Computer mouse and shell therefore

Claim 2

A manually operable mouse for enabling an operator to provide multi-dimensional data to a computer, comprising: a substantially flat, planar base; a rotatable ball vertically displaceably mounted within said substantially planar base for rotatably contacting a supporting surface for said mouse; a top surface; and, a generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall joining said top to said base, having a mean longitudinal axis inclined relative to said supporting surface at an angle substantially greater than 0°, but substantially less than 90°, when in use by said operator; said side wall comprising a left vaulted surface and a right vaulted surface which are vertically symmetrical sufficient for supporting the base of the thumb or the palm of the hand of said operator; wherein, said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall is designed, dimensioned, and contoured to enable the palm of said operator to be disposed substantially vertical to said supporting surface; and, to enable the hand, wrist and forearm of said operator to be maintained in a neutral position that substantially precludes; radial or ulnar deviation of the wrist; and, pronation or supination of the forearm; of said operator, while operating said mouse.

Claim 3

The manually operable mouse of claim 1, wherein said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall further comprises: a first depressable button switch mounted therein, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the forefinger of said operator; and, a second depressable button switch mounted therein, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the middle finger of said operator.

Claim 4

In a manually operable mouse for enabling an operator to provide multi-dimensional data to a computer; a substantially flat, planar base; a rotatable ball vertically displaceably mounted within said substantially planar base for rotatably contacting a supporting surface for said mouse; the improvement comprising: a top surface; and, a generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall joining said top to said base, having a mean longitudinal axis inclined relative to said supporting surface at an angle substantially greater than 0°, but substantially less than 90°, when in use by said operator; said side wall comprising a left vaulted surface and a right vaulted surface which are vertically symmetrical sufficient for supporting the base of the thumb or the palm of the hand of said operator; wherein, said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall is designed, dimensioned, and contoured to enable the palm of said operator to be disposed substantially vertical to said supporting surface; and, to enable the hand, wrist and forearm of said operator to be maintained in a neutral position that substantially precludes; radial or ulnar deviation of the wrist; and, pronation or supination of the forearm; of said operator, while operating said mouse.

Claim 5

In a manually operable mouse for enabling an operator to provide multi-dimensional data to a computer; a substantially flat, planar base; a rotatable ball vertically displaceably mounted within said substantially planar base for rotatably contacting a supporting surface for said mouse; the improvement comprising: a top surface; and, a generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall joining said top to said base, having a mean longitudinal axis inclined relative to said supporting surface at an angle substantially greater than 0°, but substantially less than 90°, when in use by said operator; said side wall comprising a left vaulted surface and a right vaulted surface which are vertically symmetrical sufficient for supporting the base of the thumb or the palm of the hand of said operator; wherein, said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall is designed, dimensioned, and contoured to enable the palm of said operator to be disposed substantially vertical to said supporting surface; and, to enable the hand, wrist and forearm of said operator to be maintained in a neutral position that substantially precludes; radial or ulnar deviation of the wrist; and, pronation or supination of the forearm; of said operator, while operating said mouse.

Claim 6

The manually operable mouse of claim 3, wherein said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall further comprises: a first depressable button switch mounted therein, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the forefinger of said operator; and, a second depressable button switch mounted therein, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the middle finger of said operator.

Claim 7

A manually operable mouse for enabling an operator to provide multi-dimensional data to a computer, comprising: a substantially flat, planar base; a rotatable ball vertically displaceably mounted within said substantially planar base for rotatably contacting a supporting surface for said mouse; a top surface; and, a generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall joining said top to said base, having a mean longitudinal axis inclined relative to said supporting surface at an angle substantially greater than 0°, but substantially less than 90°, when in use by said operator; wherein, said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall is designed, dimensioned, and contoured to enable the palm of said operator to be disposed substantially vertical to said supporting surface; and, to enable the hand, wrist and forearm of said operator to be maintained in a neutral position that substantially precludes; radial or ulnar deviation of the wrist; and, pronation or supination of the forearm; of said operator, while operating said mouse; said side wall comprising a left vaulted surface and a right vaulted surface which are vertically symmetrical sufficient for supporting the base of the thumb or the palm of the hand of said operator; a first depressable button switch mounted within said side wall, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the forefinger of said operator; and, a second depressable button switch mounted within said side wall, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the middle finger of said operator.

Claim 8

A manually operable mouse for enabling an operator to provide multi-dimensional data to a computer, comprising: a substantially flat, planar base; a rotatable ball vertically displaceably mounted within said substantially planar base for rotatably contacting a supporting surface for said mouse; a top surface; and, a generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall joining said top to said base, having a mean longitudinal axis inclined relative to said supporting surface at an angle substantially greater than 0°, but substantially less than 90°, when in use by said operator; wherein, said generally deformed, substantially cylindrical, substantially continuous side wall is designed, dimensioned, and contoured to enable the palm of said operator to be disposed substantially vertical to said supporting surface; and, to enable the hand, wrist and forearm of said operator to be maintained in a neutral position that substantially precludes; radial or ulnar deviation of the wrist; and, pronation or supination of the forearm; of said operator, while operating said mouse; said side wall comprising a left vaulted surface and a right vaulted surface which are vertically symmetrical sufficient for supporting the base of the thumb or the palm of the hand of said operator; a first depressable button switch mounted within said side wall, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the forefinger of said operator; and, a second depressable button switch mounted within said side wall, including a switch activation surface, sized, shaped, dimension and spaced thereon, for enabling engagement thereof, by the middle finger of said operator.