Scalable pointing device for computers

Abstract

The scalable pointing device for computers comprises a main shaft that forms the primary structure, which supports the assembly with the rear and side parts. The main shaft is capable to accommodate the installation of a motion detecting system, a button for sending control information, and a wireless signalling system. The main shaft features a rear rail system and a side rail system, which include rear and side locking receptor, rear and side locking pin, rear and side passive energy storage devices, assembled together at least at one position. The main shaft supports the installation of additional thickness-enhancing plates on the rear and side parts when assembling the rear and side parts to the main shaft to increases the thickness for scaling the positioning device for computers. The design is a lightweight mechanism for adjusting the shape and size of the pointing device for computers, ensuring that shape changes are convenient, do not require multiple disassembly or assembly steps, and that the device remains light enough to be practical for actual use.

Description

[0001] SCALABLE POINTING DEVICE FOR COMPUTERS

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention is in the field of engineering, specifically related to a scalable pointing device for computers.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] A computer pointing device, which is known as mouse, is an essential tool for controlling the pointer on a computer screen (pointing device). The operation of a mouse involves internal mechanisms that detect the movement of a rubber ball, which is used in early mouse models, or employing light detection technology, typically using LEDs or lasers as the light source. The detector then transmitting signals to the computer to display the pointer’s movement on the computer screen.

[0006] To connect a mouse to a computer, it needs to be plugged into the computer's port. In the early days, the mouse port was a large round connector with pin contacts, known as DIN (Deutsches Institut fur Normung). Later, a smaller pin-type connector called PS / 2 was developed. However, both connection types were limited in terms of device compatibility, leading to the development of the USB port. At the same time, wireless mouse technology was also developed, using radio signals instead of wired cables to connect the mouse to the computer, which is known as a wireless mouse.

[0007] A modern mouse come in a variety of shapes and designs available in the market, each mouse typically only caters to a specific group of users and cannot fully meet the needs of that group. In general use, responsiveness may not be a major issue, but in first-person shooter (FPS) videogames, this becomes a significant problem. This is because if a mouse does not fit comfortably in the hand, it could greatly reduce gaming performance.

[0008] By merely trying out a mouse at a store or listening to feedback from other users is not sufficient to understand how that mouse will perform in the videogame. This situation often leads many users to spend money on multiple mouses over the course of a year due to issues that each mouse does not fitting their hand properly. Even in an early day and up to the present, mouses that capable of modifying shape still have many limitations, for example, the shapes that can be adjusted do not truly meet the users' needs. Also, the changing shapes is cumbersome, requiring multiple steps to disassemble or reassemble, including the mouse's weight may be too heavy, making it impractical to use. Nowadays, the most important factor is a lightweight mouse. The inventors have recognized these factors and limitations, and accordingly lead to the designing and developing of a mouse with a lightweight, small mechanism to meet user needs. The size and shape adjustments can be made easily without the need for tools or buttons for disassembly or assembly. Instead, the mouse can disassemble or assemble immediately by simply pulling it in and out with player hands. Additionally, various shapes have been tested with a large number of actual users to ensure that the mouse’s shape is sufficiently meets the needs of most user, giving users confidence in their equipment.

[0009] In an international patent databases and Thai patent databases, there are inventions related to scalable pointing devices for computers that are relevant to this invention, with details as follows:

[0010] Japanese Patent Publication No. JP3131951U, titled “Computer Mouse with Adjustable External Shape” has describes a pointing device with an adjustable external shape consisting of three main parts: the pointing device (main part), a connecting part, and an adjustable part. The adjustable pointing device can modify the position of the adjustable part in two directions: lengthwise and sideways. The operating principle involves a sliding axis, a sliding groove, an adjustment hole, a round pin, and a spring working together. The round pin locks into the adjustment hole with the force of the spring.

[0011] Taiwanese Patent Publication No. TWM453895U, titled “Structural Improvement of Adjustable Mouse” has describes a pointing device with an adjustable structure that consists of a pointing device, a base, a left cover, a right cover, a sliding screw, gears, fastening pins, a sliding axis, and a weight adjustment part, all working together. This invention allows the external structure to be adjusted to fit the user without the need for additional accessories. It enables external size adjustment and weight adjustment. The principle of external structure adjustment relies on the sliding mechanism of the screw and gears working with the fastening pins to prevent movement. For weight adjustment, ballast weights are inserted into the base of the pointing device.

[0012] Taiwanese Patent Publication No. CN2824136Y, titled “Size Adjustable Mouse” has describes a pointing device that can adjust its size to fit the user and be conveniently portable. This invention includes two types of size adjustment mechanisms. The first type uses a locking system for the top cover of the pointing device with sliding rails equipped with pins which are located on the sides (left and right) of the pointing device and work with a “T” shaped support frame. The second type uses a hinged locking cover to lock with a rear cover featuring locking grooves, operating in an open-closed manner with the top cover and working together with rails that located at the base of the pointing device. Chinese Patent No. CN209980202U, titled “Mouse Capable of Finely Adjusting Size” has describes a pointing device that allows for precise size adjustments to fit the user's palm. This invention includes a top cover (divided into two pieces, one of which is adjustable), a bottom cover, a left cover, a right cover, a sliding screw, gears, and an electric motor to drive the size adjustment mechanism. The left and right covers are made of flexible plastic or silicone which collaboratively work together as a pointing device with precise adjustment capability. The principle of operation involves using the electric motor to drive the sliding screw, which adjusts the size of the left cover, right cover, and the adjustable part of the top cover.

