Pyramidally-shaped computer mouse

• US 5,880,715 A
• Filed: 04/17/1997
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael David Garrett
• Original Assignee: Michael David Garrett
• Inventors: Garrett, Michael David
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIEU, JULIE BICHNGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/842,762
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/163, 345/157, 345/158, D14/100, 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 273/148 B
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0333 Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0335 Finger operated miniaturized mouse
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A new Pyramidally-Shaped Computer Mouse for allowing a user to position his or her hand in a physically comfortable and effective position during use. The inventive device includes a pyramidally-shaped housing having four triangular-shaped inclined faces. A first depressible switch and a second depressible switch are disposed on one of the inclined faces and a third depressible switch is disposed on an adjacent inclined face. As such, the first depressible switch and the second depressible switch are operable with the index finger and the middle finger of the user thereof. Accordingly, the third depressible switch is operable with the thumb of the user thereof.

Claims

1. A hand-held input device for use with a computer enabling a user thereof to interact with a display device associated with said computer, said input device comprising:

a pyramidally-shaped housing having four triangular-shaped inclined planar faces and an interior, said inclined planar faces being separated from each other by straight edges, said straight edges converging together at a top of said housing;

a first depressible switch and a second depressible switch each disposed on a first of said inclined planar faces,

said first depressible switch and said second depressible switch independently operable with at least one of an index finger and a middle finger of said user thereof;

a third depressible switch disposed on a second of said inclined planar faces, said second of said inclined planar faces adjacent said first of said inclined planar faces, wherein said first and second depressible switches are separated from said third depressible switch by one of said straight edges for facilitating a tactile distinction of said first and second switches from said third switch,

said third depressible switch operable with a thumb of a first hand of said user thereof; and

a substantially planar base member enclosing said hollow interior of said pyramidally-shaped housing, said base member providing stable engagement with an underlying surface.

2. The input device of claim 1, further comprising:

a relative positioning means provided on said base member for sensing the relative position of said input device with respect to said underlying surface.

3. The input device of claim 2, further comprising:

a selective disabling and enabling means for selectively disabling and enabling operation of said relative positioning means,

said disabling and enabling means allowing for relocation of said input device on said underlying surface without said relative positioning means sensing the relative position of said input device with respect to said underlying surface.

4. A hand-held input device for use with a computer enabling a user thereof to interact with a display device associated with said computer, said input device comprising:

a pyramidally-shaped housing having four triangular-shaped inclined faces and a hollow interior;

a first depressible switch and a second depressible switch each disposed on a first of said inclined faces;

said first depressible switch and said second depressible switch independently operable with at least one of an index finger and a middle finger of said user thereof;

a third depressible switch disposed on a second of said inclined faces, said second of said inclined faces adjacent said first of said inclined faces;

said third depressible switch operable with a thumb of a first hand of said user thereof;

a substantially planar base member enclosing said hollow interior of said pyramidally-shaped housing, said base member providing stable engagement with an underlying surface;

a relative positioning means provided on said base member for sensing the relative position of said input device with respect to said underlying surface;

a selective disabling and enabling means for selectively disabling and enabling operation of said relative positioning means;

said disabling and enabling means allowing for relocation of said input device on said underlying surface without said relative positioning means sensing the relative position of said input device with respect to said underlying surface; and

wherein said disabling and enabling means is actuatable by said third depressible switch.

5. The input device of claim 4, wherein said first depressible switch and said third depressible switch each have a trapezoidal shape, said second depressible switch being a mirror image of said first depressible switch.

6. The input device of claim 4, wherein said first depressible switch and third depressible switch each have an elliptical shape, said second depressible switch being a mirror image of said first depressible switch.

7. The input device of claim 4, further comprising:

a fourth depressible switch disposed on a third of said inclined planar faces, said third of said inclined planar faces adjacent said first of said inclined planar faces and opposite said second of said inclined planar faces,

said fourth depressible switch operable with a thumb of a second hand of said user thereof,

said fourth depressible switch being a mirror image of said third depressible switch.

8. The input device of claim 4, further comprising:

a friction minimizing means provided on said base member for minimizing friction between said base member and said underlying surface.

9. The input device of claim 8, wherein said friction minimizing means comprises:

a plurality of ridges extending from the perimeter of said base member towards the center thereof.

10. A hand-held input device for use with a computer enabling a user thereof to interact with a display device associated with said computer, said input device comprising:

a pyramidally-shaped housing said pyramidally-shaped housing including

a first triangular-shaped inclined face,

a second triangular-shaped inclined face,

a third triangular-shaped inclined face, and

a fourth triangular-shaped inclined face

said first, second, third, and fourth triangular-shaped inclined faces integrally joined along abutting side edges thereof and defining a hollow interior,

said first triangular-shaped inclined face adjacent said fourth triangular-shaped inclined face and said second triangular-shaped inclined face,

said second triangular-shaped inclined face adjacent said first triangular-shaped inclined face and said third triangular-shaped inclined face

said third triangular-shaped inclined face adjacent said second triangular-shaped inclined face and said fourth triangular-shaped inclined face, and

said fourth triangular-shaped inclined face adjacent said third triangular-shaped inclined face and said first triangular-shaped inclined face;

a first depressible switch and a second depressible switch each disposed on said first triangular-shaped inclined face, said first depressible switch and said second depressible switch independently operable with at least one of an index finger and a middle finger of said user thereof;

a third depressible switch disposed on one of said fourth triangular-shaped inclined face and said second triangular-shaped inclined face, said third depressible switch operable with a thumb of a first hand of said user thereof;

a substantially planar base member enclosing said hollow interior of said pyramidally-shaped housing, said base member providing stable engagement with an underlying surface;

a fourth depressible switch disposed on an other of said said fourth triangular-shaped inclined face and said second triangular-shaped inclined face;

said fourth depressible switch operable with a thumb of a second hand of said user thereof;

a relative positioning means provided on said base member for sensing the relative position of said input device with respect to said underlying surface;

a selective disabling and enabling means for selectively disabling and enabling operation of said relative positioning means;

said disabling and enabling means allowing for relocation of said input device on said underlying surface without said relative positioning means sensing the relative position of said input device with respect to said underlying surface; and

wherein said disabling and enabling means is actuatable by at least one of said third depressible switch and said fourth depressible switch.

11. The input device of claim 10, wherein said first depressible switch has a first trapezoidal shape, and wherein said third depressible switch has a second trapezoidal shape, said second depressible switch being a mirror image of said first depressible switch.

12. The input device of claim 10, wherein said first depressible switch has a first elliptical shape, and wherein said third depressible switch has a second elliptical shape, said second depressible switch being a mirror image of said first depressible switch.

13. The input device of claim 10, wherein said fourth depressible switch is a mirror image of said third depressible switch.

14. The input device of claim 10, further comprising:

a friction minimizing means provided on said base member for minimizing friction between said base member and said underlying surface.

15. The input device of claim 14, wherein said friction minimizing means comprises:

a plurality of ridges extending from the perimeter of said base member towards the center thereof.