DE20020353U1 - Pad for PC input device - Google Patents

Description

Base for PC input device

&iacgr;&ogr; The invention relates to a base for a PC input device, hereinafter referred to as a mouse pad.

The PC input device, hereinafter referred to as the mouse, has a ball that rolls on the mouse pad or another surface. Since the function and operation of this PC input device are sufficiently well known, further explanations are not necessary.

Mouse pads have a special surface to ensure good rolling contact with the ball. Conventional mouse pads consist of a foam rubber layer approximately 3 mm thick and a plastic top layer, which can be printed with advertising, for example.

If such a mouse pad is intended as a promotional item, it is desirable for the mouse pad to have additional functions to increase its utility value.

This object is achieved with a mouse pad according to patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

The mouse pad according to the invention consists of several thin plates which are covered on the underside with a rubber-like layer, which causes the plates to be held together elastically. When the plates are folded over in a preferred order, the rubber-like layer is stretched. The folded mouse pad therefore shows a tendency to unfold itself. Such self-unfolding is

However, this can be prevented by suitable mechanical measures, e.g. by arranging a clamp. Since such functional elements with clamping properties are sufficiently known to the person skilled in the art, these clamps do not need to be explained in more detail.

The panels and the rubber-like layer of the foldable mouse pad are ideal for supporting advertising prints. The mouse pad can be easily transported when folded and handed over to a customer.

The invention is described in more detail below using an embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows the top view of an unfolded mouse pad with six

Plates.

Fig. 2 shows the side view of the unfolded mouse pad.

Fig. 3A shows the top view of Fig. 1, with two plates

will work.

Fig. 3B shows the top view of Fig. 1, with two plates

are folded and another two plates are folded down

the.

Fig. 4 shows the top view of Fig. 1, with four plates

are folded and now three plates are folded down.

Fig. 5 shows the top view of the fully folded

Mouse pads.

Fig. 1 shows the top view of an unfolded mouse pad with six plates (1 to 6), whereby a rubber film (7) is glued to the undersides of the plates according to Fig. 2. Fig. 3A shows the folding of the plates (1, 4), and Fig. 3B shows the state after folding the plates (1, 4) under the plates (2, 5) and folding the plates (3, 6). Fig. 4 shows the plates (3, 6) after folding under the plates (2, 5; 1,4) and the following.

folding down the plates (4, 5, 6). In Fig. 5, the mouse pad is completely folded up after folding down the plates (4, 5, 6).

A clip is provided to prevent the mouse pad from unfolding. The same effect can be achieved with a banderol, which can also have an advertising print on it.

Claims (4)

1. A base for a PC input device having the following features: - 6 rectangular plates ( 1 to 6 ), - an elastic layer ( 7 ), wherein the three pairs of plates ( 1 , 4 ; 2 , 5 ; 3 , 6 ) are arranged next to one another and are connected to one another by means of the elastic layer ( 7 ), and - a holding device which fixes the base in the folded state. 2. Base according to claim 1, characterized in that the plates are made of metal. 3. Base according to claim 1, characterized in that the panels are made of wood. 4. Support according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device is a clip or a banderol.