Textured sensory device

Abstract

A sensory device may include a bottom surface, a perimeter wall extending upward from the bottom surface to a perimeter height and a plurality of projections extending upward from the bottom surface to a projection height. The plurality of projections may include a first set, a second set, and a third set, where projections within a given set have a similar structure to each other but a distinct structure relative to projections in other sets. Projections may be (a) generally cylindrical in shape, (b) disposed in a linear manner, (c) disposed as a plurality of concentric circular segments, or (d) disposed as a plurality of coupled linear segments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A three-dimensional rest configured for use with a keyboard associated with a portable computing device, the three-dimensional rest comprising:
 a bottom surface;   a perimeter wall protruding upward from the bottom surface to a perimeter height; and   a plurality of projections having a projection width and extending upward from the bottom surface to a projection height, the projection height being greater than the projection width, the plurality of projections comprising a first set of first projections, a second set of second projections, and a third set of third projections;   each of the first projections in the first set having a similar first structure to each of the other first projections in the first set, each of the second projections in the second set having a similar second structure to each of the other second projections in the second set, and each of the third projections in the third set having a similar third structure to each of the other third projections in the third set; the first structure, the second structure, and the third structure being distinct from each other.   
     
     
         2 . The three-dimensional rest of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first structure, the second structure and the third structure are selected from a group comprising projections (a) being generally cylindrical in shape, (b) having a substantially uniform width and substantially uniform height and being disposed in a linear manner, (c) having a substantially uniform width and substantially uniform height and being disposed as a plurality of concentric circular segments, or (d) having a substantially uniform width and substantially uniform height and being disposed as a plurality of coupled linear segments, each linear segment in the plurality of coupled linear segments being disposed at a fixed angle relative to an adjacent linear segment in the plurality of coupled linear segments. 
     
     
         3 . The three-dimensional rest of  claim 2 , wherein the fixed angle is 120 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The three-dimensional rest of  claim 2 , wherein the fixed angle is between 75 and 150 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The three-dimensional rest of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more contoured surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The three-dimensional rest of  claim 1 , wherein each projection in the plurality of projections comprises an elastic, resilient material. 
     
     
         7 . The three-dimensional rest of  claim 6 , wherein the elastic, resilient material comprises silicone. 
     
     
         8 . The three-dimensional rest of  claim 7 , wherein the silicone has a Shore A durometer of between about 30 and about 65. 
     
     
         9 . The three-dimensional rest of  claim 1 , wherein a height relative to the bottom surface varies along a width, such that a height along one long edge has a first value, and a height along a second long edge opposite the first long edge has a second value, the second value being greater than the first value. 
     
     
         10 . A three-dimensional rest configured for use with a keyboard associated with a portable computing device, the three-dimensional rest comprising:
 a bottom surface;   a perimeter wall protruding upward from the bottom surface to a perimeter height;   a plurality of projections extending upward from the bottom surface to a projection height, the plurality of projections comprising a first set of first projections, a second set of second projections, and a third set of third projections; each of the first projections in the first set having a similar first structure to each of the other first projections in the first set, each of the second projections in the second set having a similar second structure to each of the other second projections in the second set, and each of the third projections in the third set having a similar third structure to each of the other third projections in the third set; the first structure, the second structure, and the third structure being distinct from each other; and   a first portion comprising at least one of the first set of first projections, the second set of second projections or the third set of third projections; and a second portion comprising at least one of the first set of first projections, the second set of second projections or the third set of third projections; wherein the second portion is distinct from the first portion and physically separated from the first portion by a connecting region.   
     
     
         11 . The three-dimensional rest of  claim 10 , wherein the connecting region comprises an opening that is configured to reveal a track pad associated with the portable computing device. 
     
     
         12 . A sensory device comprising:
 a bottom surface;   a perimeter wall protruding upward from the bottom surface to a perimeter height;   a plurality of projections extending upward from the bottom surface to a projection height, the plurality of projections comprising a first set of first projections, a second set of second projections, and a third set of third projections;   each of the first projections in the first set having a similar first structure to each of the other first projections in the first set, each of the second projections in the second set having a similar second structure to each of the other second projections in the second set, and each of the third projections in the third set having a similar third structure to each of the other third projections in the third set; the first structure, the second structure, and the third structure being distinct from each other;   wherein the perimeter height varies along a width of the bottom surface, such that the perimeter height along one long edge of the bottom surface has a first value, and the perimeter height along a second long edge of the bottom surface opposite the first long edge has a second value, the second value being greater than the first value.   
     
     
         13 . The sensory device of  claim 12 , wherein each of the first structure, the second structure and the third structure are selected from a group comprising projections (a) being generally cylindrical in shape, (b) having a substantially uniform width and substantially uniform height and being disposed in a linear manner, (c) having a substantially uniform width and substantially uniform height and being disposed as a plurality of concentric circular segments, or (d) having a substantially uniform width and substantially uniform height and being disposed as a plurality of coupled linear segments, each linear segment in the plurality of coupled linear segments being disposed at a fixed angle relative to an adjacent linear segment in the plurality of coupled linear segments. 
     
     
         14 . The sensory device of  claim 13 , wherein the fixed angle is 120 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The sensory device of  claim 13 , wherein the fixed angle is between 75 and 150 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The sensory device of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more contoured surfaces. 
     
     
         17 . The sensory device of  claim 12 , where each projection in the plurality of projections comprises an elastic, resilient material. 
     
     
         18 . The sensory device of  claim 17 , wherein the elastic, resilient material comprises silicone. 
     
     
         19 . The sensory device of  claim 18 , wherein the silicone has a Shore A durometer of 30-65.