SI24295A

SI24295A - Mouse pad with integrated system for fingers and arm

Info

Publication number: SI24295A
Application number: SI201300026A
Authority: SI
Inventors: Branko ÄŚulig
Original assignee: Status D.O.O. Metlika
Priority date: 2013-02-04
Filing date: 2013-02-04
Publication date: 2014-08-29
Also published as: WO2014120097A1

Abstract

Predmet izuma je podlaga za računalniško miško, natančneje podlaga z vgrajenim sistemom za razgibavanje prstov in roke. Bistvo podlage za računalniško miško z integriranim sistemom za prste in roko po izumu je v tem, da konstrukcijska oblika podlage omogoča nadzorovano aktivnost prstov roke, ki manipulira z računalniško miško. Podlaga ima tri plasti, pri čemer ima notranja plast pravokotno na valovito stranico podlage dva zunanja daljša utora, med katerima sta dva krajša utora. Utori imajo na začetku približno trikotno oblikovano mesto za vpetje vzmeti s prstanom na zunanji strani podlage, kjer je stranica valovita. Na nasprotni strani od valovite stranice podlage so v nosilni plasti oblikovane tri luknje v obliki pravokotnega vhodnega dela s krožno oblikovanim notranjim delom. Spodnja in zgornja plast sta ravni. V mesto za vpetje vzmeti je nameščeno približno trikotno oblikovano sidro v katerega je vpeta vzmet, ki ima na drugem koncu prstan. Podlagi je lahko dodana blazina za zapestje.The object of the invention is the basis for a computer mouse, more precisely the basis of the built-in system for flexing the fingers and arm. The essence of a computer mouse with an integrated finger and arm system according to the invention is that the structural shape of the substrate enables the controlled operation of the fingers of the hand manipulating the computer mouse. The substrate has three layers, the inner layer having perpendicular to the wavy side of the substrate two external longitudinal grooves, two of which are shorter slots. The grooves at the beginning have approximately a triangularly shaped place for fastening the spring with a ring on the outside of the substrate, where the sides are corrugated. On the opposite side of the corrugated side of the substrate, three holes in the form of a rectangular entrance part with a circularly shaped inner part are formed in the carrier layer. The lower and upper layers are level. An approximate triangular shaped anchor is placed in the mounting position of the springs into which a spring having a ring on the other end is mounted. A pad can be added to the surface of the wrist.

Description

Podlaga za računalniško miško z integriranim sistemom za prste in rokoComputer mouse pad with integrated finger and hand system

Področje tehnikeThe field of technology

Predmet izuma je podlaga za računalniško miško, natančneje na podlage z vgrajenim sistemom za razgibavanje prstov in roke.The subject matter of the invention is the basis for a computer mouse, more specifically, a pad with a built-in finger and arm stretching system.

Tehnini problemTech problem

Tehnični problem, ki ga rešuje pričujoči izum, je takšna konstrukcija podlage za računalniško miško, ki bo imela modularno zasnovo, kar omogoča različne kombinacije lastnosti vgrajenih elementov za razgibavanje prstov in roke. Konstrukcijska rešitev podlage mora omogočati enostavno izdelavo elementov podlage, kot tudi enostavno uporabo podlaga zaradi sproščanja napetosti v mišicah prstov, zapestja in same roke, s katero uporabnik računalniške miške dela. Zastavljeni problem je, kako odpraviti napetost v prstih, zapestju in roku pri dolgotrajni uporabi miške s pomočjo preprostih vaj za prste in roko, kar bi omogočalo spontano sperminjanje položaja roke oziroma telovadbo prstov in roke.A technical problem solved by the present invention is the construction of a computer mouse pad that will have a modular design, which allows different combinations of features of the built-in elements for stretching fingers and hands. The design of the substrate must allow for easy fabrication of the substrate elements as well as the ease of use of the substrate in order to release tension in the muscles of the fingers, wrists and the hand with which the user of the computer mouse works. The problem posed is how to relieve tension in the fingers, wrists and hands when using the mouse for a long time with the help of simple exercises for the fingers and hand, which would allow spontaneous change of the position of the hand or exercise of the fingers and hands.

