US5358766A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mat
Assignee: Dycem Ltd
•
Filing: 1993-03-26
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Granted: 1994-10-25
•
Expires: 2013-03-26
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a mat having a major surface providing an operational surface for a device incorporating a rolling ball or roller such as a computer mouse, in which at least a portion of the mat is tacky whereby the ball or roller can be cleaned by passing the ball or roller over that portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J. Field
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/039; G06F3/0395; A; A47; A47L; A47L25/00; A47L25/005; B; B08; B08B; B08B7/00; B08B7/0028; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/28; Y10T428/2848; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/30; Y10T442/3854; Y10T442/387
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A computer mouse mat for a device incorporating a rolling ball or roller, such as a computer mouse, comprising: a major surface, having an operational surface and having a ball or roller cleaning surface that is tacky such that the ball or roller of the device can be cleaned by passing the ball or roller over the tacky roller cleaning surface of said major surface, said operation surface being of a different material than said roller cleaning surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A computer mouse mat for a device incorporating a rolling ball or roller, such as a computer mouse, comprising: a major surface, having an operational surface and having a ball or roller cleaning surface that is tacky such that the ball or roller of the device can be cleaned by passing the ball or roller over the tacky roller cleaning surface of said major surface, said operation surface being of a different material than said roller cleaning surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 1, wherein the ball or roller cleaning surface of said major surface is made from a material selected from the group consisting of highly-plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC), soft polyurethane, synthetic rubber, silicone rubber, and composites thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 1, wherein said mat is positioned on a surface, and further comprising a lower major surface that is tacky and has a higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of said operational surface such that said lower major surface holds the mat in place on the surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 2, wherein said mat is positioned on a surface, and further comprising a lower major surface that is tacky and has a higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of said operational surface such that said lower major surface holds the mat in place on the surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 3, wherein the lower major surface is made from a material that is different than the material from which the operational surface of the mat is made.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer mouse mat according to claim 4 in which the lower major surface is provided by a layer of a different material to that defining the operational surface of the mat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 1, wherein the operational surface is a fabric sheet overlaying a major portion of the major surface of the mat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer mouse mat according to claim 2 in which the operational surface is provided by a fabric sheet overlaying a major portion of the major surface of the mat which is uppermost in use.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 3, wherein the operational surface is a fabric sheet overlaying a major portion of the major surface of the mat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer mouse mat according to claim 4 in which the operational surface is provided by a fabric sheet overlaying a major portion of the major surface of the mat which is uppermost in use.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer mouse mat according to claim 5 in which the operational surface is provided by a fabric sheet overlaying a major portion of the major surface of the mat which is uppermost in use.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer mouse mat according to claim 6 in which the operational surface is provided by a fabric sheet overlaying a major portion of the major surface of the mat which is uppermost in use.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 7, wherein the ball or roller cleaning surface of said major surface is an exposed portion of the major surface that is not covered by the fabric material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer mouse mat according to claim 8 in which the ball or roller surface is provided by an exposed portion of the major surface which is not covered by the fabric material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 9, wherein the ball or roller cleaning surface of said major surface is an exposed portion of the major surface that is not covered by the fabric material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer mouse mat according to claim 10 in which the ball or roller cleaning surface is provided by an exposed portion of the major surface which is not covered by the fabric material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer mouse mat according to claim 11 in which the ball or roller cleaning surface is provided by an exposed portion of the major surface which is not covered by the fabric material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer mouse mat according to claim 12 in which the ball or roller cleaning surface is provided by an exposed portion of the major surface which is not covered by the fabric material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 7, wherein the fabric is polyester.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 1, wherein said mat is static dissipative.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 7, wherein the fabric is static dissipative.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 7, wherein the fabric incorporates a carbon fibre interweave.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 1, further comprising a means for connecting said mat to earth.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 1, wherein the operational surface is tacky whereby friction between the ball or roller and the operational surface is sufficient to ensure efficient operation of the device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 3, wherein the operational and lower surfaces of the mat are adapted whereby their respective tackiness or coefficients of friction can be controlled.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 3, wherein the operational and lower surfaces of the mat have different textures.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer mouse mat of claim 3, wherein the lower major surface is smooth and the operational surface defines a series of projections or recesses.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-24 | 1998-04-25 | 1998-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-24 | 2002-04-25 | 2002-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-24 | 2006-04-25 | 2006-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |