US3789218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tracker ball arrangements
Assignee: BAE Systems Electronics Ltd
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Filing: 1972-04-03
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A tracker ball, supported by a caster, drives two mutually perpendicular conical members, each mounted on a stub axle carrying an apertured disc. Light shone through each disc is detected by two photodetectors, the frequency and order of the detected light representing the ball movement. The conical members may be formed on the axles themselves, which may be mounted in opposite walls or both in the same wall of the ball housing.
Inventors
- 👤 E Blount
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03549; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/347; G06F3/0304; G06F3/0312
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
In a tracker ball construction wherein a ball is rotatable in any of a plurality of planes and two coded elements are driven by the ball at relative speeds which vary in dependence jointly upon the speed of rotation of the ball and the plane in which it rotates: the combination of a housing; a ball mounted within said housing for rotation in any of a plurality of planes; a first rotatable member having a conical surface in contact with said ball; a first coded element operatively connected to said first rotatable conical member to be driven thereby; a second rotatable member having a conical surface in contact with said ball; and a second coded element operatively connected to said second rotatable member, the conical surfaces of the two rotatable members at their respective points of contact with said ball having an angle of 90* between them.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a tracker ball construction wherein a ball is rotatable in any of a plurality of planes and two coded elements are driven by the ball at relative speeds which vary in dependence jointly upon the speed of rotation of the ball and the plane in which it rotates: the combination of a housing; a ball mounted within said housing for rotation in any of a plurality of planes; a first rotatable member having a conical surface in contact with said ball; a first coded element operatively connected to said first rotatable conical member to be driven thereby; a second rotatable member having a conical surface in contact with said ball; and a second coded element operatively connected to said second rotatable member, the conical surfaces of the two rotatable members at their respective points of contact with said ball having an angle of 90* between them.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tracker ball construction according to claim 1 in which said rotatable members are mounted for rotation on opposite walls of the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tracker ball construction according to claim 1 in which said rotatable members are mounted for rotation on the same wall of said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tracker ball construction according to claim 1 in which each of said coded elements comprises a rotatable apertured disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tracker ball construction according to claim 1 in which means mounting said ball for rotation in said housing includes a caster.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |