Gel mouse

• US 6,016,138 A
• Filed: 10/14/1997
• Issued: 01/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ali Mahrouyan, Lisa Harskamp, Steve Jacobsen
• Original Assignee: Ali Mahrouyan, Lisa Harskamp, Steve Jacobsen
• Inventors: Harskamp, Lisa, Jacobsen, Steve, Mahrouyan, Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blackman, Anthony J.
• Application Number:
  US08/949,691
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156-169, 248/118
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0333 Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A mouse for use in association with a computer is disclosed. The mouse comprises a housing having a lower surface and an upper surface with side walls therebetween to define a lower chamber therewithin. The housing includes a peripheral extension wall extending upwardly from the periphery of the housing as an extension of the side walls to define an upper recessed cavity. A membrane having a periphery secured to the upper regions of the extension wall forms the top surface of a primary chamber. The membrane is fabricated of a deformable resilient elastomeric material. A quantity of gel-like fluid within the primary chamber is adapted to change shape of the housing membrane from an initial shape to a custom fit shape conforming substantially with the anatomical contours of a user'"'"'s hand for enhanced comfort and reduced fatigue during use of the computer mouse, the gel-like fluid retaining the custom fit shape for a substantial period of time following release of the use of the computer mouse and thereafter returning substantially to the initial shape.

Claims

1. A new and improved gel mouse for use in association with a computer comprising, in combination:

a unitary main housing fabricated of a rigid plastic material and having a flat lower surface and a generally spherical upper surface with side walls therebetween to define a lower chamber therewithin, the housing including a peripheral extension wall extending upwardly from the periphery of the housing as an extension of the side walls and a supplemental extension wall within the peripheral extension wall and forming a large upper primary recessed cavity and a button receiving opening;

a large membrane having a periphery secured to the upper regions of the peripheral extension wall and supplemental extension wall and forming the top surface of an upper primary chamber;

a quantity of gel-like fluid within the primary chamber and adapted to change shape of the large membrane from an initial shape to a custom fit shape conforming substantially with the anatomical contours of a user'"'"'s palm for enhanced comfort and reduced fatigue during use of the computer mouse, said gel-like fluid retaining said custom fit shape for a substantial period of time following release of said use of the computer mouse and thereafter returning substantially to said initial shape;

a pair of buttons positioned within the button receiving opening, each button including an upwardly extending peripheral extension wall to define a secondary recessed cavity;

a pair of button membranes, each button membrane having a periphery secured to the upper regions of a corresponding button peripheral extension wall and forming the top surfaces of a pair of secondary chambers; and

a quantity of gel-like fluid within the secondary chamber and adapted to change shape of the button membranes from an initial shape to a custom fit shape conforming substantially with the anatomical contours of a user'"'"'s fingers for enhanced comfort and reduced fatigue during use of the computer mouse, said gel-like fluid retaining said custom fit shape for a substantial period of time following release of said use of the computer mouse.

2. The mouse as set forth in claim 1 and further including:

a large circular hole in the center of the lower surface of the housing with an associated ball having a diameter greater than the diameter of the large hole whereby a ball within the lower chamber will have a portion thereof extending downwardly and exterior thereof for rotation upon movement of the housing.

3. A computer mouse comprising:

a housing having an upper surface, the upper surface including a primary recessed cavity;

a housing membrane covering the primary recessed cavity and forming a primary chamber;

a quantity of gel-like fluid within the primary chamber and adapted to change shape of the housing membrane from an initial shape to a custom fit shape conforming substantially with the anatomical contours of a user'"'"'s palm for enhanced comfort and reduced fatigue during use of the computer mouse, said gel-like fluid retaining said custom fit shape for a substantial period of time following release of said use of the computer mouse and thereafter returning substantially to said initial shape;

wherein the upper surface includes at least one button, the button including a secondary recessed cavity;

a button membrane covering the secondary recessed cavity and forming a secondary chamber; and

a quantity of gel-like fluid within the secondary chamber and adapted to change shape of the button membrane from an initial shape to a custom fit shape conforming substantially with the anatomical contours of a user'"'"'s fingers for enhanced comfort and reduced fatigue during use of the computer mouse, said gel-like fluid retaining said custom fit shape for a substantial period of time following release of said use of the computer mouse.