US5593128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lap supported computer mouse surface
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-02-16
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2015-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A work surface for operating a computer cursor control device in the lap or on the thigh of a computer user while the hands and arms are in a natural resting position while seated, thereby reducing the injuries and fatigue associated with operating a computer cursor control device on a desktop with the hands and arms extended. The work surface has a retaining wall partially around the perimeter which keeps the mouse from rolling off the operating surface when the mouse is left unattended. The telemetry cord of the computer cursor control device is captured in a clip or opening to define the length of cord necessary to operate the mouse and keep the cord from accidentally dragging the mouse from the work surface. The work surface may be positioned on the either thigh or across the lap and retained by adjustable locating means.
Inventors
- 👤 Patricia B. Odom
- 👤 Harold A. Odom, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/039; G06F3/0395; A; A47; A47B; A47B23/00; A47B23/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S248/00; Y10S248/917; Y10S248/918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A remote work surface for a computer cursor control device, comprising platform means for providing an area for seating a computer cursor control device; locating means for positioning and securing the surface; and retaining means for constraining movement of the computer cursor control device, wherein said platform means further comprises a left side edge, a right side edge and a rear edge and wherein said retaining means for constraining movement of the computer cursor control device further comprises post means spaced apart in series and upwardly extending from said platform means adjacent said left side edge, right side edge and rear edge for preventing said computer cursor control device from escaping said surface of said seating area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A remote work surface for a computer cursor control device, comprising platform means for providing an area for seating a computer cursor control device; locating means for positioning and securing the surface; and retaining means for constraining movement of the computer cursor control device, wherein said platform means further comprises a left side edge, a right side edge and a rear edge and wherein said retaining means for constraining movement of the computer cursor control device further comprises post means spaced apart in series and upwardly extending from said platform means adjacent said left side edge, right side edge and rear edge for preventing said computer cursor control device from escaping said surface of said seating area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said left side edge, a right side edge and a rear edge are rectilinear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said platform means further comprises a planar top surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said platform means further comprises surface texture means for enhancing the use of a computer mouse computer cursor control device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said platform means further comprises a lower surface and said locating means further comprises inverted saddle means on said lower surface for positioning said platform means in the lap of a computer user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said lower surface locating means further comprises extension means for increasing the operable width of said inverted saddle means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said platform means further comprises a lower surface and said locating means further comprises weighted saddle bag means on said lower surface for positioning said platform means in the lap of a computer user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said platform means further comprises a lower surface and said locating means further comprises weighted saddle bag means on said lower surface for positioning said platform means on the thigh of a seated computer user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said platform means further comprises a lower surface and said locating means further comprises track means on said lower surface for carrying width adjustable stabilizing brace means for positioning said platform means in the lap of a computer user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said platform means further comprises a lower surface and said locating means further comprises adjustable belt means on said lower surface for positioning and securing said platform means at a location remote from a computer workstation desktop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said platform means further comprises extension means for increasing the surface area of said computer cursor control device seating area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein wherein said retaining means for constraining movement of the computer cursor control device further comprises lip means upwardly extending from said platform means adjacent said left side edge, right side edge and rear edge for preventing said computer cursor control device from escaping said surface of said seating area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said retaining means further comprises cord clip means for orienting the telemetry cord of a computer cursor control device and for limiting the free length of said cord usable on said platform seating area surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said retaining means further comprises cord holding means for orienting the telemetry cord of a computer cursor control device and for limiting the free length of said cord usable on said platform seating area surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said cord control means comprises at least one opening in said lip means through which said cord is threaded.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said platform means further comprises a lower surface and said locating means further comprises inverted saddle means on said lower surface for positioning said platform means on the thigh of a seated computer user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said locating means further comprises a lower surface means on said platform means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein said lower surface locating means further comprises extension means for increasing the operable width of said locating means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
158 words
A remote work surface for a computer cursor control device, comprising: a) platform means with a planar top surface and a left side edge, a right side edge and a rear edge for providing an area for seating a computer cursor control device; b) locating means for positioning and securing the surface; and c) retaining means for constraining movement of the computer cursor control device comprising lip means upwardly extending from said platform means adjacent said left side edge, right side edge and rear edge for preventing said computer cursor control device from escaping said surface of said seating area and further comprising post means with cord clip means spaced apart in series and upwardly extending from said platform means adjacent said left side edge, right side edge and rear edge for orienting the telemetry cord of a computer cursor control device and for limiting the free length of said cord usable on said platform seating area surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
158 words
A remote work surface for a computer cursor control device, comprising: a) platform means with a planar top surface and a left side edge, a right side edge and a rear edge for providing an area for seating a computer cursor control device; b) locating means for positioning and securing the surface; and c) retaining means for constraining movement of the computer cursor control device comprising lip means upwardly extending from said platform means adjacent said left side edge, right side edge and rear edge for preventing said computer cursor control device from escaping said surface of said seating area and further comprising post means with cord clip means spaced apart in series and upwardly extending from said platform means adjacent said left side edge, right side edge and rear edge for orienting the telemetry cord of a computer cursor control device and for limiting the free length of said cord usable on said platform seating area surface.
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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) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |