US20130312644A1

US20130312644A1 - Keyboard tray and attached mouse platform having multiple degrees of movement

Info

Publication number: US20130312644A1
Application number: US13/902,380
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephan Copeland
Original assignee: Heman Miller Inc
Current assignee: Heman Miller Inc
Priority date: 2012-05-25
Filing date: 2013-05-24
Publication date: 2013-11-28

Abstract

A computer peripheral support system includes a keyboard tray having a top surface, a left edge, a right edge, and a front edge, and is configured to retain a keyboard on the top surface thereof. A mouse platform is operatively coupled to the keyboard tray by a parallelogram arm, which includes a first end and a second end, and is configured to permit vertical elevation of the mouse platform relative to the keyboard tray. A locking mount is releasably attached to the keyboard tray and has an attachment portion coupled to the first end of the parallelogram arm. A ball pivot housing is operatively coupled to the mouse platform and includes an attachment portion operatively coupled to the second end of the scissor arm. A palm support is rotatably coupled to a circumferential portion of the mouse platform.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/688,949 filed May 25, 2012, entitled Keyboard/Mousing Platform, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to support platforms for computer peripherals, and more particularly, to a keyboard tray and attached mouse platform, typically for use with computers.

BACKGROUND

Increases in computer usage have created a need to provide a platform for computer keyboards and mouse devices. Such platforms should allow for easy access to the keyboard and mouse for use in an ergonomically correct manner. Often, keyboard platforms are secured to a bracketing mechanism that is mounted to an underside of a horizontal surface, such as a desk. The bracketing mechanism generally allows the keyboard platform to be positioned under the horizontal surface of either the desk or the work station when it is not in use. Such mechanisms are typically not sufficiently configurable to provide proper ergonomic positioning to both the keyboard and the mouse platform.
Further, many known platforms do not accommodate a mouse or other pointer instrument. Mouse-type instruments have become increasingly popular as a control interface. Users find such instruments natural and easy to use, especially with the menu driven software that is prevalent in the market. Due to the convenience of keyboard drawers and platforms, and the necessity for mouse-type instruments, a need exists for combination keyboard tray and mouse platform to hold a mouse next to the keyboard tray.
Additionally, due to ergonomic considerations, users often hold a wireless (or wired) keyboard on their lap so that the arms and wrists are in the proper ergonomic position. However, known supports fail to accommodate such a lap-based usage for support of a mouse.
A need exists for an ergonomically correct keyboard tray and mouse platform combination that can be either mounted by a bracket or arm to a support surface, or that can be operated while the keyboard tray is held on the user's lap while in a seated position.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments of a computer peripheral support system include a keyboard tray having a top surface, a left edge, a right edge, and a front edge, and is configured to retain a keyboard on the top surface thereof. A mouse platform is operatively coupled to the keyboard tray by a parallelogram arm, which includes a first end and a second end, which is configured to permit vertical elevation of the mouse platform relative to the keyboard tray. A locking mount is releasably attached to the keyboard tray and has an attachment portion coupled to the first end of the parallelogram arm. A ball pivot housing is operatively coupled to the mouse platform and includes an attachment portion operatively coupled to the second end of the parallelogram arm. A palm support is rotatably coupled to a circumferential portion of the mouse platform.
In a further embodiment, the locking mount is configured to permit the mouse platform to be continuously positionable along the right edge, the front edge, and the left edge of the keyboard tray, respectively, when the locking mount is in an unlocked configuration. Further, when in an unlocked position, the locking mount is permits the parallelogram arm and attached mouse platform to rotate in a plane of the keyboard tray, and permits the mouse platform to move along the front edge of the keyboard tray, so as to permit continuous positioning of the mouse platform along the right edge, the front edge, and the left edge of the keyboard tray, respectively.
Other methods and systems, and features and advantages thereof will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that the scope of the invention will include the foregoing and all such additional methods and systems, and features and advantages thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating various aspects thereof. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a keyboard tray and mouse platform according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the keyboard tray and mouse platform according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the keyboard tray and mouse platform secured to a work surface by an extendable arm.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the keyboard tray and mouse platform supported on the lap of a user in a working configuration.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard tray and mouse platform according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 6A-6C show three operational positions in elevation, of the mouse platform;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of the mouse platform twisted relative to the keyboard tray.

FIGS. 8A-8C show top and bottom views of the mouse platform in an over-ten position.

FIGS. 9A-9D show top and bottom views of the mouse platform positioned along the side and front of the keyboard tray.

FIG. 10 illustrates rotation of the palm support platform about the mouse platform.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the palm support.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate certain geometry of a parallelogram arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a computer peripheral support system 100 is shown, which includes a keyboard tray 104 configured to retain a keyboard (not shown) on a top surface 106 of the keyboard tray 104. The keyboard tray 104 is defined by the top surface 106, a bottom surface 110, a left edge 112, a right edge 114, and a front edge 116. The keyboard tray 104 may include a plurality of apertures 122 to permit airflow therethrough to dissipate heat when the keyboard tray 104 is positioned on a lap of a user. Four bosses 270 may be integrally molded in the bottom surface 110 of the keyboard tray. A removable rectangular palm pad 130 may be optionally attached toward the forward edge 116 of the top surface 106 of the keyboard tray 104.
A mouse platform 140 may be operatively coupled to the keyboard tray 104 by a parallelogram arm 202, which has a first end 204 for attachment and a second end 206 for attachment. The parallelogram arm 202 permits vertical elevation of the mouse platform 140 relative to the keyboard tray 104, including elevation of the mouse platform 140 above a plane of the keyboard tray 104 and below the plane of the keyboard tray 104. Preferably, the keyboard tray 104 and mouse platform 140 are each integrally molded from high-impact plastic or other suitable material. Injection molding processes or other suitable processes may be used to form the keyboard tray 104 and mouse platform 140, or other molded components of the system.
The computer peripheral support system 100 may further include a locking mount 216 configured to lockably attach to the keyboard tray 104. The locking mount 216 includes an attachment tab 222, which is configured to couple to the first end 204 of the parallelogram arm 202. A ball pivot housing 230 may be operatively coupled to the mouse platform 140, preferably to a bottom portion 234 of the mouse platform 140. The ball pivot housing 230 may include an attachment or vertical wall plate or plate structure 240 that is operatively coupled to the second end 206 of the parallelogram arm 202.
The mouse platform 140 preferably includes a palm support 250 rotatably coupled to a circumferential portion 254 of the mouse platform 140. The palm support 250 may include a sloping palm edge surface 260 disposed toward one end of the palm support 140, and a mouse retaining wall 150 disposed toward an opposite end of the palm support 250.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 3 shows one embodiment where the keyboard tray 104 may be attached to a desk or other work surface 302 by an extendable arm 304. In this embodiment, a first end 308 of the extendable arm 304 may be affixed to the work surface 302, while a second end 312 of the extendable arm 304 may be fastened to the bottom surface 110 of the keyboard tray 104 by screws received within the four bosses 270 integrally molded in the bottom surface 110. Any suitable mean for affixing the extendable arm 304 to the keyboard tray 104 may be used. Additionally, a handle or grip portion 272 (FIG. 2) may be secured to or molded into the bottom surface 110 of the keyboard tray 104 to permit the user to grip and move the keyboard tray 104 when used in mounted configuration.
In contrast, FIG. 4 shows an alternative work arrangement where the computer peripheral support system 100 is untethered from the work surface 302 and instead is supported on the lap of the user. When the keyboard tray 104 is supported on the user's lap, heat generated by the user's body tends to rise and is directed through the plurality of apertures 122 formed in the body of the keyboard tray 104 so that excess heat is dissipated. This increases user satisfaction and comfort by maintaining the user at cooler temperature.
Referring now FIGS. 1-2 and 5, FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the various interconnecting components. A channel or groove 502 may be disposed in the bottom surface 110 of the keyboard tray 104, which may extend through an entire thickness of the keyboard tray 104, or may only extend through a portion of the thickness of the keyboard tray 104. Preferably, the channel or groove 502 extends laterally through most of the width of the keyboard tray 104 while maintaining the structural integrity of the keyboard tray 104.
The locking mount 216 securely and releasably couples the mouse platform 140 to the keyboard tray 104 via the parallelogram arm 202, and is affixed to or affixed within the channel or groove 502. A locking screw 510 may secure the locking mount 216 to the keyboard tray 104, and may be received within a pem-nut or other suitable self-retaining fastening hardware (not shown) slidably mounted within the channel 502. The locking screw 510 permits the locking mount 216 (and mouse platform 140 coupled to the parallelogram arm 202) to be moved along the entire length of the channel 502 so as to position the mouse platform 140 at the left side 112 or the right side 114 of the keyboard tray, or optionally, along the front portion 116 of the keyboard tray 104, which some users prefer. Once the mouse platform 140 is in a preferred location relative the keyboard tray 104, the locking screw 510 may be tightened to fix the locking mount 216, and hence the mouse platform 140, in position.
