Document support

The present invention relates to a document support, and in particular to a document that can be attached to a keyboard support tray without interfering with operation of the keyboard support tray.

Personal computers are becoming more common in many industry and office environments. Such systems may employ a keypad, mouse, and/or other data input devices, such as a digitizing pad. Often, the personal computer occupies much of the desk or worksurface, making it difficult to locate the keyboard thereon. Furthermore, many users do not prefer to locate the keyboard on the desktop because it is uncomfortable to address the keyboard over the course of the workday. A number of devices have been developed to offer greater flexibility in supporting the keyboard, mouse, or other user interface devices at a comfortable position relative to the user. Available keyboard support assemblies include a keyboard support surface that is permanently attached to a height adjustment device. Such height adjustment devices may be capable of positioning the keyboard support surface below the worksurface during use and/or for storage. Various keyboard support configurations have been developed, and may include a hand support, a mouse support, or a specific keyboard clamping arrangement.

During operation of the computer, an operator may need to read a document for entry of the information from the document. Various document holders or “copy stands” have been developed for this purpose. However, such holders are generally designed to be placed on a worksurface adjacent the user. Accordingly, such supports obstruct the worksurface, and also may be difficult to position in a comfortable line of sight for the user.

Accordingly, a device alleviating the above-identified drawbacks of existing devices is desired.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a combination keyboard support tray and document support for use in offices and other similar environments. A keyboard support tray has a base adapted to secure the keyboard support tray to a worksurface. The keyboard support tray has an upper surface adapted to support a keyboard and defining a perimeter having a front edge adapted to be positioned adjacent a user and a rear edge adapted to be positioned away from a user. A document support has at least one clip removably securing the document support to the perimeter of the keyboard support tray. A document support includes an upwardly-opening document support groove having a curved shape in plan view to retain a document in an upwardly-extended configuration wherein the document can be readily viewed by a user of the keyboard support tray.

Another aspect of the present invention is a combination keyboard support tray and document support including a keyboard support tray having a rear edge adapted to be positioned away from a user. The keyboard support tray includes a first connector. A document support has an upwardly-opening document support groove having a curved shape in plan view. An edge portion of a document can be placed in the document support groove to support the document in an upwardly-extending configuration. The document support includes a second connector releasably interconnecting the document support to the keyboard support tray and positioning the document support groove adjacent the rear edge of the keyboard support tray such that a document supported in the groove extends upwardly above the keyboard support tray in a readily viewable position.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a clip-on document support adapted for connection to an edge of a keyboard support tray. The document support includes an attachment structure having a U-shaped portion configured to receive an edge portion of a keyboard support tray. The document support also includes at least one barb adapted to engage a keyboard support tray to retain a document support, and an upwardly-opening document support groove having a curved shape in plan view to support a document in an upwardly-extending position.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a keyboard support tray and removable document support embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the removable document support of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the keyboard support tray and removable document support of FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the keyboard support tray and removable document support of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V—V; FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI—VI; FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the removable document support of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the document support of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the document support of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the document support of FIG. 1 .

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The reference numeral 1 (FIG. 1) generally designates a combination keyboard support tray and document support embodying the present invention, which is particularly designed for use in offices and other similar settings and environments. In the illustrated example, the combination keyboard support and document support includes a keyboard tray 2 having a base 3 adapted to secure the keyboard support tray 2 to a worksurface such as a desk (not shown). The keyboard support tray 2 has an upper surface 4 adapted to support a computer keyboard (not shown). The upper surface defines a perimeter 5 having a front edge 6 adapted to be positioned adjacent a user, and a rear edge 7 adapted to be positioned away from a user. The document support 10 has at least one clip 11 (FIG. 2) securing the document support 10 to the perimeter 5 of the keyboard support tray 2 . The document support 10 includes an upwardly-opening document support groove 12 having a curved shape in plan view (see also FIG. 4) to retain a document 13 in an upwardly-extending configuration wherein the document 13 can be readily viewed by a user of the keyboard support tray 2 .

