GB2337100A - Computer mouse mat - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer mouse-mat, designed for use when attached to the thigh. The smooth surface of the mat allows efficient mouse-roller action, even when the working surface on the mat is rounded rather than flat. Barriers 4 at the sides of the working area ensure retention of the mouse 1 on the mat 3, even when not held by the hand. The knee mouse-mat allows users to be comfortably seated during operations, avoiding injuries due to repetitive strain (as are common after prolonged periods of usage). Many alternative surface and barrier designs are detailed for particular purposes in the specification.

Description

2337100 1 KNEE MOUSE-MAT This invention relates to a device enabling a

computer mouse to be used on the knee, rather than on a desktop.

A mouse is a standard computer accessory, invariably used in conjunction with a mouse-mat situated on the desk surface. The mat is of flexible material but has a smooth semi-rigid upper surface. As well as allowing a smooth mouse action that provides accurate pointer movement on the computer screen, use of the mat prevents unnecessary wear and tear on the mouse roller and helps keep dust/dirt out of the mouse mechanism. The mat permits the mouse to function as a pointing device so that commands are issued to the computer, the position of the pointer or icon on the computer screen reflecting the nature of the command. For the purposes of the invention, any reference to a mouse is in the most general sense and includes other remote navigation programming devices like touchpads, trackballs, or similar devices capable of giving instructions to a computer, word-processor, communications monitor, or industrial/scientific process controller.

Unfortunately, the muscle movements associated with the arm, wrist and finger actions, involved in using a mouse device, give rise to some medical disorders in people who routinely spend long periods using computers. Such medical conditions are now referred to collectively as Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI). Pain and discomfort occurs anywhere from the wrist to the shoulder and neck, it can be severe and debilitating. The cause is damage to sensory nerves in the limb, from continual movements in an alignment that is not comfortable. Stretching of the arm, and rubbing of the elbow on the desk contribute to discomfort from operating the mouse.

2 Other considerations that affect use of a mouse-mat on a desk are that a busy person's desk is normally cluttered. At the moment needed the mouse and mat may be literally buried under papers and files. This further complicates use of the mouse, its location on the desk may vary and be far from ideal.

Some attention has been given to ergonomic design of the mouse, and there are also cordless versions now available. Although they offer some improvements, and attempt to reduce the amount of discomfort for the user, they do not resolve the problems. The location at which the mouse is intended to be used has not received adequate consideration.

Another factor has been the size of the computer screen, and its resolution, early screens were small with poor resolution. It was necessary to be close to the screen in order to read the text accurately. Computer screens now in common use are larger and have excellent resolution. There is no longer any need to be close to the screen (at the desk). Locations other than on the desk are therefore now feasible for the mouse-mat.

The most logical alternate location from which to use the mouse is in fact from the user's knee/upper leg. In fact, it is quite feasible to operate the mouse on the top of clothing but creases and pleats make it awkward. And as different clothing is worn each day there would be days it would not be very practical. For the long term, obviously the mouse roller would need cleaning frequently. The trackball type of mouse device can be used away from the desk, on clothing, but still needs to be picked up and put down on the desk or table between every usage.

This invention addresses these areas of difficulty by providing a mousemat designed to be worn on the knee.

3 The body can assume a comfortable posture, not hunched over a desk, with the arm being unextended and resting in a neutral/natural position on the knee-mat. The benefits for a normal healthy individual who spends much time on computers is very evident, however there are also many physically handicapped employees (who can do only office work) since they are confined to a wheelchair. For such disadvantaged workers the knee mouse-mat is of great benefit, likewise the housebound handicapped individual who uses a computer. Controlling a computer by use of a mousemat located above the knee is analogous to use of a remote control from the armchair to issue commands to a television set.

The principal requirements for the knee mouse-mat are that the working surface must be smooth, have sufficient working area to permit full screen movement for the pointer, barriers to stop the mouse from falling off when the hand is removed, and for the mat to fit snugly on the knee- thigh region. Naturally, the mat should be lightweight and flexible, not too tight, but in a size that fits most adults because the shape exerts a gentle clamping action on the upper leg (above the knee). Attaching the mousemat to the leg, and removing it, should be quick and simple, almost instantaneous. Ideally, the knee mouse-mat would also be usable on the desktop too, with the mat stretched out flat, albeit with a paperweight on each side outside the barriers.

Readily available materials mean that many different knee mouse-mat designs are practicable, each of which offer various specific performance advantages. Design components consist of: The mat material, it's flexibility and shape-forming properties or shape-retaining capacity. The mat's outer coating(s) especially on the upper 4 surface or working area. The barrier materials that prevent the mouse falling off whenever it is not being manipulated, other devices for holding an idle mouse in place. The bottom surface of the mat which must adhere to or grip clothing (by friction/gravity and flexible shaping to the leg). Straps/fasteners or special materials intended to help 'clamp' the mouse-mat firmly on the leg. Ways of presenting a flat horizontal working surface for the mouse to move about on.

It does not matter whether a user is right or left handed, since a mousemat could be worn on either knee.

The present invention constitutes a mouse-mat positioned on the user's knee/leg during use, the working surface is smooth and works well when flat or rounded, the device being simple to position and attach to the leg with or without the aid of additional fastening devices, raised barriers or other devices prevent the mouse from falling off when not in use. Benefits include ease of use, maximum physical comfort during mouse manipulation, prevention or limitation of strain due to repetitive motions of an uncomfortable nature, and time not lost looking for the mouse and then the mat on a messy desk.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates:

A. The mouse-mat in position on the user's knee, indicating the natural comfortable position of the arm when using the mouse, side barriers are clearly positioned to prevent the mouse falling off the mat.

B. The mat in position on the leg just above the knee, a frontal view looking from the desk towards the user and with the mouse positioned ready for use.

Figure 2 illustrates:

A. Basic design mouse-mat, viewed upright, with a strip cut out for clamping around the leg and with barrier strips attached at the sides of the outer surface.

B. The mouse-mat, viewed horizontally, as ready for positioning on the leg.

C. The mat laid out flat for inspection, this is how a mouse-mat may look when in use on the desktop.

Figure 3 shows a variety of conformations of the basic mat surfaces shapes:

A. Simple cylinder, with a parallel strip opening.

B. Conical design, achieved by cutting a non-parallel strip.

C. Cylindrical or conical shape, with corners cut off, D. laminated cylindrical or conical shape mat, with a second layer of similar or different material affixed to the outer surface of the mat.

E. laminated cylindrical or conical shape, with a second layer of similar or different material affixed to the inner surface of the mat.

F. Any of the above configurations, including those with an extra inner or outer layer, may have a second (or third) layer on the inside or outside surface. This typically would be on the outer surface to provide a smoother working surface for the mouse-roller.

Figure 4 shows the positioning of barriers on the outer part of the top of the mat:

A. As viewed from above, showing curvature inwards at the knee end of the mat.

6 B. As viewed from below, in which only the laterally projecting barrier pieces are visible due to curvature.

C. As viewed from above when the barrier is a continuous oval shape outlining the working area for the mouse.

D. As viewed from above, with a discrete barrier on each side, when the barrier material has studs mounted on the ends because the barrier material is a hollow tube or to make the barrier-ends more durable.

E. As vi ewed f rom above when the mat i s 1 ai d fl at on a desk and the barriers are present but not important. Degree of curvature of the barriers is very evident.

1 Figure 5 illustrates various alternative barrier mechanisms and working area dividers or flat surface providers:

A. In which an additional flat tray provides the working surface, rather than the rounded mat surface, and another flat surface at right angles to it creates a barrier for the mouse, both flat sheets being adhered to the rounded surface of the basic mat.

B. In which two sheets of plastic, attached to the basic rounded surface of the mat, project at a wide angle such that either sheet provides a flat working area and the intersection is in effect a barrier to the mouse falling to the side. However a third sheet is frontal and vertical, thus preventing the mouse from from falling in the three usual directions.

C. In which the barriers constitute two plastic sheets, one on each side of the mat, projecting upwards and outwards, making a cradle on each side.

D. In which two parallel sheets at the sides are further complemented by a third sheet of plastic at 90o to them, and at the f ront cl ose to the knee. Thi s provides a barrier in every direction that the mouse might fall.

7 E. In whi ch a foam wedge i s attached to each si de of the pad and runs along the length, with the flat upper surface of each wedge providing a platform for a flat sheet as the working surface. However, in this case the basic foam barrier roll or pad is affixed to the top of the flat plate vertically above the foam wedges. Two views are illustrated, one horizontally from the side and the other vertically from above.

Figure 6 shows knee mouse-mat designs involving fold-back flaps at the ends for extra versatility, particularly where it is desired to use the mat sometimes on the knee and sometimes on a desk:

A. As viewed from above when on a flat surface (desk), the flat flaps prevent the mat curling back into its usual cylindrical shape.

B. In which the flat flaps are hinged at 90. to the main mat surface allowing the mat to be used on the leg but not in a clamped mode, there could also be more than 2 flaps in such a design.

C. In which the flaps are curved sheets, attached to the curved working surface outside the barriers. These flaps are essentially for better facility in putting the knee mat on the leg or taking it off.

Figure 7 depicts a side view of a basic mouse-mat, free of any conventional barrier supports, in which a circular, square, rectangular or oval shaped tray is fixed to the top of the mat. The flat tray provides the working surface, and the raised rims at the edges of the tray provide ready-made barriers.

Figure 8 shows various fastening devices that provide extra connections of the mat to the leg, using velcro-type selfadhesive straps/strips. In such cases, the mat surface may not 8 be rounded, except when attached to the leg:

A. In which the straps, enable the user to walk with the mat attached (to fetch a file/papers) without having to keep putting the mat on and off the leg.

B. In which the straps are attached to a flat mat, which operates as a rounded surface when worn but springs to the flat shape again when taken off. This permits the same mat to be used on the knee or on the desk.

Figure 9 depicts some additional approaches to mat design, and presentation of the working surface area:

A. In which a plastic sheet is fixed to each side of the mat, and the part attached to the mat is smooth and usable as working surface whereas the free part of each sheet projects upwards to create barriers.

B. i n whi ch a smal 1 mouse mat consi sts of on] y the working area plus barriers, but is otherwise a basic type of mat. Its shape flexes slightly towards the knee, but when on a flat desk surface it accepts the flatness and therefore is usable for either purpose.

C. In whi ch a small mouse mat has a base made up of a metal bloc k/s heet/wi re -mesh sandwiched between two layers of thin foam rubber or other plastic. This mat may be used on either the knee or the desk, since the metal inner frame is light enough to be bendable and can be shaped to the knee use. When required for desk usage it is easily bent back to the flat shape. The metallic frame keeps its shape until forced into the other shape. Because of this property, the mat can be smaller than usual because the extra length needed for clamping the leg is irrelevant.

Figure 10 illustrates a number of optional systems based on the basic knee mouse mat design, facilitating the use of 9 alternative remote navigational programming devices such as a mouse:

A. Incorporating a 'wrist-rest, which is a narrow layer of soft foam rubber attached to the mat, from barrier to barrier, on the upper surface of the mat at the end near the thigh.

B. A 'touch-pad', is shown attached to the rounded working area of the knee-mat and provides a level area for tactile communication to the computer. Shows a trackball type of mouse in use on the mat, indicated by the concentric circles (symbolic of the roller on the top of a trackball device).

D. Represents a dual functionality, in which a mouse could be in use on the regular working area of the kneemat and a trackball could be in use on the mat area to the side and below a barrier. The different systems are usable on different mat locations, but both may be secure within the barriers when not used.

E. A further refinement is the use of magnetism to secure a mouse type of device in place inside the working area when not in use. Strips of material with magnetic properties may be attached to the mouse, or other remote programmer, and the outer edges of the working area, or at interfaces of barriers and the mat working area. When the mouse is released from the operator's hand, magnetic attraction causes the mouse device to slide towards the barrier and stick there.

Considering the concept of a mouse-mat attached to the body, inspection of the diagrams in Figure 1, makes it self-evident that the knee location makes for maximum physical comfort.

The simple knee-mat depicted consisting of the mat 3 and barriers 4 on each side, accommodating a mouse 1 (or trackball or other alternative device) which may have a cord 2 attached to the computer or be cordless, is referred to throughout as the basic knee mouse-mat design. One factor is the age, size and health of the user, For most people, a single size is able to cater for most adults and may be worn on either leg as required by dexterity. In the figures, the knee 5 and leg 6 are indicated. The working area of a desk mousemat is typically a maximum of 20 x 25 cm, in the case of a knee mouse-mat an area (inside the barriers) of 20 x 15 cm is readily available which is quite adequate.

Not illustrated but practicable would be a knee mouse-mat that fits across both legs simultaneously, for handicapped people with leg deformities making a single leg mat unusable.

Many materials are available for construction of the mat 3, mainly plastics, including special surface coating materials such as highdensity foam which has a smooth working surface for the area used in the mouse's movements. Plastic foam sheet of 36mm thickness is suitable for the mat. Similarly, the barriers of the basic type (Figure 2) may be in roll or tube form, glued to the mat, but could also be created by shaping of the mat material itself. A barrier height of 15-25mm is quite adequate to restrain most mouse devices marketed, this height being over half the height of modern mouse devices.

1 Cutting of the strips of plastic foam for the mats may be intended to create a slit 7, that is either parallel or not, resulting in cylindrical or conical mat shapes. Additional trimming 8, to remove unnecessary corners from mats, results in no chaffing of skin by pointed ends and no pressure pain.

Several illustrations in Figure 3 relate to additional layers of plastics 9 and 10, dissimilar or not, being attached on the 11 inside or outside of the mat material. Such modifications can provide extra flexibility or firmer clamping as desired. However, an outer layer 11 of a high-density foam material is often added, in addition to all other layers, in order to create a smooth upper surface which is rigid enough.

Barriers 4 are typically affixed so that the two of them curve inwards at the knee end, resulting in a gap too small for the mouse to drop through if it slides that way. Studs or pins 12 are useful if the barrier is a hollow foam strip, the studs reduce wear and tear on the barrier ends. However, a barrier 13 which is a complete circle has no ends and also gives maximum constraint of a mouse which is not in use.

Several optional designs permit a level/flat working area, in Figure 5, diagrams A,B and E, show alternative approaches. One variant makes use of an inclined flat sheet 15 to work on, which is connected centrally to a vertical sheet 14 that forms a barrier. Another involves two flat sheets 16 connected to form a wide angle. A vertical sheet 17 is then fixed at the front and connected to the two flat wide-angle sheets to make two working areas within a 'culde-sac' of barriers. A quite different system (shown in diagram E) has foam wedges 21, so that a flat sheet 22 over the wedges forms a work area. Then the usual barriers are attached above this working surface. Also in Figure 5 (C and D) are illustrations of plastic sheets 18 attached to the side of the mat, with the lower parts 19 glued to the mat but the upper part projects outwards and upwards to act as barriers. An additional component (seen in D) is a flat sheet 20 attached to the front of the mat to stop the mouse falling in any direction.

The use of side-flaps in the mat design is shown in Figure 6, joints/hinges/tapes provide numerous ways to create folding 12 flaps 23. The illustrations provide insight into how the flaps aid use of the mat on a desk, then folded at right angles so that the mat fits on the knee without following leg contours, and finally as an aid to ease of attachment to the leg and getting the clamped effect from the curvature even with flaps.

The tray 24 as a flat working area for the mouse, shown in Figure 7, has obvious merits. The material could be plastic or metal, most shapes suffice, and almost any kind of rim 25 would be effective. The tray could also have an upper inner surface coated for smoothness.

Some designs involve the use of straps to further secure the mat to the leg. In Figure 8 (A), the mat is cylindrical and the purpose of the straps/strips/tapes 26 and selfadhesive tabs 27 is so that if the user needs to stand and reach for documents, then time is not wasted taking the mat off and putting it on again. However, in (B), the other function is is when the strips 26 with tabs 27 are attached to a flat mat. In this case, the mat is worn on the knee as a rounded working area because the fasteners keep the mat together around the leg. But when the fasteners are opened, the mat rapidly goes flat again and is then usable on a desktop.

Another working area/surface variation involves Figure 9 (A), in which a plastic sheet 28, on each side of the mat, comprises the barriers. The sheets stick outwards and upwards, but are attached to the mat in different fashion than described in Figure 5. This time the attached part of the sheet 29 is part of the working area. the mouse moves across the seams smoothly.

1 Generally the width of a knee mouse-mat is about 30 cm, wider than desk mouse-mats tend to be. It is not always necessary for the mat to be wide enough to encircle the entire leg, 13 Figure 9 (R) and Q show narrow and almost square versions laid out flat on a desk surface 30. Both designs are usable on either the knee or a desktop, but for different reasons. The first design is a basic mat, which because of thickness, rough inner surface and gravity effects, moulds slightly when on the leg but conversely flattens out again on a desktop (partly a quality due to the size and shape. However, the second design incorporates a laminar composition in which a special material 32 which is easily bent/shaped but retains the new shape well, is sandwiched in the middle of two layers of foam. Bend the mat to fit the knee, use it without any clamping or straps, then force it straight again and use it flat on the desk.

Some extra refinements providing more comfort or versatility for users, are shown in Figure 10. One item is a 'wrist-rest', which is a layer of soft plastic foam 33 layered on the mat at the top end. The strip of foam may be replaced as necessary. For users accustomed to a touchpad (tactile sensing control), one version of the knee mouse-mat has a touchpad 34 attached to form the working surface. Two diagrams show the use of a trackball 35 on the knee mat, one being on the usual working area, the other pointing out a mechanism by which both a conventional mouse and a trackball can be accommodated and in use concurrently without inconvenience. An interesting option also described is that of using a magnet and magnetic materials on the mouse device and barriers 37, 38, and 39, for added security, ensuring that the control device cannot fall off the mat under normal circumstances.

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Claims (9)

1. A mouse-mat designed to be worn on the user's knee above the leg, of cylindrical or conical shape and flexible but with a thin slice cut out, able to fit on the leg with a simple clamping action and providing a rounded but smooth and semi-rigid plastic surface as an efficient working area for a computer-mouse, trackball, and similar devices.

2. A knee mouse-mat as claimed in claim 1, wherein barriers attached to the sides of the upper surface act as a stop or restrainer for the mouse when it is not in the hand, so that the mouse does not fall off the knee, the barrier consists of a roll or block of plastic in a curved alignment, which may have the ends studded for better durability, with only a minimum of space between barrier ends at the knee and being of sufficient height above the mat to stop the mouse toppling over the barrier, or else a continuous barrier in circular or oval shape restrains a mouse in all directions because there are no openings.

i

3. A knee mouse-mat as in claims 1 and 2, wherein multiple layers of similar or different materials attached to the inner or outer surfaces in laminar fashion adjust the flexibility of the clamping action on the leg, and also provide an outer surface for the upper layer which has the required smoothness and semi-rigidity for a clean fluid movement of the mouse roller on the working surface.

A knee mousemat as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the mat areas outside the barriers are discontinuous so that the outer pieces function as flaps, thus allowing a number of useful conformations on the knee or desktop in a manner free of the curling/clamping nature of the mat.

5. A knee mouse-mat as claimed in claims 1-4, wherein there are additional components such as straps and self-adhesive tabs that permit secure attachment of the mat to the leg irrespective of mat flexibility or clamping action, such secured mats being wearable while moving about, and even involving mats which are not flexible in themselves.

6. A knee mouse-mat as claimed in claims 1-5, wherein a layer of malleable metallic material is incorporated within the plastic mat, imparting bendability and shaping features to the mat such that i t may be made to fi t the knee or desktop.

