SHOCK ABSORBENT ROLLER THUMB WHEEL
First Claim
1. A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel for actuating an electro-mechanical switch, comprising:
- a hub for attachment to the switch;
a resilient outer rim encircling the hub; and
force dispersion spokes connecting the resilient outer rim to the hub, each force dispersion spoke having a predetermined length and cross-sectional shape for radially and laterally deforming in response to an impact force applied to the resilient outer rim.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel is disclosed. The shock absorbing thumb wheel includes a central hub that can be secured to an electro-mechanical switch, a rim encircling the central hub, and force dispersion spokes extending from the central hub and connected to the rim. The configuration of the force dispersion spokes and the resilient material of the force dispersion spokes and the rim allow for radial and lateral deflection of the rim in response to an applied impact force. The impact force is thereby at least partially absorbed by the radial and lateral deflection of the rim and spokes, such that less impact force is transferred to connections between the electro-mechanical switch and any assembly to which the switch is attached. Hence, the probability of connection failures is reduced, and the lifetime of a device that uses the thumb wheel can be extended.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel for actuating an electro-mechanical switch, comprising:
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a hub for attachment to the switch;
a resilient outer rim encircling the hub; and
force dispersion spokes connecting the resilient outer rim to the hub, each force dispersion spoke having a predetermined length and cross-sectional shape for radially and laterally deforming in response to an impact force applied to the resilient outer rim. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A mobile device comprising:
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an LCD panel for displaying information; and
a shock absorbing roller thumb wheel attached to an electro-mechanical switch for controlling the display information on the LCD panel, the shock absorbing roller thumb wheel comprising a hub for attachment to the electro-mechanical switch;
a resilient outer rim encircling the hub; and
force dispersion spokes for connecting the resilient outer rim to the hub, each force dispersion spoke having a predetermined length and cross-sectional shape for radially and laterally deforming in response to an impact force applied to the resilient rim. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel for actuating an electro-mechanical switch, comprising:
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a hub for association with the electro-mechanical switch;
an outer rim encircling the hub; and
at least one force dispersion spoke coupled between the hub and the outer rim, said force dispersion spoke having a shape configured to radially and laterally deform in response to an impact force applied to the outer rim.
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Specification