US5281958A — Pointing device with adjustable clamp attachable …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 298 words

A computer command apparatus for entering commands into a computer resting on a support surface, the computer having a video display screen comprising: a housing mechanically attachable to the computer and having a top, a bottom, a first side positioned toward the computer when the housing is mechanically attached tot he computer, and an arcuate second side opposite said first side, said arcuate side extending in an arcuate shape; a pointing device within said housing, said pointing device including a rotatable ball and encoding shafts and being adapted to generate electrical signals translatable into commands to position a cursor on said screen, the rotatable ball projecting above said top and positioned in a central region of said top at a distance from said housing arcuate side to allow rotation by the thumb alone of a user while the user's finger of the same hand extends circumferentially along said arcuate side; a first button coupled to said housing at said housing arcuate side, said first button having an elongated arcuate side surface extending circumferentially along said housing arcuate side and having generally the same radius of curvature as said housing arcuate side to provide a smooth, matching contour between said housing and said button, said first button being adapted to generate electrical signals translatable into commands for said computer when depressed, and being positioned for contact and depression by the user's finger when the finger extends circumferentially along said housing arcuate side and the user's thumb is concurrently positioned on said ball for rotation with the thumb; and an attaching member selectively attachable and detachable to the computer, said attaching member supporting the entire weight of said housing at a position above and out of contact with the support surface when the computer is resting on the support surface.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 298 words

A computer command apparatus for entering commands into a computer resting on a support surface, the computer having a video display screen comprising: a housing mechanically attachable to the computer and having a top, a bottom, a first side positioned toward the computer when the housing is mechanically attached tot he computer, and an arcuate second side opposite said first side, said arcuate side extending in an arcuate shape; a pointing device within said housing, said pointing device including a rotatable ball and encoding shafts and being adapted to generate electrical signals translatable into commands to position a cursor on said screen, the rotatable ball projecting above said top and positioned in a central region of said top at a distance from said housing arcuate side to allow rotation by the thumb alone of a user while the user's finger of the same hand extends circumferentially along said arcuate side; a first button coupled to said housing at said housing arcuate side, said first button having an elongated arcuate side surface extending circumferentially along said housing arcuate side and having generally the same radius of curvature as said housing arcuate side to provide a smooth, matching contour between said housing and said button, said first button being adapted to generate electrical signals translatable into commands for said computer when depressed, and being positioned for contact and depression by the user's finger when the finger extends circumferentially along said housing arcuate side and the user's thumb is concurrently positioned on said ball for rotation with the thumb; and an attaching member selectively attachable and detachable to the computer, said attaching member supporting the entire weight of said housing at a position above and out of contact with the support surface when the computer is resting on the support surface.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing's and said button's respective arcuate sides are concentrically arranged.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a second button coupled to said housing, said second button being positioned directly below said first button and extending coextensive with said first button.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing top includes a recessed region immediately surrounding said ball to expose a large surface area of said ball.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said housing top includes a ball housing member coupled thereto, said recessed region being formed in said ball housing member.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 196 words

A computer and pointing device combination comprising: a computer having a screen housing and a keyboard housing coupled to each other, said keyboard housing being usable while resting on a support surface; an attaching member selectively attachable and detachable to said keyboard housing, said keyboard housing supporting the entire weight of said attaching member and holding said attaching member above and out of contact with the support surface when said keyboard housing is resting on the support surface; a pointing device mechanically connected to said attaching member, said attaching member supporting the entire weight of said pointing device and holding said pointing device above and out of contact with the support surface when said keyboard housing is resting on the support surface, whereby said pointing device is usable without being directly supported by the support surface; and adjustment means for permitting a user to adjustably vary the angular orientation of said pointing device with respect to said keyboard housing and to lock said pointing device at a selected angular orientation so that said pointing device is fixed at said selected angular orientation when force is applied to said pointing device by a user during normal usage.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 196 words

A computer and pointing device combination comprising: a computer having a screen housing and a keyboard housing coupled to each other, said keyboard housing being usable while resting on a support surface; an attaching member selectively attachable and detachable to said keyboard housing, said keyboard housing supporting the entire weight of said attaching member and holding said attaching member above and out of contact with the support surface when said keyboard housing is resting on the support surface; a pointing device mechanically connected to said attaching member, said attaching member supporting the entire weight of said pointing device and holding said pointing device above and out of contact with the support surface when said keyboard housing is resting on the support surface, whereby said pointing device is usable without being directly supported by the support surface; and adjustment means for permitting a user to adjustably vary the angular orientation of said pointing device with respect to said keyboard housing and to lock said pointing device at a selected angular orientation so that said pointing device is fixed at said selected angular orientation when force is applied to said pointing device by a user during normal usage.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 39 words

