Ergonomic computer mouse

• US 7,705,827 B1
• Filed: 01/20/2006
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allen W. Robinson
• Original Assignee: Allen W. Robinson
• Inventors: Robinson, Allen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang; Regina
• Application Number:
  US11/336,440
• Time in Patent Office: 1,558 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345/161, 345/167
• 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

An ergonomically configured computer mouse comprising a hand held housing body having one or more features to provide comfort in the operation of said mouse. For example, it may include a covering of a pliable memory material designed to yield to the impression of the user'"'"'s palm and resile to its initial shape after use. As another example, the mouse may be provided with finger detents to facilitate handling of the mouse. Furthermore, the mouse can have a pair of aligned buttons for inputting information into the computer, or a scrolling mechanism, preferably in the form of a rocker switch, in proximity to the aligned buttons for activation with the user'"'"'s index finger.

Claims

1. An ergonomically configured computer mouse being operable to communicate with a computer, said mouse comprising:

a hand held housing body having a generally flat base for sliding movement along a supporting surface, and a curved upper surface terminating in opposing side wall sections,

said upper surface further including only two buttons a taller pick button and a shorter enter button, closely positioned together for inputting information to said computer, where said buttons are operable by a single index finger,

a pliable memory material covering an entire palm area, wherein said memory material is dynamically adjustable whereby it yields to the impression of the user'"'"'s palm and resiles to its initial shape after each use, and,

said side wall sections including finger depressions for respectively positioning the user'"'"'s thumb and little finger.

2. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 1, wherein one of said buttons has an upwardly extending protrusion from its face.

3. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 2, including a scrolling mechanism in proximity to said pair of closely positioned buttons.

4. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 3, wherein said scrolling mechanism is a rocker switch operable in plural operation modes.

5. An ergonomically configured computer mouse being operable to communicate with a computer, said mouse comprising:

a hand held housing body having a generally flat base for sliding movement along a supporting surface, and a curved upper surface terminating in opposing side wall sections,

said upper surface characterized by a dynamic pliable memory material covering an entire palm area, wherein said memory material is dynamically adjustable whereby it yields to the impression of the user'"'"'s palm and resiles to its initial shape after each use,

said upper surface further including only two buttons a taller pick button and a shorter enter button, closely positioned together for inputting information to said computer, where said buttons are operable by a single index finger,

said buttons are pressure sensitive requiring at least a predetermined substantial application of pressure to activate said buttons, whereby to allow the user to rest his/her fingers without prematurely activating said buttons, wherein such pressure is adjustable, and

said side wall sections including finger depressions for respectively positioning the user'"'"'s thumb and little finger.

6. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 5, wherein one of said buttons has an upwardly extending protrusion from its face.

7. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 6, including a scrolling mechanism in proximity to said pair of closely positioned buttons.

8. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 7, wherein said scrolling mechanism is a rocker switch operable in plural operation modes.

9. An ergonomically configured computer mouse being operable to communicate with a computer, said mouse comprising:

a hand held housing body having a generally flat base for sliding movement along a supporting surface, and a curved upper surface terminating in opposing side wall sections,

said upper surface further including only two buttons a taller pick button and a shorter enter button, closely positioned together for inputting information to said computer, where said buttons are operable by a single index finger, and

said side wall sections including finger depressions for respectively positioning the users thumb and little finger.

10. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 9, wherein said buttons are pressure sensitive requiring at least a predetermined substantial application of pressure to activate said buttons, whereby to allow the user to rest his/her fingers without prematurely activating said buttons, and wherein said pressure is adjustable.

11. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 10, wherein one of said buttons has an upwardly extending protrusion from its face.

12. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 11, including a scrolling mechanism in proximity to said pair of closely positioned buttons.

13. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 12, wherein said scrolling mechanism is a rocker switch operable in plural operation modes.

14. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 9, wherein one of said buttons has an upwardly extending protrusion from its face.

15. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 14, including a scrolling mechanism in proximity to said pair of closely positioned buttons.

16. The ergonomically configured computer mouse according to claim 15, wherein said scrolling mechanism is a rocker switch operable in plural operation modes.