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Chair arm with stowable table and mouse padChair arm with stowable table and mouse pad description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060103180, Chair arm with stowable table and mouse pad. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/591,657 filed Jul. 28, 2004. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a chair and table combination, in particular a chair arm having a stowable table with an integrated mouse pad. The chair arm is positional relative to the person sitting in the chair thereby allowing the user to position the table in the most ergonomic and comfortable position for operating a keyboard and/or a computer mouse positioned on the table. Furthermore, the chair arm has an armrest allowing the user to rest their arm on the rest while using the computer mouse. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Ergonomics as it relates to computer use is a field in need of innovation. Concerns involving the lack of proper positioning of a persons body while operating a computer keyboard and mouse are growing rapidly. Of particular concern are a person's back and arm position while operating a computer. The operation of a computer primarily involves inputting data through use of a keyboard and the use of a computer mouse for moving a curser and clicking the mouse. [0004] Typically, these operations are performed in a seated position for long periods of time. Accordingly, these operations are the cause of a great number of stress related injuries. Repetitive motion injuries such as carpel tunnel syndrome and tendonitis are injuries that are common but avoidable with proper ergonomic posture during use of the keyboard and mouse. [0005] Ergonomic devices have been developed to address these issues. For example, chairs have become high tech with the ability to be positioned to suit the user's needs and comfort level. Also, articulating arms that attach to desktops have been designed to provide support for a users arm while using a keyboard or mouse. Furthermore, mouse pads with a fold out arm that attach to a desktop and a chair desk having a stowable table with a mouse pad have been designed. In particular, these designs address the important and growing issue of relieving the strain put on the users back and arms and wrists. These devices concentrate mainly on supporting the users' arms and wrists while operating a keyboard and mouse. The users' arms and wrists are traditionally positioned on the desk in front of a computer monitor with the mouse pad being to the right of the keyboard. The problem is that there is no easy way to make using the keyboard and mouse comfortable and safe when they are located in a position that forces the user to stretch and bend the arms in positions that cause strain. [0006] An example of one device addressing the problem of using a computer mouse is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,771, issued to Lauzon et, Feb. 19, 2002 and entitled "Portable arm and mouse support for use with personal computers". The device has a jointed arm with a mouse pad on one end and the other end is attached to a desktop. This design presents a problem with stability. In particular, the device is not able to withstand the weight a person will inadvertently put on the arm while positioning him or herself. The device is also cumbersome in that it does not stow away and must be attached and detached when not in use. [0007] Another such device, U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,710, issued to Dearing et al, Feb. 13, 1996 and entitled "Swing Arm Chair" shows a chair having a stow able table mounted onto a chair arm with an integrated mouse pad. The problem with this design is that it lacks the necessary adjustments to position the table up, down or rotationally so that the table may be usable while using a computer keyboard in conjunction with the mouse. Also, there is no support under the table to provide for any weight that one might put on the table. The mouse pad is in a fixed position and will likely incur strain and fatigue on the wrist because of the inability to position it where it is most comfortable. Finally, another problem is that this chair desk arm is not mountable on the standard office chair. [0008] In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,150 issued to Touzani, Oct. 5, 2004, and entitled "Ergonomic bi-level workstation" shows a chair desk with incorporated mouse pad. Many similar problems exist with this device as with that of U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,710 to Benden, et al., Aug. 12, 2003 and entitled "Support apparatus for a chair" in that the table is not positional vertically or horizontally. The mouse pad is in a fixed position to the user's right side thereby forcing the user's arm into a single position that may overtime become uncomfortable. [0009] Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,939 issued to Christensen, Nov. 6, 2001 and entitled "Integrated mouse pad and wrist and arm support" shows a chair arm with an integrated mouse pad that is positional to a limited extent. A problem exists in this design in that the table or mouse pad is not stowable thereby causing a problem of being cumbersome when not in use. Although the arm is positional it has no linear tracking thereby limiting the mouse pad position to a fixed radius from the pivot points. [0010] Next, U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,303 issued to Hope, Mar. 5, 2002 and entitled "Arm rest mouse pad" shows a mouse pad with almost no means of positioning and no means of stowing it away. This chair mouse pad must be attached and detached when not in use. With the need for maneuverability of an office chair, leaving an extended mouse pad attached to a chair arm would create problems of mobility in the often cluttered and confined environment of computer workstations. [0011] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,109 issued to Bergsten, et al., Mar. 20, 2001 and entitled "Ergonomic arm support" shows multi positional arm supports that are attachable to an office chair. Although this design provides good positioning of the arm supports in relation to the users body and keyboard, it does not provide for a stow able table with integrated mouse pad thereby being limited in its use as only supporting a person's arms. The design does provide for a mouse pad attachment in place of the armrest. This design creates a problem in that the mouse pad would not be hinged or stowable, and would not have the armrest to provide support for the arm while using the mouse. [0012] In today's workforce and confined environments compactness and speed are essential. In order for a chair arm or desk combination having an integrated mouse pad to be useful it should be quickly accessible, provide ergonomic positioning and have the ability to be quickly stowed away. If the device is cumbersome, unappealing, and too complicated it will not be used. The present invention provides a solution to these needs and other problems, and offers other advantages over the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a stowable work surface and attachment apparatus are used with an existing chair. The attachment apparatus comprise a vertically adjustable post having a first end that is configured and arrange to be attached to a chair, and a second end that is configured and arranged to rotatably support a mounting plate or bracket. The mounting plate, in turn, is operatively and movably connected to one or more arms that are configured and arranged to support the work surface. And the work surface comprises a computer peripheral interface surface and an armrest. [0014] In another embodiment, a stowable work surface and a portion of the attachment apparatus are used with an exiting chair armpost. In this embodiment, only the mounting plate of the attachment apparatus is used. [0015] In another embodiment, there are two stowable work surfaces that are movably connected to both sides of a chair. In this embodiment, which may be used with chairs having armposts or chairs without armposts, the work surfaces are configured and arranged so that they may create a substantially continuous work space in front of the chair. [0016] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a work space that can be separated and stowed along side of a chair when not in use. [0017] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a work surface that can be removably attached to the frame of an existing wheeled chair thereby converting the chair into a mobile work station. [0018] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a chair having a stowable work surface capable of supporting a laptop, and movable into a stowed position when not in use. [0019] Additional advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present attachment apparatus assembly with showing the stowable work surface in an extended horizontal position. Continue reading about Chair arm with stowable table and mouse pad... Full patent description for Chair arm with stowable table and mouse pad Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Chair arm with stowable table and mouse pad patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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