CA2147014A1 - Computer mouse enhancer - Google Patents
Computer mouse enhancerInfo
- Publication number
- CA2147014A1 CA2147014A1 CA 2147014 CA2147014A CA2147014A1 CA 2147014 A1 CA2147014 A1 CA 2147014A1 CA 2147014 CA2147014 CA 2147014 CA 2147014 A CA2147014 A CA 2147014A CA 2147014 A1 CA2147014 A1 CA 2147014A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mouse
- plate
- pad
- combination
- wrist
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
- A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
- A61L9/04—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating
- A61L9/12—Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
- A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
- A61L9/04—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating
- A61L9/042—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air without heating with the help of a macromolecular compound as a carrier or diluent
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
- C11D17/0039—Coated compositions or coated components in the compositions, (micro)capsules
Abstract
A combination of plates and pads is provided for use with a computer mouse.
Included are: a mouse plate for attachment under the mouse, the mouse plate having a low-friction lower surface, and means on the upper surface for affixing it to the underside of the mouse. The mouse plate includes an aperture through which the mouse ball can project. A wrist plate is provided, having a low-friction lower surface, and means on its upper surface for attaching a wrist pad. A palm pad isprovided for attaching to the upper surface of the mouse, and flexible means connect the mouse plate to the wrist plate. This combination of pad elements provides a cushioning effect which reduces strain on the various muscles and tendons involved.
Included are: a mouse plate for attachment under the mouse, the mouse plate having a low-friction lower surface, and means on the upper surface for affixing it to the underside of the mouse. The mouse plate includes an aperture through which the mouse ball can project. A wrist plate is provided, having a low-friction lower surface, and means on its upper surface for attaching a wrist pad. A palm pad isprovided for attaching to the upper surface of the mouse, and flexible means connect the mouse plate to the wrist plate. This combination of pad elements provides a cushioning effect which reduces strain on the various muscles and tendons involved.
Description
_,, COMPUTER MOUSE ENHANCER
This invention relates generally to the co~ ut. . field, and has to do particularly with an accesso-y for a mouse, having the effect of i~ asi~g the Co~ level of the hand when using the mouse and of preventing the build-up of 5 natural body oils around the ball, the ball guides or the ball sensors.
BACKGROUND OF THIS INVENTION
The use of a "mouse" is widespread in the co~ t~l industry. The mouse is l~ ga~ed as a l'~liy~lal" for a C~J~ ,,t~ ., and allows the user to position the cursor at any location on the screen, in order to pelro.... various functions. The mouse 10 includes at least one "clicker" (switch) which is used in conju~;lion with the positioning of the mouse in order to pcl~l.l. operations such as ~ iu~ a "block"
of text in a word-processing program, or pulling down "windows" co~ l;ng of a series of choices, which can be highli~ht~d and then ~ d by the mouse.
Typically, the mouse is o~l~l~d on a "mouse padn, which consists of a flexible pad of relatively rigid rubber, with a special surface material on the top which is adapted to engage and rotate the ball of the mouse as the mouse is moved, and which has a high-friction surface on the bottom, so that the pad will remain in place on a desk as the mouse is moved on its upper surface. A typical size for a mouse pad is 8" x 9.5".
The typical mouse is sized such that the user can place his hand on the mouse with the index finger resting on the "clicker" button on one end, with about one-half of the palm of the user resting on the other end (the proximal end) of the mouse. For the average size hand, this ~.~ge.l.e~lt results in the heel of the hand (and possibly an adj~c~ portion of the wrist) resting on the mouse pad, and moving frictionally over its surface as the mouse is operated. This contact belweell the skin of the user and the top surface of the mouse pad results (over a certain length of time) in the build-up of a layer of body oils on the surface of the pad, and of course the ball of the mouse comes into contact with such oils. The result is that the ball of the mouse takes up a certain portion of the oils, which then become distributed on the sensors or other colllpo~ which interact with the ball during the normal operation of the mouse.
Another disadvantage of the conventional mouse relates to the somewhat 21 4701g unnalulal position of the hand when o~.dlillg the mouse. Specifically, with the heel of the hand resting down against the surface of the mouse pad, the palm of the hand must bend upwardly with the fingers ext~ntlçd fOIwaldly and duwll~ lly so that the mouse can be located under the palm, with the fingers in ope~alivc position.
The mouse is typically made of a hard plastic material, and this leads to other ~liffir,lllties, particularly in those whose hand sllrf~ces are se~ilivc to impact against hard materials. Specifically, the excessive use of the mouse often results in pain at the end of the finger ope~alillg the "clicker", arising from ~pealcd impact bclwcen the very se~ilivc end of the finger (usually the fol~,rl"~e.) and the clicker button.
A particularly ~1im~ll1t situation arises in the case of programs l~uhillg "double-clirlrin~", in which the user places the cursor at a particular location on the screen (for e~ le on an icon l~lesç ~ a program or an operation), and then must double-click within a given amount of time (usually less than one second). There is a tçn~n~y to hit the clicker button relatively hard for both of the required "clicks", and this leads to the problems ~ ed above.
A further problem arises in connection with the kind ~pelilive motion l~lu~ed of a person ope~aling a cn...~ . It has been found that con~t~nt, l.pclilive movement can infl~m~ mll~rles and tendons and put pl~ Ul~ on the nerves.
Carpal tunnel ~l.,llle, one of the better-known colll~ul.,.-in~ ced ~ilm~nt~, 20 is the swelling of tendons at the point where they pass through an o~ning formed by wrist bones and lig~m~nt, which puts pl~ ule on the median nerve. The result is a tin~lin~ in the thumbs and fingers, and the feeling of bu~ g in the palms.
It is believed that the el~lul~nce of mllscle~ can be greatly ext~n-led by lein~ the static load on them.
In view of the ~holleoll~ing~ of the standard mouse as described above, it is one aspect of this invention to provide an enh~nre",~nt for the ~l~da~ mouse which provides cushioned pads for the end of the finger, the heel of the hand, and optionally the distal portion of the palm and proximal portion of the fingers. Also included is 30 a thin, somewhat flexible plate of plastic which is releasably adhered to the bottom of the mouse and which is flexibly co-"~ led to another flexible plate which holds the pad int~n-l~ to contact and support the heel of the hand.
Another feature is the provision of a recess under the wrist, for the purpose of cnmhAttin~ carpal tunnel ~yll~ollle.
- More particularly, this invention provides, for use with a colll~ul~,r mouse which includes a rotatable ball partly projecl-ng through an openillg in the bottom of 5 the mouse, the mouse having a distal portion defining at least one depressible clicker button, and a pl~i. al portion in the form of a rigid h~usillg, the combination of:
a mouse plate for a~ k....d beneath the mouse, the mouse plate having a low-friction lower surface and an upper surface provided with means for Att~ ling the mouse plate to the lln~ e of the mouse, the mouse plate further having an a~llu through which the ball of the mouse can project, a wrist plate having a low-friction lower surface and means on its upper surface for ~tAr~lin~ a wrist pad, a wrist pad att~h~1 to the upper surface of the wrist pad, a palm pad having means for AttArlling it to the upper surface of the mouse, and flexible means for conll~cl;.-~ the mouse plate to the wrist plate.
GENERAL DESCRIPIION OF THE DRAVVINGS
Two embod;--.r~1~ of this invention are illustrated in the accou~ g dl&WUlgS, in which like numerals denote like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
Figure 1 is a ~.~-l;ve view of a portion of the a~dtus of a first embodiment of the present invention prior to its application to a mouse;
Figure 2 is a ~.~clive view of the same a~alalus, illusllatillg a first stage in the application pl~iUle,;
Figure 3 shows the a~l,~alus of this invention as applied to a mouse, and as seen from -i~ .. ,.. A~
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the appalalus of this invention when att~ d to a mouse and in O~-alive condition;
Figures 5 and 5a are plan and elevational views, l~ ,ectively, of the plate 30 conlpoll~lll which is int~n(led to lie under the heel of the hand;
Figures 6 and 6a are plan and elevational views, respectively, of the other plate C(~ )O~ lll, which is intlontled to be affixed under the mouse;
Figures 7 and 7a are plan and elevational views, ~ ecliv~ly, of a pad int~n-led to be placed on the proximal portion of the mouse, i.e. the end opposite that of the clicker button(s);
Figures 8 and 8a are plan and elevational views, le~ ively, of a pad adapted 5 for ~rrix;,l~ to one or more clicker buttons of the mouse;
Figures 9 and 9a are plan and elevational views, ~ ~;liv~ly, of a pad int~n-lPd to be affLxed to the plate shown in Figures 5 and 5a;
Figure 10 is a pel~e~;live view of the completed assembly, together with the mouse, showing the typical hand position for operation; and Figure 11 is a pels~;liv~ view of a second embod elll of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAVVINGS
Attention is first directed to Figure 1, which shows a mouse plate 10 having a solll~wl~t fl~ttpned egg-shape and inr!~ in~ an elongate, obround opening 12 with parallel sides and semi-circular ends. The mouse plate 10 is also provided with short pieces of double sided tape 14, 15 and 16, which are covered initially by a removable protective sheet.
Also shown in Figure 1 is a wrist plate 18 to which is affixed a ~vb~ lly circular pad 20, the connection being by way of additional pieces of double sided tape (not visible in Figure 1). Of course, strict circularity is not esse~ l for the pad 20.
The wrist plate 18 and the mouse plate 10 are co~n~cle~l together by a piece of flexible ~llal~ping æ, similar to a wide rubber band in texture and re~ n~e, which is affixed to both plates by double sided tape.
In Figure 2, the proleclive co~.,.mgs over the double sided tape portions 14, 15 and 16 are shown partly removed.
In Figure 3, the mouse 24 is partly visible through the o~~ g 12, and it will be noted that the ball 26 of the mouse 24 is positioned within the opening 12. Both of the plates 10 and 18 are seen from their under sides.
Figure 4 is a ~ ,live view of the colll~ ellt~ shown in Figure 3, seen from the other side (i.e. from the top or WOlLing side).
Attention is now dil. . ~d to Figure 5 which shows one possible configuration for the plate 18. It will be noted that the plate 18 is solll~,~.llat longer in the vertical direction than it is in the lateMl direction, although the particular shape is not critical.
~147014 The broken line 20a design~tes the outer p. .iphel~ of the pad 20 seen in Figures 1 and 2.
As seen in Figure 5a, the plate 18 has an up-curved portion adjacent the mouse plate 10, the curve resembling that of a ski. The purpose of the up-curvedportion 30 will be explained more fully below.
As mentioned above, a resilient and stretchable col-l-Pc~ strap 22 is provided, to link together the two plates 10 and 18. The strap 22 is adhered to the mouse plate 10 by a piece of double sided tape 34 located on the mouse plate adjacent one edge, and is col-n~-~d to the wrist plate 18 by a portion of a longer piece of double sided tape 36, located on the wrist plate 18. The broken line 38 l~,pleselll~
the outline of the strap 22, when in position against and adhered to the plates 10 and 18. It will be noted that a portion of the double sided tape 36 is not covered by the resilient connPctin~ strap 32.
As is also seen in Figure 5, the wrist plate 18 is provided with three additional pieces 40 of double sided tape, set at right angles with respect to the periphery of the wrist plate 18, with one of the pieces 40 being subst~nti~lly diallltllically opposed to the piece 36.
Figure 8 shows, in plan view, a relatively small finger pad 42, in the shape of a square with rounded corners, adapted to be adhered to the mouse clicker button.
To this end, the pad 42 is provided with a piece 44 of double sided tape. Figure 8a shows an elevational view thereof.
Figure 7 illustrates a palm pad 46 of elliptical outline, provided with four pieces 48 of double sided tape, to enable the pad 46 to be adhered in place against the proximal upper surface of the mouse, as illustrated in Figure 4.
Figure 7a illustrates the pad 46 in elevational view.