Pri vsakodnevni uporabi računalnika in posledično miške, so gibi položaj roke v prisiljeni drži, gibi pa so ponavljajoči, zaradi česar so prsti in roka pa po daljšem času dela z računalniško miško napeti in boleči. Pri prekomerni uporabi računalnika oziroma računalniške opreme se lahko pojavijo bolečine v prstih, zapestju in roki, kar je poznano kot CTS sindrom (angl. Carpal tunel sindrome).With daily use of the computer and, consequently, the mouse, the movements of the position of the hand are in a forced posture, and the movements are repetitive, causing the fingers and the hand to tense and ache after a long time working with the computer mouse. Excessive use of the computer or computer equipment can cause pain in the fingers, wrists and hands, which is known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Znano stanje tehnikeThe prior art

Poznane so mnoge podlage za računalniške miške, ki običajno rešujejo dvig podlage v področju zapestja, s čemer je roka podprta in za premikanje prstov ni potrebna večja sila.Many computer mouse pads are known to typically handle lifting the pads in the wrist area, with the arm supported and no more force required to move the fingers.

• · • ·• · · ·

Po EP 1 113 384 A3 je znana podlaga za miško, ki ima izbočen del v predelu zapestja. Izum se nanaša na podlago za miško, ki je narejena iz prožnega telesa poliuretanske pene in ima dva dela, od katerih je ena delovna površina za miško, drugi del pa je zvišan in omogoča oporo zapestju.According to EP 1 113 384 A3, the mouse base is known to have a bulging portion in the wrist region. The invention relates to a mouse base made of a flexible body of polyurethane foam and having two parts, one of which is a working surface for the mouse and the other part is elevated to support the wrist.

Po uporabnem modelu CN202331398 (U) je znana podlaga za računalniško miško, ki ima v sami strukturi rezervoar vode, ki jo je možno pogreti.According to utility model CN202331398 (U), a computer mouse is known to have a reservoir of water that can be heated in the structure itself.

Iz CN2932480 (Y) je poznana rešitev pripomočka za uporabo računalniške miške, ki omogoča udobnejši položaj zapestja pri uporabi miške.CN2932480 (Y) is known for a computer mouse accessory solution that provides a more comfortable wrist position when using the mouse.

Po EP 2 246 772 je poznana podlaga za miško, ki ima zaslon na dotik z UBS vtičnico za povezavo z računalnikom.According to EP 2 246 772, a mouse base having a touch screen with a UBS socket for connection to a computer is known.

Vse do sedaj poznane podlage za računalniške miške imajo bolj ali manj podobne rešitve podpiranja zapestja, kar samo delno rešuje problem pojavljanja bolečin v roki razadi prekomernega dela z računalnikom.The computer mouse pads known so far have more or less similar wrist support solutions, which only partially solves the problem of pain in the hand from overworking with a computer.

V patentnih bazah je možno najti opise različno oblikovanih podlag za računalniško miško, ki pa nimajo vgrajenih priprav za sproščanje napetosti v roki zaradi enoličnih gibov in prisiljene drže prstov ter zapestja.In the patent databases, descriptions of variously designed computer mouse bases can be found, but they do not have devices in place to release tension in the hand due to unique movements and forced posture of the fingers and wrists.

Opis rešitve tehničnega problemaDescription of solution to a technical problem

Bistvo podlage za računalniško miško z integriranim sistemom za prste in roko po izumu je v tem, da konstrukcijska oblika podlage omogoča nadzorovano aktivnost prstov roke, ki manipulira z računalniško miško. Podlaga ima tri plasti, pri čemer ima notranja plast pravokotno na valovito stranico podlage dva zunanja daljša utora, med katerima sta dva krajša utora. Utori imajo na začetku približno trikotno oblikovano mesto za vpetje vzmeti s prstanom na zunanji strani podlage, kjer je stranica valovita. Na nasprotni strani od valovite stranice podlage so v nosilni plasti oblikovane tri luknje v obliki pravokotnega vhodnega dela s krožno oblikovanim notranjim delom. Spodnja in zgornja plast sta ravni. V mesto za vpetje vzmeti je nameščeno približno trikotno oblikovano sidro, v katerega je vpeta vzmet, ki ima na drugem koncu prstan.The essence of a computer mouse pad with an integrated finger and hand system according to the invention is that the design of the pad allows for the controlled activity of the fingers manipulating the computer mouse. The substrate has three layers, with the inner layer perpendicular to the undulating side of the substrate with two outer longer grooves, two of which are shorter grooves. The grooves are initially approximately triangular in shape to engage the spring with a ring on the outside of the base where the side is undulating. On the opposite side of the undulating side of the substrate, three holes are formed in the supporting layer in the form of a rectangular entrance part with a circularly shaped inner part. The bottom and top layers are straight. An approximately triangular shaped anchor is mounted in the spring mounting location, into which a spring is attached, which has a ring at the other end.

