Input device

An input device for communication with a processor-based device, the input device comprising:

• a housing;
• a rotatable scroll wheel which is mounted on the housing so as to be partly exposed from the housing to be accessible by a user of the input device, and which comprises an arresting surface;
• a lever which is provided with first and second lever arms and which is pivotably mounted to the housing between the first and second lever arms, wherein the lever is pivotable to move a first free end portion of the first lever arm to engage with or disengage from the arresting surface of the scroll wheel so as to interchange the scroll wheel between a free-wheeling mode and a resistive-wheeling mode;
• and
• a rotary to linear motion converter in engagement with a second free end portion of the second lever arm,
• wherein the rotary to linear motion converter is configured to convert a rotary input motion into a linear output motion for moving the second free end portion of the second lever arm so as to pivot the lever about the pivot axis for engaging or disengaging the first free end portion of the first lever arm and the arresting surface of the scroll wheel,
• wherein the rotary to linear motion converter comprises an elongated member which is configured to be movable linearly along a longitudinal axis of the elongated member and which is in engagement with the second free end portion of the second lever arm so as to move the second free end portion of the second lever arm as the elongated member is moved linearly by the linear output motion of the rotary to linear motion converter.

An input device for communication with a processor-based device, the input device comprising:

• a housing;
• a rotatable scroll wheel which is mounted on the housing so as to be partly exposed from the housing to be accessible by a user of the input device, and which comprises an arresting surface;
• a lever which is provided with first and second lever arms and which is pivotably mounted to the housing between the first and second lever arms, wherein the lever is pivotable to move a first free end portion of the first lever arm to engage with or disengage from the arresting surface of the scroll wheel so as to interchange the scroll wheel between a free-wheeling mode and a resistive-wheeling mode;
• and
• a rack and pinion motion converter in engagement with a second free end portion of the second lever arm,
• wherein the rack and pinion motion converter is configured to convert a rotary input motion into a linear output motion for moving the second free end portion of the second lever arm so as to pivot the lever about the pivot axis for engaging or disengaging the first free end portion of the first lever arm and the arresting surface of the scroll wheel,
• wherein the pivot axis of the lever and a rotary input axis of the rack and pinion motion converter are substantially parallel to each other,
• wherein the rack and pinion motion converter comprises an elongated member which is configured to be movable linearly along a longitudinal axis of the elongated member and which is in engagement with the second free end portion of the second lever arm so as to move the second free end portion of the second lever arm as the elongated member is moved linearly based on a linear output motion of the rack and pinion motion converter.