Platform for computer input device

Abstract

A platform for a computer input device includes a deck having a top surface on which an associated data input device can be selectively positioned and a bottom surface. Also provided is a base having a top surface, and a bottom surface that rests on a user's thigh. A fastening device, such as hook and loop fasteners or a screw, could be used to secure these two elements together. The deck can be selectively detached from the base in order to reverse its orientation with regard to the base and allow the platform to be switched from one thigh of the user to the other. A structure for preventing the input device from falling off the platform can be included. A rest for an operator's appendage can be located on the deck top surface. The height and angle of inclination of the deck can be adjusted, if desired, in relation to the base. Alternatively, the platform can include a support assembly having a top surface on which the associated data input device can be selectively supported and a contoured bottom surface wherein the bottom surface is adapted to rest on a thigh of the user. A structure for preventing the input device from falling off the top surface can be provided. A wrist rest can be located on the support assembly top surface. The latter embodiment can be of one piece.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . The platform of  claim 20  further comprising a wrist rest, said wrist rest being secured to said support assembly top surface said wrist rest comprising a resilient material.  
   
   
       10 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . The platform of  claim 20  further comprising a storage means enabling of said support assembly to be selectively attached directly to an associated inanimate object other than the associated data input device when said platform is not in use, wherein said storage means comprises a fastener secured directly to said support assembly.  
   
   
       20 . A platform for a hand-controllable data input device used with a central processing unit and an operator's extremity associated with controlling said data input device, wherein the platform is configured to stably rest upon a thigh of the operator, platform comprising: 
 a support assembly including at least one piece and comprising    a top surface, on which the an associated data input device and the extremity can be selectively supported, wherein said top surface comprises a data input surface on which the associated data input device may stably rest and be used, and    a bottom surface, wherein said bottom surface comprises a concave portion for accommodating a thigh of the operator;    wherein said support assembly is configured so that said data input surface can be stably oriented substantially parallel to a top surface of the operator's thigh while said platform is in operation;    wherein said support assembly top surface further comprises a first side edge, an end edge and a connecting edge for connecting the first side edge and the end edge, wherein said connecting edge defines with said first side edge and said end edge, an indented portion for accommodating at least some of a lower trunk of the operator; and    wherein said support assembly top surface further comprises a substantially closed aperture for restraining the associated data input device from falling to the floor while said platform is in use, wherein said aperture is located adjacent an edge of said support assembly top surface, wherein said aperture is adapted to accommodate a communications wire of the associated data input device.    
   
   
       21 - 39 . (canceled)  
   
   
       40 . A platform for a computer mouse used with a microprocessor and an operator's appendage associated with controlling said mouse, wherein the platform is configured to stably rest upon a thigh of the operator, said platform comprising a support assembly including at least one piece and comprising: 
 a top surface, on which the mouse and the appendage can be selectively supported;    a bottom surface, wherein said bottom surface is adapted to rest upon a thigh of the operator;    wherein said support assembly top surface comprises a first section of a first width and, extending therefrom in a plane of said first section, a second section of a narrower second width, wherein a top surface of said second section comprises two spaced edges that are substantially parallel to each other and wherein said second section is adapted to rest immediately adjacent a lower trunk of said operator.    
   
   
       41 . The platform of  claim 40  further comprising: 
 a friction element for retarding a sliding movement of the platform upon its subjacent supporting surface, said friction element being located on said support assembly bottom surface; and    wherein a top surface of said first section comprises two spaced edges that are substantially parallel to each other.    
   
   
       42 . The platform of  claim 40  further comprising: 
 a friction means for retarding a sliding movement of the platform upon its subjacent supporting surface, said friction means being located on said support assembly bottom surface; and    a substantially closed aperture for restraining said mouse from falling to the floor while said platform is in use, wherein said aperture is adapted to accommodate a communications wire of said mouse.    
   
   
       43 . A platform for a computer mouse used with a microprocessor and an operator's extremity associated with operating said mouse, wherein the platform is configured to stably rest upon a thigh of the operator, said platform comprising a support assembly including at least one piece and comprising: 
 a top surface, on which an associated mouse and the extremity can be selectively supported, wherein said support assembly top surface comprises a mousing surface upon which the associated mouse may rest and be operated, said mousing surface being substantially planar;    a bottom surface, wherein said bottom surface is adapted to rest upon a thigh of the operator;    wherein said support assembly top surface comprises a first side edge, an end edge and a connecting edge for connecting the first side edge and the end edge, wherein said connecting edge defines with said first side edge and said end edge, an indented portion for accommodating at least some of a lower trunk of the operator; and,    wherein said support assembly further comprises a substantially closed aperture adapted to accommodate a communications wire of the associated mouse.    
   
   
       44 . The platform of  claim 43  further comprising: 
 a friction element for retarding a sliding movement of said platform upon the operator's thigh, said friction element being located on said bottom surface.    
   
   
       45 . The platform of  claim 43  wherein said top surface is substantially rigid.  
   
   
       46 . The platform of  claim 43  further comprising: 
 a guardrail for keeping the associated mouse on said support assembly top surface, wherein said guardrail is mounted on said support assembly top surface and extends around at least some of a perimeter said support assembly top surface, wherein said substantially closed aperture is located in said guardrail; and    a friction element for retarding a sliding movement of said platform upon said thigh, said friction element being located on said platform bottom surface.    
   
   
       47 . The platform of  claim 46  further comprising a storage means secured to said support assembly for enabling said support assembly to be selectively attached directly to an associated inanimate item other than the associated mouse when said platform is not in use, wherein said storage means comprises a fastener attached directly to said support assembly.  
   
   
       48 . A platform for a hand-controllable data input device used with a microprocessor and an operator's extremity associated with controlling the device, wherein the platform is configured to stably rest upon a thigh of the operator, said platform comprising a support assembly including at least one piece and comprising: 
 a top surface, on which an associated hand-controllable data input device and the extremity can be selectively supported;    a bottom surface, wherein said bottom surface comprises a concave portion for accommodating a thigh of the operator and further comprises a friction element for retarding a sliding movement of said platform upon said thigh, said friction means being located on said bottom surface; and    a wrist rest for supporting an operator's wrist and adjacent areas of the operator's extremity, said wrist rest being secured to said support assembly top surface, wherein said wrist rest is located adjacent a first edge of said support assembly top surface, said first edge being located proximal to the operator's wrist when said platform is in use, said wrist rest comprising a resilient material.    
   
   
       49 . The platform of  claim 48  wherein said support assembly top surface further comprises: 
 a side edge, an end edge, and a connecting edge for connecting said side edge and said end edge, wherein said connecting edge defines with said side edge and said end edge, an indented portion for accommodating at least some of a lower trunk of the operator; and    a substantially planar surface, wherein said support assembly permits said substantially planar surface to be stably positioned substantially parallel to a top surface of the operator's thigh while said platform is in operation.    
   
   
       50 . The platform of  claim 48  further comprising: 
 a protrusion secured to said platform for enabling said platform to be selectively attached directly to an associated inanimate item other than the associated hand-controllable data input device when said platform is not in use;    a substantially closed aperture for restraining said hand-controllable data input device from falling to the floor, said aperture being located adjacent a second edge of said support assembly top surface and being adapted to accommodate a communications wire of said hand-controllable data input device; and    a rail for keeping said hand-controllable data input device on said support assembly top surface, said rail being mounted on said support assembly top surface and extending around at least some of a perimeter of said support assembly top surface, wherein said aperture is located in said rail.    
   
   
       51 . The platform of  claim 48  further comprising a mouse pad and wherein said platform top surface further comprises an indented section for accommodating said mouse pad.  
   
   
       52 . A platform for a computer mouse used with a microprocessor and an operator's extremity associated with controlling said mouse, wherein the platform is configured to stably rest upon a thigh of the operator, said platform comprising a support assembly including at least one piece and comprising: 
 a deck having a top surface, on which an associated mouse and the extremity can selectively rest, and a bottom surface;    a base having a top surface, and a bottom surface that is adapted to rest upon a thigh of the operator; and,    wherein said base top surface comprises a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges, said four edges defining among them at least two spaced indented portions shaped to accommodate at least some of a lower trunk of the operator, wherein one of said indented portions accommodates at least some of a lower trunk adjacent to a right thigh of the operator when said platform is resting on said right thigh, and another of said indented portions accommodates at least some of a lower trunk adjacent to a left thigh of the operator when said platform is resting on the left thigh, wherein one of said side edges is located primarily inboard the operator's thigh when said platform is resting on the thigh and the other of said side edges is located primarily outboard of the thigh when said platform is resting on the thigh.    
   
   
       53 . The platform of  claim 52  wherein: 
 said deck top surface comprises a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges, said four edges defining among them at least two spaced indented portions shaped to accommodate at least some of a lower trunk of the operator, wherein one of said indented portions in said deck accommodates at least some of a lower trunk of the operator adjacent to a right thigh of the operator when said platform is resting on the right thigh, and another of said indented portions in said deck accommodates at least some of a lower trunk adjacent to a left thigh of the operator when said platform is resting on the left thigh; and    said platform comprises a guardrail for preventing said mouse from falling off said deck top surface, said guardrail extending around at least some of said deck top surface.    
   
   
       54 . The platform of  claim 52  wherein said platform further comprises: 
 a substantially closed aperture for controlling a communications wire of the associated mouse while said platform is in use, said aperture being adapted to accommodate said communications wire; and    wherein said base bottom surface comprises a friction element for retarding a sliding movement of said platform upon the thigh, said friction element being located on said base bottom surface.    
   
   
       55 . A platform for a computer mouse used with a microprocessor and an operator's extremity associated with controlling said mouse, wherein the platform is configured to stably rest upon a thigh of the operator, said platform comprising a support assembly including at least one piece and comprising: 
 a top surface, on which an associated mouse and the extremity can be selectively supported, wherein said top surface comprises a mousing surface upon which the associated mouse may rest and be operated, wherein said mousing surface can be stably positioned substantially parallel to a top surface of the operator's thigh when the platform is in operation; and    a bottom surface that is configured to rest upon a thigh of the operator;    wherein said support assembly top surface comprises a first side edge, an end edge, and a connecting edge for connecting the first side edge and said end edge, wherein said connecting edge defines with said first side edge and said end edge, an indented portion for accommodating at least some of a lower trunk of the operator, wherein said connecting edge comprises a concave shape.    
   
   
       56 . The platform of  claim 55  further comprising: 
 a guardrail for keeping said mouse on said support assembly top surface, wherein said guardrail is mounted on said support assembly top surface and extends around at least some of a perimeter of said support assembly top surface.    
   
   
       57 . The platform of  claim 55  further comprising: 
 a storage element enabling said support assembly to be selectively attached directly to an associated inanimate item other than the associated mouse when said platform is not in use.    
   
   
       58 . A platform for a computer mouse used with a microprocessor and an operator's appendage associated with operating the mouse, wherein the platform is configured to stably rest upon a thigh of the operator, said platform comprising a support assembly including at least one piece and comprising: 
 a top surface, on which an associated mouse and the appendage can be selectively supported;    a bottom surface, wherein said bottom surface is adapted to rest upon a thigh of the operator; and,    an aperture located adjacent an edge of said top surface for accommodating a communications wire of the associated mouse.    
   
   
       59 . The platform of  claim 58  wherein: 
 said support assembly top surface further comprises a first side edge, an end edge and a connecting edge for connecting the first side edge to the end edge, wherein said connecting edge defines with said first side edge and said end edge, an indented portion for accommodating at least some of a lower trunk of the operator;    wherein said substantially planar top surface can be stably positioned substantially parallel to a top surface of said operator's thigh when the platform is in operation; and    said support assembly bottom surface comprises a friction element for retarding a sliding movement of said platform upon the thigh.    
   
   
       60 . The platform of  claim 58  further comprising: 
 a guardrail for keeping the associated mouse on said support assembly top surface, said guardrail being mounted on said support assembly top surface and extending around at least some of a perimeter of said support assembly top surface;    wherein said aperture is located in said guardrail and said guardrail rises above said top surface.    
   
   
       61 . The platform of  claim 58  wherein said support assembly comprises: 
 a wrist rest for supporting an operator's wrist and adjacent areas of the operator's appendage, said wrist rest being located upon said support assembly top surface, wherein said wrist rest is located adjacent an edge of said support assembly top surface, said edge being proximal to the appendage when said platform is in use, said wrist rest comprising a resilient material.    
   
   
       62 . A platform for a computer mouse used with a microprocessor and an operator's appendage associated with operating the mouse, wherein the platform is configured to stably rest upon a thigh of the operator, said platform comprising a support assembly, including at least one piece and comprising: 
 a top surface on which an associated mouse and the appendage can be selectively supported;    a bottom surface, wherein said bottom surface is adapted to rest upon a thigh of the operator; and,    a guard rail protruding from-said top surface for preventing said mouse from falling off said top surface, said guard rail extending around at least some of said top surface.    
   
   
       63 . The platform of  claim 62  further comprising a gap in said guard rail, said gap facing a knee of the operator when said bottom surface rests upon a thigh of the operator.  
   
   
       64 . The platform of  claim 62  further comprising a friction layer located on said bottom surface.  
   
   
       65 . The platform of  claim 62  further comprising a wrist rest for supporting an operator's wrist and adjacent areas of the operator's extremity, said wrist rest being secured to said support assembly top surface, wherein said wrist rest is located adjacent a first edge of said support assembly top surface, said first edge being located proximal to the operator's wrist when said platform is in use.