7. A knee mouse mat as claimed in any previous claim, wherein flat plastic sheets are affixed to the working surface in order to create a level work area for mouse action, these sheets may be in addition to the simple barriers or negate the need for them, depending on whether the alignment of one or more sheets constitutes a barrier or barriers as well as being a working surface, a frontal barrier may be additional to the level areas for working surfaces.

8. A knee mousemat as claimed in any previous claim, wherein additional security for a mouse not in use is provided by use of magnetic/magnetised materials on the mat and mouse device, such magnetic effects being in addition to basic barriers and in forms such as magnetic plastic strips on the working area edges, barriers themselves, and the mouse.

9. A flexible plastic mouse-mat to be worn on the thigh, flexible and cylindrical or conical in shape and with a gap permitting it to clamp firmly around the thigh, a plastic sheet fixed to each side of the mat and projecting upwards and outwards functions as a barrier, a mouse, trackball or air-ball may be used on the smooth curved central working area as a remote navigational programming device for a computer, when idle the control unit is restrained by a barrier in the pronounced well shape created.

9. A knee mouse-mat as claimed in any previous claim, wherein an extra comfort feature is included in the form of a wrist-rest, a strip of extra foam on the top end of the mat and of soft texture, which may be replaced when worn out.

10. A knee mouse-mat as claimed in any previous claim, wherein 16 in addition to any basic barriers there is a flat level working area operating as a touch-pad, for remote control of the computer by tactile means.

11. A knee mouse-mat as claimed in any previous claim, wherein a trackball is operated either on the regular working area of the mat, or on the side of the mat below a barrier when a mouse is already in use on the main working surface, this system permits operation of two computing systems at once by different remote operating methods, but when not in use the trackball may be secured in the main area along with the mouse.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1-7 CLAIMS A plastic mouse-mat designed to be worn on the user's thigh, flexible and conical or cylindrical in shape and with a gap permitting it to fit firmly around the thigh with a clamping action, the smooth curved upper surface having two raised plastic barriers which define a working area for a mouse, trackball or air-ball when in use as a remote navigational programming device for a computer, the barriers also restrain the control unit when inactive.

2. A thigh mouse-mat as in claim 1, wherein a smooth upper surface for remote control movement, and a rough lowe surface which adheres well to clothing, and variance in flexibility and clamping capability, are created by lamination of plastic sheets of differing characteristics.

3. A thigh mouse-mat as in claim 1 or 2, wherein a single barrier consisting of a continuous ring of plastic raised or affixed above the upper surface entirely encloses the working area, providing more secure restraint of the remote control unit when it is idle.

4. A thigh mouse-mat as in claims 1-3, wherein parts of the mat outside the barriers have a flap or hinge, such that it is easier to fix it onto the thigh or remove it, the working area and flap segments being curved and flexible.

A thigh mouse-mat as in claims 1-4, wherein additional restraint of a mouse not in use is provided by use of magnetic plastic strips located on the barrier(s) or outer edge of the working area and also on the remote control device.

Itr 6. A thigh mouse-mat as in claims 1-5, wherein a touch-pad is affixed to the curved working area surface, giving tactile sensory remote programming control, being firmly affixed in position the touch-pad operates despite not being flat.

7. A thigh mouse-mat as in claims 1-6, wherein a strip of soft foam plastic is attached to the mat between the barriers and along the top end, outside the working area, to act as a 'wrist-rest' which can be replaced periodically.

8. A flexible plastic mouse-mat to be worn on the thigh, flexible and cylindrical or conical in shape and with a gap permitting it to clamp firmly around the thigh, the curved upper surface having two or more rigid flat plastic sheets attached at different angles so that one sheet provides a flat but not horizontal working surface, such that when idle the computer mouse, air-ball or trackball slides into the join between the sheets and is restrained, and when a third sheet is introduced at the front of the mat there is restraint of a control unit from three directions, a touch-pad may also be installed on the working surface.