Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-18
2001-07-03
Liang, Regina (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
CD14S402000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256015
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to peripheral devices for computers in general, and in particular, to a cover for a computer mouse.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since its development at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (“PARC”) more than twenty years ago, the familiar computer mouse has become a ubiquitous and almost indispensable input device for users of personal computers.
The typical computer mouse comprises a hollow plastic body having a convex upper surface, a front portion that includes two or more finger-actuated buttons and/or wheels, a rear and middle portion shaped to conform to the palm and heel of a user's hand, and a generally planar bottom surface having bearings, a ball, rollers or wheels protruding from it that enable the mouse to be rolled about on a flat surface by the user's hand to effect a corresponding movement of a pointer or a cursor on the display of a computer to which the mouse is connected, typically by means of a cable.
Over the years, a number of protective, and/or ornamental covers for a computer mouse have been developed. These include an automobile-shaped mouse cover described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,146 to L. K. Florence, a resilient, basketball-shaped mouse cover described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,623 to D. J. Tarulli, et al., and the variously shaped ornamental mouse covers illustrated in the following U.S. Design Patents: U.S. Pat. Des. No. 291,203 to G. S. Silver; U.S. Pat. No. 343,392 to D. Harden, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 370,219 to S. Blumer; U.S. Pat. No. 381,015 to R. Q. Morrison, et al.; and, U.S. Pat. No. 386,164 to H. L. Silberstein. While each of the foregoing mouse covers provides some advantages, they also have certain attendant disadvantages involving, e.g., complexity, manufacturing cost, weight, difficulty of assembly, and/or reliability of operation.
I have invented a novel mouse cover that helps to protect the mouse from penetration by dirt, lint, oil, and moisture from the user's hand. Moreover, my new mouse cover is light in weight, inexpensive to make, simple to assemble, extremely reliable in operation, and pleasurable to look at, touch, and use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My novel computer mouse cover comprises a concavo-convex shell having a generally convex upper surface, a generally concave lower surface, and front, middle and rear sections. The front section of the shell tapers downward and forward over the front portion of the mouse to form a rounded nose on the front section of the shell. At least one of the middle and rear sections has a lower surface with at least one point thereon that is disposable in immediate opposition to a corresponding point on a respective one of at least one of the front and rear portions of the mouse. The middle section of the shell has a pair of apertures extending through it. Each aperture is positioned to overlie a corresponding button on a front portion of the mouse such that each button can be directly actuated with a finger of the user's hand.
In another possible embodiment, the buttons on the mouse are indirectly actuated through the agency of a pair of lever arms disposed between the lower surface of the shell and an upper surface of the mouse. Each arm has a first end pivotally fixed between the lower surface of the shell and the upper surface of the mouse, and a second end that pivots about the first end of the arm into and out of direct, actuating engagement with a corresponding one of the buttons on the mouse. A pad on the arm protrudes through a corresponding one of the apertures in the shell for direct contact by a corresponding one of the user's fingers.
The upper surface of the middle section of the shell further includes a pair of parallel, U-shaped, longitudinal depressions suggestive of “ears” extending rearward from corresponding ones of the apertures in the shell. The depressions are adapted to receive the lower surface of two fingers of the user's hand and align them with corresponding ones of the apertures. The shell further includes a downward-facing rim at its lowermost extent. When the cover is mounted on the mouse, the rim lies in a plane that is parallel to and spaced even with or slightly above the planar bottom surface of the mouse. The “nose” end of the shell includes an opening through which a cable extending from the front of the mouse can be extended for connection to a computer.
In use, the cover fits down closely over the mouse to completely cover its upper surface, and is held there by, e.g., an adhesive.
A better understanding of the above and other features and advantages of my new mouse cover may be obtained from a consideration of its detailed description below, particularly if considered in conjunction with the figures of the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 291203 (1987-08-01), Silver
patent: D. 343392 (1994-01-01), harden et al.
patent: D. 370219 (1996-05-01), Blumer et al.
patent: D. 381015 (1997-07-01), Morrison et al.
patent: D. 386164 (1997-11-01), Silberstein
patent: D. 420992 (2000-02-01), Hu
patent: 5245146 (1993-09-01), Florence
patent: 5680157 (1997-10-01), Bidiville et al.
patent: 5851623 (1998-12-01), Tarulli et al.
patent: 6099934 (2000-08-01), Held
Lawrence Don C.
Liang Regina
LandOfFree
Computer mouse cover does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Computer mouse cover, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Computer mouse cover will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2481309