Accordingly, the mouse platform 140 is continuously positionable along the left edge 112, the front edge 116 and the right edge 114 of the keyboard tray 104 for increased user flexibility and configurability. Note that the entire assembly including the parallelogram arm 202 and the mouse platform may also pivot about an axis 512 of the locking screw 510.
The parallelogram arm 202 is formed by two elongated parallel arms 520, 522, a set of vertical pivot plates 524, 526 on one side, and the vertical wall plate 240 formed as part of the ball pivot housing 230 on the other side. The vertical pivot plates 524, 526 may be fixedly mounted to the attachment tab 222 of the locking mount 216 by a vertical pivot plate screw 528 or other suitable fastener. This permits the parallelogram arm 202 and attached mouse platform 140 to pivot about an axis 530 of the vertical pivot plate screw 528.
The pair of vertical pivot plates 524, 526 in conjunction with the attachment tab 222 form a left-side “vertical sidewall” of the parallelogram arm 222 because the distance between the vertical pivot plates 524, 526 caused by the interposed attachment tab 222 creates a vertical spacing therebetween that acts as the vertical sidewall, and hence provides one “sidewall” of the parallelogram arm 202 even though such wall or structure is formed by multiple components.
The vertical pivot plates, 524, 526 in turn, are coupled to the first end 204 of the corresponding elongated parallel arms 520, 522, while the second end 206 of the corresponding elongated parallel arms 520, 522 are coupled to the vertical wall plate 240 of the ball pivot housing 230. The first and second ends 204, 206 of the elongated parallel arms 520, 522 are fixed in a pivoting orientation to the vertical pivot plates 524, 526 and the vertical wall plate 240, respectively, using pins or other suitable retaining hardware.
Accordingly, the elongated parallel arms 520, 522, the vertical pivot plates 524, 526, and the vertical wall plate 240 form a parallelogram-like linkage. Because opposite ends 204, 206 of the elongated parallel arms 520, 522 are coupled by pins that allow pivoting of the connected linkages, the angle of the parallelogram, that is, the angle between a selected parallel arm 520, 522 and its adjacent vertical plate or wall, may be increased or decreased, thus providing the scissor-like action configured to raise or lower the mouse platform 140 coupled to the second end 206 of the parallelogram arm 202.
A height adjustment screw 540 may be fixedly mounted to one of the two parallel arms 520, 522 and slidingly mounted to the other of the two parallel arms via a slot 524 in one of the two parallel arms 520, 522. This permits the height adjustment screw to slide as the parallel arms change sliding longitudinal orientation as a corresponding compression knob 542 is tightened or loosened.
As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, FIG. 6A shows the parallelogram arm structure 202 maintaining the mouse platform 140 at a highest elevation relative to the keyboard tray 104. In this configuration, the parallelogram-like shape of the parallelogram arm 202 is in its most “squeezed” configuration where supplementary angles are most extreme, for example 10 degrees and 170 degrees. This “squeezed” configuration is shown in FIG. 12A and discussed in greater detail below. FIG. 6B shows the parallelogram arm structure 202 maintaining the mouse platform 140 at an intermediate elevation relative to the keyboard tray 104, and FIG. 6C shows the parallelogram arm structure 202 maintaining the mouse platform 140 at a lowest elevation relative to the keyboard tray 104. In this lowest configuration, the parallelogram-like structure most resembles a rectangle, where supplementary angles are least extreme, for example 80 degrees and 100 degrees. This “rectangular-like” configuration is shown in FIG. 12B and discussed in greater detail below. The supplementary angles generally are explained in greater detail in FIGS. 12A and 12B.
When the compression knob 542 is tightened, the vertical space between the two parallel arms 520, 522 is reduced, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 12A, causing one parallel arm to extend in the horizontal direction relative to the other parallel arm as the parallelogram arm appears to “flatten.” Conversely, when the compression knob 542 is loosened, the vertical space between the two parallel arms 520, 522 is increased, as shown in FIG. 6C and 12B, causing one parallel arm to retract in the horizontal direction relative to the other parallel arm as the parallelogram arm appears to be more rectangular. In operation, the force of gravity causes the mouse platform to lower as the parallelogram arm assumes a more rectangular shape, as shown in FIG. 6C and 12B. Preferably, to avoid binding of the height adjustment screw 540, the maximum angle between one parallel adjustment arm and an adjacent vertical wall is about 80 degrees, or about 10 degrees less than a true rectangle, as shown in FIG. 12B.
Referring back to FIGS. 1-2 and 5, the second end 206 of the elongated parallel arms 520, 522 are coupled by the pins (not shown) to the vertical wall plate 240 integrally formed as part of the ball pivot housing 230. The ball pivot housing 230, in turn, may be operatively coupled to a convex hemispherical bulge 550 integrally formed in the bottom surface 234 of the mouse platform 140. The convex hemispherical bulge 550 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding concave hemispherical depression 552 formed in the ball pivot housing 230. The ball pivot housing 230 may be affixed to the convex hemispherical bulge 550 via a ball pivot screw 556 whose axis relative to the mouse platform is allowed to vary so as to permit convex hemispherical bulge 550 to slide in any direction within and along the concave hemispherical depression 552, so as to vary the plane of the mouse platform 140. Thus, the mouse platform 140 is able to pivot relative to a plane of the keyboard tray 104 and is able to rotate along an axis 564 of the ball pivot screw 560 perpendicular to the surface of the mouse platform 140.
The length of the parallel arm 540, 542 may be any suitable length, but preferably, a ratio of a length of the parallel arms to a height of the corresponding vertical wall plates is about 5:1. Thus, for example, if the distance between the vertical wall plates is about 0.5 inches (e.g., vertical side wall is about 0.5 inches in height), meaning that the shorter sides of the parallelogram arm is about 0.5 inches, the total vertical adjustment height will be about five times that amount, or about 2.50 inches. This provides sufficient maximum elevation so that the mouse platform will clear the top of a typical keyboard when used in the over-ten position. Of course, these ratios may vary depending on the material used, the amount of stiffness or flexing permitted, and the actual height of the keyboard placed on the keyboard tray. The ratio may vary from about 3:1 to about 7:1.
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate movement of the mouse platform 140 relative to the keyboard tray 104 along various different axes. In FIG. 7A, the mouse platform 140 is shown twisting from side to side along a longitudinal axis 710 of the keyboard tray, which is afforded by the coupling between ball pivot housing 230 and the convex hemispherical bulge 550 disposed on the bottom portion 234 of the mouse platform 140. The degree of movement may be limited to an area of overlap between the concave hemispherical depression 552 and the convex hemispherical bulge 550 and the location where the bottom surface 234 of the mouse platform 140 contacts an outer peripheral edge 566 of the ball pivot housing 230. In FIG. 7B, the mouse platform 140 is shown tilting along a lateral axis 720.
Referring to FIGS. 8A-8C, when the height of the mouse platform 140 is adjusted to be about the same height of the keyboard tray 140, rotation of the mouse platform 140 may be limited because the edge of the mouse platform 140 may contact the edge of the keyboard tray. Note that the mouse platform 140 may be pivoted generally within the plane or parallel to a plane of the keyboard tray, along three pivoting axes, namely, the axis 564 of the ball pivot screw 560, the axis 530 of the vertical pivot plate screw 528, and the axis 512 of the locking screw 510.
When the height of the mouse platform 140 is adjusted to be lower or higher that the plane of the keyboard tray 104, the degree of rotation of the mouse platform 140 is significantly increased because the edge of the mouse platform 140 is not blocked by the edge of the keyboard tray 104 (or keyboard) and the mouse platform 140 may overlap a plane of the keyboard tray 104 and assume an over-ten position in which the mouse platform 140 is positioned more toward the front of the keyboard or user rather than toward the right of the user.
The over-ten position is an important ergonomic consideration because keyboard users who make extensive use of the side mounted numeric keypads prefer to have the mouse in the same position relative to the numeric keypad and located above that keypad. Accordingly, because the mouse platform 140 is able to be elevated above the plane of the keyboard, and sufficiently above a keyboard disposed on the keyboard tray, it may be inwardly rotated to intersect the plane of the keyboard tray 104 and provide the over-ten hand position to users who prefer this position.
FIGS. 9A-9D further illustrate various positions of the mouse platform 140 relative to the keyboard tray 140 and show that by locking and unlocking of the locking mount 216 in the corresponding channel 502 (FIGS. 2 and 5), the mouse platform 140 may continuously positionable along the left edge 112, the front edge 116 and the right edge 114 of the keyboard tray for increased user flexibility and configurability. As shown in FIGS. 8A-8C the mouse platform 140 may be pivoted along the three pivoting axes, namely, the axis 564 of the ball pivot screw 560, the axis 530 of the vertical pivot plate screw 528, and the axis 512 of the locking screw 510.
Returning now to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIGS. 10 and 11, the palm support 250 is shown in greater detail. Preferably, the palm support 250 is an integrally formed component and includes the palm edge surface 260 configured to slope downwardly from a top surface 1006 of the mouse platform 140 so as to support a palm or wrist of a user. The slope of the palm edge surface 260 is shown in greater detail in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10-11, the palm support 250 has a circular inner peripheral wall 1010 and an oblong outer peripheral wall 1020. The oblong shape is caused by the oblong contour of the palm edge surface 260. The circular inner peripheral wall 1010 of the palm support 250 is configured to form a frictional or snap fit with a corresponding circular outer peripheral wall 1030 of the mouse platform 140. This permits the palm support 250 to concentrically rotate about a center axis 1040 of the mouse platform 140. The palm support 250 is rotatably coupled to the outer circumferential wall 1030 of the mouse platform 140, thus permitting it to rotate freely and in any direction, about the mouse platform 140.
