APPARATUS FOR COVERING A HAND-OPERATED PERIPHERAL COMPUTER CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract: A cover (10) configured to receive a peripheral computer control device, such as a mouse (12), is described. In one embodiment, the cover (10) covers a top surface of the mouse, except for a window which exposes control mechanisms on the mouse (12) so that a user can directly access and operate the control mechanisms. In an alternative embodiment, the cover may have an ergonomic shape to adjust the shape of the mouse to a more pleasing ergonomic shape.

Description: APPARATUS FOR COVERING A HAND-OPERATED PERIPHERAL COMPUTER CONTROL DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an accessory for a hand- operated peripheral computer control device, sucn as a mouse. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many products currently on the market which are αesigned to address ergonomic issues relative to the use of hand-operated peripheral computer control devices, such as a computer mouse and keyboard. These items include paddeα wrist supports wnich are placed along the length or a keyboard and mouse pads which are contoured to support the wrist while the hand rests atop the mouse. Further, many companies have designed and manufactureα computer mice with unique shapes that deviate from tne traditional "flattened egg" shape so as to allow the user to employ the mouse in a more ergonomically pleasing manner. Most of these products were created out of a growing awareness of repetitive stress-related injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. However, no proαuct addresses using an accessory such as a cover to adjust the comfort factor of traditional hand-operated peripheral computer control devices sucn as computer mice. Mouse covers have been known, but they either (a) must be removed before use, or (b) involve some variation on a lever mechanism m order to activate the underlying buttons. A cover with a lever mechanism requires that the user have a mouse with a button configuration to which a lever mecnanism can conform. Although such covers are known, they cannot address all possible joutton configurations, and none allow the user to use a scrolling wheel mechanism. Furthermore, none permit the user to directly access the button configuration or the scrolling wheel mecnanism. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cover configured to receive a hand-operated peripheral computer control device, such as a mouse . In an exemplary emdodiment, the cover may preferably include a window. The window of the cover can be configured to allow a user to directly access control mechanisms of the hand-operated peripheral computer control device, such as a mouse button or scrolling mechanism. An advantage of the present invention is that the window can Joe configured to allow the user to access a wide range of button configurations, as well as scrolling wheels which are now included on many new computer mice. In an alternative embodiment, the cover may have an ergonomic shape to adjust the shape of a traditional computer mouse to a more pleasing ergonomic shape. An advantage of the present invention is that the ergonomic shaped cover provides an element of comfort to an otherwise hard-shell computer mouse. The cover may be configured to not affect the functionality of the mouse by nor contacting the surface upon which the mouse rests. The cover may also nave a window no allow tne user to directly access control mechanisms of the mouse. In either embodiment, the cover may be made with a flexible material, such as a material from the elastomer group. The flexible material enables the cover to be adaptable to virtually any computer mouse shape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a first view of an exemplary embodiment of a cover according to the present invention. -?- Figure 2 shows a second view of the exemplary embodiment of the cover of Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a third view of the exemplary embodiment of the cover of Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a fourth view of the exemplary embodiment of the cover of Figure 1. Figure 5 shows a fifth view of the exemplary embodiment of the cover of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A cover configured to receive a hand-operated peripheral computer control device according to the present invention can be illustrated by Figures 1-5, which depict an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-2, the cover 1 may be configured to receive a computer mouse 2. The cover 1 may be configured to cover a surface 9 on the mouse 2. In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 1 preferably has a window 12 that is configured to reveal a surface 10 on the mouse 2. The surface 10 revealed can include control mechanisms 6 on the mouse 2, which can include any number of button configurations 13, a scrolling wheel 14, or other mechanisms or means (not shown) by which the user sends an electrical impulse to the computer (not shown) m order to activate a function or respond to an event. An advantage of the window 12 is that the cover 1 can cover a top surface 15 on the mouse 2 while exposing the control mechanisms 6 to provide a user with direct access to and use of the control mechanisms 6. For example, the scrolling wheel 14, would not be accessible to a user if covered. In an alternative embodiment, the cover 1 may have an ergonomic shape 16 to adjust the shape 17 of the mouse 2 ' to a more pleasing ergonomic shape. The cover 1' may preferably also have a window 12 ' to allow a user to directly access control mechanisms 6' of the mouse 2'. In either embodiment, as shown m Fig. 2, the mouse 2 may have an elliptical shape 18. The cover 1 may have a cavity 3 of an approximately convex shape 19 with an elliptical perimeter 20. One advantage of the present invention is that the cavity 3 may receive the mouse 2 even if the mouse 2 has an interior curvature 4 m its footprint 21. The elliptical perimeter 20 can secure the cover 1 to the mouse 2 by engaging a perimeter 22 of the mouse 2 when the cover 1 is placed on the mouse 2. As shown m Fig. 3, an edge 23 of a wall 5 of cover 1, can be varied to include a recess 8 m order to accommodate an outer surface 24 of a mouse cord 7 connecting the mouse 2 to a computer system (not shown) . As detailed m Fig. 4, the walls 5 of cover 1 can have a thickness 25 of approximately one-quarter of an inch. Furthermore, the thickness 25 and size 26 of cover 1 can be set to ensure that the cover 1 does not contact the resting or operating surface 11 used by the mouse 2. The cover 1 can be free of contact from the resting or operating surface 11 if a bottom surface 27 of the mouse 2 does not contact the cover 1. The cover 1 can be designed to not contact the bottom surface 2 "7 by ensuring that a height 28 at any point along a contour 29 of the cavity 3, such as point 30, is less than a height 31 at a corresponding point 32 of the mouse 2. An advantage of the present invention is that the cover 1 does not affect the functionality of the mouse 2 by not contacting the resting or operating surface 11. As snown m Fig. 4, the cover 1 may rest atop the mouse 2 such that there is relatively consistent contact between the top surface 15 of the mouse 2 and a roof 33 of the cavity 3. The degree of contact between the cover i and mouse 2 may vary depending on a contour 34 of the mouse 2 and a contour 35 of the cover 1. The degree of contact may be impacted by the material used to construct the cover i . The cover I may be flexible and may be made from an elastomer material from the group including, but not limited to, rubber, latex, and polyurethane . The inherent elastic and frictional nature cf elastomer material increases the degree of contact between the cover 1 and the mouse 2, and creates a friction which secures the cover 1 to the mouse 2 where the material contacts the mouse 2, without requiring any additional securement means. Additionally, the cover 1 may be secured to the mouse 2 by a tension created m the edge 23 when the cover 1 is stretched to be placed on the mouse 2. The cover 1 may also be made with an elastomer skin from the group including, but not limited to, rubber, latex, and nylon. The elastomer skin can be on an outer surface 36 of the cover 1, or otherwise surround and enclose the cover 1. An advantage cf the present invention is that the cover 1 can be easily molded into any desired shape if made cf an elastomer material. The outer surface 36 of the cover 1 may also be decorated or otherwise altered in shape or size as desired without impacting the functionality of the mouse 2. In the preceding specification, the invention has Joeen described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims: IN THE CLAIMS : 1. An apparatus for a hand-operated peripheral computer control device, comprising a cover configured to receive the hand-operated peripheral computer control device, the cover having a window extending from an interior to an exterior of the cover, the window having a closed perimeter. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to cover a first surface on the hand-operated peripheral computer control device. 3 The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first surface is a portion of a top surface on the hand-operated peripheral computer control device . 4 The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first surface is a top surface on the hand-operated peripheral computer control device . 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the window is configured to expose a second surface on the hand-operated peripheral computer control device to an exterior of the cover. 6 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hand-operated peripheral computer control device is a mouse 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cover is configured to cover a first surface on the mouse. 8 The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the window is configured to expose a second surface on the mouse to an exterior of the cover . 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second surface comprises at least one surface of at least one control mechanism on the mouse. 10. The apparatus of claim 9. wherein the at least one control mechanism comprises at least one button. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one control mechanism comprises at least one scrolling wheel. 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one control mechanism comprises a plurality of control mechanisms. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the at least one control mechanism comprise a means by which a user- initiated action results in a transmission of at least one electrical impulse from the mouse to a computer system. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the at least one electrical impulse at least one of activates a function and responds to an event in the computer system. 15. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cover is constructed of a flexible material. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the flexible material is an elastomer material . 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the elastomer material is at least one of rubber, latex, and polyurethane . 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cover is constructed with an elastomer skin. 19. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cover is constructed with an elastomer skin. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the elastomer skin is on an outer surface of the cover. 21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the elastomer skin surrounds and encloses the cover. 22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the elastomer skin is at least one of rubber, latex, and nylon. 23. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cover is configured to rest on the mouse. 24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cover is configured to rest on the mouse. 25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the flexible material is elastically deformable. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the cover is configured to be secured to the mouse by a securement means . 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the securement means comprises a tension created in an edge of the cover when the cover is stretched to be placed on the mouse. 28. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cover has a convex shape, the convex shape forming a cavity configured to receive the mouse. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the convex shape has a perimeter configured to engage a perimeter of the mouse. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the convex shape has an elliptical perimeter. 31. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cover has an ergonomic shape. 32. An apparatus for a hand-operated peripheral computer control device, comprising a cover configured to receive the hand-operated peripheral computer control device, the cover having an ergonomic shape. 33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the hand-operated peripheral computer control device is a mouse. 34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the cover is constructed of a flexible material . 35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the cover has a window extending from an interior to an exterior of the cover. 36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the window is configured to expose at least one surface of at least one control mechanism on the computer mouse. 37. An apparatus for a computer system comprising: a computer mouse adapted to transmit electrical impulses to the computer system,- and a cover placed on the computer mouse, the cover having an ergonomic shape and comprising a first window extending from a first interior to a first exterior of the cover, the first window having a closed perimeter. 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the cover is constructed of a flexible material . 39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the computer mouse is configured to be connected to the computer system with a mouse cord attached thereto. 40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein a portion of an edge of the cover accommodates an outer surface of the mouse cord. 41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the portion of the edge of the cover rests at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the mouse cord. 42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the cover further comprises a second window extending from a second interior to a second exterior of the cover, a perimeter of the second window accommodating the outer surface of the mouse cord. 43. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the computer mouse rests on an operating surface, and wherein the cover remains at a predetermined distance above the operating surface.

Inventors: DOWNS CHARLES E, DOWNS, CHARLES, E.
Applicants: DOWNS CHARLES E, RIGHT BRAIN IDEAS INC, DOWNS, CHARLES, E., RIGHT BRAIN IDEAS, INC.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G09G3
IPC codes: G06F3, G09G3, G09G5