GB2288454A - Computer mouse comfort attachments - Google Patents

Abstract

A mouse plate 10 is provided with double sided tape 14, 15 and 16 to be attached to the bottom of a mouse and is flexibly connected to another flexible wrist plate 18 which supports the heel of the hand. The mouse plate 10 has a low friction lower surface and also has an aperture through which the mouse ball can project. The wrist plate 18 has a low-friction lower surface and on it is attached a wrist pad 20. A palm pad 46 is provided for attaching to the upper surface of the mouse. This combination of pad elements provides a cushioning effect which reduces strain on the various muscles and tendons involved. <IMAGE>

Description

COMFtlTfl MOUSE ENHANCER This invention relates generally to the computer field, and has to do particularly with an accessory for a mouse, having the effect of increasing the comfort level of the hand when using the mouse and of preventing the build-up of natural body oils around the ball, the ball guides or the ball sensors.

BACKGROUND OF This JNVENnO? The use of a 01mouse" is widespread in the computer industry. The mouse is regarded as a "peripheral" for a computer, and allows the user to position the cursor at any location on the screen, in order to perform various fictions. The mouse includcs at least one "clicker" (switch) which is used in conjunction witch the positioning of the mouse in order to perform operations such as outlining a "block" of text in a word-processing program, or pulling down "windows" consisting of a series of choices, which can be highlighted and then activated by the mouse.

Typically, the mouse is operated on a "mouse pad", 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-fiiction 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 if of the palm of the user resting on the other end (the proximal end) of the mouse. For the average size hand, this arrangement results in the heel of the hand (and possibly an adjacent portion of the wrist) resting on the mouse pad, and moving frictionally over its surface as the mouse is operated. This contact between 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 ukes up a certain portion of the oils, which then become distributed on the scnsors or other components which interact with the ball during the normal operation of the mouse.

Another disadvantage of the conventional mouse relates to the somewhat unnatural position of the hand when operating 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 extended forwardly and downwardly so that the mouse can be located under the palm, with the fingers in operative position.

The mouse is typically made of a hard plastic material, and this leads to other difficulties, particularly in those whose hand surfaces are sensitive to impact against hard materials. Specifically, the excessive use of the mouse often results in pain at The end of the finger operating the "clicker", arising from repeated impact between the very sensitive end of the finger (usually the forefinger) and the clicker button.

A particularly difficult situation arises in the case of programs requiring "double cliddng". in which the user places the cursor at a particular location on the screen (for example on an icon representing a program or an operation), and then must double-click within a given amount of time (usually less than one second). There is a tendency to hit the clicker button relatively hard for both of the required *clicks", and this leads to the problems discussed above.

A further problem aristo in connection with the kind repetitive motion required of a person operating a computer. It has been found that constant, repetitive movemcnt can inflame nnscla and tendons and put pressure on the nerves.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, one of the better-known computer-induced ailments, is the swelling of tendons at the point where they pass through an opening formed by wrist bones and ligament, which puts pressure on the median nerve. The rcsult is a tingling in the thumbs and fingers, and the feeling of buming in the palms.

It is believed that the endurance of muscles can be greatly extended by reducing the static load on them.

GENERAL DESCRIPISON OF This INVENIION In view of the shortcomings of the standard mouse as described above, it is one aspect of this invention to provide an enhancement for the standard 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 ot the fingers. Also included is a thin, somewhat flexible plate of plastic which is releasably adhered to the bottom of the mouse and which is flexibly connected to another flexible plate which holds the pad intended to contact and support the heel of the hand.

Another feature is the provision of a recess upper the wrist, for the purpose of combatting carpal tunnel syndrome.