Keyboard support tray 2 is substantially the same as a commercially available details® “CSP” model available from Steelcase Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich. As described in more detail below, keyboard support tray 2 includes openings that receive barbs of document support 10 to retain the document support 10 on tray 2 . The illustrated keyboard tray 2 may include a padded, height-adjustable wrist rest 14 . The keyboard support tray 2 may be connected to a worksurface by an adjustable height support arm (not shown) such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6 , 135 , 405 , entitled TILT LOCKOUT FOR ARTICULATED KEYBOARD SUPPORTS, filed Jan. 9, 1998, and issued on Oct. 24, 2000 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The “CSP” tray 2 may also be connected to commercially available Steelcase/Details “Stella”, “Eastridge”, and “Spring Assist” mechanisms. The document support 10 is preferably of a reduced height that is less than the height of a conventional computer keyboard, such that the document support 10 and keyboard support tray 2 may be attached to a conventional articulated arm support mechanism and positioned below the worksurface when not in use. The compact design of the document support 10 permits the keyboard support tray 2 to be positioned directly adjacent the lower surface of a worksurface in a position that is out of the way of the legs of a seated user.

The document support 10 (FIG. 2) is made of a polymer material, and includes a pair of forwardly-opening clips 11 that fit over the rear edge 7 of keyboard support tray 2 . Clips 11 are formed by a downwardly-extending web or wall 15 , and forwardly-extending lower flanges 16 (FIG. 8 ), each of which has an opening 17 therethrough. An upwardly-extending wall 18 has an arcuate plan shape (FIG. 8 ), and includes a pair of V-shaped notches 19 that receive and retain a computer mouse wire or line (not shown). An arcuate structural portion 20 extends from a central portion of the arcuate wall 18 . Document support groove 12 is formed in arcuate portion 20 , and includes an opening 21 through a central portion of groove 12 . Groove 12 has an upwardly-opening U-shaped cross section having a base surface 22 (FIG. 5 ), and generally parallel front and rear sidewall surfaces 23 and 24 , respectively. Opening 21 in base surface 22 receives a lower edge portion 25 (FIG. 6) of document 13 , such that document 13 contacts upper corner 26 and lower corner 27 of groove 12 , thereby preventing document 13 from pivoting rearwardly away from the user out of engagement with document support groove 12 . Front sidewall 23 of document support groove 12 is spaced-apart from upper surface 4 of keyboard support tray 2 , thereby forming a gap 28 that receives the lower edge portion 25 of document 13 . Gap 28 permits the lower edge of the document 13 to protrude forwardly of lower corner 27 into contact with upper surface 4 of tray 2 , thereby preventing rearward tilting and/or rotation of document 13 , and subsequent disengagement from document support groove 12 . The arcuate plan view shape of groove 12 (FIG. 8) holds the document in a curved shape to provide rigidity, such that the document does not bend or sag downwardly, such that the document is retained in an upwardly-extending configuration.

With further reference to FIG. 10, clip 11 has a forwardly-opening U-shape formed by an upper surface 29 , lower surface 30 , and rear surface 31 . A first barb 32 extends upwardly from lower surface 30 , and a second barb 33 extends downwardly from upper surface 29 . With further reference to FIG. 3, first barb 32 is received in an opening or indentation 35 in lower surface 8 of keyboard support tray 2 , and the second barb 33 is received in an upper indentation or opening 34 in upper surface 4 of keyboard support tray 2 to retain the document support 10 on rear edge 7 of keyboard support tray 2 . Document support 10 is made of a material having sufficient flexibility to permit flexing of clip 11 to an open position wherein barbs 32 and/or 33 are disengaged, thereby permitting manual removal and/or installation of document support 10 .

The document support 10 of the present invention can be quickly and easily removed or installed on the keyboard support tray 2 , as required by a particular user. The document support 10 positions a document 13 in an upright position wherein the document 13 can be easily viewed by a user of a computer keyboard or the like. Furthermore, the document support does not take up space on an associated worksurface, thereby freeing up the worksurface area for other desktop items.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.