Figures 9 and 9a are plan and elevational views, ~s~clively, of the pad 20 already illustrated and ~ c~lssed with respect to Figures 1, 2 and 4.
Attention is now directed to Figure 10, showing the normal position of a hand 50 when op. .~lhlg the mouse equipped with the invention described in the present application. As can be seen, the wrist region 52 rests on the pad 20 which is secured to the wrist plate 18. The mouse plate 10 is seen under the mouse 53, and the finger pad 42 is in place on the clicker 54. Finally, the pad 46 is located under the distal -portion of the palm and the proximal portion of the fingers.
When the device of this invention is used with a ~.~lda~d mouse pad, typically having a l~irL IlP-~S of about 1/4", the up-curved "ski" portion 30 of the margin of the wrist plate allows the wrist plate to move off and onto the pad, wiLoul i~ ul~ling 5 the smooth motion of the mouse.
Also, it will be evident that the present invention is such as to p~ e.ll any contact btlwcen the skin of the hand and the pad. This avoids the deposition of body oil on the upper surface of the pad, and thus c~untc.acts any t~ n~ n.-y for the ball or the associated colll~ol~.lk~. to collect oil and malfunction.
Attention is now directed to Figure 11, which illustrates a mouse plate 67 which is somewhat oval in shape, with its long ~1imPnCion aligned with the axis of the mouse 69.
Adhered to the upper service of the wrist plate 67 is a wrist pad 71. The function of the wrist pad 71 is the same as the function of the wrist pad 20 of the first 15 embol1i...P-~l However, the wrist pad 71 extends over a greater ~ re along the fol~ l, and moreover is provided with a recess 74 which is intPn-1P,d to be located under that portion of the wrist where undue plCS~.ul~, can lead to carpal tunnel~.yll~ollle. More particularly, the recess 74 is elongate, and has an enlarged portion 76 at its end closest to the mouse 69.
In this second embodiment illu..... llalcd in Figure 11, it is advantageous to configure the mouse pad (the pad that is adhered to the upper serface of the mouse 69) in such away that it can fit within the recess 74 of the wrist pad, since this reduce the bulk of the items for ~.hi~il~g purposes.
' Also shown in Pigure 11 is a variant of the strap 22 shown in Figure 1.
25 Sp~cillcally, the strap in Figure 11, id~PntifiPd by the numeral 78, is shown to be att~rllPd to both the mouse 69 and the wrist plate 67 by dome f~tenPrs. It will be understood, however, that other f~t~ning means may be lltili7~1, for example thedouble sided tape approach explained in connection with the first embo~imPnt While two embo~ - .lx of this invention have been illu~ lcd in the 30 accol~alljil~g drawings and described hereinabove, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that challges and morlifir~tions may be made therein, without depallh~g from the essence of this invention.
This invention relates generally to the co~ ut. . field, and has to do particularly with an accesso-y for a mouse, having the effect of i~ asi~g the Co~ level of the hand when using the mouse and of preventing the build-up of 5 natural body oils around the ball, the ball guides or the ball sensors.
BACKGROUND OF THIS INVENTION
The use of a "mouse" is widespread in the co~ t~l industry. The mouse is l~ ga~ed as a l'~liy~lal" for a C~J~ ,,t~ ., and allows the user to position the cursor at any location on the screen, in order to pelro.... various functions. The mouse 10 includes at least one "clicker" (switch) which is used in conju~;lion with the positioning of the mouse in order to pcl~l.l. operations such as ~ iu~ a "block"
of text in a word-processing program, or pulling down "windows" co~ l;ng of a series of choices, which can be highli~ht~d and then ~ d by the mouse.
Typically, the mouse is o~l~l~d on a "mouse padn, which consists of a flexible pad of relatively rigid rubber, with a special surface material on the top which is adapted to engage and rotate the ball of the mouse as the mouse is moved, and which has a high-friction surface on the bottom, so that the pad will remain in place on a desk as the mouse is moved on its upper surface. A typical size for a mouse pad is 8" x 9.5".
