Computer mouse having side areas to maintain a depressed button position

• US 6,844,872 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2000
• Issued: 01/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Farag, Abraham S., Andre, Bartley K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Jennifer T.
• Application Number:
  US09/687,262
• Time in Patent Office: 1,560 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345164-167, 345/156, 345/157
• 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 computer mouse having a base member with hold regions. A top member is pivotally coupled to the base member and covers the internal electronics of the mouse. The top member has a main surface with openings to accommodate the hold regions of the base member and leave them exposed to a user'"'"'s fingers. The top member also acts as a button for the mouse. The hold regions allow a user to lift the mouse while maintaining the top member in a depressed position.

Claims

1. A computer mouse comprising:

a base member of said computer mouse having hold regions;

a top member pivotally coupled to said base member, said top member having a main surface configured to leave said hold regions substantially exposed;

wherein said top member forms an integral housing and button, and said button is activated when said top member pivots toward said base member; and

an adjuster coupled to said base member, said adjuster being adjustable to control a force required to push said top member.

2. A computer mouse comprising:

a first side ear;

a second side ear;

wherein said first and second side ears are concurrently graspable to lift the computer mouse while maintaining a button of the computer mouse in a depressed position, wherein said button is a top housing of the computer mouse; and

an adjuster coupled to said first and second side ears, said adjuster being adjustable to control a force required to push said top housing.

3. A computer mouse comprising:

a base of said computer mouse having a first fixed portion and a second fixed portion;

a depressable housing coupled to said base such that said base is covered by said housing, wherein said housing forms a button that is activated when said housing is depressed;

wherein said first and second fixed portions are accessible through said depressable housing when said depressable housing is depressed; and

an adjuster coupled to said base, said adjuster being adjustable to control a force required to push said depressable housing.