US4951034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light ball electronic mouse
Assignee: Logitech Europe SA
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Filing: 1987-02-12
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Granted: 1990-08-21
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Expires: 2007-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A light ball electronic mouse using a ball with a specific gravity between one and four, X and Y shaft encoders of substantially reduced diameter, and a pressure roller of substantially reduced force for controlling the position of a cursor in a video display.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Luc Mazzone
- 👤 Marc Bidiville
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543; G06F3/0304; G06F3/0312; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0333; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An electronic mouse comprising a ball having a specific gravity between one and four grams per cubic centimeter, a housing having a cavity therein capable of receiving the ball, the housing further having an opening in the lower surface thereof permitting the ball to roll across a surface, a pair of encoders maintained at least partially within the housing and in contact with the ball by means of a pressure roller, the force applied by the pressure roller against the ball being less than thirty grams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An electronic mouse comprising a ball having a specific gravity between one and four grams per cubic centimeter, a housing having a cavity therein capable of receiving the ball, the housing further having an opening in the lower surface thereof permitting the ball to roll across a surface, a pair of encoders maintained at least partially within the housing and in contact with the ball by means of a pressure roller, the force applied by the pressure roller against the ball being less than thirty grams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electronic mouse of claim 1 wherein said encoders are shaft encoders and the shafts of said encoders are formed of stainless steel having a diameter on the order of 0.8 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electronic mouse of claim 1 wherein said encoders are shaft encoders and the shafts of said encoders are formed of plastic having a diameter on the order of 0.8 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic mouse of claim 1 wherein the ball is formed of nitril butadiene rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electronic mouse of claim 1 wherein the ball has at least an exterior layer of nitril butadiene rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
An electronic mouse having a ball comprised at least partially of rubber and having a specific gravity between one and three grams per cubic centimeter, a housing having an opening in the bottom thereof and a cavity therein capable of receiving the ball and permitting the ball to be rolled across a surface while within the cavity, a pair of shaft encoders positioned within the housing for indicating movement of the ball in X and Y directions and maintained in substantially constant contact with the ball by means of a pressure roller, the pressure roller being configured to apply a quiescent force on the ball of less than thirty grams.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
An electronic mouse having a ball comprised at least partially of rubber and having a specific gravity between one and three grams per cubic centimeter, a housing having an opening in the bottom thereof and a cavity therein capable of receiving the ball and permitting the ball to be rolled across a surface while within the cavity, a pair of shaft encoders positioned within the housing for indicating movement of the ball in X and Y directions and maintained in substantially constant contact with the ball by means of a pressure roller, the pressure roller being configured to apply a quiescent force on the ball of less than thirty grams.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
An electronic mouse having a ball formed by injection molding in a single shot and having a specific gravity between one and three grams per cubic centimeter, a housing having an opening in the bottom thereof and a cavity therein capable of receiving the ball and permitting the ball to be rolled across a surface while within the cavity, a pair of shaft encoders positioned within the housing for indicating movement of the ball in X and Y directions and maintained in substantially constant contact with the ball by means of a pressure roller, the pressure roller being configured to apply a quiescent force on the ball which is substantially proportional to a force of less than thirty grams on a ball having a diameter of 22 millimeters and a specific gravity of 1.24 grams per cubic centimeter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
An electronic mouse having a ball formed by injection molding in a single shot and having a specific gravity between one and three grams per cubic centimeter, a housing having an opening in the bottom thereof and a cavity therein capable of receiving the ball and permitting the ball to be rolled across a surface while within the cavity, a pair of shaft encoders positioned within the housing for indicating movement of the ball in X and Y directions and maintained in substantially constant contact with the ball by means of a pressure roller, the pressure roller being configured to apply a quiescent force on the ball which is substantially proportional to a force of less than thirty grams on a ball having a diameter of 22 millimeters and a specific gravity of 1.24 grams per cubic centimeter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-20 | 1994-02-19 | 1994-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-20 | 1998-02-19 | 1998-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-20 | 2002-02-19 | 2002-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |