouse. However, it is preferable that the warning structure exhibit little or no give or depression when the mouse encounters the warning structure when not being used, as when it slides down the inclined mouseing surface that might be present on a keyboard tray. This in contrast to when the mouse is being used, when downward give is desired. 
         [0012]    The warning structure can be rubber gasket material placed in a channel in the mouseing surface so that a portion, normally 0.015 to 0.025 inches, protrudes above the mouseing surface. It is preferable that the exposed warning structure have a profile in cross section that allows the mouse foot to ride up and over the earning structure when the mouse is being used. Thus it is preferred that the warning structure profile have a slope rather than a hard or abrupt edge that may catch the mouse foot and unduly inhibit movement of the mouse. In practice, an arcuate profile is preferred. The profile may be symmetrical, but need not be so. 
         [0013]    The warning structure disclosed herein may be incorporated in a desk surface, a keyboard tray, or on a mouse pad such as those used on a desk top. In any of the applications, the warning structure may be discontinuous, and as it may be desirable or unnecessary to have the warning structure on all side of the mouseing surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mouse pad having a warning structure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1A  is a cross sectional lavational view of the mouse pad of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a mouse pad having a warning structure than completely bounds the central mouseing area of the mouse pad. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a cross sectional view of the mouse pad of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a keyboard tray attached to a desktop, the keyboard tray including mouseing area having a warning structure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  is a cross sectional elevational view of the keyboard tray of  FIG. 3 , showing the range of tilt of 15 degrees of the keyboard platform. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the keyboard tray. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a detail view of the mouseing area of the keyboard tray of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a cross sectional elevational view of the keyboard tray of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an alternate construction for the mouseing area of a keyboard tray. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6A  is a cross sectional elevational view of the keyboard tray of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7A  is a cross sectional elevational view of e mouseing area of a keyboard tray including an alternate profile for the warning structure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7B  is a cross sectional elevational view of the mouseing area of a keyboard tray including an alternate profile for the warning structure. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7C  is a cross sectional elevational view of the mouseing area of a keyboard tray including an alternate profile for the warning structure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a keyboard tray attached to a desktop, the keyboard tray having a separate and independently angled mouse platform. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8A  is a cross sectional elevational view of the keyboard tray of  FIG. 8 , showing the range of tilt of 15 degrees of the keyboard platform. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8B  is a cross sectional elevational view of the mouse platform of the keyboard tray of  FIG. 8 , showing the range of tilt of 30 degrees of the mouse platform. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the keyboard tray of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 9A  is a cross sectional elevational view of the mouse platform of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0033]    With reference to the figures, the most basic embodiment of the invention is for a desktop mouse pad  10  for use with a computer mouse or other computer interface, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The mouse pad  10  includes a platform  11  having a mouseing surface  15  and a perimeter  16 . The mouseing surface  15  includes a central mouseing area  17 . The central mouseing area is generally planar. A warning structure  20  is located between the central mouseing area  17  and the perimeter  16 . 
         [0034]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the warning structure  20  is a bump surrounding the central mouseing area  17 . In the preferred embodiment, the warning structure  20  extends above the mouseing surface  15  approximately 0.015 to 0.025 inches. However, on skilled in the art will recognize that the warning structure  20  may extend more or less, depending upon the thickness of the foot  22  of the mouse  23  intended to be used with the mouse pad  10 . It is preferred that the warning structure  20  extend no more than the distance the mouse foot elevates the mouse from the mouseing surface  15 . 
         [0035]    The warning structure  20  can be constructed in a number of ways. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , and shown in further detail in  FIG. 9A , the warning structure  20  is created by placing a gasket, such as a rubber o-ring , in a channel  45  that extends below the mouseing surface  15 . The gasket is preferably 0.116 inches in diameter and is placed in a channel  45  that is approximately 0.1 inches deep and 0.1 inches wide. This allows the gasket to protrude from the mouseing surface  15  to create a bump with an arcuate profile. The gasket may be secured in the channel  45  by adhesive. 
         [0036]    The width of the warning structure  20  in the most preferred embodiment is 0.1 inches. 
         [0037]    One skilled in the art will recognize that other widths can be used, however wider width may impede movement of the mouse  22  too greatly. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the gasket is continuous so that the warning structure  20  is constructed of one o-ring and encloses or encircles the central mouseing are  17 . However, strips  46  of gasket material can be utilized as shown in  FIG. 1 . In such an embodiment, the strips  46  are generally set parallel to the perimeter  16  of the mouse pad  10 . In such an embodiment, the strips are set in a channel  45  to create the bump above the mouseing surface  15  to form the warning structure  20 . It is easily recognizable that the strips  46  are the functional equivalent of the continuous o-ring shown in  FIG. 2 , and that other structures may be used to create the bump or warning structure that protrudes above the mouseing surface  15  to interact with the mouse foot  23 , but not the body of the mouse  22 . 
         [0039]    In the preferred embodiment, the warning structure  20  is made of Buna-N elastomer or butyl rubber having a durometer number of approximately  50  on a Shore A scale. One skilled in the art will recognize that other materials can be used. 
