Pointing Device Hook for Tablet Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tablet computing devices often lack structures to securely store pointing devices, leading to user inconvenience and potential misplacement.

Innovation Solution

A pointing device with an elongated shaft and a hook mechanism that fits the depth of the tablet, allowing for retentive and removable attachment to the device, featuring a first and second hook portion that extend and compress to securely couple with the tablet, and includes soft compliant materials to prevent screen damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a pointing device is made with a simple shaft and tip structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to securely store the device on the tablet is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepointing device structureVSAvoidstorage security

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hook is divided into multiple portions (first portion extending away from shaft, second portion extending toward first end) that can independently engage with the tablet housing, allowing secure attachment without complicating the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hook portions are designed to nest within the depth of the tablet housing, with the second portion positioning itself within the housing depth to create a secure retentive connection without adding external complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a hook structure is added to the pointing device, then the storage security is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage securityVSAvoidpointing device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hook structure serves multiple functions: it provides secure retention of the pointing device on the tablet, allows easy removal when needed, and the soft compliant material prevents screen damage, eliminating the need for separate protective features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The soft compliant material changes the physical parameter of the hook contact surface, providing cushioning and protection against the tablet screen while maintaining the structural integrity of the hook

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the hook is designed to fit tightly within the tablet depth, then the storage security is improved, but the ease of attachment and removal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage securityVSAvoidattachment and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hook portions are designed with flexible characteristics that allow dynamic compression and expansion, enabling easy insertion and removal while maintaining a tight secure fit when attached to the tablet housing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9542015B2Pointing device having coupling structure

Publication Date: 2017.01.10 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

A pointing device includes a shaft having an elongated shape suitable for gripping by a user, a pointing tip coupled to a first end of the shaft for interacting with an input surface of a tablet computing device, and a hook coupled to a second end of the shaft, the hook having a first portion extending away from the shaft, and a second portion coupled to the first portion distal from the shaft and extending from the first portion generally toward the first end of the shaft such that the hook is adapted to fit a depth of the tablet computing device and retentively and removably couple the pointing device to the tablet computing device.