Flat and collapsible mouse
First Claim
1. A mouse for controlling a cursor on a screen of a computing device, the mouse being reversibly expandable and collapsible between a flat generally planar configuration and a popped configuration, the mouse being operable in both configurations,wherein said mouse comprises a planar arrangement of a generally rigid base and a flexible upper surface affixed to a rotation axis at each end, and wherein said expansion from the flat to the popped configuration is achieved via a sliding motion that shortens and compresses the flexible upper surface to form a curved or arched profile due to the reduced chord length between opposing ends,wherein said mouse base supports rigid side-panels which are stored parallel to the base in the flat configuration and can hinge and reversibly lock at a generally upright position to the base and upper surface in order to provide support to the upper surface as the overall mouse is slid into the popped configuration,wherein the mouse is reversibly lockable in at least one of the flat configuration and the popped configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mouse (1) suitable for use as a computer input device that is collapsible between a flat configuration in which the mouse (1) is generally planar, and an optional popped configuration in which the mouse (1) has increased volume and forms a generally curved ergonomic profile, where said mouse (1) can be used for wireless data input and control and is operable in either configuration, and can be conveniently attached when flat with a docking cradle or tray (3) that slides into a card-shaped recess (13), such as a PCMCIA or CardBus interface slot within a host device (12) for the purposes of storage, battery recharging, and where said docking cradle (3) can directly provide wireless connectivity and control information between the mouse (1) and host device (12). The mouse (1) may support a combination of buttons (4) and capacitance panels (41) for increased control.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A mouse for controlling a cursor on a screen of a computing device, the mouse being reversibly expandable and collapsible between a flat generally planar configuration and a popped configuration, the mouse being operable in both configurations,
wherein said mouse comprises a planar arrangement of a generally rigid base and a flexible upper surface affixed to a rotation axis at each end, and wherein said expansion from the flat to the popped configuration is achieved via a sliding motion that shortens and compresses the flexible upper surface to form a curved or arched profile due to the reduced chord length between opposing ends, wherein said mouse base supports rigid side-panels which are stored parallel to the base in the flat configuration and can hinge and reversibly lock at a generally upright position to the base and upper surface in order to provide support to the upper surface as the overall mouse is slid into the popped configuration, wherein the mouse is reversibly lockable in at least one of the flat configuration and the popped configuration.
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3. A mouse for controlling a cursor on a screen of a computing device, the mouse being reversibly expandable and collapsible between a flat generally planar configuration and a popped configuration, the mouse being operable in both configurations,
wherein said device comprises a planar arrangement of a generally rigid base and a flexible upper surface affixed to a rotation axis at each end, and wherein said expansion from the flat to the popped configuration is achieved via a sliding motion that shortens and compresses the flexible upper surface to form a curved or arched profile due to the reduced chord length between opposing ends, wherein said mouse base supports rigid side-panels which are stored parallel to the base in the flat configuration and can hinge and reversibly lock at a generally upright position to the base and upper surface as the overall mouse is slid into the popped configuration, and wherein said side-panels are locked in their generally upright position by a sprung rib affixed to the base unit that is sprung biased to an intermediate angle between a zero degree position when the overall mouse is flat and an approximately ninety degree angle when the mouse is popped, and supports a protrusion arranged to mechanically slide over a similar protrusion on the sliding component of the base such that the act of completing the slide forces the sprung rib through the remaining angle and to reversibly lock in the approximately ninety degree position.
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4. A mouse for controlling a cursor on a screen of a computing device, the mouse being reversibly expandable and collapsible between a flat generally planar configuration and a popped configuration, the mouse being operable in both configurations,
wherein said device comprises a planar arrangement of a generally rigid base and a flexible upper surface affixed to a rotation axis at each end, and wherein said expansion from the flat to the popped configuration is achieved via a sliding motion that shortens and compresses the flexible upper surface to form a curved or arched profile due to the reduced chord length between opposing ends, wherein said mouse base supports rigid side-panels which are stored parallel to the base in the flat configuration and can hinge and reversibly lock at a generally upright position to the base and upper surface as the overall mouse is slid into the popped configuration, and wherein at least one of said side-panels is locked in its generally upright position by a sprung strut, one end of the strut being pivotably mounted to said side-panel and the strut being sprung relative to said side-panel such that the second end of the strut is urged against a surface of the mouse such that the side-panel is urged into its generally upright position when the mouse is expanded into the popped configuration.
Specification