The typical mouse is sized such that the user can place his hand on the mouse with the index finger resting on the "clicker" button on one end, with about one-half of the palm of the user resting on the other end (the proximal end) of the mouse. For the average size hand, this ~.~ge.l.e~lt results in the heel of the hand (and possibly an adj~c~ portion of the wrist) resting on the mouse pad, and moving frictionally over its surface as the mouse is operated. This contact belweell the skin of the user and the top surface of the mouse pad results (over a certain length of time) in the build-up of a layer of body oils on the surface of the pad, and of course the ball of the mouse comes into contact with such oils. The result is that the ball of the mouse takes up a certain portion of the oils, which then become distributed on the sensors or other colllpo~ which interact with the ball during the normal operation of the mouse.
Another disadvantage of the conventional mouse relates to the somewhat 21 4701g unnalulal position of the hand when o~.dlillg the mouse. Specifically, with the heel of the hand resting down against the surface of the mouse pad, the palm of the hand must bend upwardly with the fingers ext~ntlçd fOIwaldly and duwll~ lly so that the mouse can be located under the palm, with the fingers in ope~alivc position.
The mouse is typically made of a hard plastic material, and this leads to other ~liffir,lllties, particularly in those whose hand sllrf~ces are se~ilivc to impact against hard materials. Specifically, the excessive use of the mouse often results in pain at the end of the finger ope~alillg the "clicker", arising from ~pealcd impact bclwcen the very se~ilivc end of the finger (usually the fol~,rl"~e.) and the clicker button.
A particularly ~1im~ll1t situation arises in the case of programs l~uhillg "double-clirlrin~", in which the user places the cursor at a particular location on the screen (for e~ le on an icon l~lesç ~ a program or an operation), and then must double-click within a given amount of time (usually less than one second). There is a tçn~n~y to hit the clicker button relatively hard for both of the required "clicks", and this leads to the problems ~ ed above.
A further problem arises in connection with the kind ~pelilive motion l~lu~ed of a person ope~aling a cn...~ . It has been found that con~t~nt, l.pclilive movement can infl~m~ mll~rles and tendons and put pl~ Ul~ on the nerves.
Carpal tunnel ~l.,llle, one of the better-known colll~ul.,.-in~ ced ~ilm~nt~, 20 is the swelling of tendons at the point where they pass through an o~ning formed by wrist bones and lig~m~nt, which puts pl~ ule on the median nerve. The result is a tin~lin~ in the thumbs and fingers, and the feeling of bu~ g in the palms.
It is believed that the el~lul~nce of mllscle~ can be greatly ext~n-led by lein~ the static load on them.
In view of the ~holleoll~ing~ of the standard mouse as described above, it is one aspect of this invention to provide an enh~nre",~nt for the ~l~da~ mouse which provides cushioned pads for the end of the finger, the heel of the hand, and optionally the distal portion of the palm and proximal portion of the fingers. Also included is 30 a thin, somewhat flexible plate of plastic which is releasably adhered to the bottom of the mouse and which is flexibly co-"~ led to another flexible plate which holds the pad int~n-l~ to contact and support the heel of the hand.
Another feature is the provision of a recess under the wrist, for the purpose of cnmhAttin~ carpal tunnel ~yll~ollle.
- More particularly, this invention provides, for use with a colll~ul~,r mouse which includes a rotatable ball partly projecl-ng through an openillg in the bottom of 5 the mouse, the mouse having a distal portion defining at least one depressible clicker button, and a pl~i. al portion in the form of a rigid h~usillg, the combination of:
a mouse plate for a~ k....d beneath the mouse, the mouse plate having a low-friction lower surface and an upper surface provided with means for Att~ ling the mouse plate to the lln~ e of the mouse, the mouse plate further having an a~llu through which the ball of the mouse can project, a wrist plate having a low-friction lower surface and means on its upper surface for ~tAr~lin~ a wrist pad, a wrist pad att~h~1 to the upper surface of the wrist pad, a palm pad having means for AttArlling it to the upper surface of the mouse, and flexible means for conll~cl;.-~ the mouse plate to the wrist plate.