Note that for ergonomic considerations, a highest surface elevation of the palm edge surface 260 is about level with or below the top surface 1006 of the palm support 250. For user convenience, the low profile retaining wall 150 is formed along a portion of the outer peripheral wall 1020 of the palm support 250, preferable at a location opposite from the palm edge surface 260 along a diameter 1062 of the mouse platform 140. The retaining wall 150 prevents the mouse from being dragged off of the mouse platform by the user.
Referring now to FIGS. 12A and 12B in conjunction with FIG. 5, FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate certain geometrical attributes of the parallelogram arm 202 in schematic format. The parallelogram arm 202 in conjunction with the height adjustment screw 540 and compression knob 542 provides for a simple and elegant mechanism that is very intuitive to use. Simple rotation of the compression knob 542 about the height adjustment screw 540 reciprocally and continuously adjusts the elevation of the mouse platform 140, and the height adjustment screw 540 is the sole adjustment mechanism. Hence, user satisfaction is increased.
Preferably, the height adjustment screw 540 and the elongated slot are disposed at about a midpoint along the length of the parallel arms 520, 522 so that the compressive and expansive forces exerted are generally equal. The compression knob 542 is configured to cooperate with the adjustment screw 540 to reciprocally increase and decrease force applied to the two parallel arms 520, 522 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the parallel arms. The force may be reciprocally applied, meaning that tightening the compression knob 542 increases the force tending to compress the first parallel arm 520 toward the second parallel arm 522, while loosening the adjustment knob decreases the compressive force.
This reciprocally applied force causes the first parallel arm 520 to slide relative to the second parallel arm 522 in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the parallel arms, and causes supplementary angles to change between the parallel arms and the corresponding adjacent vertical sidewalls, respectively, which vertical sidewalls in conjunction with the elongated parallel arms 520, 522, form the shape of the parallelogram.
FIGS. 12A and 12B more clearly illustrate the supplementary angles associated with the parallelogram arm 202. Any pair of adjacent angles in a parallelogram are referred to as supplementary angles, and the sum of any two such angles is 180 degrees. In FIG. 12A, for example, the attachment point of the parallelogram arm 202 to the lower vertical pivot plate 526 is shown at vertex “A,” while the attachment point to the upper vertical pivot plate 524 is shown at vertex “C.” Similarly, vertices “B” and “D” attach to opposite ends of the vertical wall plate 240.
FIG. 12A shows the parallelogram arm in its most compressed state, where the change in the supplementary angles causes the mouse platform to move in elevation relative to the keyboard tray to its highest elevation, as also shown in FIG. 6A. The change of the supplementary angles as the height of the mouse platform 140 changes is continuous from a minimum supplementary angle difference to a maximum supplementary angle difference. FIG. 12A shows, for example, a maximum supplementary angle difference where one angle of the two supplementary angles may be about 10 degrees and the other angle of the two supplementary angles may be about 170 degrees. Thus, the maximum supplementary angle difference is about 160 degrees in this example. In such a configuration, the elongated parallel arms 540, 542 may actually touch so as to limit the maximum height of the mouse platform.
Note that FIG. 12A is not necessarily drawn to scale with respect the length of the parallel arms 540, 542 relative to the height of the vertical sidewall 240. Preferably, the ratio between the length of the parallel arms 540, 542 relative to the height of the vertical sidewall 240 is set so that the height adjustment screw 540 may be placed at about the midpoint of one of the parallel arms 540, 542 and received within the elongated slot 524. Currently, as shown in FIG. 12A, the midpoint of the parallel arm 540 is beyond the vertex “B,” but is shown in this exaggerated manner for purposes of illustration and clarity only.
FIG. 12B shows the parallelogram arm in its most uncompressed state or most “rectangular” state, where the change in the supplementary angles causes the mouse platform to move in elevation relative to the keyboard tray to its lowest elevation, as also shown in FIG. 6CA. The change of the supplementary angles as the height of the mouse platform 140 changes is continuous from a minimum supplementary angle difference to a maximum supplementary angle difference. FIG. 12B shows, for example, a minimum supplementary angle difference where one angle of the two supplementary angles may be about 80 degrees and the other angle of the two supplementary angles may be about 100 degrees. Thus, the minimum supplementary angle difference is about 20 degrees in this example.
Although the invention has been described with respect to various system and method embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is entitled to protection within the full scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A computer peripheral support system, comprising:

a keyboard tray having a top surface, a left edge, a right edge, and a front edge, the keyboard tray configured to retain a keyboard on the top surface thereof;

a mouse platform operatively coupled to the keyboard tray by a parallelogram arm, the parallelogram arm having a first end and a second end, and configured to permit vertical elevation of the mouse platform relative to the keyboard tray;

a locking mount configured to releasably attach to the keyboard tray and having an attachment portion coupled to the first end of the parallelogram arm;

a ball pivot housing operatively coupled to the mouse platform and having an attachment portion operatively coupled to the second end of the parallelogram arm; and

a palm support rotatably coupled to a circumferential portion of the mouse platform.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the locking mount is configured to permit the mouse platform to be continuously positionable along the right edge, the front edge, and the left edge of the keyboard tray, respectively, when the locking mount is in an unlocked configuration.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the locking mount, when in an unlocked position, is configured to permit the parallelogram arm and attached mouse platform to rotate in a plane of the keyboard tray, and configured to move along the front edge of the keyboard tray, to permit continuous positioning of the mouse platform along the right edge, the front edge, and the left edge of the keyboard tray, respectively.

4. The system according to claim 1, including a channel or track disposed along a forward portion of the keyboard tray and configured to secure the locking mount to the keyboard tray.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the locking mount is lockingly slidable within the channel or track to permit continuous positioning of the mouse platform along a longitudinal axis of the keyboard tray.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ball pivot housing is operatively coupled to a bottom surface of the mouse platform and configured to permit the mouse platform to pivot relative to a plane of the keyboard tray.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ball pivot housing is configured to permit the mouse platform to pivot relative to a plane of the keyboard tray, and configured to permit the mouse platform to rotate along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the mouse platform.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein when the mouse platform is elevated above or below the surface of the keyboard tray, and wherein rotation of the mouse platform about the axis perpendicular to the surface of the mouse platform permits a plane of the mouse platform to overlap a plane of the keyboard tray and assume an over-ten position.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the palm support includes a palm edge surface configured to slope downwardly from a top surface of the mouse platform so as to support a palm or wrist of a user.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the palm support has a circular inner peripheral wall and an oblong outer peripheral wall, the circular inner peripheral wall of the palm support configured to form a frictional or snap fit with a corresponding circular outer peripheral wall of the mouse platform, and to permit the palm support to concentrically rotate about the mouse platform.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the palm edge surface is oblong in shape so that the outer peripheral wall of the palm support is oblong in shape.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein a highest elevation of the palm surface is level with or below a top surface of the mouse support.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the parallelogram arm includes two parallel arms pivotingly coupled at the first end and at the second end, respectively, so as to form as a parallelogram.