Podlaga za računalniško miško z integriranim sistemom za prste in roko po izumu bo v nadaljevanju opisana s pomočjo slik, ki kažejo:The basis for a computer mouse with an integrated finger and hand system according to the invention will be described below with the help of pictures showing:

Slika 1 - Sestav podlage za računalniško miškoFigure 1 - Substrate assembly for a computer mouse

Slika 2 - Podlaga za računalniško miškoFigure 2 - Computer Mouse Base

Slika 3 - Tloris podlage za računalniško miškoFigure 3 - Ground plan for a computer mouse

Slika 4 - Prerez A-AFigure 4 - Section A-A

Slika 5 - Pozicija prstov pred začetkom uporabe podlageFigure 5 - Position of fingers before applying the pad

Slika 6 - Pozicija prstov pri uporabi podlageFigure 6 - Toe position when using the pad

Slika 7 - Podlaga po izvedbenem primeru IIFigure 7 - Substrate after embodiment II

Podlaga za računalniško miško z integriranim sistemom za prste in roko po izumu ima obris spodnje plasti enak obrisoma nosilne plasti in zgornje plasti podlage. Notranja plast ima pravokotno na katerokoli stranico podlage dva zunanja daljša utora, med katerima sta dva krajša utora. Utori imajo na začetku približno trikotno oblikovano mesto za vpetje vzmeti s prstanom na zunanji strani podlage, kjer je stranica valovita. Na nasprotni strani od valovite stranice podlage so v nosilni plasti oblikovane tri luknje v obliki pravokotnega vhodnega dela s krožno oblikovanim notranjim delom. Spodnja in zgornja plast sta ravni. V mesto za vpetje vzmeti je nameščeno približno trikotno oblikovano sidro, v katerega je vpeta vzmet, ki ima na drugem koncu prstan.The computer mouse base with the integrated finger and hand system according to the invention has the outline of the bottom layer equal to the contours of the carrier layer and the upper layer of the base. The inner layer has two outer longer slots perpendicular to either side of the substrate, with two shorter slots between them. The grooves are initially approximately triangular in shape to engage the spring with a ring on the outside of the base where the side is undulating. On the opposite side of the undulating side of the substrate, three holes are formed in the supporting layer in the form of a rectangular entrance part with a circularly shaped inner part. The bottom and top layers are straight. An approximately triangular shaped anchor is mounted in the spring mounting location, into which a spring is attached, which has a ring at the other end.

Blaznina za zapestje je sestavljena iz ravnega dna pravokotne oblike z zaobljenimi ogli, na katerega je prilepljen izbočeni del z mehkim polnilom. V daljši bočni stranici dela so nameščene elastične sponke 5b, 5c in 5d, ki omogočajo pripenjanje blazine v luknje nosilne plasti podlage. Na ta način se lahko podlagi po izumu pripne blazina za zapestje, ki jo je možno tudi odstraniti ali pripeti.The wrist cushion consists of a flat bottom of rectangular shape with rounded corners, to which a convex part with a soft fill is attached. The elongated lateral side of the part has elastic buckles 5b, 5c and 5d that allow the cushion to be attached to the holes of the carrier layer of the substrate. In this way, a wrist cushion can be attached to the base according to the invention, which can also be removed or attached.