GENERAL DESCRIPIION OF THE DRAVVINGS
Two embod;--.r~1~ of this invention are illustrated in the accou~ g dl&WUlgS, in which like numerals denote like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
Figure 1 is a ~.~-l;ve view of a portion of the a~dtus of a first embodiment of the present invention prior to its application to a mouse;
Figure 2 is a ~.~clive view of the same a~alalus, illusllatillg a first stage in the application pl~iUle,;
Figure 3 shows the a~l,~alus of this invention as applied to a mouse, and as seen from -i~ .. ,.. A~
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the appalalus of this invention when att~ d to a mouse and in O~-alive condition;
Figures 5 and 5a are plan and elevational views, l~ ,ectively, of the plate 30 conlpoll~lll which is int~n(led to lie under the heel of the hand;
Figures 6 and 6a are plan and elevational views, respectively, of the other plate C(~ )O~ lll, which is intlontled to be affixed under the mouse;
Figures 7 and 7a are plan and elevational views, ~ ecliv~ly, of a pad int~n-led to be placed on the proximal portion of the mouse, i.e. the end opposite that of the clicker button(s);
Figures 8 and 8a are plan and elevational views, le~ ively, of a pad adapted 5 for ~rrix;,l~ to one or more clicker buttons of the mouse;
Figures 9 and 9a are plan and elevational views, ~ ~;liv~ly, of a pad int~n-lPd to be affLxed to the plate shown in Figures 5 and 5a;
Figure 10 is a pel~e~;live view of the completed assembly, together with the mouse, showing the typical hand position for operation; and Figure 11 is a pels~;liv~ view of a second embod elll of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAVVINGS
Attention is first directed to Figure 1, which shows a mouse plate 10 having a solll~wl~t fl~ttpned egg-shape and inr!~ in~ an elongate, obround opening 12 with parallel sides and semi-circular ends. The mouse plate 10 is also provided with short pieces of double sided tape 14, 15 and 16, which are covered initially by a removable protective sheet.
Also shown in Figure 1 is a wrist plate 18 to which is affixed a ~vb~ lly circular pad 20, the connection being by way of additional pieces of double sided tape (not visible in Figure 1). Of course, strict circularity is not esse~ l for the pad 20.
The wrist plate 18 and the mouse plate 10 are co~n~cle~l together by a piece of flexible ~llal~ping æ, similar to a wide rubber band in texture and re~ n~e, which is affixed to both plates by double sided tape.
In Figure 2, the proleclive co~.,.mgs over the double sided tape portions 14, 15 and 16 are shown partly removed.
In Figure 3, the mouse 24 is partly visible through the o~~ g 12, and it will be noted that the ball 26 of the mouse 24 is positioned within the opening 12. Both of the plates 10 and 18 are seen from their under sides.
Figure 4 is a ~ ,live view of the colll~ ellt~ shown in Figure 3, seen from the other side (i.e. from the top or WOlLing side).
Attention is now dil. . ~d to Figure 5 which shows one possible configuration for the plate 18. It will be noted that the plate 18 is solll~,~.llat longer in the vertical direction than it is in the lateMl direction, although the particular shape is not critical.
~147014 The broken line 20a design~tes the outer p. .iphel~ of the pad 20 seen in Figures 1 and 2.
As seen in Figure 5a, the plate 18 has an up-curved portion adjacent the mouse plate 10, the curve resembling that of a ski. The purpose of the up-curvedportion 30 will be explained more fully below.
As mentioned above, a resilient and stretchable col-l-Pc~ strap 22 is provided, to link together the two plates 10 and 18. The strap 22 is adhered to the mouse plate 10 by a piece of double sided tape 34 located on the mouse plate adjacent one edge, and is col-n~-~d to the wrist plate 18 by a portion of a longer piece of double sided tape 36, located on the wrist plate 18. The broken line 38 l~,pleselll~
the outline of the strap 22, when in position against and adhered to the plates 10 and 18. It will be noted that a portion of the double sided tape 36 is not covered by the resilient connPctin~ strap 32.
