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WO1994006331A1 - Mat pour souris informatique - Google Patents

Mat pour souris informatique

Info

Publication number
WO1994006331A1
WO1994006331A1 PCT/US1993/008369 US9308369W WO9406331A1 WO 1994006331 A1 WO1994006331 A1 WO 1994006331A1 US 9308369 W US9308369 W US 9308369W WO 9406331 A1 WO9406331 A1 WO 9406331A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
accessory device
mouse
cable
substrate
base portion
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1993/008369
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Edward F. Larkin
Original Assignee
C P Research
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by C P Research filed Critical C P Research
Publication of WO1994006331A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994006331A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/039—Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads
    • G06F3/0395—Mouse pads

Definitions

  • COMPUTER MOUSE TOWER Background of the Invention This invention relates to accessory devices for use with wired or cabled computer mice.
  • Wireless mice have been proposed as a solution to this problem, but they are subject to numerous disadvantages. For example, wireless mice generally must be within range of their receiving unit, are more expensive than wired mice, are less responsive, and require batteries.
  • the invention features an accessory device for use with a computer mouse having a cable.
  • the device includes a substrate, a mouse pad disposed upon the substrate and defining a mouse pad surface, and an elongated tower.
  • the mouse tower comprises a base portion mounted to the substrate, a free end portion extending above the mouse pad surface, between the base portion and the free end portion, an upwardly extending elongated spine having a resilient portion and gripping means for the cable of the mouse to the tower in locking grip, and a cable guide in the vicinity of the free end portion for loosely receiving the cable theret ⁇ -ough.
  • the invention features an accessory device for use with a mouse pad defining a mouse pad surface and a computer mouse having a cable which comprises a substrate and an elongated tower.
  • the tower comprises a base portion mounted to the substrate, a free end portion extending above the mouse pad surface, between the base portion and the free end portion, an upwardly extending elongated spine having a resilient portion and gripping means for the cable of the mouse to the tower in locking grip, and a cable guide in the vicinity of the free end portion for loosely receiving the cable therethrough.
  • the substrate comprises means for maintaining a predetermined spacing of the base portion from a nearest edge of the mouse pad surface.
  • the gripping means comprises a groove defined by the base portion, the groove being sized and adapted to receive the cable in locking grip.
  • the groove is defined by an upper region of the base portion, the cable extends freely along the spine, from the groove to the cable guide, and the groove is tapered to accommodate cables of a range of different outer diameters.
  • the resilient portion comprises a spring element.
  • the spring element has the form of a sinusoidal wave, more preferably a sinusoidal wave which decreases in amplitude from a region toward the base portion co a region toward the free end portion.
  • the spine is formed of a resilient thermoplastic material.
  • the spring element comprises one or more coiled springs, preferably formed of spring steel or other resilient metal.
  • the base portion is either substantially horseshoe-shaped in cross-section or substantially pyramidal in shape.
  • the base portion may snap into the substrate, e.g., the substrate defines a base groove and the base portion defines a corresponding peripheral ridge, the peripheral ridge sized and adapted for cooperative resilient engagement with the base groove, or the base portion and substrate may be integrally formed.
  • the guide has a toroidal shape with smoothly rounded surfaces for minimizing drag upon the cable.
  • Objectives of the invention include providing an accessory device for use with a computer mouse having a cable by which the cable is suspended above the mouse pad surface in a manner to eliminate snagging, etc.
  • the device includes a tower having sufficient resiliency to keep the cable suspended while allowing the mouse to be moved about the mouse pad surface while maintaining tension on the cable.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory device according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a side view of the accessory device of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 2A is an enlarged top sectional view of the accessory device of Fig. 1, taken at the line 2A-2A of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 2B is a similar side sectional view of the accessory device of Fig. 1, taken at the line 2B-2B of Fig. 2A; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a computer mouse tower according to the invention, while Fig. 3A is a top section view taken at the line 3A-3A of Fig. 3.
  • Figs. 4 and 4A are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of an another embodiment of the accessory device of the invention.
  • Figs. 5 and 5A are front perspective views of another embodiment of the accessory device of the invention, with and without a mouse pad, respectively.
  • Fig. 5B is a partial rear perspective view of the device of Fig. 5.
  • Fig. 6 is a side view of the device of Fig. 5.
  • an accessory device 10 of the invention for use with a computer mouse, M, includes a mouse pad 12 having a mouse pad surface, S.
  • the mouse pad is disposed upon a substrate 14, and a resilient computer mouse tower 16 is mounted upon the substrate and extends over the surface of the mouse pad.