Podlaga za računalniško miško z integriranim sistemom za prste in roko po izvedbenem primeru I ima obris spodnje plasti 1 enak obrisoma plasti 2 in 3. Plast 2 ima pravokotno na valovito stranico dva zunanja daljša utora 2a in 2d, med katerima sta dva krajša utora 2b in 2c. Utor 2a ima na začetku približno trikotno oblikovano vpetje 2a', utor 2b ima na začetku približno trikotno oblikovano vpetje 2b', utor 2c ima na začetku približno trikotno oblikovano vpetje 2c' in utor 2d ima na začetku približno trikotno oblikovano vpetje 2d'. Nasproti valovite stranice plasti 1 so tri luknje 2e, 2f in 2g v obliki pravokotnega dela s krožno oblikovanim notranjim delom. Plast 3 je tako kot plast 1 ravna. V vpetje 2a' je nameščeno približno trikotno oblikovano sidro 4a, v katerem je vpeta vzmet 4a', ki ima na drugem koncu prstan 4a. V vpetje 2b' je nameščeno približno trikotno oblikovano sidro 4b, v katerem je vpeta vzmet 4b', ki ima na drugem koncu prstan 4b. V vpetje 2c' je nameščeno približno trikotno oblikovano sidro 4c, v katerem je vpeta vzmet 4c', ki ima na drugem koncu prstan 4c. V vpetje 2d' je nameščeno približno trikotno oblikovano sidro 4d, v katerem je vpeta vzmet 4d', ki ima na drugem koncu prstan 4d.The basis for a computer mouse with an integrated finger and hand system according to embodiment I has the outline of the bottom layer 1 equal to the outlines of layers 2 and 3. Layer 2 has perpendicularly to the undulating side two outer longer slots 2a and 2d, between which two shorter slots 2b and 2c. The groove 2a has about a triangularly shaped clamp 2a 'at the beginning, groove 2b has about a triangularly shaped clamp 2b' initially, the groove 2c has about a triangularly shaped clamp 2c 'at the beginning, and the groove 2d has about a triangularly shaped clamp 2d' at the beginning. Opposite the corrugated side of layer 1 are three holes 2e, 2f and 2g in the form of a rectangular section with a circularly shaped inner part. Layer 3 is flat like layer 1. An approximately triangularly shaped anchor 4a is housed in the clamp 2a ', in which a spring 4a' is secured, having a ring 4a at the other end. An approximately triangularly shaped anchor 4b is housed in the clamp 2b ', in which a spring 4b' is secured, having a ring 4b at the other end. An approximately triangularly shaped anchor 4c is housed in the clamp 2c ', in which a spring 4c ' is attached, having a ring 4c at the other end. An approximately 4-shaped anchor 4d is mounted in the 2d ' s mounting in which a spring 4d ', having a 4d ring at the other end, is engaged.

Plast 1 je narejena iz nedrsnega materiala in je na njo položena ter prilepljena plast 2, ki je nosilna in je narejena iz penaste gume. V plast 2 v vpetja 2a', 2b', 2c' in 2d' so nameščena sidra 4a, 4b, 4c in 4d, pri čemer so v utorih 2a, 2b, 2c in 2d vzmeti 4a', 4b', 4c' in 4d' s prstani 4a, 4b, 4c in 4d. Plast 3 je narejena iz protibakterijske folije in je prilepljena na plast 2 po namestitvi prej opisanih delov. Ko prikazuje slika 2, je daljša stranica valovito oblikovana tako, da se prstani 4a, 4b, 4c in 4d ujamejo v vdolbine 6a, 6b, 6c in 6d v obliki lokov.Layer 1 is made of non-slip material and is supported by a layer 2 which is supported and made of foam rubber. Anchors 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are installed in layer 2 in the mountings 2a ', 2b', 2c 'and 2d', with springs 4a ', 4b', 4c 'and 4d in the grooves 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d 's rings 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d. Layer 3 is made of anti-bacterial foil and is glued to layer 2 after installing the parts described above. When Figure 2 shows, the longer side is wavy in such a way that the rings 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d fit into the recesses 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d in the form of arches.

Blazina 5 za zapestje je sestavljena iz ravnega dna pravokotne oblike z zaobljenimi ogli, na katerega je prilepljen izbočeni del 5a z mehkim polnilom. V daljši bočni stranici dela 5a so nameščene elastične sponke 5b, 5c in 5d, ki omogočajo pripenjanje blazine 5 v luknje 2e, 2f in 2g plasti 2. Na ta način ima lahko podlaga po izumu pripeto blazino 5, ki jo je po želji možno tudi odstaniti.The wrist cushion 5 consists of a flat bottom of rectangular shape with rounded corners, to which a convex part 5a is attached with a soft fill. In the longer side of part 5a, elastic buckles 5b, 5c and 5d are mounted, which allow the cushion 5 to be attached to the holes 2e, 2f and 2g of layer 2. In this way, the base according to the invention may have a cushion 5, which can also be optionally to remove.

Podlaga za računalniško miško z integriranim sistemom za prste in roko po izvedbenem primeru II ima pravokotno spodnjo plast 11 z zaobljenimi ogli. Na plasti 11 je pravokoten okvir 12 z zaobljeimi ogli, ki ima zunanji obris enak kot plast 11. V notranjem delu plasti 12a je nameščen sistem vzmeti 13a, 13b, 13c in 13d z vadbenimi prstani 14a, 14b, 14c in 14d. Notranji del 12a plasti 12 je prednostno oblikovan pravokotno, krožno ali ovalno. Notranji del 12a plasti 12 ima lahko tudi katerokoli drugo obliko. Podlaga za računalniško miško po izvedbenem primeru II se uporablja tako, da se pri uporabi za računalniško miško obrne tako, da je spodnja plast 11 zgoraj in omogoča uporabo miške. Ko želi uporabnik miške razgibati prste, zglob in roko obrne računalniško podlago po izvedbenem primeru okoli in postavi prste v vadbene prstane 14a, 14b, 14c in 14d in lahko začne s potiskanjem in popuščanjem vzmeti 13a, 13b, 13c in 13d.The computer mouse base with the integrated finger and hand system according to embodiment II has a rectangular lower layer 11 with rounded corners. Layer 11 has a rectangular frame 12 with rounded corners having an outer outline the same as layer 11. In the inner part of layer 12a there is a spring system 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d with training rings 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d. The inner part 12a of layer 12 is preferably shaped rectangular, circular or oval. The inner part 12a of layer 12 may also take any other shape. The computer mouse pad of Embodiment II is used to rotate when used for the computer mouse so that the bottom layer 11 is above and allows the mouse to be used. When the mouse user wants to flex his fingers, the wrist and hand turn the computer base after the embodiment around and place his fingers in the training rings 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d and can start pushing and loosening the springs 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d.

Uporaba razgibalnega sistema podlage za miško je prikazana na slikah 5 in 6 ter poteka tako, da uporabnik računalnika medtem, ko ne uporablja miške, in na primer bere nek tekst, postavi roko v prstane, pri čemer dlan delno oblikuje lok, potem pa prste iztegne in potiska prstane navzven. Zaradi upora vzmeti prsti in posledično vezi roke morajo biti aktivne, kar povzroči, da se napnejo vezi iz zapestja do komolca, kar sprosti krč, ki je nastal ob daljšem rokovanju z računalniško miško. Ko uporabnik upogne prste tako, da se roka vzboči, se vzmet skrči in potisne prstane v začetni položaj skupaj s prsti. Na ta način lahko uporabnik računalniške miške naredi nekaj koristnih gibov, ki sprostijo napetosti v mišicah roke.Using the mouse pad extension system is shown in Figures 5 and 6 and is done so that the computer user, while not using the mouse, reads some text, places a hand in the rings, with the palm partially forming an arch, and then extends the fingers and pushes the rings outwards. Due to the resistance of the springs, the fingers and, consequently, the ligaments of the hands must be active, which causes the ligaments to stretch from the wrist to the elbow, which releases the spasm that occurred during prolonged handling of the computer mouse. When the user flexes his fingers so that the arm is raised, the spring shrinks and pushes the rings to the starting position together with the fingers. This way, the computer mouse user can make some useful movements that release tension in the muscles of the arm.

Podlaga po izumu je lahko izvedena tako, da ima prstane izvedene na katerokoli stranici in/ali na vogalih podlage.The support according to the invention may be constructed in such a way that the rings are provided on any side and / or at the corners of the support.

Prstani vgrajeni v podlago po izumu so lahko katerekoli oblike, ki so ustrezne za namestitev prstov tako, da omogočajo potisk s prsti. Vzmeti 4a', 4b', 4c' in 4d' so lahko izvedene iz katerihkoli prožnih materialov, ki omogočajo naravno krčenje ob odsotnosti sile prstov.The rings embedded in the base according to the invention may be of any shape suitable for the placement of the fingers in such a way that they can be pushed by the fingers. The springs 4a ', 4b', 4c 'and 4d' can be made of any flexible material that allows natural contraction in the absence of finger force.

Claims

Patent claims

A computer mouse pad with an integrated finger and arm system, characterized in that the outline of the bottom layer has the same contours of the carrier layer and the upper layer of the base; that the inner layer has two outer longer grooves perpendicular to either side of the base, two shorter grooves between them; that the grooves initially have an approximately triangularly shaped ring mounting location on the outside of the base where the side is wavy; that three holes in the form of a rectangular inlet with a circularly shaped inner part are formed on the opposite side of the undulating side of the substrate; that the lower and upper layers are straight; that a triangularly shaped anchor is fitted into the spring mounting location, into which a spring is attached which has a ring at the other end.

Computer mouse pad with integrated finger and hand system according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a wrist cushion consisting of a flat bottom of rectangular rounded corners, to which a convex soft-fill portion is attached; that elastic buckles are fitted in the longer side of the flat part to allow the cushion to be attached to the holes of the carrier layer of the substrate.

Computer mouse pad with integrated finger and hand system according to claim 1, characterized in that the outline of the bottom layer (1) has the outline of the layers (2 and 3); that the layer (2) has two outer longer grooves (2a and 2d) perpendicular to the undulating side, two shorter grooves (2b and 2c) between them; that the groove 2a initially has approximately a triangularly shaped clamp (2a '), the groove (2b) initially has a approximately triangularly shaped clamp (2b'), the groove (2c) initially has a approximately triangularly shaped clamp (2c ') and the groove (2d ) initially has approximately a triangular shaped mount (2d '); that opposite the undulating side of the layer (1) are three holes (2e, 2f and 2g) in the form of a rectangular section with a circularly shaped inner part; that the layer (3) is just like the layer (1); that an approximately triangularly shaped anchor (4a) is housed in the retainer (2a ') in which a spring (4a') is attached which has a ring (4a) at the other end; that an approximately triangularly shaped anchor (4b) is housed in the retainer (2b ') in which a spring (4b') is attached, having a ring (4b) at the other end; that an approximately triangularly shaped anchor (4c) is housed in the clamp (2c '), in which a spring (4c') is attached, having a ring (4c) at the other end; that an approximately triangularly shaped anchor (4d) is provided in the retainer (2d '), in which a spring (4d') is attached, having a ring (4d) at the other end; that the layer (1) is made of non-slip material and is supported by a layer (2) which is supported and made of foam rubber; that the anchors (4a, 4b, 4c and 4d) are provided in the struts (2) of the mountings (2a ', 2b', 2c 'and 2d'), with springs (2a, 2b, 2c and 2d) in the grooves (4a ', 4b', 4c 'and 4d') with rings (4a, 4b, 4c and 4d); that the layer (3) is made of antibacterial foil and is glued to the layer (2) after the parts described above have been installed; that the longer side of the substrate is wavy in such a way that the rings (4a, 4b, 4c and 4d) catch the recesses (6a, 6b, 6c and 6d) in the form of arches.

Computer mouse pad with integrated finger and hand system according to claim 2, characterized in that the wrist cushion (5) consists of a flat bottom with a rectangular shape with rounded corners, to which a convex part (5a) is attached with a soft filler; that elastic buckles (5b, 5c and 5d) are mounted in the longer side of the part (5a) to allow the cushion (5) to be attached to the holes (2e, 2f and 2g) of the layer (2).

Computer mouse pad according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that it has rings on either side and / or corners of the pad.

Computer mouse pad, characterized in that it has a rectangular lower layer (11) with rounded corners; that on the layer (11) is a rectangular frame (12) with rounded corners having the outer outline the same as the layer (11); that a system of springs (13a, 13b, 13c and 13d) with training rings (14a, 14b, 14c and 14d) is provided in the inner part of the layer (12a); that the inner part (12a) of the layer (12) is preferably shaped rectangular, circular or oval, but may also have any other appearance.

Computer mouse pad according to claim 6, characterized in that the inner part (12a) of the layer (12) is preferably shaped rectangular, circular or oval, but may also have any other appearance.