Adjustable computer pointing device
First Claim
1. A computer input device for interactive control of a user interface of a target computing device, comprising:
- a base assembly having a rigid flat bottom supported on an underlying flat surface, said base assembly having a predetermined size with a perimeter formed by confluence of curvilinear shapes comprising a front, left side, right side, and back;
said base assembly having structural elements for accommodating components for generating and outputting positional and event signals to said computing device;
a separate moldable core having a loose sack containing an aggregate material and means for venting of air from said sack, said moldable core supported by said base assembly;
one or more control modules supported by said moldable core, said control modules having one or more switches, said control modules having one or more buttons where said buttons activate said switches;
said control modules having a flexible electronic connection to components outputting event signals initiated by actuation of said switches;
a structural flexible shell enclosing said base, said separate moldable core, and said control modules, said flexible shell being attached to said base assembly and said control modules forming a unified structure;
whereby said computer input device may be adjusted to the hands of a variety of users, by said flexible shell being reshaped at any time by user manipulation of said moldable core, and accordingly changing the position of the control module, thereby said computer input device being adjusted to an ergonomic configuration that accommodates the unique shape of the current user'"'"'s hand, including positioning the control module buttons so that activation requires a minimal of strain and effort by the fingers of the user'"'"'s hand, said shape remaining static unless further manipulated by a user;
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Abstract
A computer pointing device consists of a adjustable hand support shape and adjustable controls that work together to conform to an individuals natural grip. This allows multiple individual users to shape the device body for their maximum comfort using a squeezing action. A targeted ergonomic configuration allows a user to configure the angle of the hand in the most natural way to minimize twist and strain on the wrist. The adjustable structure and button assembly are attached to a flat bottomed base that rests on an underlying flat surface. Attached to the base are the electronic and the mechanical component necessary to provide the required positional and event outputs to a computer.
56 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer input device for interactive control of a user interface of a target computing device, comprising:
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a base assembly having a rigid flat bottom supported on an underlying flat surface, said base assembly having a predetermined size with a perimeter formed by confluence of curvilinear shapes comprising a front, left side, right side, and back;
said base assembly having structural elements for accommodating components for generating and outputting positional and event signals to said computing device;
a separate moldable core having a loose sack containing an aggregate material and means for venting of air from said sack, said moldable core supported by said base assembly;
one or more control modules supported by said moldable core, said control modules having one or more switches, said control modules having one or more buttons where said buttons activate said switches;
said control modules having a flexible electronic connection to components outputting event signals initiated by actuation of said switches;
a structural flexible shell enclosing said base, said separate moldable core, and said control modules, said flexible shell being attached to said base assembly and said control modules forming a unified structure;
whereby said computer input device may be adjusted to the hands of a variety of users, by said flexible shell being reshaped at any time by user manipulation of said moldable core, and accordingly changing the position of the control module, thereby said computer input device being adjusted to an ergonomic configuration that accommodates the unique shape of the current user'"'"'s hand, including positioning the control module buttons so that activation requires a minimal of strain and effort by the fingers of the user'"'"'s hand, said shape remaining static unless further manipulated by a user;
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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7. The computer input device of claim I wherein said moldable core includes a loose aggregate formed of a plurality of roughly cylindrical shaped objects of one or more materials selected from the group including Styrofoam, open cell foam rubber, closed cell poly foam, cotton, silicone, air filled plastic bubbles, and polypropylene beads.
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19. A computer input device having a structure that conforms to a range of shapes according to intentional adjustment by a user, comprising:
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a flat bottom of rigid material with a curved perimeter edge with a front area, a left side area, a right side area, and a back area, and said flat bottom providing a stable base for supporting a body which is attached along the perimeter edge of the flat bottom, so that said body has surfaces comprising a front area, a left side area, a right side area, and a back area, these areas corresponding to the matching areas of the flat bottom, and these areas of the body conjoin to a top area surface, and all surfaces of the body having curvatures forming a unified shape;
a button module conjoined with and supported by said body, said button assembly including a plurality of individual buttons, with the faces of the buttons meeting the adjacent surfaces of the body so that the buttons follow the shape of the body to form an generally uninterrupted and unitary shape, said button module having elongated buttons with means for uniform ease of actuation over the length of said buttons;
a set of structural elements for mounting the components required to communicate the movement of said computer input device over an underlying surface and to communicate activation events of said button module;
wherein when the user exerts a squeezing force on said body, the shape of the body changes within a certain possible range, and the position of said button assembly is changed within a certain possible, as influenced by the change in shape of the supporting portion of the body, or as directly acted on by the squeezing force;
wherein said computer input device, unless subject to specific intentional pressure or force sufficient to manipulate the shape of the body, or to change the position of the button controls, said computer input device retains a generally static shape under normal operation or when not in use.
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Specification