  • the computer mouse tower 16, at rest and attached to substrate 14, without a cable in the device, is preferably inclined at an angle of approximately 50° with respect to the surface of the mouse pad.
  • the tower 16 is preferably molded as a single piece, using a resilient thermoplastic, e.g., nylon.
  • a base portion 18 which is generally horseshoe shaped and terminates in a peripheral ridge 19 (Fig. 2B) which resiliently deflects to engage and lock into a corresponding receiving groove 21 defined by the substrate 14, as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, with the open end of the horseshoe facing away from the mouse pad.
  • the tower may also be released from the groove 21, e.g. for shipment or storage, by squeezing the wings 17 of the base towards each other (arrows, W) .
  • the base portion 18 is mounted upon the substrate at a predetermined small distance, d, from the nearest edge of the mouse pad, e.g. about two inches.
  • the horseshoe shape of the base end of the tower is selected to minimize drag on the mouse cable, C, and to allow the cable to extend freely away from the mouse pad.
  • the wall thickness, t, of the tower in the region of the base 18 is preferably about 0.070 to 0.100 inch, and more preferably about 0.070 to 0.090 inch.
  • Base 18 defines a groove 24 extending longitudinally along the inner surface 23 above the base end of the tower, preferably spaced from the lower edge of the base.
  • the Groove 24, formed by a pair of opposed ridges 25, 25' (Fig. 3A) is preferably tapered to be wider at the base than at the aperture in order to provide for retention of mouse cables of a range of different diameters.
  • Spine 22 extends upwardly from base end 18, over the mouse pad surface, terminating in free end 20.
  • free end 20 is preferably about five inches above mouse pad surface, S.
  • Spine 22 is resilient over at least a portion of its length, and is preferably in the form of a resilient sinusoidal wave element which decreases in amplitude from an end 22a toward the base end 18 to an end 22b toward the free end 20, as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the resiliency of the spine 22 is provided in part by selection of a suitable material, preferably a resilient thermoplastic, and, in part, by the sinusoidal waveform shape.
  • Resiliency is increased by reduction in wall thickness of the spine 22 generally from end 22a toward end 22b, n . g . from thickness of about 0.100 inch at end 22a to thickness about 0.050 inch at end 22b. Accordingly, it is preferred that the material selected for the spine be resistant to cracking when flexed in thin sections. The resiliency of the spine 22 is thus sufficient to keep the mouse cable elevated to eliminate snagging, but not so stiff as to provide noticeable resistance when the user moves the mouse.
  • Spine 22 terminates in a cable guide 30 at the free end, the cable guide being sized to loosely retain a mouse cable having any standard diameter.
  • the cable guide 30 has a toroidal shape with smoothly rounded surfaces that serve to minimize drag on the cable and an opening having an inner diameter of about 0.300 to 0.350 inch.
  • mouse cable, C passes from its connection to the computer (not shown) upwardly along inner surface 23 of the base 18, where it is retained by groove 24.
  • the cable passes freely along the back surface 31 of spine 22, to be retained at the free end 20 of the tower 16 by cable guide 30.
  • the cable is suspended downward to its point of attachment to the computer mouse, M.
  • the spine 22 As shown in Fig. 2, as a user moves the computer mouse across the mouse pad surface (arrows A) , the spine 22 is deflected toward the mouse pad surface by application of tension to the cable, C (arrows B, dashed line representation in Fig. 2) .
  • the spine 22 resiliently returns towards its initial position (solid line, Fig. 2) , taking up slack in the mouse cable.
  • the resilience of the spine portion of the tower allows the computer mouse to be moved about the mouse pad surface while keeping the cable suspended above the mouse pad surface and out of the way.
  • the device 10' is freestanding, rather than attached to a computer mouse pad.
  • the substrate 14' is shaped and weighted to support tower 16', with a portion 38 that maintains a preferred spacing between the base end of the tower 16' and near edge of the mouse pad surface.
  • Base end 18' of the tower engages substrate 14', e.g in the manner shown in Fig. 2A.
  • substrate 14" and base 18'' of resilient computer mouse tower 16" are molded as one integral piece of plastic material.
  • Base 18'' is generally pyramidal in shape, and spine 22 is comprised of two coiled springs 34.
  • springs 34 are disposed within two apertures 33 in base 18'', as shown in Fig. 5B, and are held in place by lateral ridges 35 which frictionally engage springs 34 to provide sufficient resistance to prevent springs 34 from being pulled from apertures 33 during use.
  • springs 34 may be attached to base 18'' by other conventional means, e.g., by adhesive, clips or the like.
  • Mouse tower 16' ' defines a groove 24'' extending longitudinally along an exterior surface of the tower between springs 34.
  • Retention ridges 36 are disposed on opposing surfaces of groove 24'' to grip computer cable 32 and limit its lateral movement.
  • a cable guide 30' ' is disposed on tower free end 20' '.
  • Cable guide 30'' preferably consists of a canula 37 disposed between two spring receptacles 40.
  • Canula 37 includes a slot 38 extending its entire length, dimensioned to allow the cable 32 to be pressed into the canula.
  • the base of the tower and the spine may be formed as separate parts and joined using conventional means (e.g., adhesive or welding), or may be formed of other materials, e.g., spring metal, with no exposed sharp edges to snag or damage the cable.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

