IP Library Granted Patent US 7,752,981
Granted Patent B2
US 7,752,981 · App. 11/185,758 · Granted Jul 13, 2010

Angular mouse support

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,752,981
App. No.
11/185,758
Granted
Jul 13, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A keyboard tray can be mounted on an articulating arm and has a passage extending from side to side. A mouse support is slidably mounted within the passage and has a closed position and an extended position. When extended, an outer end of the mouse support can be pivoted forward relative to the tray.

Claims (20)

1. A keyboard tray for mounting on an articulating arm, said tray comprising an upper portion and a lower portion that together define a passage extending through said tray from side to side, said tray having two sides, a foremost edge and a back edge, a mouse support having two ends, a front and a rear, said two ends, front and rear defining a perimeter of said mouse support, said mouse support being slidably mounted within said passage and having a closed position and extended positions, said front of said mouse support generally converging toward said rear from each end to a centre of said mouse support, said mouse support being narrower at said center than at said ends, said rear of said mouse support being substantially straight from one end to the other, an extended portion of said mouse support being movable from one of said extended positions in a forward direction relative to said tray and returnable to one of said extended positions.

2. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mouse support is shaped to be movable in said forward direction beyond a forwardmost point in said foremost edge of said tray.

3. A keyboard tray as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said mouse support has one of a guide and retainer located thereon and said passage has the other of said retainer and guide respectively located thereon, said retainer and guide corresponding to one another so that said retainer can travel within said guide and said mouse support can alternately slide beyond either side of said passage, said retainer and guide limiting a distance at each end of said mouse support that said mouse support can slide out either side of said passage.

4. A keyboard tray as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said mouse support has one of a guide and retainer located thereon, said passage having the other of a retainer and guide respectively located thereon, said retainer and guide corresponding to one another so that said retainer can travel within said guide as said mouse support moves relative to said passage, said mouse support pivoting relative to a pivot point through said retainer for forward or rearward movement of said mouse support relative to said tray when said mouse support is in said extended position.

5. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mouse support has a fully extended position out either side of said tray.

6. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ends of said mouse support are curved outward with handles therein.

7. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mouse support is longer than said tray.

8. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein in said closed position, said mouse support is centred within said tray with said ends extending beyond said sides.

9. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein in said closed position, said mouse support is symmetrical about a centre line of said tray extending from said foremost edge to said back edge.

10. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein said passage has a rectangular shape when viewed from a top, said mouse support having four corners that together form an imaginary rectangle that is sized to slidably fit within said passage.

11. A keyboard tray as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein when said mouse support is in said one extended position, said mouse support has a plurality of forward positions.

12. A keyboard tray as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein when said mouse support is in said one extended position, said mouse support has a plurality of forward positions, said keyboard tray having a plurality of détentes, there being one détente for each forward position.

13. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein said keyboard tray has a projection substantially centrally located in said passage, said projection extending into a groove in said mouse support, said groove extending between said ends of said mouse support.

14. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 13 wherein said keyboard tray has a channel in an underside thereof, said channel being located above said groove, said mouse support having a protrusion extending upward therefrom into said channel.

15. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 14 wherein said protrusion is spring loaded.

16. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 15 wherein said channel has a détente located at a center thereof and said channel having two portions that curve forward, there being one of said two portions at each side of said tray, said portions containing a plurality of détentes, said détentes being sized and shaped to removably receive said protrusion.

17. A keyboard tray for mounting on an articulating arm, said tray comprising an upper portion and a lower portion that together define a passage extending through said tray from side to side, said tray having two sides, a foremost edge and a back edge, a mouse support having two ends, a front and a rear said two ends, front and rear defining a perimeter of said mouse support, said mouse support being slidably mounted within said passage and having a closed position in said tray and a plurality of extended positions, said rear being straight from one end to the other, said mouse support converging from said ends to a center of said mouse support such that said mouse support being narrower at said center than at said ends, in said closed position said center of said mouse support being substantially equidistant from said sides of said tray, in said extended positions, an extended portion of said mouse support being moveable in a forward direction relative to said tray to a forward position.

18. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 17 wherein there are a plurality of forward positions on each side of said tray.

19. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 18 wherein there is a détente for each forward position.

20. A keyboard tray as claimed in claim 17 wherein said mouse support is constructed to be pivoted when in an extended position either forward or backward.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2021
From: KNAPE & VOGT MANUFACTURING COMPANY; WORKRITE ERGONOMICS, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 056444/0370 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 24, 2019
From: KNAPE & VOGT MANUFACTURING COMPANY; WORKRITE ERGONOMICS, LLC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 048989/0118 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Mar 24, 2011
From: COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.
To: WATERLOO FURNITURE COMPONENTS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 026017/0285 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2005
From: BLACKBUM, NICHOLAS L.
To: COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reel/Frame 016795/0190 →