Drop resistant cordless mouse

• US 6,580,419 B1
• Filed: 06/18/1999
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: White, Niall, OʼKeeffe, Denis
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): LESPERANCE, JEAN E
• Application Number:
  US09/336,351
• Time in Patent Office: 1,460 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345/164, 345/165, 345/166, 345/167, 345/156, 345/157, 345/158
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A computer mouse which has a number of features protecting it from damage when dropped. Additionally, the mouse of the invention is designed with features that make it more easily graspable and less likely to drop out of a user'"'"'s hand in the first place. Finally, aesthetic features are built in to the design of the drop-resistant features. In one aspect, the present invention provides buttons on the top, front of the mouse which are recessed and shielded by a frame to avoid damage when dropped. In addition, the buttons are set back from the nose or front of the mouse so there would not be direct forces on the buttons if dropped on its nose. In another aspect, the invention provides a horizontal slot in an encoder shaft support assembly. Thus, the shaft is blocked from popping upward in a conventional slot arrangement when dropped.

Claims

1. A computer mouse comprising:

a bottom plate having a hole therethrough;

a top housing extending over said bottom plate, said housing having a top surface defining at least one elongated button opening and a roller opening disposed adjacent to said button opening near a front end of said housing, said button opening and said roller opening being surrounded by a frame of said top surface and said button opening and said roller opening being set back from said front end of said housing;

a button extending into said opening, said button having edges which are at least partially even with said frame, at least a rear edge of said button being substantially flush with said top surface;

a roller extending into said roller opening,

said button opening and said button being set back from said front end of said housing, so as to leave a portion of said top housing separating the front of said button from said front end of said housing,

a side panel made of a softer material than said housing;

a plurality of protrusions extending from said side panel for engaging said housing; and

one of said housing and said side panel including a ridge along an upper edge, said ridge having a width less than a width of said side panel, such that said side panel compressed in the area of said ridge to forms a press fit with said housing without a gap.

2. A computer mouse comprising:

a bottom plate having a hole therethrough;

a top housing extending over said bottom plate, said housing having a top surface defining at least one elongated button opening and a roller opening disposed adjacent to said button opening near a front end of said housing, said button opening and said roller opening being surrounded by a frame of said top surface and said button opening and said roller opening being set back from said front end of said housing;

a button extending into said opening, said button having edges which are at least partially even with said frame, at least a rear edge of said button being substantially flush with said top surface;

a roller extending into said roller opening,

said button opening and said button being set back from said front end of said housing, so as to leave a portion of said top housing separating the front of said button from said front end of said housing,

a housing extending over said bottom plate, said housing having a top surface; and

a side panel attached to said housing, said side panel being made of a softer material than said housing; and

a ridge formed in said side panel to assist in gripping with a users fingers.

3. The mouse of claim 2 wherein a front edge of said frame is set back from a frontmost edge of said top housing.

4. The mouse of claim 2 wherein said button has a bevelled front edge and at least one bevelled side edge, and a front and corresponding side of said frame have a matching, inward sloping surface, such that a portion of said bevelled edge extends underneath said front and side of said frame in an undepressed position of said button.

5. The mouse of claim 2 further comprising:

at least one shaft encoder in contact with said ball; and

a first support for said shaft encoder, said first support having a closed top and a horizontal slot for insertion of a shaft of said shaft encoder, proximate a first end of said shaft, so that said shaft cannot pop out in an upward direction.

6. The computer mouse of claim 5 further comprising:

a second support for said shaft encoder, said second support having a hole for receiving a second end of said shaft.