Dispositif accessoire (10) s'utilisant avec une souris informatique pourvue d'un câble et comprenant un support (14), un tapis (12) pour la souris situé sur le support (14), ou en position contiguë à celui-ci, ainsi qu'un mât allongé (16) possèdant une base (18) fixée au support (14) et une extrémité libre (20) s'étendant au-dessus de la surface (5) du tapis. Entre la base (18) et l'extrémité libre (20), le mât (16) comporte une pointe allongée (22) s'étendant vers le haut et possédant une partie élastique et une gorge (24) servant à verrouiller le câble de la souris au mât (16). Le mât (16) possède également un guide-câble (30) à proximité de l'extrémité libre (20), à travers lequel le câble passe librement.
PCT/US1993/008369 1992-09-04 1993-09-07 Mat pour souris informatique WO1994006331A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US94044992A 1992-09-04 1992-09-04
US07/940,449 1992-09-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994006331A1 true WO1994006331A1 (fr) 1994-03-31

Family

ID=25474862

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1993/008369 WO1994006331A1 (fr) 1992-09-04 1993-09-07 Mat pour souris informatique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1994006331A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996021907A2 (fr) * 1995-01-13 1996-07-18 Or Computer Keyboards Ltd. Poste de travail a souris informatique ergonomique
US6129318A (en) * 1996-01-11 2000-10-10 Or Computer Keyboards Ltd. Ergonomic computer mouse workstation
TWI595385B (zh) * 2016-08-16 2017-08-11 哈帝斯科技股份有限公司 鍵盤裝置及其滑鼠線架結構

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1785518A (en) * 1930-02-05 1930-12-16 Grover B Higgins Coiling device
US2478498A (en) * 1944-11-22 1949-08-09 Proctor Electric Co Cord-supporting device for flatirons
US2482957A (en) * 1948-06-29 1949-09-27 Louis A Willens Sadiron rest for ironing boards
FR1024880A (fr) * 1950-09-25 1953-04-08 Support de fil d'alimentation électrique pour appareil ménager
US5116011A (en) * 1990-11-21 1992-05-26 Smith Lawrence E Accessory track to accommodate multiple accessories

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1785518A (en) * 1930-02-05 1930-12-16 Grover B Higgins Coiling device
US2478498A (en) * 1944-11-22 1949-08-09 Proctor Electric Co Cord-supporting device for flatirons
US2482957A (en) * 1948-06-29 1949-09-27 Louis A Willens Sadiron rest for ironing boards
FR1024880A (fr) * 1950-09-25 1953-04-08 Support de fil d'alimentation électrique pour appareil ménager
US5116011A (en) * 1990-11-21 1992-05-26 Smith Lawrence E Accessory track to accommodate multiple accessories

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
FORMIMCO, 1991. *

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996021907A2 (fr) * 1995-01-13 1996-07-18 Or Computer Keyboards Ltd. Poste de travail a souris informatique ergonomique
WO1996021907A3 (fr) * 1995-01-13 1996-11-14 Or Computer Keyboards Ltd Poste de travail a souris informatique ergonomique
US5826842A (en) * 1995-01-13 1998-10-27 Or Computer Keyboards Ltd. Ergonomic computer mouse workstation
US6129318A (en) * 1996-01-11 2000-10-10 Or Computer Keyboards Ltd. Ergonomic computer mouse workstation
TWI595385B (zh) * 2016-08-16 2017-08-11 哈帝斯科技股份有限公司 鍵盤裝置及其滑鼠線架結構
CN107765874B (zh) * 2016-08-16 2020-11-03 哈帝斯科技股份有限公司 键盘装置及其鼠标线架结构

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