PC mouse incorporating adjustability

• US 6,064,371 A
• Filed: 02/06/1998
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hoaby, Scott Ernest, Bunke, Jay B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Application Number:
  US09/019,659
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 463/37
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

An ergonomic computer mouse has support surfaces that are adjustable in two directions. The mouse includes a pivot mechanism that couples an upper and lower portion of the mouse housing together. The pivot mechanism may allow a user to adjust the upper and lower housing portions in pitch and roll directions with respect to one another.

Claims

1. An ergonomic computer mouse, comprising:

a housing having a lower portion and an upper portion;

a position sensor coupled to said housing for producing signals representative of longitudinal and lateral movement of said housing on a flat surface; and

a pivot mechanism adjustably coupling said upper portion to said lower portion in two mutually perpendicular directions, said pivot mechanism including means for selectably inhibiting and allowing said upper and lower portions to be adjusted.

2. The ergonomic computer mouse recited in claim 1, wherein said directions are pitch and roll.

3. The ergonomic computer mouse recited in claim 1, wherein said pivot mechanism comprises a ball-and-socket mechanism, with a ball-like protuberance connected to one of said upper and lower portions and a mating socket connected to the other of said upper and lower portions.

4. A method for using an ergonomic computer mouse having a housing with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, and a position sensor coupled to said housing for producing signals representative of longitudinal and lateral movement of said housing on a flat surface, said housing having a lower portion pivotally coupled to an upper portion in two mutually perpendicular directions, the method comprising the steps of:

pivoting said upper portion relative to said lower portion in a first direction on a first axis;

adjusting a pivoting mechanism to inhibit further pivoting movement of said upper portion relative to said lower portion following said pivoting step;

resting a hand on said upper portion; and

moving said housing on a flat surface in longitudinal and lateral directions using said hand resting on said upper portion.

5. The method recited in claim 4, wherein said first direction is pitch and said first axis is parallel to said lateral axis.

6. The method recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of pivoting said upper portion relative to said lower portion in a roll direction on an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis.

7. The method recited in claim 4, wherein said first direction is roll and said first axis is parallel to said longitudinal axis.

8. The method recited in claim 7, further comprising the step of pivoting said upper portion relative to said lower portion in a pitch direction on an axis parallel to said lateral axis.