ARM CHAIR COMPUTER MOUSE PAD

TAPIS DE SOURIS POUR BRAS DE FAUTEUIL DE BUREAU

English Abstract

This invention improves the operation of a computer mouse (or input device)
while sitting in an armchair, executive or secretary/computer type office
chair.
The invention attaches to the support of an armrest on an armchair and extends
forward and up to a level surface where a computer mouse (or input device) and
or
pad for such devices can be placed. The device allows for adjustment & then
locking the device in place in all axis (x, y, z or pitch, yoke and yaw). It
also
allows for the adjustment (& locking in place) of the level surface in terms
of
distance from the armrest of an armchair. Thus a stable and ergonomically
correct
working position, which can be easily customized to an individuals
preferences,
can be achieved for the operation of a computer mouse or input device, which
is
easily removable, simple to operate, rigid and durable, inexpensive to
fabricate and
assemble from readily available components and materials. The attachments
methods contemplated, for the device to an armchair, the number and methods of
pivot points contemplated, and the components contemplated ensure that the
device can be easily and inexpensively sourced, fabricated, assembled,
shipped,
opened ready to be applied to most armchairs on either the left or right arms,
adjusted, secured in a stable position free from play, and ready to use.

Claims

Claims:
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. This invention improves the operation of a computer mouse while seated by
providing for an adjustable mouse pad, or computer input device, support
apparatus that attaches to the support of an armrest on an armchair comprising
of a mechanism for clamping the apparatus to the support of an armrest on an
armchair. Component members attached to each other by means of single pivot
points or sliding channels that have bolted connections with knobs or clamps
that tighten to lock the components in the desired configuration to support a
mouse pad or computer input device.
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 achieves this by eliminating the need to
reach for the mouse (or other input device) that might be located elsewhere,
by
positioning the mouse pad or input device directly in front of an armrest on
an
armchair.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 also achieves this by using the armrest
support on the armchair to make the position of the mouse (or other input
device) more comfortable, natural and unique to any other device, by
positioning the mouse pad or input device directly in front of an armrest on
an
armchair.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 also achieves this by improving use of a
wireless mouse (or other input device) by allowing for and improving the free
movement of office chairs on moveable bases, by positioning the mouse pad or
input device directly in front of an armrest on an armchair.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, which also provides a level and stable
surface for the placement of computer mouse pad or input device on most
armchairs which is superior to other devices which have been patented or are
currently available in the market place.
5

Description

CA 02302111 2001-03-20
Specifications:
The present invention relates to a stable support for mounting a computer
mouse pad or input device on an armchair, which can be adjusted to fit most
armchairs so that the mouse pad or input device is at a desired level and
position in
front of an existing arm rest of an arm chair, which is determined by the
user, and
which can be easily mounted and when not in use can be easily demounted and or
folded into a more compact position.
Computer mouse pads and or input devices of various types are known as is
clear from U.S. Patents 6,027,165 (Adkins); 5,848,773 (Bourassa); 5,606,917
(Cauffel); and Canadian Patent 2,147,138 (O'Brien). The pertinent prior
inventions have generally involved attaching devices above an existing
armrest,
thus eliminating the function of the armrest, or duplicating it. Prior devices
have
complicated attachments to the bottom of a chair or to the undersides of the
seat.
An object of another aspect of this invention to provide a stable support for
mounting a computer mouse pad or an input device on the support for an armrest
on an armchair at an adjustable distance in front of an existing armrest of
the
armchair is that it can be easily and inexpensively sourced, fabricated,
assembled,
shipped, opened ready to be applied to most armchairs on either the left or
right
arms, adjusted, secured in a stable position free from play, and ready to use.
An object of another aspect of this invention to provide a stable support for
mounting a computer mouse pad or an input device on the support for an armrest
on an armchair at an adjustable distance in front of an existing armrest of
the
armchair is that it can take advantage of various public domain methods of
adjustments and locking mechanisms related to pivoting, spring assisted
pivoting
and clamping (of device to armrest and of pivot points), lever actuated
locking
mechanisms, and infinite movement "snake" type components.
A further object of another aspect of this invention is to provide a stable
support for mounting a computer mouse pad or an input device on the support
for
an armrest on an armchair at an adjustable distance in front of an existing
armrest
of the armchair that has a mounting device to a support of the armrest on the
arm
chair which can be customized and/or ordered to suit by Original Equipment
2

CA 02302111 2001-03-20
Manufacturer's to suit their Hardware requirements.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a stable support for
mounting a computer mouse pad or an input device on a support for an armrest
on
an armchair at an adjustable distance in front of an existing armrest of the
armchair
that has a mounting device to the base of a mouse pad or input device which
can be
customized and/or ordered to suit by Original Equipment Manufacturer's to suit
their Hardware requirements.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a stable support for
mounting a computer mouse pan or an input device on a support for an armrest
on
an armchair at an adjustable distance in front of an existing armrest of the
armchair
that has a mounting device to a support of the arm of the arm chair and a
mounting
device to the base of a mouse pad or input device, which both can be
customized
and/or ordered to suit by Original Equipment Manufacturer's to suit their
Hardware requirements.
A still further object of this invention is to improve the design of a
computer
mouse pad by reducing the overall size of the pad, incorporating a non-
patented
wrist support method, and raising the edges of the pad to contain the mouse
and
prevent it from falling off of the pad when the chair is moved or bumped.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a stable support for
mounting a computer mouse or input device on an armchair at an adjustable
distance in front of an existing armrest of the arm chair which when the
computer
mouse pad or input device is adjusted and locked into place can then be easily
unlocked and folded down and out of the way while still remaining attached to
a
support of an arm on the arm chair.
Referring to the drawings PLAN Figure 1 and ELEVATION Figure 2 a
typical executive office chair and to drawing ELEVATION Figure 3 a typical
"office" arm chair are shown according to one embodiment of an aspect of the
invention. They both comprise of an armrest portion 1 and its corresponding
support portion 2. This invention utilizes these portions 1 and 2 to place a
computer mouse pad or an input device at an adjustable distance in front of an
existing armrest 1 on the armchair. Figure 1 depicts the size of the mouse pad
3
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CA 02302111 2001-03-20
according to one embodiment of an aspect of the invention.
As is clear from Figures 1 to 3, the user attaches the invention to the
support of
an armrest on the armchair by employing the clamping device 6 of the invention
on
the armrest support of the armchair. The pivot axis a, b and c form a single
plane
on which the members 3, 4 and 5 can rotate upon their crossing points. While
the
distance between the crossing point of axis c and b to the support of an arm
rest on
the armchair remains constant, the distance between the crossing point of axis
c
and b to the crossing point of axis b and a can be varied. Further the
position of
the computer mouse pad or input device, member 3, can be varied along axis a.
Thus, the user sitting in the chair can easily attach the invention to an
armrest
support of the armchair and then position the computer mouse pad or input
device
in front of the armrest suitable for correct ergonomic operation of the
computer
mouse pad or input device.
Once the computer mouse pad or input device is at the desired position the
device can be locked in place by tightening the knobs 7 and 8. Furthermore
once
the device is attached to a support of an armrest it can easily be folded into
a more
compact position by loosening the knobs 7 and 8.
A further adjustment of the device can be made once it is locked in position
by
loosening the clamping device 6 and rotating the device around axis c.
Preferably, the ideal embodiment of this invention would have a minimum of
components, and a single easy to operate mechanism (used singularly or in
combination) to attach, adjust and lock/unlock the device to the armchair in
the
desired configuration. Furthermore the ideal embodiment of the invention would
have pivot points and/or components that are spring loaded so that when the
device
is attached to a support of an armrest on an armchair it can be in a raised
and level
position where the user sitting in the armchair can then easily place or
install their
computer mouse or input device and rest their arm, wrist and hand in a natural
position thus pushing the device down and/or forward into the desired
position.
And furthermore the ideal embodiment of the invention would accommodate the
latest improvements in computer mouse pads and input devices.
4
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Representative Drawing