Lightweight system for mounting hand-operated tools, objects, and interaction devices to a user's hand
First Claim
1. An apparatus for supporting a hand-operated input device on a user'"'"'s hand, comprising:
- a first mounting member with a hoop-shaped body;
a second mounting member with a semi-circular shaped body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are coupled at spaced-apart first and second locations to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member, wherein the first and second ends of the second mounting member do not move relative to the first mounting member when the second mounting member is coupled to the first mounting member; and
a device support rigidly coupled to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member,wherein the device support is adapted for mating with and supporting the hand-operated input device,wherein the device support comprises a first support arm coupled to the first mounting member so that the first end of the first support arm does not rotate and does not move relative to the first mounting member such that a location of coupling between the first support arm and the first mounting member does not change,wherein the first support arm extends from a first end outward from the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member and the device support further comprises a second support arm mating with a second end of the first support arm distal to the hoop-shaped body, the second support arm including a mounting surface extending transverse to the first support arm for receiving and supporting the hand-operated input device and the first support arm having a length defining a distance the hand-operated input device is spaced-apart from the location of coupling between the first support arm and the first mounting member,wherein the first end of the first support arm does not rotate or move relative to the first mounting member, andwherein, when the apparatus is worn on a hand, the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member contacts the hand at first and second contact points and the semi-circular shaped body of the second mounting member contacts the hand at a third contact point.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for supporting a hand-operated input device on a hand. The apparatus includes a first mounting member with a hoop-shaped body and a second mounting member with a semi-circular shaped body. At first and second ends, the second mounting member is rigidly coupled at spaced-apart first and second locations to the first mounting member. A device support is rigidly coupled to the first mounting member, and the device support is adapted for supporting a hand-operated input device. The first mounting member contacts the hand at first and second contact points, and the second mounting member contacts the hand at a third contact point. The first and second contact points are located on opposite sides of the hand between the knuckles and the heel of the hand, and the third contact point is on an opposite side of the hand from the first contact point and proximate to the heel.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for supporting a hand-operated input device on a user'"'"'s hand, comprising:
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a first mounting member with a hoop-shaped body; a second mounting member with a semi-circular shaped body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are coupled at spaced-apart first and second locations to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member, wherein the first and second ends of the second mounting member do not move relative to the first mounting member when the second mounting member is coupled to the first mounting member; and a device support rigidly coupled to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member, wherein the device support is adapted for mating with and supporting the hand-operated input device, wherein the device support comprises a first support arm coupled to the first mounting member so that the first end of the first support arm does not rotate and does not move relative to the first mounting member such that a location of coupling between the first support arm and the first mounting member does not change, wherein the first support arm extends from a first end outward from the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member and the device support further comprises a second support arm mating with a second end of the first support arm distal to the hoop-shaped body, the second support arm including a mounting surface extending transverse to the first support arm for receiving and supporting the hand-operated input device and the first support arm having a length defining a distance the hand-operated input device is spaced-apart from the location of coupling between the first support arm and the first mounting member, wherein the first end of the first support arm does not rotate or move relative to the first mounting member, and wherein, when the apparatus is worn on a hand, the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member contacts the hand at first and second contact points and the semi-circular shaped body of the second mounting member contacts the hand at a third contact point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A mounting system for suspending an input device in registered positions relative to a hand, comprising:
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a hoop-shaped first mounting member comprising an inner core and an outer contact surface layer extending over the inner core; a U-shaped second mounting member coupled at first and second ends via first and second connectors, respectively to the first mounting member, wherein the second mounting member comprises an inner core and an outer contact surface layer extending over the inner core; and a device support coupled to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member so that the device support does not rotate and does not move relative to the first mounting member such that a location of coupling between the device support and the first mounting member is retained, wherein the device support is adapted for mating with and supporting the input device, wherein, when the mount system is worn on the hand, the first mounting member contacts the hand at first and second contact points and the second mounting member contacts the hand at a third contact point, wherein first and second connectors are provided for coupling the first and second ends of the second mounting member to the first mounting member so that the first and second ends of the second mounting member do not move relative to the first mounting member, the first and second connectors being attached at spaced-apart first and second locations to the first mounting member so that the first and second connectors do not move relative to the first mounting member, and wherein, when the mounting system is worn on the hand, the first connector is positioned adjacent the back of the hand and to the knuckles of the hand and the second connector is positioned adjacent the palm of the hand opposite the first connector. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for supporting an interactive or input device, comprising:
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a first mounting member with a hoop-shaped body; a second mounting member with a semi-circular shaped body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are coupled at spaced-apart first and second locations to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member so that the first and second ends of the second mounting member are prevented from moving relative to the first mounting member; and a device support coupled to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member so that the device support does not rotate and does not move relative to the first mounting member such that a location of coupling between the device support and the first mounting member is retained, wherein the device support comprises a first support arm extending from a first end outward from the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member, and a second support arm mating with a second end of the first support arm distal to the hoop-shaped body, the second support arm including a mounting surface extending transverse to the first support arm for receiving the interactive or input device and for supporting the interactive or input device with an orientation that is transverse to the first support arm. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for supporting a hand-operated input device on a user'"'"'s hand, comprising:
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a first mounting member with a hoop-shaped body; a second mounting member with a semi-circular shaped body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are coupled at spaced-apart first and second locations to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member so that the first and second ends of the second mounting member do not move relative to the first mounting member upon assembly and during use of the apparatus; and a device support coupled to the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member so that the device support does not rotate and does not move relative to the first mounting member such that a location of coupling between the device support and the first mounting member is retained, wherein the device support is adapted for mating with and supporting the hand-operated input device, wherein the bodies of the first and second support members comprise a stiff inner core formed of plastic or metal and an outer contact surface layer covering the stiff inner core formed of a soft plastic or a rubber, wherein the device support comprises a first support arm extending from a first end outward from the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member and a second support arm mating with a second end of the first support arm distal to the hoop-shaped body, the second support arm including a mounting surface extending transverse to the first support arm for receiving the hand-operated input device, and wherein, when the apparatus is worn on a hand, the hoop-shaped body of the first mounting member contacts the hand at first and second contact points and the semi-circular shaped body of the second mounting member contacts the hand at a third contact point. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification