Abstract:
The present invention is an assembly adapted for attachment to a chair. It includes a first embodiment adapted to support a computer keyboard (w/mouse platform) and a second embodiment adapted to support a computer mouse only. Both embodiments are releasably secured to the armrests of a chair and are pivotally and longitudinally adjustable. The keyboard-supporting embodiment is connected to both armrests and the mouse only supporting embodiment is connected to a left armrest for a left-handed mouse user and to the right armrest for a right-handed mouse user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates, generally, to furniture having utility in connection with computers. More particularly, it relates to a chair mounted assembly for computer users that has platforms for supporting a computer keyboard and a computer mouse. Specifically, the present invention relates to an adjusting mechanism by which to select the disposition of the platforms relative to the chair from which it is mounted for the maximum convenience of the person seated in the chair. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Most personal computer installations require a user to sit in a conventional chair in front of a keyboard that is positioned on a desk top. A mouse for controlling the cursor is typically supported on the same desktop. As a result, the individual is restricted in movement, being confined to the chair so that he or she can reach the keyboard and the mouse. The chair itself cannot be moved far, either, because if it is placed at a distance away from the keyboard and mouse, those items become inaccessible. 
         [0005]    Since the modern workplace requires people to be near a keyboard and a mouse all day long, it would be helpful if computer-related furniture were not so restrictive. A few inventors have addressed this problem. However, the solutions that have heretofore been found include complex mechanisms that are impractical from a cost standpoint. Significantly, the earlier solutions require specially built chairs. 
         [0006]    Thus, there remains a need for a practical, inexpensive structure that provides an enhanced degree of freedom to a computer user seated in a chair. More particularly, there is a need for a structure that could be retrofit to an existing conventional chair so that the cost of the final product would not be prohibitive. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is an assembly adapted for attachment to a chair. It includes a first embodiment adapted to support a computer keyboard (w/mouse platform) and a second embodiment adapted to support a computer mouse only. Both embodiments are releasably secured to the armrests of a chair and are pivotally and longitudinally adjustable. The keyboard-supporting embodiment is connected to both armrests and the mouse only supporting embodiment is connected to a left armrest for a left-handed mouse user and to the right armrest for a right-handed mouse user. 
         [0008]    The invention enables a person to operate the keyboard and/or a computer mouse while seated in the chair. The person may sit comfortably in the chair in any desired posture or orientation without regard to physical placement of a computer means or a computer monitor means with which the computer keyboard and computer mouse are associated. 
         [0009]    Although the novel assembly may be retrofit to any chair having armrests, the preferred chair for use with the inventive assembly is an ergonomically-designed chair having multiple features for enhancing safety and comfort. Such features include a pneumatic height adjustment, coasters that provide mobility throughout an office, a three hundred sixty degree swivel to allow access to an entire work area, a tilt tension adjustment means, contoured seat and back rest parts, and the like. 
         [0010]    Both embodiments of subject invention utilize an adjusting mechanism that is used for placement of a mouse platform or a keyboard platform relative to a user seated in a chair. The adjusting mechanism includes a clamping means adapted to be secured to a chairs armrests. A pivoting extension arm extends outward from the clamping means and allows for angular adjustment of the extension arm relative to the armrest. The extension arm can also be longitudinally adjusted to different lengths and is received by collars affixed to either the mouse or keyboard platforms. The adjusting mechanism allows for convenient manipulation of the mouse or keyboard platforms by a computer user seated in a chair. 
         [0011]    It is a primary object of this invention to provide a chair in which a computer user can comfortably sit while operating a computer keyboard and a computer mouse without being confined to the immediate vicinity of a desk top. 
         [0012]    Another object is to provide the needed structure in a way that incorporates a commercially-available chair so that the product is economical to manufacture and thus affordable by consumers. 
         [0013]    These and other important objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent as this description proceeds. 
         [0014]    The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the present invention: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the adjusting mechanism of the present invention utilized with a mouse platform and attached to a chair. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 1  detached from a chair. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is the view of  FIG. 2  illustrating the mouse platform connection means. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates the view of  FIG. 3  with a detached mouse platform. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of  FIG. 3  with sectional view taken along  9 - 9 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  are sectional views of the mouse platform connection means of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the invention of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8A  is a sectional view of the pivot adjustment means of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  illustrate a sectional view of the tubular midsection of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of the adjusting mechanism of the present invention utilized with a keyboard platform and attached to a chair. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 11  illustrating the keyboard connection means. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the invention of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken along  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-14 , an adjusting mechanism for a computer mouse platform ( FIG. 1 ) and a computer keyboard platform ( FIG. 11 ) are disclosed. Referring to  FIGS. 1-4  the adjusting mechanism  10  of the present invention is disclosed utilized with a mouse platform  15 . Adjusting mechanism  10  includes a clamping means  20  which is secured to the arm  5 A of chair  5 . It is understood that mechanism  10  may be attached to arm  5 B for left hand user orientation. In the preferred embodiment, clamping means  20  includes a first fixed jaw  20 A, a second fixed jaw  20 B, and a moveable jaw  20 C disposed therebetween. Clockwise rotation of screw  20 D, which is threaded through second jaw  20 B, urges moveable jaw  20 C upward against chair arm  5 A securing the arm  5 A between moveable jaw  20 C and first fixed jaw  20 A. It is understood that this clamping member can be any device known in the art that allows for secure attachment to an arm of a chair. 
