Computer mouse and shell therefore

• US 5,894,303 A
• Filed: 04/28/1997
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ann E. Barr
• Original Assignee: Ann E. Barr
• Inventors: Barr, Ann E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US08/846,502
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/163, 345/164, 345/165, 345/166, D14/100, D14/107, D14/114, 273/148 B, 74/471 XY, 200/5 R, 200/5 A, 200/6 R, 200/6 A
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0334 Ergonomic shaped mouse for vertical grip, whereby the hand controlling the mouse is resting or gripping it with an attitude almost vertical with respect of the working surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A hand holdable computer mouse has a base, a top and a body. The base rests on a work surface and the body is vertically disposed above the base. The body has an external contour which substantially conforms to the mean of the contour of the palm side of the hand when the hand is in a relaxed, neutral condition, with the palm surface of the hand vertically oriented. The mouse is operated with the hand in a cupped, vertically oriented condition, with the wrist in a neutral condition with respect to radial and ulnar deviation, and with the forearm in a neutral condition.

Claims

1. A manually operable mouse for enabling an operator to provide multi-dimensional data to a computer, comprising:

a substantially flat, planar base;

a rotatable ball vertically displaceably mounted within said substantially planar base for rotatably contacting a supporting surface for said mouse;

a top surface; and

,

a generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall joining said top to said base, having a mean longitudinal axis inclined relative to said supporting surface at an angle substantially greater than 0°

, but substantially less than 90°

, when in use by said operator;

said side wall comprising a left vaulted surface and a right vaulted surface which are vertically symmetrical sufficient for supporting the base of the thumb or the palm of the hand of said operator;

wherein, said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall is designed, dimensioned, and contoured to enable the palm of said operator to be disposed substantially vertical to said supporting surface; and

, to enable the hand, wrist and forearm of said operator to be maintained in a neutral position that substantially precludes;

radial or ulnar deviation of the wrist; and

, pronation or supination of the forearm;

of said operator, while operating said mouse.

2. The manually operable mouse of claim 1, wherein said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall further comprises:

a first depressable button switch mounted therein, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the forefinger of said operator; and

,

a second depressable button switch mounted therein, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the middle finger of said operator.

3. In a manually operable mouse for enabling an operator to provide multi-dimensional data to a computer;

a substantially flat, planar base;

a rotatable ball vertically displaceably mounted within said substantially planar base for rotatably contacting a supporting surface for said mouse;

the improvement comprising;

a top surface; and

,

a generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall joining said top to said base, having a mean longitudinal axis inclined relative to said supporting surface at an angle substantially greater than 0°

, but substantially less than 90°

, when in use by said operator;

said side wall comprising a left vaulted surface and a right vaulted surface which are vertically symmetrical sufficient for supporting the base of the thumb or the palm of the hand of said operator;

wherein, said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall is designed, dimensioned, and contoured to enable the palm of said operator to be disposed substantially vertical to said supporting surface; and

, to enable the hand, wrist and forearm of said operator to be maintained in a neutral position that substantially precludes;

radial or ulnar deviation of the wrist; and

, pronation or supination of the forearm;

of said operator, while operating said mouse.

4. The manually operable mouse of claim 3, wherein said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall further comprises:

a first depressable button switch mounted therein, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the forefinger of said operator; and

,

a second depressable button switch mounted therein, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the middle finger of said operator.

5. A manually operable mouse for enabling an operator to provide multi-dimensional data to a computer, comprising:

a substantially flat, planar base;

a rotatable ball vertically displaceably mounted within said substantially planar base for rotatably contacting a supporting surface for said mouse;

a top surface; and

,

a generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall joining said top to said base, having a mean longitudinal axis inclined relative to said supporting surface at an angle substantially greater than 0°

, but substantially less than 90°

, when in use by said operator;

wherein, said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall is designed, dimensioned, and contoured to enable the palm of said operator to be disposed substantially vertical to said supporting surface; and

, to enable the hand, wrist and forearm of said operator to be maintained in a neutral position that substantially precludes;

radial or ulnar deviation of the wrist; and

, pronation or supination of the forearm;

of said operator, while operating said mouse;

said side wall comprising a left vaulted surface and a right vaulted surface which are vertically symmetrical sufficient for supporting the base of the thumb or the palm of the hand of said operator;

a first depressable button switch mounted within said side wall, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the forefinger of said operator; and

,

a second depressable button switch mounted within said side wall, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the middle finger of said operator.