A mouse provides a means for producing a two dimensional displacement signal that is used to control the position of a screen cursor as needed to highlight, move or select icons, text or the like, as well as for drawing and other uses. A typical mouse provides the signal by moving over a surface or mouse pad and has one or more pushbuttons.
The use of a computer mouse is prevalent in the workplace, however, extended operation of a computer mouse can be hazardous to the user. Typically, the user operates the mouse by moving his or her arm with the wrist in one constant position either bent or inline with the forearm with very little or no movement of the wrist, which can cause the tendons and muscles in the wrist and forearm to become strained or stiff, often resulting in discomfort. In addition, the lack of movement in the wrist decreases blood flow to the wrist and forearm, further resulting in negative impacts on the body.
Tilt adjustable mouse trays are known. Some mouse trays are capable of tilting in one direction, some tilting forward and rearward and others tilting left and right, while other mouse trays tilt in all directions relative to a fixed point. These mouse trays do not continuously tilt while in use, but remain in a fixed position. Usually, mouse trays that tilt forward and rearward are attached to a keyboard platform and the purpose of tilting the mouse tray is to ensure that it remains horizontal when the keyboard platform has been tilted forward or rearward. Another purpose of mouse trays that tilt in one direction either forward and rearward or left and right or mouse trays that tilt in all directions is to allow the user to adjust the tray to a tilt angle that is most comfortable for them.
The problem with the mouse trays mentioned above is that when in use the trays remain in one position. People often do not make any adjustments to the mouse tray while others do make an initial adjustment before the first use, but after the adjustment is made, the tilt of the mouse tray remains the same and never changes during the operation of the mouse. Although it is not typically done, it is possible for people to adjust the mouse trays periodically to vary the position of their wrist. The mouse trays that tilt only in one direction have a limited amount of variation, while the mouse trays that can be tilted in all directions offer a greater range of motion, but in all previous trays, from the time the tilt is adjusted until the subsequent time it is adjusted, the mouse tray remains in the same position. What is needed is a mouse tray that continuously tilts, providing constant motion for the wrist and forearm.