Abstract:
An input device has a body that includes a plurality of electronic components therein, and a compartment located in the body and isolated from the electronic components. The input device has a main cover mounted on the body, an additional electronic device retained inside the compartment, and a subsidiary cover pivotably coupled to the body and covering the compartment in a closed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an input device, and in particular, to a wireless input device having a compartment for receiving additional devices.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Input devices, such as computer mice, track balls, joysticks, and game controllers, are becoming essential devices when a user wishes to operate a computer system or the like, so as to accomplish their daily work, communicate with others or entertain themselves. However, no matter how small the input device is, a cable is always required, and occupies space on the often limited working space on a desk, often tangling with the stationery and other computer peripheral devices.  
         [0005]     Due to the advancements made in wireless technology, most input devices are becoming wireless. However, once a user carries a wireless input device out of the home or an office, there is no effective place to store the wireless receiver. For example, cramming the wireless receiver into a briefcase will result in the miniaturized receiver being lost sooner or later. Similarly, other popular miniaturized portable storage devices, such as a pen drive, also need a place to be carefully stored and safely protected.  
         [0006]     Publication No. US2003/0179177 discloses storing the receiver into an input device having a sliding receptacle  26  so as to firmly secure the receiver into an open chamber  213  at the front side thereof. However, the complicated structure required for this device will increase the production and assembly costs for the input device. In addition, the open chamber  213  is exposed to ambience, thereby exposing batteries and other electronic components to contamination (such as spilled water or coffee).  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,255,981 and 6,411,281 disclose input devices having a removable cover on top for retaining batteries inside the body of the input device. However, these removable covers can be lost or damaged if used inappropriately.  
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0008]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless input device that includes an isolated compartment for receiving an additional electronic device.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a wireless input device that includes an isolated compartment that protects an electronic device held therein from exposure to the ambient environment, thereby avoiding unexpected contamination which may deteriorate the operation of the input device.  
         [0010]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a wireless input device that includes an isolated compartment for receiving a portable storage device.  
         [0011]     In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is provided an input device having a body that includes a plurality of electronic components therein, and a compartment located in the body and isolated from the electronic components. The input device has a main cover mounted on the body, an additional electronic device retained inside the compartment, and a subsidiary cover pivotably coupled to the body and covering the compartment in a closed position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of an input device according to the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is another exploded perspective view of the input device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an assembled perspective view of the input device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIGS. 4-5  are perspective views of the input device of  FIG. 1  showing a wireless receiver being received therein.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the input device of  FIG. 1  showing how a receiver is removed from the compartment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]     The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
         [0018]     The principles of the present invention are applicable to a wireless input device, which can include, but is not limited to, a computer mouse, a track ball or game pad, among others. Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the input device has a body  10  which has a housing  11  combined by a upper housing  114  and lower housing  113 , a main cover  12  and a subsidiary cover  13 . The housing  11  has a top  111  and a bottom  112 . The lower housing  113  has a front plate  1131  and a pair of lateral plates  1132  so as to form a space  1133  for containing electronic components  20  therein. The lower housing  113  also has a pair of sockets  1134  for coupling to the subsidiary cover  13 .  
         [0019]     The electronic components  20  can include a PCB  21 , a coordinate detecting module including a sensor  22 , an encoder  23 , a roller  24 , several micro-switches  25 , and at least one battery  26  for providing power to the entire input device. These various electronic components are well-known in the art, and their structure and operation will not be described in greater detail.  
         [0020]     The upper housing  114  has an opening  1141  for allowing a portion of the roller  24  to protrude therethrough, and holes  1142  provided on opposite sides of the opening  1141 , with each hole  1142  being positioned to correspond to the position of one of the micro-switches  25 . The upper housing  114  also includes an isolated compartment  1143  having a recess  1143   a  and a storing portion  1143   b.  The depth of the recess  1143   a  on the upper housing  114  is greater than that of the storing portion  1143   b.    
         [0021]     The main cover  12  is integrally mounted on the upper housing  114  and has two buttons  121  at the front end of the cover  12 , with each of the buttons  121  having a pin  122  thereunder and extending through corresponding holes  1142 . Once a user depresses a button  121 , the corresponding pin  122  will be forced to move downward as to activate a corresponding micro-switch  25 . In this embodiment, the roller  24  is positioned between the buttons  121 .  
         [0022]     The front end of the subsidiary cover  13  has a pivoting portion  131  which has a extension  1311  at each lateral side. Each extension  1311  can be fitted within a separate socket  1134 , and further enclosed by a front end  1144  of the upper housing  114  to enable the subsidiary cover  13  to be pivoted with respect to the housing  11  of the body  10 . Using this structural configuration, the subsidiary cover  13  can cover and protect the compartment  1143 , as best shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . An elongated opening  132  can be provided on the subsidiary cover  13  to allow the roller  24  to extend therethrough so that a user can operate the roller  24  from the top  111  of the housing  11 .  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , once a user wishes to store a wireless receiver  30  within the compartment  1143 , the user merely lifts the subsidiary cover  13  from the rear side towards the front side of the input device. The receiver  30  can be configured to be closely-fitted inside the compartment  1143  so as to avoid unnecessary shaking when the receiver  30  is retained inside the compartment  1143 . Because the connector of the receiver  30  at the front of the compartment  1143  is smaller than the rest of the receiver  30 , the different depths of the recess  1143   a  and the storing portion  1143   b  help to facilitate a more convenient removal of the receiver  30  from the compartment  1143 . For example, as soon as the user presses down the connector (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ), the rear of the receiver  30  will be forced to tilt upward, allowing the user to grip the receiver  30 .  
         [0024]     It is also possible to provide the subsidiary cover  13  in a manner where it is pivotally coupled to the main cover  12  or the upper housing  114 . For example, a protrusion can be provided on the subsidiary cover  13 , and a corresponding recess provided on the main cover  12  (or the upper housing  114 ) to receive the protrusion. Thus, the subsidiary cover  13  can be pivoted from either the upper housing  114 , the lower housing  113 , or the main cover  12 .  
         [0025]     Further, it is possible to store in the compartment  1143  a portable storage device (such as a pen drive device) that has a shape that is similar to the shape of the wireless receiver  30 .  
         [0026]     In addition, the main cover  12  can be cut into two independent (left and right) covers, each having an individual button  121  and rod  122 . In this embodiment, the subsidiary cover  13  can still be positioned between the left and right buttons  121 .  
         [0027]     As yet another alternative, the subsidiary cover  13  can be lifted open not only from the rear side to the front side of the input device, but also from the front side to the rear side of the input device.  
         [0028]     While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.