         [0030]    First fixed jaw  20 A includes a planer top surface  20 AB that includes a first extension  25  extending outward from the outside edge  20 AB 1  of top surface  20 AB. Extension  25  is offset from the center of chair arm  5 A and/or  5 B such that a user can place or rest his arm upon chair arm  5 A and/or  5 B without interference from extension  25 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the offset extension allows for better alignment of a users hand with the surface of mouse platform  15 . First extension  25  includes at one end a pivot adjustment means  25 A secured to outside edge  20 AB 1  and at the opposite end a second extension  25 B. First extension  25  includes a tubular midsection  25 A 1  for receipt therein of second extension rod  25 B. In this respect second extension  25 B can be extended and retracted longitudinally within midsection  25 A 1 , being secured at a fixed position by locking wheel  25 A 2 . Pivot adjustment means  25 A allows extension bar  25  to be rotated at various angles relative to planer top surface  20 AB. 
         [0031]    In the Preferred embodiment, and referring to  FIGS. 8 and 8A , pivot adjustment means  25 A includes a semi-circular fixed notched portion  25 AB integral and extending outward from outside edge  20 AB 1  and a semi-circular mating portion  25 AC integral and extending outward from one end of extension  25 . Mating portion  25 AC includes a protuberance  25 AD at its base which is received within a semi-circular fixed notch portion  25 AB at a desired angle of adjustment. A locking screw  25 AE extends through the center of fixed notch portion  25 AB and semi-circular mating portion  25 AC, in threaded engagement thereto, and urges together and interlocks protuberance  25 AD into notch portion  25 AB in a fixed position upon turning screw  25 E in a clockwise direction. Counterclockwise turning of screw  25 AE allows for semi-circular fixed notch portion  25 AB and semi-circular mating portion  25 AC to be separated and extension bar  25  to be placed in a different position prior to interlocking. It is understood that pivot adjustment means can be any mechanism known in the art that allows extension bar  25  to be angularly rotated relative to planer top surface  20 AB and locked into a desired position. It is understood that semi-circular mating portion  25 AC and semi-circular fixed notched portion  25 AB may be shaped other than semi-circular providing that the requirement of interlocking protuberance  25 AD into notch portion  25 AB, as described above, is met. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , Second extension rod  25 B includes a substantially vertical rod portion  25 B 1  and a substantially horizontal rod portion  25 B 2 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 ,  9 , and  10  vertical rod portion  25 B 1  can be extended and retracted longitudinally within midsection  25 A 1  for adjustment by the user. Horizontal rod portion  25 B 2  is penetrably received by a collar  30  which is affixed to the bottom surface  15 A of mouse pad  15 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , collar  30  is fixedly attached to bottom surface  15 A by any means known in the art. 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , Locking wheel  30 A threadedly engages the collar  30  to lock the collar along a selected location of horizontal rod  25 B 2 . When turned clockwise, Locking wheel  30 A bears against the surface of rod portion  25 B 2 . The resulting frictional interaction between the locking wheel  30 A and the surface of rod portion  25 B 2  will tend to lock the collar  30  with respect to rod portion  25 B 2  to prevent translation of the collar  30  relative to rod portion  25 B 2 . The locking wheel  30 A, when turned counterclockwise unlocks the collar  30  along horizontal rod  25 B 2  and allows for angular rotation of affixed mouse pad  15  360 degrees relative to rod  25 B 2 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 11-14 , the subject invention is shown utilized with a keyboard/mouse platform  17 . This platform includes a slideable draw  17 A for placement of a computer mouse thereon. In this embodiment, two adjusting mechanisms  10 , as previously disclosed, are secured to chair arms  5 A and  5 B. Second extension rod  25 B 1  is substantially vertical and includes no horizontal portion. Vertical rod portion  25 B 1  can be extended and retracted longitudinally within midsection  25 A 1  for adjustment by the user, as previously described. Platform  17  includes a collar  30  affixed on one end of platform  17  bottom surface  17 A. The opposite end of platform  17  does not have a collar affixed. The opposite end of platform  17  bottom surface  17 A rests on vertical rod  25 B 1 . Vertical rod  25 B 1  engages collar  30  on one end of platform  17  in a manner previously described herein. Platform  17  is then able to rotate about rod  25 B 1  on one end in a manner as previously described. In this configuration of dual adjusting mechanisms for platform  17  the platform  17  can be lifted and pivoted about rod  25 B 1  at one end and raised at the opposite end to allow a user easy access in and out of chair  5 . 
         [0035]    It should be understood that the following is a detailed description of the invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. In particular, it is understood that mouse pad  15  can be made in a variety of shapes and colors. Furthermore, the shape of clamping means  20  may vary according to aesthetic requirements of the user. For example, clamping means  20  may include rounded jaws  20 A,  20 B, and  20 C to better match particular armrest(s).