DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a mouse pad, in particular for use with portable computers.

With modern operating systems, a desktop personal computer necessarily requires an external component known as a mouse, i.e. a device able to feed an input to the computer such that as it moves, a corresponding indicator analogue, known as a pointer, moves on the screen.

The mouse enables each input operation to be performed with a single hand, as all the functions are collected within the pointing device (scroll, confirm, click, double click), making it simple, intuitive and fast at the same time.

To be used correctly, i.e. slidingly and accurately, this component requires a working base known as a mouse pad, to be rested on the desk or table.

The mouse pad is in the form of a support base, the plastic or fabric top of which enables the mouse to slide, whereas its lower side, provided with non-slip rubber, renders it stable on the worktop.

A vast range of mouse pads are currently available in the most varied shapes and in different soft materials, conceived to improve aiming accuracy and ergonomics, while reducing stress on the user's wrist, but all intended for traditional use, i.e. on a table.

In portable computers, notebooks and netbooks, the pointing device (often called touchpad) is not external, but is incorporated into the computer frame; it is operated by sliding the finger along a sensitive surface and by pressing the keys positioned in proximity to this surface. In most cases, the user hence engages two hands to perform input operations: one hand for sliding the cursor into the chosen position and another hand for pressing the confirm key or scroll operating key. Hence this system does not include the use of a mouse pad.

The incorporated touchpad is of small dimensions, is little intuitive and extremely uncomfortable, but is currently still the only system for using a portable computer in uncomfortable situations, such as in means of transport (aeroplanes, trains), on tables in waiting rooms (stations, bars), on conference seats with a lateral bookrest, and in all those situations in which a resting base for a mouse is unavailable.

An external mouse is known to be far more practical and quick, such that the market has been compelled to develop mini-mice for travelling use, intended for portable computer users.

US 5,919,562 describes a mouse pad characterised by having adhesive on its entire lower side to prevent the pad from slipping on the desk.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mouse pad which can be used with all computers, in particular with portable computers.

Anther object is to provide a mouse pad of simple, low-cost production. These an other objects are attained according to the present invention by a mouse pad comprising a lower surface; characterised by being removably fixable onto a flat portion of a portable computer and by comprising at least one repositionable double-sided adhesive element positioned between said lower surface and said flat portion of a portable computer.

Further characteristics of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The proposed solution resolves the limits of the touchpad incorporated into a portable computer by presenting a new mouse pad model which enables all portable computer users to use the traditional external mouse even when no support base (desk or table) exists.

The pad consists of a preferably rigid mouse support base on which the user can slide the pointing device as on traditional pads; however the bottom of the pad presents two features which distinguish the invention from all other commercially available products.

The first feature is the repositionable adhesive element which enables the pad to be fixed to the flat parts of the portable computer, even positioning it partly projecting from the computer itself.

Another feature is the non-slip perimetral band which also enables the pad to be used on a desk.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the ensuing detailed description of one embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a portable computer with a mouse pad, according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a portable computer according to the present invention, seen from above;

Figures 3, 5 and 7 are schematic views of a portable computer according to the present invention, seen from below;

Figures 4 and 6 are schematic views of a portable computer according to the present invention, seen in profile;

Figure 8 is a schematic exploded view of a portable computer according to the present invention.

With reference to the accompanying figures, a mouse pad according to the present invention comprises, for a mouse 11 , a preferably rigid support base 10 formed for example of ABS or polycarbonate, having dimensions of about 15 cm x 10 cm x 0.3 cm. The shape of the support base 10 is preferably rectangular, but other geometrical shapes or even non-geometrical shapes can be used according to requirements.

The support base 10 comprises an upper surface 12, which is the surface on which the mouse 1 1 rests and operates.

In one embodiment the surface 12 consists directly of the upper surface 10.

In a preferred other embodiment, the surface 12 is a transparent sheet of embossed plastic (for example of polycarbonate or PVC) which can be moulded and adhesive-bonded to the upper surface of the support base 10.

The support base 10 also comprises a lower surface 13, which is provided with two well defined areas: a perimetral area 14 and a central area 15.

The perimetral area 14 comprises a band 18 which defines the perimeter of the support base 10. The material of the band 18 is for example a soft foam, preferably of neoprene (EPDM).

In the described example, the band 18 has a width of about 2 cm on one of its major sides and of about 1 cm on its other major side. In the example, the purpose of the greater width of one of the sides is to facilitate braking action during mouse movements.

The central area 15 comprises a repositionable double-sided adhesive element 16 (adhesive on both sides), to fix the support base 10 onto surfaces, particularly of portable computers.

In the described example the adhesive element 16 has dimensions of about 5 cm x 3 cm, and is preferably formed of soft rubber (TPR) or of other repositionable sticky plastic material, repositionable plastic glue, plastoferrite or any other removable adhesive material.

If the pad is to be used on a desk, it is advantageous to superimpose on the adhesive element 16 a thin protective film 17, preferably of greater dimensions than the adhesive element 16 itself.

The purpose of the protective sheet 17 is to protect the adhesive element when the pad is not in use.

Alternatively, the adhesive element can be one-sided and then fixed rigidly to the support base 10 by biadhesive, glue or other fixing means, or welded, or moulded together with the pad itself, obviously leaving exposed the sticky side to be positioned on the computer. As an alternative, the adhesive element can be fixed directly onto the surface of the portable computer instead of on the pad, possibly covering it with a protective sheet when not in use.

A tear-off tape could also be used, fixing a part onto the pad lower surface and a part onto the surface of the portable computer.

The adhesive element 16 is preferably formed with a thickness slightly less than that of the band 18 of the perimetral area 14, in order to remain raised during use on a desk, to hence enable the non-slip action of the band 18 to take place.

In the described embodiment, the adhesive element 16 has been positioned in the central area of the pad, but could be located in other positions (for example laterally to the side of the band 18), depending on requirements or on the characteristics of the portable computer.

The invention can be positioned on the flat free areas of a portable computer 20, for example to the side (right or left) of the touchpad, these being usually flat areas free from keys and connection ports (see Figure 1 ).

By virtue of its intrinsic rigidity, the pad can also be positioned partly projecting. A space has merely to be found for fixing the adhesive element 16 onto the computer.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide the user with a mouse support instrument usable both on a portable computer and on a desk computer. When applied to a portable computer, this pad enables a traditional mouse to be utilized, leaving the keyboard free to use, the adhesive central element being extremely sticky such as to overcome the force of the perimetral rubber, whereas when used conventionally on a desk, the central element, remaining raised, enables the rubber to perform its natural non-slip function. Advantageously, the protective film on the adhesive element prevents contact with sensitive and/or delicate surfaces such as desks of precious wood. The protective film can also be housed in the bottom of the pad, by inserting it between the adhesive element and the pad lower surface, when the pad is fixed to a portable computer (see Figure 7).

The various pad areas are preferably bounded by containment edges. These edges not only define the areas but also act as ribs which increase pad rigidity.

According to the present invention the pad, the main characteristic of which is the adhesive element 16, and which is preferably formed as aforestated, can also be formed as certain variants.

A first variant is formed with only the upper surface 12 preferably of rigid or semi-rigid plastic, and the adhesive element 16.

A second variant is formed with only the base 10, the upper surface

12, and the adhesive element 16.

A third variant is formed with the upper surface 12 preferably of rigid or semi-rigid plastic (for example polycarbonate), a base with the neoprene band 18, and the adhesive element 16. The materials used and the dimensions can be chosen according to requirements and to the state of the art.