Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-18
2001-04-10
Jones, Deborah (Department: 1775)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Combined
C015S160000, C015S210100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212726
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of a computer mouse device cleaner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A computer mouse device is an accessory that is commonly used as a companion to a computer keyboard. The mouse has a mouse ball that is located in an interior ball cavity. The mouse ball is held loosely inside of the interior ball cavity by a removable cover that has an opening with a smaller diameter than the mouse and extends outwardly through the cover opening when the mouse is positioned ball side down. In use, movement of the mouse across a mouse pad or other flat surface causes the mouse ball to roll inside of the interior ball cavity, thereby causing mouse contact rollers inside of the mouse to roll. The movement of the mouse contact rollers is then translated into instructions that ultimately cause a cursor on a connected computer screen to move in response to movement of the mouse ball across the mouse pad.
Over time, the mouse ball can become dirty, or even sticky. In addition, dust, hair and other contaminants can get inside of the mouse through the opening in the removable cover and stick on the mouse contact rollers or mechanical parts. When either of these things happen, the ability of the mouse to properly function will be impaired, or the mouse may even cease functioning. To remedy such a situation, the mouse cover must be removed and the parts of the mouse must be cleaned.
At present, there is no inexpensive, easy way to clean a dirty mouse device. If the cover is removed, the mouse ball can easily be removed. However, if the mouse ball or the inside of the mouse are not properly cleaned, the mouse may still not function properly even after it is cleaned. This can cause frustration by users, or even result in discarding a dirty mouse in favor of a new, clean mouse.
One cleaning kit that is presently being sold for cleaning mouse devices is called Mouse Doctor™. This kit instructs its user to first remove the ball from the mouse device. Next, compressed air is sprayed into the interior cavity to remove dust particles. Next, cleaning pads and cleaning swabs are used to wipe the mouse contact rollers clean and the ball is replaced for operation. If the mouse contact rollers have a heavy build-up of grime, the user is instructed to saturate the swab with isopropyl alcohol before scrubbing the rollers. However, this cleaning kit is relatively expensive, and the cleaning process is cumbersome.
Accordingly, there is a need for an inexpensive, simple, easy to use cleaning kit that can be used to clean computer mouse devices and thereby increase their performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to an improved computer mouse device cleaner and a method for using the cleaner.
In a first, separate aspect of the present invention, a computer mouse cleaner utilizes a handle with a cleaning surface attached to one end of the handle. The cleaning surface can be made of a hook material. The cleaning surface can also be made of an abrasive, absorbent material that does not leave lint or a residue on any surface being cleaned. The cleaning surface is sized so as to fit into the interior ball cavity of the mouse device such that rotation of the handle relative to one or more interior mouse contact rollers will cause at least one interior mouse contact roller to roll and thereby be cleaned by the cleaning surface. It is preferred that the cleaning surface has a diameter that is approximately the same as or larger than the diameter of the mouse ball. A compressible material can be located between the handle and the cleaning surface, and the cleaning surface can be detachable from the handle.
In another, separate aspect of the present invention, a ball cleaning surface made of an abrasive, absorbent material can be attached to the end of the handle. The ball cleaning surface should not leave lint or a residue on the surface of the ball. The ball cleaning surface is preferably curved or nested and shaped so as to provide a greater area of contact between the ball and the ball cleaning surface than would be possible if the ball cleaning surface was flat. A generally hemispherical shape is especially preferred for the ball cleaning surface.
In still another, separate aspect of the present invention, multiple cleaning functions can be combined in a single device or in a kit. Two cleaning surfaces can be combined on a single handle, and the ball cleaning surface can also be included at one end of the handle. When two cleaning surfaces are combined, one surface should be a hook material whereas the other surface should be an abrasive, absorbent material. Alternatively, the ball cleaning surfaces can be detachable.
In yet another, separate aspect of the present invention, several methods are provided for using a computer mouse cleaner or cleaning kit of the present invention. Once the computer mouse ball is removed from the interior ball cavity, the cleaning surface (either the hook material or the abrasive, absorbent material) is inserted into the interior ball cavity and rotated so as to cause one or more of the mouse contact rollers to roll and thereby be cleaned by the cleaning surface. It is especially preferred that the hook material be inserted into ball cavity, followed by the abrasive, absorbent material. Also, a cleaning solvent can be placed on the hook material, and then an abrasive, absorbent material can be used to absorb the solvent from the mouse contact rollers. In addition, the ball can be cleaned by a curved ball cleaning surface made of an abrasive, absorbent material, and then reinserted into the ball cavity.
Accordingly, it is primary object of the present invention to provide an improved computer mouse device cleaner and a method for using the same.
This and further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art in connection with the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below.
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Naghi David
Naghi Herschel
Jones Deborah
Lyon & Lyon LLP
McNeil Jennifer
Technology Creations, Inc.
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