More particularly, this invention provides, 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 portion defining d at at leaat one deprssible 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-triction lower surface and an upper surface provided with means for attaching the mouse plate to the underside of the mouse, the mouse plate flirther 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.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Two embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like parts throughout the several views, and in which: : Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of a first embodiment of the present invention prior to its application to a mouse; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same apparaws, illustrating a first slate in the application procedure; Figure 3 shows the apparatus of this invention as applied to a mouse, and as seen from underneath; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention when attached to a mouse and in operative condition; Figures 5 and Sa are plan and elevational views, respectively, of the plate component which is intended to lie under the heel of the hand; Figures 6 and 6a are plan and elevational views, respectively, of the othcr plate component, which is intended to be affixed under the mouse;; Figures 7 and 7a are plan and elevational views, respectively, of a pad intended 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, respectively, of a pad adapted for affixing to one or more clicker buttons of the mouse; Figures 9 and 9a are plan and elevational views, repectively, of a pad intended to be affixed to the plate shown in Figures 5 and Sa; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the completed assembly, together with the mouse, showing the typical hand position for operation; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of this invention.

DETAINED DESCRIFflON OF THE DRAWINGS Attention is first directed to Figure 1, which shows a mouse plate 10 having a somewhat flatttned egg-shape and including an elongate, obround opening 12 with parallel sides and semisircular 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 substantially 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 essential for the pad 20.

The wrist plate 18 and the mouse plate 10 are connected together by a piece of flexible strapping 22, similar to a wide rubber band in texture and resilience, which is affixed to both plates by double sided tape.

In Figure 2, the protective coverings 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 opening 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 perspective view of the components showy in Figure 3, seen from the other side (i.e. from the top or working side).

Attention is now directed to Figure 5 which shows one possible configuration for the plate 18. It will be noted that the plate 18 is somewhat longer in the vertical direction than it is in the lateral direction, although the particular shape is not critical.

The broken line 20a designates the outer prriphery of the pad 20 seen in Figures 1 and 2.

As seen in Figure Sa, the plate 18 has an up-curved portion adjacent the mouse plate 10, the curve resembling that of a ski. The purpose of the upcurved portion 30 will be explained more fully below.

As mentioned above, a resilient and stretchable connecting 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 connected 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 represents 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 rot covcred by the resilient connecting strap 32.

As is also seen in Figure 5, the wrist plate 18 is provided with tbree 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 substially diametrically 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 add 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, respectively, of the pad 20 already illustrated and discussed with respect to Figures 1, 2 and 4.

Attention is now directed to Figure 10, showing the normal position of a hand 50 when operaring 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 shred 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 standard mouse pad, typically having a thickness of about 114', the upcurved "ski" portion 30 of the margin of the wrist plate allows the wrist plate to move off and onto the pad, without interrupting the smooth motion of the mouse.

Also, it will be evident that the present invention is such as to prevent any contact between the skin of the hand and the pad. This avoids the deposition of body oil on the upper surface of the pad, and thus counteracts any tendency for the ball or the associated components to collect oil andmalfunction.

Attention is now directed to Figure 11, which illustrates a mouse plate 67 which is somewhat oval in shape, with its long dimension 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 thc wrist pad 71 is the sameastheflinction of the wrist pad 20 of the first embodimenL However, the wrist pad 71 extends over a gecater distance along the form, and moreover is provided with a recess 74 which is intended to be located under that portion of the wrist where undue pressure can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. More paniculariy, the recess 74 is elongate, and has an enlarged portion 76 at its end closest to the mouse 69.

In this second embodiment illustrated 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 shipping purposes.

Also shown in Figure 11 is a variant of the strap 22 shown in Figure 1.

Specifically, the strap in Figure 11, identified by the numeral 78, is shown to be attached to both the mouse 69 and the wrist plate 67 by dome tanners. It will be understood, however, that other fastening means may be utilized, for example the double sided tape approach explained in connection with the first embodimer.

While two embodiments of this invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein, without departing from the essence of this invention.

Claims (14)

1. For asa 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 portion defining 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 mouse1 the mouse plate flirther 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 l, 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 doublesided 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 analtinert 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 strap element secured to the mouse plate and the wrist plate by dome fastners.

13. The combination claimed in claim 1, in which the mouse plate has an upcurved "ski-curved" portion adjacent said flexible means and at a location opposed to said flexible means.

14. An aratns substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached figures.