KR102339173B1 - Trackball Having Grip Part and Trackball Assembly Having the Same - Google Patents

Abstract

The track ball including the gripper according to the present invention is formed in a spherical shape and is inserted into an insertion groove formed in the housing of the console, a part of which is provided to protrude to the outside of the insertion groove and is provided in the body, and is provided in the body by pressing force and a gripper forming a gripping groove that a user can grip as it is depressed from the surface of the body.

Description

Trackball Having Grip Part and Trackball Assembly Having the Same

The present invention relates to a trackball and a trackball assembly, and more particularly, to a trackball and a trackball assembly including a gripper so that a user can easily grip it.

Recently, in addition to traditional computer input devices such as keyboards and mice, various types of input devices have been developed and marketed to respond to various software and user convenience requirements.

The double trackball is designed so that the user can move the cursor displayed on the display by rolling a ball partially exposed at the top with a finger, etc. It is a widely used input device because the cursor can be precisely manipulated according to the rotation speed of the controller.

Such a track ball generally has a shape similar to that of a ball mouse that has been frequently used in the past turned upside down, and thus has problems appearing in a conventional ball mouse.

For example, the track ball has a characteristic that the ball itself, which is an input means, is directly exposed to the user's body, so there is a problem that contamination proceeds quickly. There may be cases where this cannot be done. Therefore, the trackball needs frequent cleaning of the ball and the inner groove that houses the ball.

However, the conventional track ball itself is formed in a spherical shape and the surface is often formed of a slippery material, and also has a relatively heavy weight, so there is a problem in that it is not easy to take the ball out from the groove.

Therefore, there were many users who overturned the console where the trackball is used or used a separate sharp tool to separate the ball, but in the case of a large console, it is impossible to turn it over. is likely to become

Therefore, a method for solving such problems is required.

Korean Patent Registration No. 20-0263114

The present invention has been devised to solve the problems of the prior art, and has an object to provide a track ball that can be easily separated from a console for maintenance and a track ball assembly including the same.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The track ball including the gripper of the present invention for achieving the above object is formed in a spherical shape and inserted into an insertion groove formed in the housing of the console, a part of which is provided to protrude to the outside of the insertion groove and to the body. It is provided, and as it is depressed from the surface of the body by a pressing force, it includes a gripping part that forms a gripping groove that a user can grip.

In addition, another embodiment of the track ball including the gripper of the present invention for achieving the above object is formed in a spherical shape and inserted into an insertion groove formed in the housing of the console, a part of which is provided so as to protrude to the outside of the insertion groove It may include a body and a pair of gripping parts provided on the body to form a gripping groove that a user can grip as it is depressed from the surface of the body by a pressing force, and provided at a position symmetrical with respect to the center line of the body. .

At this time, in the case of the track ball of each embodiment, the body is opened to the outside, and a receiving groove having a preset length is formed, and the holding part is formed to have a length shorter than the length of the receiving groove, and is formed in the receiving groove. It may include a moving member provided to be linearly movable along the longitudinal direction of the receiving groove in the received state.

In addition, the holding unit may further include a restoration member for restoring the moving member in a state moved to the inside of the receiving groove to the outside.

And the track ball of another embodiment is formed in a spherical shape and inserted into an insertion groove formed in the housing of the console, a part of which is provided so as to protrude to the outside of the insertion groove, is opened to the outside and has a receiving groove having a preset length is formed It is provided in the body and the receiving groove, is formed to have elasticity and is deformed to be depressed from the surface of the body by a pressing force, and may include a gripper including an elastic member that forms a gripping groove that a user can grip.

In this case, the elastic member may be formed in a shape corresponding to the receiving groove to form a spherical shape together with the body.

On the other hand, the trackball assembly including the gripper of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a body formed in a spherical shape and inserted into an insertion groove formed in the housing of the console, a part of which is provided to protrude to the outside of the insertion groove and a signal conversion module for converting an input by manipulation of the track ball into an electrical signal, wherein the track ball is provided in the body, and as it is depressed from the surface of the body by a pressing force, a gripping groove that a user can grip and a gripping portion to form.

In addition, the trackball assembly including a gripper according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is formed in a spherical shape and inserted into an insertion groove formed in the housing of the console so that a part thereof protrudes to the outside of the insertion groove. It is provided and is opened to the outside and includes a track ball including a body having a receiving groove having a predetermined length formed therein, and a signal conversion module for converting an input by manipulation of the track ball into an electrical signal, wherein the track ball is in the receiving groove It may include a gripping portion including an elastic member that is formed to have elasticity and is deformed to be depressed from the surface of the body by a pressing force, thereby forming a gripping groove that a user can grip.

The trackball including the gripper and the trackball assembly including the same of the present invention for solving the above problems have the advantage that a user can grip the trackball through the gripper and easily separate it from the insertion groove of the console.

In this case, since the grip part can be implemented in various shapes, there is an advantage in that a suitable shape can be selected according to an applied console.

In addition, the present invention has an advantage that can minimize damage to each component in the process of separating the track ball from the insertion groove.

Effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a view showing a state of a console to which a trackball assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied;
2 is a view showing in detail the structure of the trackball assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
3 and 4 are views showing a process of separating the track ball in the track ball assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a view showing the structure of a trackball assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a view showing the structure of a trackball assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
7 and 8 are views showing the structure of a trackball assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
9 and 10 are views showing the structure of a trackball assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and
11 is a view showing the structure of a trackball assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention in which the object of the present invention can be specifically realized will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present embodiment, the same names and the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and an additional description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a view showing a state of a console to which a trackball assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

1, the trackball assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided in a predetermined console 1, and the console 1 may be various terminals or input devices.

In this embodiment, the console 1 has a form in which a plurality of key buttons 12 and a trackball assembly are provided in the housing 10, but this is only one embodiment and the console can be applied to various products. Of course, it may be in an unlimited form.

2 is a view showing in detail the structure of the trackball assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

2, the track ball assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a track ball 100 and a signal conversion module.

In this embodiment, the track ball 100 is formed in a spherical shape and inserted into the insertion groove 20 formed in the housing 10 of the console 1, and a part of the track ball 100 is provided so as to protrude to the outside of the insertion groove 20. It includes a body and a signal conversion module for converting an input by manipulation of the track ball 100 into an electrical signal.

At this time, in order to prevent the track ball 100 from being separated from the insertion groove 20, the ball cover ( 50) may be provided.

In addition, the signal conversion module recognizes various manipulations such as rotation and click of the track ball 100 by the user and converts it into an electrical signal, which is obvious to those skilled in the art, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the roller unit is provided to support the track ball 100 in a plurality of directions in the insertion groove 20 and rotates together according to the rotation of the track ball 100 to generate input signals of the x-axis and y-axis. (30a, 30b) is included, but this is presented as an example and the signal conversion module may be formed in various known forms, of course.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the body 100 of the track ball 100 is opened to the outside and a receiving groove 112 having a preset length is formed, and a gripper 110 is provided in the receiving groove 112 . .

The gripper 110 is formed to be depressed from the surface of the body of the track ball 100 by an external pressing force, and is a component that forms a gripping groove that a user can grip according to the depression. That is, the user presses the grip part 110 of the track ball 100 with a finger or the like to form a grip groove, and through this, the track ball 100 can be separated from the insertion groove 20 while being gripped.

In this embodiment, the gripper 110 is formed to have a shorter length than the length of the receiving groove 112 , and is accommodated in the receiving groove 112 along the longitudinal direction of the receiving groove 112 . It includes a moving member 114 that is provided to be movable linearly, and a restoration member 116 for restoring the moving member 114 in a state moved to the inside of the receiving groove 112 to the outside. At this time, the restoration member 116 may be formed in the form of a compression spring or the like.

In the case of this embodiment, a process in which a user separates the track ball 100 from the insertion groove 20 is as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 3 , the ball cover 50 is separated from the housing 10 of the console 1 .

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4, the moving member 114 is pressed from the outside of the body of the track ball 100 and pushed into the receiving groove 112 to form a depressed gripping groove, and using the gripping groove, the track ball ( The track ball 100 is separated from the insertion groove 20 while grabbing and lifting the 100).

And when the user releases the external force applied to the moving member 114, the moving member 114 is restored to its original position by the restoring member 116, and the body of the track beam 100 is can maintain its shape.

As described above, in this embodiment, the user can easily separate the track ball 100 from the insertion groove 20 of the console 1 by holding the track ball 100 through the gripper 110 , and insert the track ball 100 into the insertion groove 20 . Damage to each component can be minimized in the process of separating it from

Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described.

5 is a view showing the structure of the trackball assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5 has the same components as those of the first embodiment described above, and each component of the trackball assembly is also formed to have the same structure.

However, the present embodiment is different in that a pair of the grippers 110 are provided, and they are respectively provided at positions symmetrical to each other with respect to the center line of the track ball 100 body.

That is, in the present embodiment, grip grooves can be formed in two areas as the user simultaneously grips and presses the pair of grippers 110 , and more easily grabs the track ball 100 from the insertion groove 20 . can be separated.

As described above, the gripper 110 may be formed in various positions of the body of the track ball 100 , and the user can easily grip the track ball 100 by rotating the track ball 100 to a desired position.

6 is a view showing the structure of a trackball assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 also has the same overall components as the first and second embodiments described above, and the gripper 110 of the trackball assembly includes the moving member 114 and the restoration member 116 .

At this time, in the present embodiment, a distal end protrusion 115a is formed at the distal end of the moving member 114 , and a step 115b is formed around the distal end protrusion 115a.

And in the opening of the receiving groove 112, a pair of extension portions 102 extending a predetermined length from the upper and lower portions of the track ball 100 body are formed, and the pair of extension portions 102 are formed by the moving member 114. ) is in contact with the step 115b while moving to the outside of the receiving groove 112 .

That is, the extension portion 102 may serve as a stopper for limiting the maximum outward movement of the movable member 114 , and in a state in which the movable member 114 moves to the outside of the receiving groove 112 , As the tip protrusion 115a is inserted into the space between the pair of extension portions 102, the body of the track ball 100 may form a complete spherical shape.

7 and 8 are views showing the structure of a trackball assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8 has the same components as the first embodiment as a whole. However, in this embodiment, the first magnet 120 is provided inside the body of the track ball 100 , and the second magnet 40 is further provided at the bottom of the insertion groove 20 .

In addition, opposite surfaces of the first magnet 120 and the second magnet 40 may be disposed to have opposite polarities.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, in the process of separating the track ball 100 from the insertion groove 20 after using the track ball 100, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the track ball 100 is rotated to rotate the first magnet 120. to be close to the second magnet 40 , the entire track ball 100 floats slightly in the insertion groove 20 by the repulsive force between the first magnet 120 and the second magnet 40 . state can be

That is, in this embodiment, the user grips the grip portion 110 of the track ball 100 that is levitating the first magnet 120 to a higher position by the repulsive force of the second magnet 40 to separate more easily. be able to do

9 and 10 are views showing the structure of a trackball assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10 has the same components as the first embodiment as a whole. However, this embodiment has a feature in that the roller parts 30a and 30b, which are components constituting the signal conversion module, are formed to be movable in a linear manner.

Specifically, in the case of the present embodiment, the signal conversion module further includes a rail portion 35 for allowing the roller portions 30a and 30b to move linearly from the outside of the track ball 100 to the center side.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, in the process of separating the track ball 100 from the insertion groove 20 after using the track ball 100, each of the roller parts 30a and 30b as shown in FIGS. It can be linearly moved toward the center of the track ball 100 along the longitudinal direction of the.

Since the track ball 100 has a spherical shape, in the state in which the roller parts 30a and 30b are moved as described above, the height of the entire track ball 100 is raised by the upper end of the roller parts 30a and 30b, The user can more easily separate by holding the grip portion 110 of the track ball 100 that is lifted to a higher position.

11 is a view showing the structure of a trackball assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

The track ball 200 of the sixth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 11 has a shape in which the gripping parts 210a and 210b are provided on the body as in each of the above-described embodiments, but the gripping parts 210a and 210b It is formed differently in shape and structure.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the gripping parts 210a and 210b are provided in the receiving groove of the body, are formed to have elasticity, and are deformed to be depressed from the surface of the body by a pressing force, thereby forming a gripping groove that a user can grip. It includes an elastic member. In addition, a pair of the gripping parts 210a and 210b may be provided in a form that is line-symmetrical to each other.

That is, in this embodiment, the elastic member is formed in a shape corresponding to the receiving groove, is formed to fill the entire receiving groove, and forms a spherical shape together with the body.

Accordingly, the user can easily separate the track ball 200 from the insertion groove by applying pressure to the elastic member to form the gripping groove.

As described above, it can be seen that the shape of the holding parts 210a and 210b can be formed in various ways.

