Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Using solid work treating agents
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-21
2001-07-24
Stinson, Frankie L. (Department: 1746)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Using solid work treating agents
C015S021200, C015S022100, C015S256520, C015S304000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264756
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of input devices for personal computers and has particular application to pointer devices such as computer mouse devices and trackballs, and teaches methods and apparatus for cleansing the internal rollers and associated elements of such devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Input devices used for personal computers such as pointer devices for cursor control, such as mouse and trackball devices, have traditionally been the most commonly used input devices for controlling cursor movement on a computer screen. A computer mouse is a device that a user can move across a pad thereby controlling cursor movement and cursor-related functions on a computer screen via a calibrated ball that rolls across the surface of a pad as the mouse is caused to move. Coded signals sent by a computer mouse are decoded with the aid of software in the computer, and the signals received are often and interfaced with the appropriate features within an application being used.
A computer mouse or trackball is typically physically enabled via a ball and two internal rollers. The rollers are held against the ball by springs or other tension devices. The ball inside a mouse is designed for rolling on a desk or mouse-pad as a user operates the device. As the ball rolls on a surface, calibrated contact-rollers that interface to the ball move in conjunction with the ball thus enabling cursor movement. Typically one roller is set at right angles to another with one providing input for x-direction movement and the other for y-direction movement. A trackball operates much in the same way as a conventional mouse accept that instead of moving the input device across a mouse pad, the device is stationary and a user manipulates the ball directly to provide the same type of input as would be the case with a mouse.
One problem with the ball-roller system of a mouse is that the internal rollers of the mouse or track ball inevitably become contaminated with lint, dirt, grime, hair, and other types of particulate matter present in the environment. When the ball and roller system of a mouse or track ball becomes contaminated, the efficiency of the device related to cursor movement begins to degrade.
Cleaning the internal rollers of a mouse or track ball is often a tedious and monotonous process. This process involves removing the rubber ball from the bottom of the mouse (from the top with a track ball) and manually scraping the rollers with a knife or other device. Often heavy lint must be tweezed out from rollers and tension devices with a pair of tweezers or other such implement. Manual cleaning operations may take considerable time depending on the type of contamination. If one is not careful during the cleaning process, rollers may be damaged by scratching or gouging. In some cases, new device components may be required to replace components such as rollers damaged during scraping. More often it is necessary to purchase and install a new pointer device to achieve expected functionality.
What is clearly needed is method and apparatus for cleaning the rollers of a mouse or track ball that eliminates the need for manual operations such as scraping, tweezing, swabbing, and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a hand-held cleaning apparatus for a computer pointing device having a rollable ball of a standard size and internal rollers adapted to provide directional input is provided, comprising a housing adapted to a user's hand; a rotatable shaft connected to a rotary drive within the housing; and a cleaning ball having an abradant surface mounted to the rotatable shaft outside the housing. An on-off switch is typically provided for activation and de-activation. The rotary drive may be a variable speed drive including a user-input for varying the speed. There may be in addition an air pump connected to openings through the surface of the abradant ball, providing ingress of air to sweep matter abraded from the rollers from within the pointer device.
In an aspect of the invention a ball having an abradant surface is provided, the ball adapted for mounting to a rotary shaft of a hand-held rotary tool. The abradant surface can take many forms, such a brush-like bristles on the ball surface.
In another aspect an apparatus adapted for cleaning rollers for a computer pointing device having a rollable ball of a standard size and internal rollers adapted to provide directional input is provided, the apparatus comprising a housing having an upper surface with an upper opening; a rotatable shaft connected to a rotary drive within the housing and directed through the upper opening; a cleaning ball having an abradant surface mounted to the rotatable shaft outside the housing; and a user operable input adapted for activating the rotary drive. In this aspect the housing may be adapted to stand on a supporting surface, or may be a part of another housing, such as for a computer or video display. Also in this aspect the cleaning ball may be presented at a position such that a pointer device having the rollable ball of standard size removed, presented to the apparatus such that the cleaning ball engages the rollers of the pointer device, has a surface of the pointer device contacting the upper surface of the housing. In this case the user-operable input may be implemented on the upper surface of the housing, such that the contact of the surface of the pointer device with the upper surface of the housing operates the input device and activates the rotary drive. There may also be a variable-speed rotary drive, and there may be an air pump to provide for removal of abraded material.
Methods for practicing the invention are disclosed and claimed below as well. In the various aspects of the invention taught in enabling detail below, apparatus and methods are provided to meet a long-standing need, which is to keep mouse and trackball devices clean and operating properly.
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Boys Donald R
Central Coast Patent Agency Inc.
Stinson Frankie L.
LandOfFree
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