Integral keyboard/tray/wrist rest
Patent No. US6533479 (titled "Integral keyboard/tray/wrist rest") on Dec 21, 2000. The application was issued on Mar 18, 2003.
What is this patent about?
'479 is related to the field of computer workstations, specifically addressing the problem of keyboard and mouse instability and cord management on keyboard trays. The background highlights issues such as keyboards and mice sliding around, cords getting snagged, and irritating noises caused by movement on the tray surface. The invention aims to provide a more stable and organized keyboard setup.
The underlying idea behind '479 is to integrate the keyboard, wrist rest, and mouse pad into a single, unified device that can be securely attached to a work surface. This integration prevents the components from sliding and allows for better cord management. The design also incorporates a quick-connect mechanism for easy attachment and detachment.
The claims of '479 focus on a keyboard assembly comprising an integral keyboard device, which includes a keyboard pad support, a keyboard pad, and a wrist rest. The assembly also includes an attachment mechanism to affix the integral keyboard device to a work surface. The key aspect is the integration of these components into a single unit.
In practice, the integral keyboard device is designed as a single physical unit, with the keyboard, wrist rest, and mouse pad all connected. The attachment assembly uses a quick-connect coupler and mounting arm to secure the device to the underside of a desk. A channel within the mounting arm helps to manage the keyboard cord, preventing it from getting tangled. The design also includes a 'mouse house,' an indentation for storing the mouse when not in use.
The differentiation from prior approaches lies in the integrated design and secure attachment. Traditional keyboard trays allow the keyboard and mouse to move freely, leading to instability and cord management issues. By combining these components into a single, fixed unit and providing a robust attachment mechanism, the invention offers a more stable, organized, and user-friendly keyboard setup, reducing workspace clutter and potential damage to peripherals.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical Landscape
In the early 2000s when '479 was filed, computer workstations typically included separate components such as a keyboard, mouse, mouse pad, and keyboard tray. At a time when these components were typically implemented as discrete units, the relative positioning and stability of these devices on the work surface presented ergonomic and organizational challenges. When hardware or software constraints made cable management non-trivial, the entanglement and displacement of peripheral cords was a common issue.
Prosecution Position
The disclosed keyboard assembly provides an integrated solution that addresses the problem of component slippage and cord entanglement. By combining the keyboard, mouse pad, and wrist rest into a single unit, the assembly maintains a fixed relative position between these components. This integration reduces the space occupied on the work surface and simplifies cable management, leading to a more organized and user-friendly workstation.
Claims
This patent contains zero claims; therefore, there are no independent or dependent claims to analyze.
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US6533479
- Application Number
- US09746292A
- Filing Date
- Dec 21, 2000
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2003
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents