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US 11,531,411 B2Granted
Computer input device
AssigneeACCO Brands Corporation
InventorYu-Chia Huang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer input device includes a housing having an opening, a ball holder supported relative to the housing and being concentric with the opening, a ball positioned within the ball holder and extending through the opening in the housing, and a scroll ring concentric with and rotatable relative to the ball holder. The ball is movable relative to the ball holder. The ball holder has a track, and the scroll ring has at least one projection received in the track of the ball holder to guide the scroll ring.
Claims23
A computer input device comprising:
- a housing having an opening;
- a ball support positioned within the housing;
- a ball partially received in the ball support and extending through the opening in the housing, the ball being movable relative to the ball support;
- a ball holder coupled to the ball support and being concentric with the opening, the ball holder configured to inhibit removal of the ball from the ball support through the opening, the ball holder having a continuous track along an exterior face of the ball holder;
- and
- a scroll ring concentric with and rotatable relative to the ball holder, the scroll ring having at least one projection along an interior face of the scroll ring, the at least one projection configured to be received in the track of the ball holder to rotatably couple the scroll ring to the ball holder and to guide the scroll ring about the ball holder.
3 more elements
A computer input device comprising:
- a housing having an opening;
- a ball support positioned within the housing;
- a ball partially received in the ball support and extending through the opening in the housing, the ball being movable relative to the ball support;
- a ball holder coupled to the ball support and being concentric with the opening, at least a portion of the ball holder being positioned exterior to the housing, the ball holder configured to inhibit removal of the ball from the ball support through the opening;
- a scroll ring concentric with the opening and rotatable about the ball, the scroll ring including a first portion and a second portion formed as a single-piece, wherein the first portion is constructed from a first material, the second portion is constructed from a second material that is different than the first material, and the first material is more rigid than the second material, the first portion including a cylindrical wall that extends about an outer perimeter of the ball holder and the ball support and that defines a first end of the scroll ring, the first end being positioned within the housing and having a plurality of slits, the second portion being positioned on an exterior of the housing and defining a second end of the scroll ring, wherein the cylindrical wall of the scroll ring is positioned exterior to the ball support and the ball holder such that the cylindrical wall extends about a location at which the ball holder and the ball support are coupled;
- and
- a controller positioned within the housing and in communication with the ball and the scroll ring to control the movement of a cursor on a computer screen;
- wherein movement of the scroll ring causes movement of the plurality of slits, and
- wherein movement of the plurality of slits generates signals that are sent to the controller.
6 more elements
A method for manufacturing a computer input device, the method comprising:
- providing a housing having an opening;
- positioning a ball support within the housing adjacent the opening;
- positioning a ball on the ball support within the housing such that a portion of the ball extends through the opening in the housing;
- releasably securing a ball holder to the ball support to inhibit removal of the ball from the housing, the ball holder having a track along an exterior face of the ball holder;
- and
- coupling a scroll ring to the ball holder such that a first end of the scroll ring is positioned in the housing and a portion of the scroll ring opposite the first end is exterior to the housing and surrounds the ball holder, and such that at least a first projection along an exterior face of the scroll ring interfaces with the track.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.