         [0040]    The warning structure  20  is preferably located a distance from the perimeter  16  of the platform  11 , thereby creating a border area  25 . The hoarder area  25  allows the user to overrun the warning structure  20  and still have support for the mouse between the warning structure  20  and the perimeter  16 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS.  5  and  7 A- 7 C, the warning structure  20  is located at or very near the perimeter  16  of the mouse pad  10 , and hence, there is little or no border area  25  that the mouse foot can rest on once the mouse foot overruns the warning structure  20 . In  FIGS. 6 , and  6 A, the warning structure  20  is located at the perimeter  16 , and no support is offered to the mouse should the mouse run over and beyond the warning structure  20 . 
         [0041]    Other constructions of the warning structure  20  can be made consistent with the teachings above. The warning structure  20  can be constructed of molded or extruded plastic, elastomer, or other material that may create a bump above the mouseing surface. In the preferred embodiment, it is preferred that the material offer some flex, give, or yield in the downward direction as the mouse foot goes over the warning structure  20 . 
         [0042]    As discussed in the summary of the invention, the warning structure may have a combination of properties, so in some instances flex, give, or yield may not be desired. In an alternate embodiment, it is desired that the warning structure  20  be made of a material with no perceptible yield, but decreased friction with respect to the mouseing surface  15 . In such an embodiment, it is preferred that the profile of the waning structure  20  be a shallow arc protruding upwards. A shallow arc recess below the mouseing surface may alternately be employed. 
         [0043]    The warning structure of the present invention can be incorporated in to keyboard trays or other support surfaces that are used in conjunction with computer mice. Such embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  8 ,  8 A,  8 B, and  9 .  FIG. 3  shows an adjustable keyboard tray  100  that includes a support surface  110  for the keyboard and mouse, and an adjustable arm or strut  112  that allows the support surface  110  to be adjusted both in distance and angle to the desk  113  to which the adjustable arm attaches. 
         [0044]    The support surface includes a keyboard area  116  and a mouseing area  17 . The mouseing area is bordered by a warning structure  20  as described above. As shown in the figures of the keyboard tray  100 , the warning structure  20  used with the support surface  110  does not need to completely encircle the mouseing area  17 , although it could, as shown in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the warning structure  20  is present on only three sides of the rectangular mouseing area  117 . One side facing the keyboard area  116  is left open as the warning structure is not needed, since there is no perimeter for the mouse to fall off of on that side. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the warning structure  20  is formed by inserting strips  46  of elastomer, rubber, or gasket material into channels  45  in the surface of the support surface  110 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the keyboard tray  100  may include a mouseing area  17  that is on a separate mouse platform  120  from that of the keyboard area  116 . This arrangement allows the mouseing area to be placed at an angle with respect to the keyboard area  116 . The angle alpha is generally plus or minus 15 degrees. The warning structure  20  is constructed so that the warning structure will retain the mouse on the mouseing area or mouse platform when the mouse platform is angled from 0 to 15 degrees relative to the ground, yet still allow the user to push the mouse over the warning structure  20  when using the mouse. In the preferred embodiment, if the mouseing surface  15  is placed at an angle of 15 degrees relative to the ground, the warning structure  20  will prevent a free sliding or falling mouse from sliding off the mouseing surface  15  when the mouse is allowed to free slide from one perimeter  16  of the mouseing surface  15  towards another perimeter  16 . 
         [0046]    The warning structure  20  may be created in other ways and with profiles other than an arc. Such alternate profiles and constructions can be utilized for a standalone mouse pad  10 , or for use with keyboard trays. As shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  6 A, and  FIGS. 7A-7C  the warning structure  20  and the mouseing area  17  and may be created by placing or attaching a thin mouse pad as described above to the support surface  110 . The mouse pad  10  may be attached with adhesive  75 . 
         [0047]    The profile of the warning structure  20  or bump that is above the mouseing surface  15  is preferably arcuate, however other profiles, as shown in  FIGS. 6A , and  7 A- 7 C can be utilized. It is preferred, although not necessary, that the profile have some smooth transition from the level of the mouseing surface  15  to the maximum height, and back down again. It is not necessary that the transition be constant, and it may vary over the horizontal distance traveled. For instance, the profile may exhibit an arc of a first radius  51  linked to an arc of a second radius  52  to form the profile to the maximum height or crown. The first arc  51  can also be concave and the second arc  52  convex. 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 6 , it is shown that the profile of the warning structure  20  is an angled ramp portion  56  that transitions from the level of the mouseing surface  15  to a raised platform  57  having a generally planar surface. The raised platform  57  may extend to the perimeter  16 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 7B  shows a profile having ramp portion  56  transitioning to a crown  59 , and then transitioning to a drop off  60 . The drop off may occur at the perimeter, or transition to an additional planar area, preferably at the level of the mouseing surface  15 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 7C  shows a warning structure  20  profile having a ramp portion  56  transitioning to a flat crown  59  that transitions to a sharp drop off  60 . The drop off  60  transitions to a planar area  70  that is preferably, though not necessarily at the level of the mouseing surface  15 , thus giving additional mouseing area between the warning structure  20  and the perimeter  16 . 
         [0051]    Such complex profiles as shown in FIGS.  6 A and  7 A- 7 C are best formed by constructions other than an o ring gasket. The warning structure can be formed by molding the warning structure as part of the surface of the mouse pad  10 . In other embodiments, the warning structure  20  can be attached to the surface of the mouse pad by a suitable adhesive. 
         [0052]    The embodiments described herein are merely examples, and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention.