Computer input device

Abstract

A computer input device includes: a housing having a first side and a second side spaced from the first side; and a sphere partially positioned within the housing and rotatable relative to the housing. At least a portion of the sphere extends through an aperture in the first side. The computer input device further includes a user-operable actuator accessible from the second side of the housing and configured to eject the sphere from the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a computer input device. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a trackball for use with a computer system. Background Art

[0002] Trackballs and trackball holders often become dirty during normal use. The trackball is periodically removed from the holder for cleaning to reduce unwanted friction and achieve smooth tracking. Conventional trackball devices have a very small gap between the ball and the holder, making it difficult to remove. It is often necessary to use a pen, pencil, or other device with a small tip to remove the trackball for cleaning. Removing the trackball in this way can cause damage to the ball or the holder. In other cases, the disassembly device may be touched during device use, which can cause the disassembly device to be accidentally actuated, and thus the trackball is accidentally removed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect, a computer input device includes: a housing having a first side and a second side spaced from the first side; and a ball partially positioned within the housing and rotatable relative to the housing. At least a portion of the ball extends through a hole in the first side. The computer input device further includes a user-operable actuator accessible from the second side of the housing and configured to eject the ball from the housing.

[0004] In another aspect, a computer input device includes: a housing having a first side and a second side spaced from the first side; and a ball partially positioned within the housing and rotatable relative to the housing. At least a portion of the ball extends through a hole in the first side. The computer input device further includes an actuator extending through the housing and including a first end and a second end, the first end accessible through the second side, the second end selectively engaging the ball, wherein the actuator is movable relative to the housing such that the second end engages the ball to remove the ball from the housing.

[0005] In yet another aspect, a method for removably coupling a ball to a computer input device is disclosed, the computer input device including: a housing having a first side and a second side spaced from the first side; and at least a portion of the ball extending through the first side. The method includes providing an actuator extending through the housing, wherein the actuator includes a first end accessible through the second side and a second end selectively engaging the ball. The method further includes moving the actuator relative to the housing such that the second end engages the ball to remove the ball from the housing.

[0006] Additionally, other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent by considering the detailed description and the drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Figure 1 Shows a front perspective view of a computer input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 Another front perspective view of the computer input device.

[0009] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A rear perspective view of the computer input device.

[0010] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 Another rear perspective view of the computer input device.

[0011] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 A bottom view of the computer input device.

[0012] Figure 6 Shows a cross-sectional view of the computer input device taken along line 6--6 of Figure 5 Figure 1

[0013] Figure 7 Shows a cross-sectional view of the computer input device taken along line 6--6 of Figure 5 Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the computer input device, which shows the ejection mechanism for ejecting the sphere.

[0014] Figure 8 Shows a cross-sectional view of the computer input device taken along line 8--8 of Figure 5 Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the computer input device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Before elaborating on any aspect of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the structural details and component arrangements described in the following specification or shown in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of supporting other aspects and can be practiced or implemented in various ways. Moreover, it should be understood that the language and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting. Terms of degree such as "substantially", "about", "approximately", etc., as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, refer to a reasonable range outside the given value, such as the general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described aspects.

[0016] Figure 1-5Shows a computer input device 10 shown as a trackball, which is configured to be used with a computer system and has a sphere 12 that is movable (e.g., rotatable) to communicate with a monitor of the computer system. The trackball 10 includes a housing 14 that supports the sphere 12. The housing 14 includes a longitudinal axis A, a first side 18 (e.g., top side), a second side 22 (e.g., bottom side) spaced from the first side 18, a third side 26 (e.g., right side), and a fourth side 30 (e.g., left side) spaced from the third side 26. The top side 18 and the bottom side 22 are positioned between the right side 26 and the left side 30. The top side 18 defines a plane 34 and includes a recess 38 and a hole 42 positioned within the recess 38 and extending through the top side 18 ( Figure 6 and 7 ). The bottom side 22 is configured to support the trackball 10 on a support surface (e.g., a table or the like) and has a surface that defines a plane 46 parallel to the support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the plane 34 of the top side 18 is positioned at a non-parallel angle (e.g., at an inclined angle) relative to the support surface. In other embodiments, the plane 34 may be parallel to the support surface. In other embodiments, the plane 34 may be perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the support surface. Additionally, the bottom side 22 includes a power switch 50, a WIFI button 54, and a dots per inch (DPI) button 58. Both the left side 30 and the right side 26 extend from both the top side 18 and the bottom side 22 at an inclined angle. The right side 26 includes a first button 62 (e.g., right click button) and a second button 66 (e.g., left click button) on opposite sides of a rotatable wheel 70. The housing 14 also includes additional buttons 74, 78 positioned between the right side 26 and the top side 18 and between the left side 30 and the top side 18. In other embodiments, the trackball 10 may have other types and / or numbers of buttons, and the buttons may be arranged on the housing 14 in different configurations. The right side 26 is configured to receive a portion of a user's hand, while the top side 18 is configured to receive another portion of the user's hand. In particular, the size, shape, and contour of the right side 26 are sized to comfortably support a user's palm and fingers, while the size, shape, and contour of the top side 18 are sized to comfortably support a user's thumb.

[0017] Refer to Figure 6-7, located within the interior 82 of the housing 14 are a power source 86, a printed circuit board (not shown), a ball support 90, and an ejection mechanism 94. In the illustrated embodiment, the power source 86 includes one or more batteries that power the trackball 10. The batteries are removable from the housing 14 and may be replaced via a hole 102 that extends through the bottom side 22. The hole 102 is selectively closed via a cover 106 coupled to the bottom side 22. In additional or alternative embodiments, the trackball 10 may be powered by a cable that is coupled to an input port of the housing 14 and the computer system and extends between the housing 14 and the input port. The printed circuit board permits communication between the trackball 10 and the computer system. For example, the printed circuit board may include a chip for wireless communication with the computer system via Bluetooth® or other suitable wireless protocols.

[0018] Further reference Figure 6-7 , the ball support 90 is coupled to the top side 18 of the housing 14 and extends from the top side 18 of the housing 14 into the interior of the housing 14. The ball support 90 has an arcuate body 110 that defines a recess 114 having a closed end and an open end, the closed end being located within the interior 82, the open end being positioned adjacent the top side 18 and being concentric with a hole 42 in the top side 18 of the housing 14. A plane 118 defined at the open end of the ball support 90 is positioned at a non-vertical and non-parallel angle (i.e., an inclined angle) relative to the plane 46 of the bottom side 22 and is generally parallel to the plane 34 of the top side 18. The recess 114 of the ball support 90 and the hole 42 in the top side 18 of the housing 14 are configured to movably (e.g., rotatably) receive the sphere 12. That is, the sphere 12 is rotatably supported within the recess 114 of the ball support 90 such that a portion of the sphere 12 extends from the top side 18 of the housing 14 and is accessible from the top side 18 of the housing 14. The ball support 90 further includes a hole 122 that extends through the body 110. An axis B defined through the hole 122 is positioned at a non-vertical and non-parallel angle (i.e., an inclined angle) relative to the plane 118 of the ball support 90 but is perpendicular to the plane 46 of the bottom side 22. A flange 126 is integrally coupled to the body 110 around the hole 122.

[0019] As Figure 6-8As shown, the ejection mechanism 94 includes an actuator (e.g., a plunger) 150 and an actuator housing 154 (e.g., a plunger housing). The plunger 150 has a first end 158 that defines an actuating surface 162, a lip 166 extending from the first end 158, and an elongate member 170 extending from the first end 158 to a second end 174. A biasing member (e.g., a spring) 178 is supported by the first end 158. As will be discussed below, the first end 158 and its actuating surface 162 are accessible through an opening 180 in the bottom side 22. In other embodiments, the actuating surface 162 may be accessible on the other side of the housing 14. The longitudinal axis C of the plunger 150 extends along its length. Referring to Figure 8 , the plunger 150 also has a retaining mechanism 182. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining mechanism 182 includes a pair of hooks extending parallel to the axis C from the lip 166. As will be discussed in more detail below, each hook has an engaging surface 186 that engages a stop surface 190 within the housing 14 to limit the movement of the plunger 150.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger housing 14 includes a first portion 194 extending from the inner surface 198 of the bottom side 22 of the housing 14 and a second portion 202 extending from the first portion 194. As Figure 6-8 shown, the first portion 194 includes a generally cylindrical and vertical wall 204 extending from the inner surface 198 into the housing 14 and a top wall 208 coupled to the vertical wall 204. The vertical wall 204 defines an opening 180 for receiving the first end 158 and has a first diameter D1. The first portion 194 is sized and shaped to movably receive the first end 158 of the plunger 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical wall 204 is integrally formed with the bottom side 22, but in other or additional embodiments, the vertical wall 204 may be otherwise coupled to the inner surface 198 of the bottom side 22. The top wall 208 is spaced from the bottom side 22. A hole 212 extends through the top wall 208, and a pair of openings 214 are positioned on opposite sides of the hole 212 and extend through the walls 204, 208. In the illustrated embodiment, the edge 216 of each opening 214 defines a stop surface 190. The second portion 202 includes a hollow cylindrical body 218 that has a hole 222 extending therethrough. The hole 222 has a second diameter D2 that is less than the first diameter D1, and the hole is sized and shaped to receive and guide the elongate member 170 of the plunger 150. The second portion 202 is coupled to and supported by the flange 126. The holes 122, 212, 222 of the ball support 90, the first portion 194, and the second portion 202 are aligned with each other along the axis B.