[0013] Chinese Patent Publication No. CN207718340U, titled “Adjustable Translation Rate's Recreation Mouse” has describes a gaming pointing device with adjustable size, designed to fit the user's palm size and having a portable size. This invention consists of a left cover, a right cover, a top cover, the pointing device, gears, and bridge gears, collaboratively working together. The left cover, right cover, and top cover feature a sliding axis that determines the direction of the size adjustment. The mechanism of the pointing device is divided into two sets: the first set is a longitudinal size adjustment mechanism, and the second set is a lateral size adjustment mechanism. Each set uses gears and bridge gears working in conjunction.

[0014] It can be clearly observed that the prior art cover components of size adjustment mechanisms that use sliding pins working with springs to adjust size both longitudinally and laterally, with similar objectives to this invention. However, this invention differs in its components, which include a rear and side locking receptors, rear and side pin, passive energy storage devices at the rear and sides to reinforce the structure and supports for thickness-enhancing plates at the rear and sides. These components are used during the assembly of the rear and side parts with the main shaft to increase the thickness adjustment capability of the scalable pointing device for computer.

[0015] Summary of the Invention

[0016] The scalable pointing device for computer includes a main shaft that forms the primary structure for supporting the assembly with the rear and side parts. The main shaft is capable to accommodate the installation of a motion detecting system, a button for sending control information, and a wireless signaling system. The main shaft features a rear rail system and a side rail system, which include rear and side locking receptors, rear and side locking pins, rear and side passive energy storage devices, assembled together at least at one position. The main shaft supports the installation of additional thickness-enhancing plates on the rear and side parts when assembling the rear and side parts to the main shaft to increase the thickness for scaling the pointing device for computers.

[0017] The objective of this invention is to design a lightweight mechanism for adjusting the shape and size of a computer pointing device by making shape adjustment conveniently, eliminating the need for multiple steps for disassembly or assembly, and ensuring that the pointing device is not too heavy to be impractical for use.

[0018] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the structure and components of the scalable pointing device for computer.

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of the internal structure and components of the scalable pointing device for computer.

[0021] Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the internal structure and components of the scalable pointing device for computer.

[0022] Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of the internal structure and components of the scalable pointing device for computer.

[0023] Figure 5 illustrates one embodiment of the structure and components of the side thicknessenhancing plate.

[0024] Figure 6 illustrates one embodiment of the structure and components of the rear thicknessenhancing plate.

[0025] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] According to Figure 1, which illustrates one embodiment of the structure and components of the scalable pointing device for computer, this invention relates to the components of the scalable pointing device for computer, which includes a main shaft 1 that formed as the primary structure to support assembly with the rear part 2, side part 3, and side part 4. The main shaft 1 is designed to support the installation of a motion detecting system, input buttons for sending command information, and a wireless signaling system.

[0027] According to Figure 2, which illustrates one embodiment of the internal structure and components of a scalable pointing device for computer, and from Figure 6, which illustrate one embodiment of the structure and components of the rear thickness-enhancing plate: The main shaft 1 features a rear rail system 21, which includes rear locking receptor 22, rear locking pin 23, and passive rear energy storage device 24, assembled together at least at one position. The rear rail system 21 functions to guide the rear part 2 into assembly with the main shaft 1 without causing vibration and reinforces a strength to the structure.

[0028] The rear locking receptor 22 is attached to the rear part 2 to facilitate the assembly with the main shaft 1. The rear locking pin 23 is pressed, and resistance is created when pushing the rear part 2 until it is locked into the rear locking pin 23 leading the resistant which created from the rear passive energy storage device 24 pushing back to prevent the rear part 2 from disengaging which the resistance force generated is less than the pulling force exerted by a human. The rear locking pin 23 is provided to have a resistance force during assembly that is less than or equal to the force required to pull them out. This mentioned main shaft 1 is provided to support the installation of the additional rear thickness-enhancing plate 25 during the assembly of the rear part

[0029] 2 together with the main shaft 1 for size adjustment of the scalable pointing device for computer.

[0030] According to Figure 3, which illustrates another embodiment of the internal structure and components of the scalable pointing device for computer, Figure 4 which illustrates another embodiment of the internal structure and components of the scalable pointing device and from Figure 5, which illustrate one embodiment of the structure and components of the side thicknessenhancing plate: The main shaft 1 features a side rail system 31, which includes side locking receptor 32, side locking pin 33, and passive rear energy storage device 34, assembled together at least at one position. The side rail system 31 functions to guide the side part 3 into assembly with the main shaft 1 without causing vibration and reinforces a strength to the structure.

[0031] The side locking receptor 32 is attached to the side part 3 to facilitate the assembly with the main shaft 1. The side locking pin 33 is pressed, and resistance is created when pushing the side part 3 until it is locked into the side locking pin 33 leading the resistant which created from the side passive energy storage device 34 pushing back to prevent the side part 3 from disengaging which the resistance force generated is less than the pulling force exerted by a human. The side locking pin 33 is provided to have a resistance force during assembly that is less than or equal to the force required to pull them out. This mentioned main shaft 1 is provided to support the installation of the additional side thickness-enhancing plate 35 during the assembly of the side part

[0032] 3 together with the main shaft 1 for size adjustment of the scalable pointing device for computer.

[0033] The main shaft 1 features a side rail system 41, which includes side locking receptor 42, side locking pin 43, and passive side energy storage device 44, assembled together at least at one position. The side rail system 41 functions to guide the side part 4 into assembly with the main shaft 1 without causing vibration and reinforces a strength to the structure. The side locking receptor 42 is attached to the side part 4 to facilitate the assembly with the main shaft 1. The side locking pin 43 is pressed, and resistance is created when pushing the side part 4 until it is locked into the side locking Pin 43 leading the resistant which created from the side passive energy storage device 44 pushing back to prevent the side part 4 from disengaging which the resistance force generated is less than the pulling force exerted by a human. The side locking pin 43 is provided to have a resistance force during assembly that is less than or equal to the force required to pull them out. This mentioned main shaft 1 is provided to support the installation of the additional side thickness-enhancing plate 45 during the assembly of the side part 4 together with the main shaft 1 for size adjustment of the scalable positing device for computer. Any modifications or changes can be clearly understood and made by those skilled in the art, provided they remain within the scope and intent of the invention as described in the claims attached herewith.

[0034] Best Mode of Invention

[0035] As described in the Detailed Description of the Invention

Claims

Claims1. A scalable pointing device for computers comprising a main shaft (1) formed as the primary structure for supporting the assembly with the rear part (2), side part (3), and another side part (4); characterized in that the main shaft (1) is equipped with a rear rail system (21) that includes a rear locking receptor (22), a rear locking pin (23), and a rear passive energy storage device (24), which are assembled together at least at one position, the rear locking receptor (22) is attached to the rear part (2) to facilitate an assembly with the main shaft (1), the rear locking pin (23) is pressed and resistance is created when pushing the rear part (2) until it is locked into the rear locking pin (23) leading the resistant which created from the rear passive energy storage device (24) pushing back to prevent the rear part (2) from disengaging which the resistance force generated is less than the pulling force exerted by a human; the main shaft (1) is also equipped with a side rail system (31) that includes a side locking receptor (32), side locking pin (33), and a side passive energy storage device (34), which are assembled together at least at one position, the side locking receptor (32) is attached to the side part (3) to facilitate an assembly with the main shaft (1), the side locking pin (33) is pressed and resistance is created when pushing the side part (3) until it is locked into the side locking pin (33) leading the resistant which created from the side passive energy storage device (34) pushing back to prevent the side part (3) from disengaging which the resistance force generated is less than the pulling force exerted by a human; the main shaft (1) is also equipped with another side rail system (41) that includes a side locking receptor (42), side locking pin (43), and a side passive energy storage device (44), which are assembled together at least at one position, the side locking receptor (42) is attached to the side part (4) to facilitate an assembly with the main shaft (1), the side locking pin (43) is pressed and resistance is created when pushing the side part (4) until it is locked into the side locking pin (43) leading the resistant which created from the side passive energy storage device (44) pushing back to prevent the side part (4) from disengaging which the resistance force generated is less than the pulling force exerted by a human.

2. The scalable pointing device for computers according to claim 1, wherein the main shaft (1) is provided to support the installation of motion detecting system.

3. The scalable pointing device for computers according to claim 1, wherein the main shaft (1) is provided to support the installation of a button for sending control information.

4. The scalable pointing device for computers according to claim 1, wherein the main shaft (1) is provided to support the installation of a wireless signalling system.

5. The scalable pointing device for computers according to claim 1, wherein the rear locking pin (23) is provided to have a resistance force during assembly that is less than or equal to the force required to pull them out.

6. The scalable pointing device for computers according to claim 1, wherein the side locking pin (33) is provided to have a resistance force during assembly that is less than or equal to the force required to pull them out.

7. The scalable pointing device for computers according to claim 1, wherein another side locking pin (43) is provided to have a resistance force during assembly that is less than or equal to the force required to pull them out.

8. The scalable pointing device for computers according to claim 1, wherein the main shaft (1) is provided to support the installation of a rear thickness-enhancing plate (25) during the assembly of the rear part (2) together with the main shaft (1).

9. The scalable pointing device for computers according to claim 1, wherein the main shaft (1) is provided to support the installation of a side thickness-enhancing plate (35) during the assembly of the side part (3) together with the main shaft (1).

10. The scalable pointing device for computers according to claim 1, wherein the main shaft (1) is provided to support the installation of another side thickness -enhancing plate (45) during the assembly of the other side part (4) together with the main shaft (1).

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