Pointing device with adjustable clamp attachable to a keyboard

• US 5,281,958 A
• Filed: 07/17/1991
• Issued: 01/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bradley, Paul, Yurchenco, James R., Fulton, Elinor J., Ashmun, Stuart, Cameron, Bridget, Nelson, Michael D., Stephan, Allan H., Paull, Mike M., Garthwaite, Charlie
• Primary Examiner(s): Weldon, Ulysses
• Application Number:
  US07/731,626
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 340/709, 340/710, 340/711, 340/706, 341/20, 341/22, 341/35, 400/717, D14/114
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: B28B 13/04 Discharging the shaped articles discharging tubular articles after shaping B28B21/90; conveying systems for ceramic mouldings B65G49/08
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A pointing device which is removably attachable to a keyboard is disclosed. The pointing device is coupled to an attachment assembly, the attachment assembly being removably and selectively attachable to the keyboard. The attachment assembly includes a coupling assembly and a tilting assembly. The full weight of the pointing device is supported by the computer so that a work surface is not necessary. In one embodiment, a clamping assembly is provided. The clamp assembly includes a variable width clamp to permit the pointing device to be attached to any one of a number of different keyboards or in different positions on the same keyboard. The tilting assembly permits the user to select whether the pointing device is in a horizontal, vertical or other orientation. A rotatable ball of the pointing device is retained in contact with the rotation sensing encoders regardless of the orientation of the housing. The buttons for activating switches to enter commands into the computer overlap a top portion and a side portion of the pointing device.

Claims

1. A computer command apparatus for entering commands into a computer resting on a support surface, the computer having a video display screen comprising:

a housing mechanically attachable to the computer and having a top, a bottom, a first side positioned toward the computer when the housing is mechanically attached tot he computer, and an arcuate second side opposite said first side, said arcuate side extending in an arcuate shape;

a pointing device within said housing, said pointing device including a rotatable ball and encoding shafts and being adapted to generate electrical signals translatable into commands to position a cursor on said screen, the rotatable ball projecting above said top and positioned in a central region of said top at a distance from said housing arcuate side to allow rotation by the thumb alone of a user while the user'"'"'s finger of the same hand extends circumferentially along said arcuate side;

a first button coupled to said housing at said housing arcuate side, said first button having an elongated arcuate side surface extending circumferentially along said housing arcuate side and having generally the same radius of curvature as said housing arcuate side to provide a smooth, matching contour between said housing and said button, said first button being adapted to generate electrical signals translatable into commands for said computer when depressed, and being positioned for contact and depression by the user'"'"'s finger when the finger extends circumferentially along said housing arcuate side and the user'"'"'s thumb is concurrently positioned on said ball for rotation with the thumb; and

an attaching member selectively attachable and detachable to the computer, said attaching member supporting the entire weight of said housing at a position above and out of contact with the support surface when the computer is resting on the support surface.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing'"'"'s and said button'"'"'s respective arcuate sides are concentrically arranged.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a second button coupled to said housing, said second button being positioned directly below said first button and extending coextensive with said first button.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing top includes a recessed region immediately surrounding said ball to expose a large surface area of said ball.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said housing top includes a ball housing member coupled thereto, said recessed region being formed in said ball housing member.

6. A computer and pointing device combination comprising:

a computer having a screen housing and a keyboard housing coupled to each other, said keyboard housing being usable while resting on a support surface;

an attaching member selectively attachable and detachable to said keyboard housing, said keyboard housing supporting the entire weight of said attaching member and holding said attaching member above and out of contact with the support surface when said keyboard housing is resting on the support surface;

a pointing device mechanically connected to said attaching member, said attaching member supporting the entire weight of said pointing device and holding said pointing device above and out of contact with the support surface when said keyboard housing is resting on the support surface, whereby said pointing device is usable without being directly supported by the support surface; and

adjustment means for permitting a user to adjustably vary the angular orientation of said pointing device with respect to said keyboard housing and to lock said pointing device at a selected angular orientation so that said pointing device is fixed at said selected angular orientation when force is applied to said pointing device by a user during normal usage.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said attaching member includes a manually operable coupling means for releasably attaching said attaching member to said keyboard housing to permit said pointing device to be selectively detached from said keyboard housing.

8. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said keyboard housing includes a recess which is adapted to mechanically retain said attaching member to said keyboard housing.

9. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said attaching member includes an attaching means for permitting said pointing device to detach from said keyboard housing upon the application of a predetermined force to said pointing device without damaging said keyboard housing or said pointing device during separation.

10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein said attaching means includes a gripping member attachable to said keyboard housing, said gripping member being resiliently biased into a locking position to attach said attaching member to said keyboard housing, said gripping member being movable into a release position for detachment of said attaching member from said keyboard housing upon the application of said force to said pointing device.

11. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said attaching member includes a clamp attachable to a perimeter position of said keyboard housing.

12. A computer having means for mechanically retaining a pointing device connected to the computer, the pointing device having a connector portion, comprising:

a computer keyboard housing member;

a recess in said computer keyboard housing member defined by a pair of opposing side walls; and

a pair of transverse flanges extending toward each other form said side walls and into said recess, said flanges each terminating in a free end portion, said end portion being spaced apart to define a narrowed opening therebetween within said recess sized to receive the connector portion, said flanges having an inwardly facing surface contacting and retaining the connector portion when the pointing device is connected to the computer to retain the connector portion within said recess and mechanically connect the pointing device to the computer.

13. The computer according to claim 12 wherein said recess includes an electrical connection member positioned within said recess between said side walls.

14. The computer according to claim 12 wherein said recess includes a back wall and said flanges include a retaining region facing the back wall of said recess to provide a firm surface for retaining the connector portion and mechanically connecting the pointing device to the computer, the full weight of the pointing device being supported by the computer.

15. A computer having means for mechanically retaining a pointing device connected to said computer, the pointing device having a connector portion, comprising:

a computer housing member;

a recess in said computer housing member defined by a pair of opposing side walls; and

a pair of transverse flanges extending toward each other from said side walls and into said recess, said flanges each terminating in a free end portion, said end portions being spaced apart to define a narrowed opening therebetween within said recess designed to receive the connector portion, said flanges having an inwardly facing surface contacting and retaining the connector portion when the pointing device is connected to the computer to retain the connector portion within said recess and mechanically couple the pointing device to the computer.

16. The computer according to claim 15 wherein said recess includes an electrical connection member positioned within said recess between said side walls.