[0021] The first end 158 of the plunger 150 and the biasing mechanism 178 are positioned within the first portion 194 of the plunger housing 154. The elongate member 170 extends from the first end through holes 212, 222 in the first portion 194 and the second portion 198 of the plunger housing 154 such that the second end 174 is positioned within or adjacent to a hole 122 in the ball support 90. Thus, the longitudinal axis C of the elongate member 170 is aligned with the axis B of the hole 122 in the ball support 90. Moreover, the longitudinal axis C of the plunger 150 is perpendicular to the plane 46 of the bottom side 22 and is positioned at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the planes 34, 118 of the top side 18 and the ball support 90. The plunger 150 is selectively movable within the housing 14 along the axis C.

[0022] The plunger 150 is movable between a first retracted position ( Figure 6 ), and a second extended position ( Figure 7 ), to remove the ball 12 from the housing 14. In the retracted position, the biasing mechanism 178 biases the plunger 150 such that the first end 158 is seated within a hole in the bottom side 22, the actuation surface 162 is flush (or nearly flush) with the surface of the bottom side 22, and the second end 174 is positioned within or adjacent to the hole 122 in the ball support 90 and is spaced apart from the ball 12. As Figure 6 shown, in the retracted position, the first end 158 of the plunger 150 is spaced apart from the top wall 208 of the first portion 194 of the plunger housing 154. In other embodiments, the first end 158 of the plunger 150 may be flush (or nearly flush) with the top wall 208 of the plunger housing 154 while in the retracted position. Referring Figure 8 to, when in the retracted position of the plunger 150, the engaging surface 186 of the retaining mechanism 182 engages the edge 216 of the opening 214 in the plunger housing 154.

[0023] In the extended position, the first end 158 and the actuation surface 162 are positioned within the first portion 194, while the second end 174 is positioned within the recess 114 of the ball support 90. Moreover, in the extended position, the first end 158 is adjacent to the top wall 204, and the lip 166 may abut against the wall 204.

[0024] In operation, by applying a force in the direction shown by arrow F on the actuation surface, the user moves the plunger 150 from the retracted position to the extended position. The force is parallel to the axes B, C and perpendicular to the plane 46 of the bottom side 22. The force on the actuation surface 162 overcomes the bias of the biasing mechanism 178 such that the plunger 150 moves in the direction of the force and the second end 174 engages the ball 12 to eject or remove the ball 12 from the recess 114 (as Figure 7 shown). Once the force is released, the biasing mechanism 178 returns the plunger 150 to the retracted position ( Figure 6). In the case where the sphere 12 is removed from the housing 14, the sphere 12 can be cleaned first and then reinserted into the recess 114. By pressing the sphere 12 into the recess 114 with sufficient force, the sphere can return to the housing 14 (or a replacement sphere can be inserted into the housing 14).

[0025] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred aspects, various changes and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more of the described independent aspects of the present disclosure. The various features and advantages of the present disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A computer input device, comprising: A housing, the housing including a first side and a second side spaced from the first side, the second side configured to support the housing on a support surface and having a surface defining a plane parallel to the support surface; A ball support, the ball support connected to the first side of the housing and extending from the first side of the housing; A sphere, the sphere being partially positioned within the housing and rotatable relative to the housing, the sphere being rotatably supported by the ball support, at least a portion of the sphere extending through a hole in the first side; And An actuator, the actuator extending through the housing and including a first end and a second end, the first end being accessible through the second side; the second end selectively engaging the sphere; Wherein the actuator is movable relative to the housing such that the second end engages the sphere to remove the sphere from the housing; Wherein the ball support has an arcuate body defining a recess having a closed end and an open end, the closed end positioned within the housing, the open end positioned adjacent the first side and concentric with the hole, the ball support including a hole selectively receiving the second end of the actuator.

2. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein, The actuator is movable between a first position and a second position, in the first position the second end being spaced from the sphere, in the second position the second end engaging the sphere to remove the sphere from the housing.

3. The computer input device according to claim 2, wherein, The actuator defines an axis perpendicular to the second side of the housing, and wherein the actuator is movable along the axis between the first position and the second position.

4. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein, The actuator further includes a retaining mechanism, the retaining mechanism engaging a stop surface within the housing to inhibit removal of the actuator from the housing.

5. The computer input device according to claim 4, wherein, The retaining mechanism includes a hook extending from the first end of the actuator toward the second end, the hook including an engaging surface engaging the stop surface.

6. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein, A biasing mechanism is further included, the biasing mechanism biasing the second end of the actuator away from the sphere.

7. The computer input device according to claim 6, wherein, By applying a force on the first end of the actuator to overcome the bias of the biasing mechanism, the actuator is movable toward the sphere.

8. The computer input device according to claim 7, wherein, The force is applied in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuator and perpendicular to the second side of the housing.

9. A computer input device, comprising: A housing, the housing including a first side and a second side spaced from the first side, the second side configured to support the housing on a support surface; A ball support, the ball support connected to the first side of the housing and extending from the first side of the housing; A sphere, the sphere being partially positioned within the housing and rotatable relative to the housing, at least a portion of the sphere extending through a hole in the first side; And A user-operable actuator, the user-operable actuator being accessible from the second side of the housing and configured to eject the sphere from the housing, the actuator including a first end and a second end and being movable in a direction toward the hole in the first side to push the sphere from the housing; Wherein, the ball support has an arcuate body that defines a recess having a closed end and an open end, the closed end being positioned within the housing, the open end being positioned adjacent to the first side and concentric with the hole, and the ball support includes a hole that selectively receives the second end of the actuator.

10. The computer input device according to claim 9, wherein, The actuator includes a first end and an elongate member, the first end defining an actuating surface positioned within a hole in the second side of the housing, and the elongate member extends from the first end to the second end within the housing.

11. The computer input device according to claim 10, wherein, The first end of the actuator supports a biasing mechanism within the housing.

12. The computer input device according to claim 11, wherein, The actuator is movable between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the second end is spaced apart from the sphere, in the second position, the second end engages the sphere to remove the sphere from the housing, and wherein the biasing mechanism biases the actuator toward the first position.

13. The computer input device according to claim 12, wherein, By applying a force on the actuating surface of the actuator to overcome the bias of the biasing mechanism, the actuator is movable from the first position to the second position.

14. The computer input device according to claim 9, wherein, The actuator defines a longitudinal axis that is at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the plane defined by the first side of the housing and is perpendicular to the plane defined by the second side of the housing.

15. The computer input device according to claim 14, wherein, The actuator is movable along the longitudinal axis to eject the sphere from the housing.

16. A method for removably coupling a sphere to a computer input device according to claim 1, the method comprising: An actuator is provided that extends through the housing, the actuator including a first end accessible through the second side and a second end that selectively engages the sphere; And Moving the actuator relative to the housing in a direction from the second side to the first side such that the second end engages the sphere to push the sphere from the housing.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, Moving the actuator includes: applying a force on the actuating surface of the actuator positioned at the first end, the force being parallel to the longitudinal axis defined by the actuator.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein, Moving the actuator includes: moving the actuator from a first position where the second end is spaced apart from the sphere to a second position where the second end engages the sphere.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, Moving the actuator further includes: biasing the actuator from the second position to the first position by a biasing mechanism.

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