14. The system according to claim 13, further including an adjustment screw fixedly mounted to one of the two parallel arms and slidingly mounted to the other of the two parallel arms.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard tray includes plurality of apertures to permit airflow therethrough to dissipate heat when the keyboard tray is positioned on a lap of a user.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard tray includes a bottom surface having a plurality of bosses formed therein, the bosses configured to attach to a first end of an extendable arm, the extendable arm having a second end configured to mount to an underside of a work surface.

17. A keyboard tray and mouse platform, comprising:

a keyboard tray configured to retain a keyboard peripheral on the top surface thereof;

a mouse platform operatively coupled to the keyboard tray by an adjustable arm, the adjustable arm configured to permit vertical elevation of the mouse platform relative to the keyboard tray;

a locking mount configured to attach to the keyboard tray to a first end of the adjustment arm;

a pivot assembly operatively coupled to the mouse platform and to a second end of the adjustable arm; and

a palm support rotatably coupled to the mouse platform.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein when the mouse platform is elevated above or below the surface of the keyboard tray, and wherein rotation of the mouse platform about an axis perpendicular to the surface of the mouse platform permits a plane of the mouse platform to overlap a plane of the keyboard tray and assume an over-ten position.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the palm support includes a palm edge surface configured to slope downwardly from a surface of the mouse platform so as to support a palm or wrist of a user.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein the palm support has a circular inner peripheral wall and an oblong outer peripheral wall, the circular inner peripheral wall of the palm support configured to form a frictional or snap fit with a corresponding circular outer peripheral wall of the mouse platform, to permit the palm support to rotate about the mouse platform and in a plane of the mouse platform.

21. An arm configured couple a keyboard tray to a mouse platform, comprising:

first and second parallel arms having a first ends and second ends, respectively, and having a longitudinal axis;

a left-side vertical sidewall pivotingly coupled to the first ends of the first and second parallel arms, respectively;

a right-side vertical sidewall pivotingly coupled to the second end of the first and second parallel arms, respectively;

the first and second parallel arms, the left-side and right-side vertical sidewalls forming a parallelogram-shaped arm, the parallelogram-shaped arm operatively coupling the keyboard tray to the mouse platform and permitting a change in elevation between the keyboard tray and the mouse platform;

an adjustment screw fixedly mounted to one of the two parallel arms and extending through an elongated slot in another of the two parallel arms;

an adjustment knob configured to cooperate with the adjustment screw to reciprocally increase and decrease force applied to the two parallel arms in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

wherein the reciprocally applied force causes the first parallel arm to slide relative to the second parallel arm in a direction of the longitudinal axis, and causes supplementary angles to change between the parallel arms and the corresponding adjacent vertical sidewalls, respectively; and

wherein the change in the supplementary angles causes the mouse platform to move in elevation relative to the keyboard tray.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein a ratio of a length of the parallel arms to a height of the vertical sidewalls is about between 3:1 and 7:1, and preferable is about 5:1.

23. The system according to claim 21, wherein the change of the supplementary angles is continuous from a minimum supplementary angle difference to maximum supplementary angle difference.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the minimum supplementary angle difference is about 20 degrees, and the maximum supplementary angle difference is about 160 degrees.

25. The system according to claim 23, wherein the minimum supplementary angle difference of about twenty degrees corresponds to supplementary angles of 80 degrees and 100 degrees, respectively, and wherein the maximum supplementary angle difference of about 160 degrees corresponds to supplementary angles of 10 degrees and 170 degrees, respectively.

26. The system according to claim 23, wherein adjustment screw and elongated slot are disposed at about a midpoint along a length of the first and second parallel arms.