ERGONOMIC COMPUTER MOUSE

A computer mouse device including a housing including a base. The base includes a sensing surface adapted to contact and traverse over a support surface. The sensing surface forms a sensing surface plane having a base axis Y-Y extending orthogonally through the sensing surface plane. The housing includes a plurality of user input devices thereon adapted for generating an input to a computing device. A sensor is disposed on the base and has a sensing element disposed adjacent the support surface. The sensor generates a motion signal responsive to a movement of the housing. The housing includes an output device adapted to be operably connected to the computing device for communicating the motion signal to the computing device. The housing further includes an elongate handle extending from the base toward a handle distal end. The housing further includes an elongate handle extending from the base downwardly toward the sensing surface plane toward a handle distal end.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to a computer mouse for controlling a computer, and more specifically to a computer mouse having an ergonomic configuration.

BACKGROUND

A user computer input device known as a computer mouse is well known in the art. The mouse typically includes a sensing portion that converts movement of the mouse into a signal, which in turn moves an indicator or cursor on a computer screen. The mouse is a common way for users to control computer software functionality. A mouse device also typically includes one or more user input devices, such as buttons or wheels that permit a user to make a selection or otherwise interface with and control the computer. The mouse has become an integral piece of hardware for a computer. As users spend ever-increasing amounts of time on the computer, the use of the mouse has increased.

Since the mouse device is moved by a user's hand, such use over long periods can lead to tendinitis or bursitis in the hand, and cause pain and strain in the hand, wrist, and/or arm. In order to address these conditions, a number of mouse designs have been introduced in order to be more ergonomic. However, such designs can still require the hand and arm to assume unnatural positions causing strain and discomfort over long periods of use. The placement of the buttons and wheels can also cause undue stress.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a mouse device that permits a user to manipulate the mouse device for long periods of time without causing undue pain.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a computer mouse device including a housing including a base. The base includes a sensing surface adapted to contact and traverse over a support surface. The sensing surface forms a sensing surface plane having a base axis Y-Y extending orthogonally through the sensing surface plane. The housing includes a plurality of user input devices thereon adapted for generating an input to a computing device. A sensor is disposed on the base and has a sensing element disposed adjacent the support surface. The sensor generates a motion signal responsive to a movement of the housing. The housing includes an output device adapted to be operably connected to the computing device for communicating the motion signal to the computing device. The housing further includes an elongate handle extending from the base downwardly toward the sensing surface plane toward a handle distal end.

The present disclosure further provides a computer mouse device including a housing including a base. The base includes a sensing surface adapted to contact and to traverse over a support surface. The sensing surface forms a sensing surface plane having a base axis Y-Y extending orthogonally through the sensing surface plane. The housing includes at least one user input devices thereon adapted for generating an input to control a computing device. A sensor is disposed on the base and has a sensing element disposed adjacent the support surface. The sensor generates a motion signal responsive to a movement of the housing. The housing includes an output device adapted to be operably connected to the computing device for communicating the motion signal to the computing device. The housing further includes an elongate handle extending from the base toward a handle distal end. The handle curves relative to the base axis as it extends from the base toward the distal end.

The disclosure still further provides a housing including a base having a sensing surface adapted to contact and to traverse over a support surface. The sensing surface forms a sensing surface plane having a base axis Y-Y extending orthogonally through the sensing surface plane. The housing includes a first user input device thereon adapted for generating an input signal adapted to control a computing device upon operation by a user. A sensor is disposed on the base and has a sensing element disposed adjacent the support surface. The sensor generates a motion signal responsive to a movement of the housing. The housing includes an output device adapted to be operably connected to the computing device for communicating the motion signal to the computing device. The housing further includes an elongate handle extending from the base toward a handle distal end. The handle distal end has a distal surface that lies on the sensing surface plane. The handle extending downwardly toward the sensing surface plane along a first handle axis as the handle extends from the base toward the distal end. The handle curves along a second handle axis orthogonal to the first handle axis as the handle extends from the base toward the distal end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS.1-3, the present disclosure includes an ergonomic computer mouse device10for controlling a computing device. The mouse is operably connected to the computing device by a wire12or wirelessly in a manner known in the art. The mouse includes a housing14having a base16and an elongate handle18extending therefrom.

With additional reference toFIGS.4and9, the housing14includes within a motion sensor20that generates a signal responsive to the movement of the mouse device10. The sensor20may be of a type known in the art. For example, the sensor20may be an optical sensor, or a mechanical ball-type sensor, or other type of sensing device known the art. In an optical sensor, the sensor emits light down onto support surface22from an LED24(light-emitting diode), mounted on the bottom of the mouse device10. The light bounces straight back up off the support surface22into a photoelectric cell26, also mounted under the mouse, adjacent the LED. As the mouse device10is moved, the pattern of reflected light changes, and a processor28inside the mouse converts the analog movements of the user's hand into digital signals that are transmitted to the computing device. The transmission of the signals may be via a wire with a connector12or a wireless communication module30of a type known in the art. Such wireless communication modules30may include a radio frequency transmitter and operate under a communication standard or protocol such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The computing device would have a compatible communication receiver as is know in the art to communicate with the module30.

With reference toFIGS.4-6, the housing base16includes a sensing surface32adapted to contact and traverse over the support surface22. The sensing surface32may have a round configuration as show inFIGS.2and3. However, it is contemplated that the configuration of the sensing surface32may be formed in a variety of shapes. The sensing surface32lies in a plane P having a base axis Y-Y extending orthogonally therethrough. The base axis Y-Y extends along a direction of the height of the base. The sensor20is disposed in the housing adjacent the sensing surface. The sensing surface32is adapted to slide over the support surface22such as a mouse pad, for example. The sensing surface32may include friction-reducing pads34secured thereto to assist the mouse to be moved along the support surface22. The pads34may be formed of a low friction material such as a hard plastic such as nylon PTFE or alternatively a soft felt-like material to assist sliding over the support surface22.

The base16narrows as it extends upwardly from the sensing surface32to its upper portion36. A back side of the base has a concave surface38, which accommodates a user's fingers as the handle is engaged. The elongate handle18extends from the base upper portion and provides a gripping element for the user to hold and manipulate the mouse device10. The handle18may have a generally round cross-section to facilitate the comfortable engagement by a user. The handle18extends along a longitudinal axis L-L from the base16toward a handle distal end40. The distal end40has planar distal surface42that lies in the same plane P as the sensing surface32. Accordingly, the mouse10is supported by both the sensing surface32and distal surface42on the support surface22when the mouse10is in use. By supporting the mouse device10at two spaced locations, stress on the users hand and arm is reduced.

With reference toFIGS.3-6, the handle18curves both downwardly and laterally as it extends from the base16to the distal end40. Thus, the handle curvature is along two distinct axes. One degree of curvature is relative to an axis X-X lying along the sensing plane P as shown inFIG.12. A second degree of curvature is relative to the base axis Y-Y, which is orthogonal to the X-X axis as shown inFIG.4. In other words, the handle18curves downwardly toward plane P (curvature in the Y axis) and curves laterally (curvature in the X axis) when viewed from the back or front of the mouse10. The curvature of the handle18thus is helical-like in shape as it curves to a side in an arcuate manner as it extends downwardly. This curvature conforms to a comfortable ergonomic orientation of a user's hand and arm, thereby permitting ease of mouse10operation over long periods of time.

Specifically, and with additional reference toFIG.4, the longitudinal medial line axis L-L, which extends along the length of the handle18, forms an angle α with the base axis Y-Y, the angle, for example, is approximately 65 degrees. The angle may be in the range of 10 to 110 degrees, and more particularly in the range of 55 to 75 degrees. As shown in the top view ofFIG.7, the handle18also curves laterally to the side. When viewed from the back as shown inFIG.5, the handle18is curved relative to the axis X-X. The handle generally extends along an axis L-L. This axis L-L forms an angle θ with the base axis Y-Y of, for example, approximately 15 degrees. The angle θ may be in the range of 0 to 60 degrees, and more particularly in the range of 5 to 20 degrees. The handle118curvature accommodates the normal orientation of a user's extended hand, thereby reducing strain on the hand, wrist, and arm.

The housing14may include a plurality of user input devices50. Such devices50may be in the form of buttons, wheels, roller and/or triggers. The input devices upon activation by a user generate an input signal, in a manner known in the art, which is use to control the computing device. In one embodiment shown for example inFIGS.1-6, the housing14supports a first selector button52located on the front surface of the base16. The first selector button52extends over substantially the entire width of the base16. This allows it to be actuated by a number of fingers. A second and third selector button54and56, are disposed adjacent a side edge of the first selector button52. The second and third buttons54and56may be positioned such that they are reachable by a user's finger or thumb. A fourth selector button57may be located on the side of the handle18. A wheel58may be located on the base and extend through an opening59in the first selector button52. The wheel58may be rotated about its axis in a manner known in the art. A trigger selector60may be disposed on a lower surface of the handle adjacent a transition between the base16and handle18. Each of the input devices50may be used to generate an input signal to provide differing functionality of the computing device as defined by the computer software.

An alternative embodiment of the mouse device110is shown inFIGS.10-16. The mouse device110is similar to the embodiment described above, but includes a variation in the configuration of the handle118and base116. As in the previously described embodiment, the housing114includes therein a motion sensor20that generates a signal responsive to the movement of the mouse110. As shown inFIGS.10and16, the housing base116includes a sensing surface132adapted to contact and traverse over the support surface22. The sensing surface132may have a round configuration. However, it is within the contemplation of this disclosure that the configuration of the sensing surface may be formed in a variety of shapes. With reference toFIG.13, the sensing surface132lies in a plane P having a base axis Y-Y extending orthogonally therethrough. The base axis Y-Y extends along a direction of the height of the base116. The sensor20is disposed in the housing114adjacent the sensing surface132. The sensing surface is adapted to slide over a support surface such as a mouse pad. The sensing surface132may include friction-reducing pads134secured thereto to assist the mouse to be moved along the support surface.

The base116narrows as it extends upwardly from the sensing surface132to its upper portion136. A back side of the base116has a concave surface138, which accommodates a user's fingers as the handle118is engaged. The elongate handle118extends from the base upper portion and provides a gripping element for the user to hold and manipulate the mouse device110. The handle118may have a generally round cross-section to facilitate the comfortable engagement by a user. The handle118extends along a longitudinal axis L-L from the base116toward a handle distal end140. The distal end140has planar distal surface142that lies in the same plane P as the sensing surface132. Accordingly, the mouse110is supported by both the sensing surface132and distal surface142on the support surface122when the mouse110is in use. By supporting the mouse110at two spaced locations, stress on the user's hand and arm is reduced.

With reference toFIGS.11-15, the handle118curves both downwardly and laterally as it extends from the base116to the distal end140. Thus, the handle curvature is along two distinct axes. One degree of curvature is relative to an axis X-X lying along the sensing plane P. A second degree of curvature is relative to the base axis Y-Y, which is orthogonal to the X-X axis. In other words, the handle curves downwardly toward plane P (curvature in the Y axis) and curves laterally (curvature in the X axis) when viewed from the back or front of the mouse110. The curvature of the handle118thus is helical-like in shape as it curves to a side in an arcuate manner as it extends downwardly and outwardly from the base. The handle curvature is greater than that shown in the previously described embodiment. This curvature conforms to a comfortable ergonomic orientation of a user's hand and arm, thereby permitting ease of mouse operation over long periods of time.

Specifically and with reference toFIG.14, the longitudinal axis L-L forms an angle α with the base axis Y-Y, the angle being, for example, approximately 55 degrees. The angle α may be in the range of 10 to 100 degrees, and more particularly in the range of 45 to 65 degrees. As shown inFIG.12, the handle118also curves to the side. The amount of curvature results in the handle distal end140extending beyond the width of the base116. When viewed from the back as shown inFIG.12, the handle118is curved relative to the base axis Y-Y. The handle generally extends along a central axis L-L which follows the curvature of the handle118. This axis forms an angle θ with the base axis Y-Y of, for example, approximately 35 degrees. The angle θ may be in the range of 0 to 60 degrees, and more particularly in the range of 20 to 40 degrees. The handle curvature accommodates the normal orientation of a user's extended hand, thereby reducing strain on the hand, wrist, and arm.

Similar to the previously described embodiment, the housing114may include a plurality of use input devices150. Such devices may be in the form of buttons, wheels, rollers and/or triggers. In the present embodiment shown for example inFIGS.10-16, the housing114supports a first selector button152located on the front surface of the base116. The first selector button152extends over substantially the entire width of the base116. This allows it to be actuated by a number of fingers. A second and third selector button154and156, is disposed adjacent a side edge of the first selector button152. The second and third buttons154and156may be positioned such that they are reachable by a user's finger or thumb. A fourth selector button157may be located on the side of the handle118. A wheel158may be located on the base and extend through an opening in the first selector button152. The wheel158may be rotated about its axis in a manner known in the art. A trigger selector160may be disposed on a lower surface of the handle adjacent a transition between the base116and handle118. Each of the input devices150may be used to provide differing functionality of the computing device as defined by the computer software.

While various embodiments of the present invention are specifically illustrated and/or described herein, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the present invention may be effected by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.