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US5287246A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Drawer type track ball for portable computers

Assignee: Orete Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1992-05-27
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Granted: 1994-02-15
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Expires: 2012-05-27
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Abstract

Abstract A drawer type cursor controller for portable computers mainly includes a drawer-like casing received in a lower part housing of a portable computer below a keyboard thereof for accommodating a track ball therein. The drawer-like casing for the track ball is slidably supported to be conveniently pushed into the lower part housing of the portable computer when the track ball is not in use, and is conveniently pulled out of the lower part housing of the portable computer when the track ball is to be manipulated. The drawer-like casing track ball is disposable at a pulled out position that permits an operator to use either right or left thumb to smoothly move the track ball in an ergonomically suitable position without hindering operation on the keyboard with other fingers.

Inventors

  • 👤 Tony Sen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 19:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1684; G06F1/169

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim 145 words
A drawer type cursor controller for a computer, comprising: a drawer-like casing, received in a lower part of a housing of a computer below a keyboard thereof, for accommodating an input means therein; means for slidably supporting said drawer-like casing; and input means disposed in the drawer-like casing to be conveniently pushed into said lower part when said cursor controlling means is not in use and being able to be conveniently pulled out of said lower part when said cursor controlling means is to be manipulated, said input means consisting of a track ball, wherein said casing is supported to be slidable to a pulled out position centrally in front of the keyboard that permits an operator to use either right or left thumb to smoothly move said track ball without hindering operation on said keyboard by said operator with other fingers of either hand.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 145 words
A drawer type cursor controller for a computer, comprising: a drawer-like casing, received in a lower part of a housing of a computer below a keyboard thereof, for accommodating an input means therein; means for slidably supporting said drawer-like casing; and input means disposed in the drawer-like casing to be conveniently pushed into said lower part when said cursor controlling means is not in use and being able to be conveniently pulled out of said lower part when said cursor controlling means is to be manipulated, said input means consisting of a track ball, wherein said casing is supported to be slidable to a pulled out position centrally in front of the keyboard that permits an operator to use either right or left thumb to smoothly move said track ball without hindering operation on said keyboard by said operator with other fingers of either hand.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB2069197A Cited
US5021771A Cited
US5231380A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-02-14 1997-08-16 1998-02-15 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-02-14 2001-08-16 2002-02-15 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-02-14 2005-08-16 2006-02-15 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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