As described above, preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been reviewed, and the fact that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention other than the above-described embodiments is a fact having ordinary skill in the art. It is obvious to them. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the above description, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

1: console
10: housing
20: insertion groove
30a, 30b: roller unit
50: ball cover
100: trackball
110: grip part
112: receiving home
114: movable member
116: restoration member

Claims (13)

a body formed in a spherical shape and inserted into an insertion groove formed in the housing of the console, a part of which is provided to protrude outside the insertion groove;
a gripper provided on the body and configured to form a gripping groove that a user can grip as it is depressed from the surface of the body by a pressing force;
In order to prevent the track ball from being separated from the insertion groove, a track ball including a ball cover having a through hole through which a portion of the track ball passes inside the upper periphery of the insertion groove. According to claim 1,
The body is opened to the outside, the receiving groove having a predetermined length is formed,
The gripping portion is formed to have a length shorter than the length of the receiving groove, the track ball comprising a moving member that is provided to be linearly movable along the longitudinal direction of the receiving groove in a state accommodated in the receiving groove. 3. The method of claim 2,
The gripper, track ball further comprising a restoration member for restoring the moving member to the outside in a state moved to the inside of the receiving groove. a body formed in a spherical shape and inserted into an insertion groove formed in the housing of the console, a part of which is provided to protrude outside the insertion groove;
a pair of grippers provided on the body to form a gripping groove that a user can grip as it is depressed from the surface of the body by a pressing force, and provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the centerline of the body;
In order to prevent the track ball from being separated from the insertion groove, a track ball including a ball cover having a through hole through which a portion of the track ball passes inside the upper periphery of the insertion groove. 5. The method of claim 4,
The body is opened to the outside, the receiving groove having a predetermined length is formed,
The gripping portion is formed to have a length shorter than the length of the receiving groove, the track ball comprising a moving member that is provided to be linearly movable along the longitudinal direction of the receiving groove in a state accommodated in the receiving groove. 6. The method of claim 5,
The gripper, track ball further comprising a restoration member for restoring the moving member to the outside in a state moved to the inside of the receiving groove. a body formed in a spherical shape and inserted into an insertion groove formed in the housing of the console, a part of which is provided to protrude outward of the insertion groove, is opened to the outside, and has a receiving groove having a predetermined length;
a gripper provided in the receiving groove, the gripper including an elastic member that is formed to have elasticity and is deformed to be depressed from the surface of the body by a pressing force to form a gripping groove that a user can grip;
In order to prevent the track ball from being separated from the insertion groove, a track ball including a ball cover having a through hole through which a portion of the track ball passes inside the upper periphery of the insertion groove. 8. The method of claim 7,
The elastic member is formed in a shape corresponding to the receiving groove, the track ball forming a spherical shape together with the body. a track ball formed in a spherical shape and inserted into an insertion groove formed in the housing of the console, the track ball including a body provided to protrude outside the insertion groove;
a signal conversion module for converting an input by manipulation of the trackball into an electrical signal;
In order to prevent the track ball from being separated from the insertion groove, an upper periphery of the insertion groove includes a ball cover having a through hole formed therein through which a part of the track ball passes,
The trackball is
A trackball assembly including a gripper provided on the body and configured to form a gripping groove that a user can grip as it is depressed from the surface of the body by a pressing force. 10. The method of claim 9,
The body is opened to the outside, the receiving groove having a predetermined length is formed,
The gripping portion is formed to have a length shorter than the length of the receiving groove, the track ball assembly including a moving member that is provided to be linearly movable along the longitudinal direction of the receiving groove in a state accommodated in the receiving groove. 11. The method of claim 10,
The gripper, track ball assembly further comprising an elastic member for restoring the moving member in a state moved to the inside of the receiving groove to the outside. a track ball formed in a spherical shape and inserted into an insertion groove formed in the housing of the console, a part of which is provided to protrude to the outside of the insertion groove, is opened to the outside, and includes a body having a receiving groove having a predetermined length;
a signal conversion module for converting an input by manipulation of the trackball into an electrical signal;
In order to prevent the track ball from being separated from the insertion groove, an upper periphery of the insertion groove includes a ball cover having a through hole formed therein through which a part of the track ball passes,
The trackball is
A trackball assembly including a gripper provided in the receiving groove and formed to have elasticity and including an elastic member that forms a gripping groove that a user can grip as it deforms to be depressed from the body surface by a pressing force. 13. The method of claim 12,
The elastic member is formed in a shape corresponding to the receiving groove, the track ball assembly forming a spherical shape together with the body.

Images