As is also seen in Figure 5, the wrist plate 18 is provided with three additional pieces 40 of double sided tape, set at right angles with respect to the periphery of the wrist plate 18, with one of the pieces 40 being subst~nti~lly diallltllically opposed to the piece 36.
Figure 8 shows, in plan view, a relatively small finger pad 42, in the shape of a square with rounded corners, adapted to be adhered to the mouse clicker button.
To this end, the pad 42 is provided with a piece 44 of double sided tape. Figure 8a shows an elevational view thereof.
Figure 7 illustrates a palm pad 46 of elliptical outline, provided with four pieces 48 of double sided tape, to enable the pad 46 to be adhered in place against the proximal upper surface of the mouse, as illustrated in Figure 4.
Figure 7a illustrates the pad 46 in elevational view.
Figures 9 and 9a are plan and elevational views, ~s~clively, of the pad 20 already illustrated and ~ c~lssed with respect to Figures 1, 2 and 4.
Attention is now directed to Figure 10, showing the normal position of a hand 50 when op. .~lhlg the mouse equipped with the invention described in the present application. As can be seen, the wrist region 52 rests on the pad 20 which is secured to the wrist plate 18. The mouse plate 10 is seen under the mouse 53, and the finger pad 42 is in place on the clicker 54. Finally, the pad 46 is located under the distal -portion of the palm and the proximal portion of the fingers.
When the device of this invention is used with a ~.~lda~d mouse pad, typically having a l~irL IlP-~S of about 1/4", the up-curved "ski" portion 30 of the margin of the wrist plate allows the wrist plate to move off and onto the pad, wiLoul i~ ul~ling 5 the smooth motion of the mouse.
Also, it will be evident that the present invention is such as to p~ e.ll any contact btlwcen the skin of the hand and the pad. This avoids the deposition of body oil on the upper surface of the pad, and thus c~untc.acts any t~ n~ n.-y for the ball or the associated colll~ol~.lk~. to collect oil and malfunction.
Attention is now directed to Figure 11, which illustrates a mouse plate 67 which is somewhat oval in shape, with its long ~1imPnCion aligned with the axis of the mouse 69.
Adhered to the upper service of the wrist plate 67 is a wrist pad 71. The function of the wrist pad 71 is the same as the function of the wrist pad 20 of the first 15 embol1i...P-~l However, the wrist pad 71 extends over a greater ~ re along the fol~ l, and moreover is provided with a recess 74 which is intPn-1P,d to be located under that portion of the wrist where undue plCS~.ul~, can lead to carpal tunnel~.yll~ollle. More particularly, the recess 74 is elongate, and has an enlarged portion 76 at its end closest to the mouse 69.
In this second embodiment illu..... llalcd in Figure 11, it is advantageous to configure the mouse pad (the pad that is adhered to the upper serface of the mouse 69) in such away that it can fit within the recess 74 of the wrist pad, since this reduce the bulk of the items for ~.hi~il~g purposes.
' Also shown in Pigure 11 is a variant of the strap 22 shown in Figure 1.
25 Sp~cillcally, the strap in Figure 11, id~PntifiPd by the numeral 78, is shown to be att~rllPd to both the mouse 69 and the wrist plate 67 by dome f~tenPrs. It will be understood, however, that other f~t~ning means may be lltili7~1, for example thedouble sided tape approach explained in connection with the first embo~imPnt While two embo~ - .lx of this invention have been illu~ lcd in the 30 accol~alljil~g drawings and described hereinabove, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that challges and morlifir~tions may be made therein, without depallh~g from the essence of this invention.
Claims (13)
1. For use with a computer mouse which includes a rotatable ball partly projecting through an opening in the bottom of the mouse, the mouse having a distal portiondefining at least one depressible clicker button, and a proximal portion in the form of a rigid housing, the combination of:
a mouse plate for attachment beneath the mouse, the mouse plate having a low-friction lower surface and an upper surface provided with means for attaching the mouse plate to the underside of the mouse, the mouse plate further having an aperture through which the ball of the mouse can project, a wrist plate having a low-friction lower surface and means on its upper surface for attaching a wrist pad, a wrist pad attached to the upper surface of the wrist pad, a palm pad having means for attaching it to the upper surface of the mouse, and flexible means for connecting the mouse plate to the wrist plate.
a mouse plate for attachment beneath the mouse, the mouse plate having a low-friction lower surface and an upper surface provided with means for attaching the mouse plate to the underside of the mouse, the mouse plate further having an aperture through which the ball of the mouse can project, a wrist plate having a low-friction lower surface and means on its upper surface for attaching a wrist pad, a wrist pad attached to the upper surface of the wrist pad, a palm pad having means for attaching it to the upper surface of the mouse, and flexible means for connecting the mouse plate to the wrist plate.
2. The combination claimed in claim 1, further including a finger pad attached to each depressible clicker button.
3. The combination claimed in claim 1, further including a recess centrally located on the upper side of the wrist pad, to help counteract carpal tunnel syndrome.
4. The combination claimed in claim 3, in which the recess on the upper side of the wrist pad is elongate such that, in use, it is substantially aligned with the direction of the forearm, the recess having an enlarged portion at its end closest to the mouse.
5. The combination claimed in claim 4, in which the shape and size of the palm pad are such that it fits into the recess on the upper side of the wrist pad.
6. The combination claimed in claim 1, in which the several means for attachment are constituted by one or more pieces of double-sided tape.
7. The combination claimed in claim 1, in which said flexible means is a strap element secured to the mouse plate and the wrist plate by dome fasteners.
8. The combination claimed in claim 2, further including a recess on the upper side of the wrist pad, to help counteract carpal tunnel syndrome.
9. The combination claimed in claim 8, in which the recess on the upper side of the wrist pad is elongate such that, in use, it is substantially aligned with the direction of the forearm, the recess having an enlarged portion at its end closest to the mouse.
10. The combination claimed in claim 9, in which the shape and size of the palm pad are such that it fits into the recess on the upper side of the wrist pad.
11. The combination claimed in claim 10, in which the several means for attachment are constituted by one or more pieces of double-sided tape.
12. The combination claimed in claim 11, in which said flexible means is a strapelement secured to the mouse plate and the wrist plate by dome fasteners.
13. The combination claimed in claim 1, in which the mouse plate has an up-curved "ski-curved" portion adjacent said flexible means and at a location opposed to said flexible means.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9407564A GB9407564D0 (en) | 1994-04-13 | 1994-04-13 | Cleaning capsules |
| GB9407564.7 | 1994-04-15 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2147014A1 true CA2147014A1 (en) | 1995-10-16 |
Family
ID=10753637
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2147014 Abandoned CA2147014A1 (en) | 1994-04-13 | 1995-04-13 | Computer mouse enhancer |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2219195A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2147014A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9407564D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995028182A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2369094A (en) * | 2000-11-17 | 2002-05-22 | Procter & Gamble | Packaging assembly for sheets of water-soluble sachets |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3549544A (en) * | 1966-10-03 | 1970-12-22 | Swift & Co | Liquid synthetic detergent |
| CA795288A (en) * | 1966-11-12 | 1968-09-24 | Chapuis Jacques | Encapsulated synthetic liquid detergent and process for preparing the same |
| GB1544410A (en) * | 1975-12-24 | 1979-04-19 | Link Ass Ltd | Vapour dispensing device |
| US4567613A (en) * | 1984-05-08 | 1986-02-04 | Frank Meehan | Method and article for neutralizing offensive odors |
| DE4301358C2 (en) * | 1992-01-30 | 1995-08-10 | Hermann Scheler | Packaging-free detergent, especially body and / or textile detergent |
-
1994
- 1994-04-13 GB GB9407564A patent/GB9407564D0/en active Pending
-
1995
- 1995-04-12 WO PCT/GB1995/000837 patent/WO1995028182A1/en active Application Filing
- 1995-04-12 AU AU22191/95A patent/AU2219195A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-04-13 CA CA 2147014 patent/CA2147014A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1995028182A1 (en) | 1995-10-26 |
| GB9407564D0 (en) | 1994-06-08 |
| AU2219195A (en) | 1995-11-10 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |