Adjustable armchair tray

Abstract

A multi-functional adjustable tray that mounts on the arm of a chair to provide a comfortably accessible work surface to support a computer mouse and other IO devices.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is divisional of application Ser. No. 11 / 281,572 filed on Nov. 16, 2005 which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11 / 250,654 filed on Oct. 13, 2005, which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10 / 921,540 filed on Aug. 18, 2004 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,688 on Nov. 7, 2006, the priorities of which are claimed and the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to the field of computer accessories. More particularly, the present invention provides an adjustable tray that may be easily mounted to the arm of a chair to provide a generally planar working surface to support a computer mouse and other accessories, devices and objects.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Computers are operated through the use of peripheral systems and devices such as a keyboard, roller mouse or optical mouse, pen, joystick, keyboard...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The physical stresses resulting from the awkward positioning and use of IO devices on a desktop may be remedied by mounting an adjustable tray to the left or right arm of a chair in order to facilitate the operation of a mouse or other IO device as a natural extension of a person's arm from a comfortable seated position. An adjustable tray that can be quickly and efficiently mounted to the arm of a chair may facilitate comfortable use of a computer keyboard on a person's lap without reaching for other IO devices, or use of a keyboard on the platform, further correcting the hunched forward position of many computer users. Multiple trays may be used simultaneously; for example, with a keyboard and a mouse, or split keyboards adapted for use with the left and right hands.

[0008]The platform also preferably includes retainers around its perimeter to prevent devices from sliding off the platform, and retainers to retain a pad on the platform when the platform is rotated and stored to the side of the chair.

[0009]The main components of the chair arm attachment body are an armchair stop, guides and one or more compression elements. The armchair stop supports the platform for use and storage, and connects the platform to the guides that mount on the arm of a chair. The armchair stop preferably defines a groove, cavity or interconnecting groove by which the armchair stop is pivotally connected by a fastener to the platform through one of the slots in the platform. This interconnection allows the platform to slide and rotate within the horizontal plane for use, and within the vertical plane for storage of the platform to the side of a chair.

[0011]The adjustable tray is preferably adjustable to various sizes of chair arms. The adjustable tray may also include a pad disposed on the platform and retained by a retainer around the periphery of the platform or, one or more discrete pad retainers. Cushioning material may be used on the armchair stop, the plurality of guides, the plurality of vertical guides and the bottom support member to prevent movement of the adjustable tray or marring of the chair during use.

Problems solved by technology

Reaching for the keyboard or the mouse in this way makes it very difficult to maintain proper posture and operate the computer comfortably.

Additionally, persons with debilitating injuries may find that reaching to a desk to use IO devices is difficult or painful.

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