The combination according to claim 6 wherein said attaching member includes a manually operable coupling means for releasably attaching said attaching member to said keyboard housing to permit said pointing device to be selectively detached from said keyboard housing.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

The combination according to claim 6 wherein said keyboard housing includes a recess which is adapted to mechanically retain said attaching member to said keyboard housing.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 47 words

The combination according to claim 6 wherein said attaching member includes an attaching means for permitting said pointing device to detach from said keyboard housing upon the application of a predetermined force to said pointing device without damaging said keyboard housing or said pointing device during separation.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 67 words

The combination according to claim 9 wherein said attaching means includes a gripping member attachable to said keyboard housing, said gripping member being resiliently biased into a locking position to attach said attaching member to said keyboard housing, said gripping member being movable into a release position for detachment of said attaching member from said keyboard housing upon the application of said force to said pointing device.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

The combination according to claim 6 wherein said attaching member includes a clamp attachable to a perimeter position of said keyboard housing.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 130 words

A computer having means for mechanically retaining a pointing device connected to the computer, the pointing device having a connector portion, comprising: a computer keyboard housing member; a recess in said computer keyboard housing member defined by a pair of opposing side walls; and a pair of transverse flanges extending toward each other form said side walls and into said recess, said flanges each terminating in a free end portion, said end portion being spaced apart to define a narrowed opening therebetween within said recess sized to receive the connector portion, said flanges having an inwardly facing surface contacting and retaining the connector portion when the pointing device is connected to the computer to retain the connector portion within said recess and mechanically connect the pointing device to the computer.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 130 words

A computer having means for mechanically retaining a pointing device connected to the computer, the pointing device having a connector portion, comprising: a computer keyboard housing member; a recess in said computer keyboard housing member defined by a pair of opposing side walls; and a pair of transverse flanges extending toward each other form said side walls and into said recess, said flanges each terminating in a free end portion, said end portion being spaced apart to define a narrowed opening therebetween within said recess sized to receive the connector portion, said flanges having an inwardly facing surface contacting and retaining the connector portion when the pointing device is connected to the computer to retain the connector portion within said recess and mechanically connect the pointing device to the computer.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

The computer according to claim 12 wherein said recess includes an electrical connection member positioned within said recess between said side walls.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 58 words

The computer according to claim 12 wherein said recess includes a back wall and said flanges include a retaining region facing the back wall of said recess to provide a firm surface for retaining the connector portion and mechanically connecting the pointing device to the computer, the full weight of the pointing device being supported by the computer.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 128 words

A computer having means for mechanically retaining a pointing device connected to said computer, the pointing device having a connector portion, comprising: a computer housing member; a recess in said computer housing member defined by a pair of opposing side walls; and a pair of transverse flanges extending toward each other from said side walls and into said recess, said flanges each terminating in a free end portion, said end portions being spaced apart to define a narrowed opening therebetween within said recess designed to receive the connector portion, said flanges having an inwardly facing surface contacting and retaining the connector portion when the pointing device is connected to the computer to retain the connector portion within said recess and mechanically couple the pointing device to the computer.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 128 words

A computer having means for mechanically retaining a pointing device connected to said computer, the pointing device having a connector portion, comprising: a computer housing member; a recess in said computer housing member defined by a pair of opposing side walls; and a pair of transverse flanges extending toward each other from said side walls and into said recess, said flanges each terminating in a free end portion, said end portions being spaced apart to define a narrowed opening therebetween within said recess designed to receive the connector portion, said flanges having an inwardly facing surface contacting and retaining the connector portion when the pointing device is connected to the computer to retain the connector portion within said recess and mechanically couple the pointing device to the computer.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The computer according to claim 15 wherein said recess includes an electrical connection member positioned within said recess between said side walls.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-01-24	1997-07-26	1998-01-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-01-24	2001-07-26	2002-01-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-01-24	2005-07-26	2006-01-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Pointing device with adjustable clamp attachable to a keyboard

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