Mouse device having retractable cord and connector storage

• US 6,392,635 B1
• Filed: 01/20/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert F. Snyder
• Original Assignee: Robert F. Snyder
• Inventors: Snyder, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spencer, William C.
• Application Number:
  US09/488,279
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345/157, 345/179, 361/683, 361/686
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A computer mouse having cord management and cord connector storage and protection features. The feature for storing, deploying and retracting the device'"'"'s cord in, from and into its case is an internal capstan, principally a reel, that is spring-biased to return to its retracted position. A pawl and ratchet assembly is used to fix or stabilize the cord at points of its extension; alternatively, a snubbing feature is shown that obviates the pawl and ratchet assembly. For securing the connector, thereby protecting it during transport, there is included in the case design a pocket or port into which the connector is retracted.

Claims

1. An electromechanical, data input device including a case, electronic circuitry, and an electrical cord connecting said circuitry, by passing readily through a hole in the case to an external connector that is adapted to connect the device to a data receiver, comprising:

a cord control means for storage, deployment and retraction of said cord respectively in, from and into the case, said cord control means further comprising a flanged, spring-biased reel, rotatably mounted on a spindle member, the reel having peripherally about at least one flanged end thereof a series of notches, a pawl member comprising a pivotally mounted, spring-biased lever, a fulcrum means disposed pivotally and proximate a side of the case, a tang portion at a first end of the lever for an engagement with and a disengagement from any notch of said series of notches and a second end of the lever presented outwardly of the case, whereby depressing and releasing said second end of the lever causes, respectively, tang disengagement from and engagement with any notch;

a securing means for fixing the cord temporarily at a deployed position, said securing means comprising a circular distention of the perimeter of the hole, effecting an essentially figure “

8”

shape, said distension having a diameter smaller than that of the cord, whereby inserting the cord thereinto effects capture and fixing of the cord at the deployed position; and

a connector storing means comprising a pocket in the case that is substantially receptive of the connector.

2. An electromechanical, data input device including a case, electronic circuitry, and an electrical cord connecting said circuitry through a hole in the case to an external connector that is adapted to connect the device to a data receiver, comprising:

a rotatable reel disposed within the case for storage, deployment and retraction of said cord respectively in, from and into the case, the reel further comprising a spring-biased cylinder having at least one end flange that hears circumferentially thereabout a series of notches;

a pawl member for fixing the cord temporarily at a deployed position, the pawl member defined by a pivotally-mounted lever bearing a tang at a first end thereof, the lever being spring-biased to a first position that effects engagement of the tang with a notch of said series and concomitantly restrains cord-retraction rotation of the reel, said lever being manually positionable to a second, tang-disengagement position; and

a connector securing means disposed in the case and defined by a pocket, coaxial said hole, that is sufficient to envelop a substantial portion of the connector where in a fully retracted position,

wherein the hole is a stylized figure “

8”

void, one portion of the hole having a diameter smaller than the cord and the other portion sufficiently large for the cord to pass freely therethrough.

3. An improvement to a data I/O device that features a case, electronic circuitry, and an electrical cord connecting said circuitry through a hole in the case to an external connector that is adapted to connect the device to a data receiver, said improvement comprising:

a spring-biased, rotatable reel, internal of the case, for storage, extension and retraction of said cord respectively in, from and into the case;

a capturing means for fixing the cord temporarily at a deployed position, said securing means comprising a circular distention of the perimeter of the hole, effecting an essentially figure “

8”

void, said distension having a diameter smaller than that of the cord, whereby manually pressing the cord thereinto effects capture and fixing of the cord at the deployed position; and

a connector securing means disposed in the case and defined by a pocket, coaxial said hole, that is sufficient to envelop a substantial portion of the connector when in a fully retracted position.