WO2007019819A2

WO2007019819A2 - Input device for computers and games consoles in particular a mouse

Info

Publication number: WO2007019819A2
Application number: PCT/DE2006/001327
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Jackermeier
Original assignee: Endor Ag
Priority date: 2005-08-16
Filing date: 2006-07-28
Publication date: 2007-02-22
Also published as: DE102005038989A1; WO2007019819A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an input device for computers and games consoles in particular a mouse (1), comprising a housing which serves for holding by a hand, the housing being two-piece with a first part (3) and a second part (5) such that the first part (3) and the second part (5) can be fixed relative to each other in at least two positions with different separation by means of a connector element and the housing may thus be altered in width.

Description

Input device for computers and game consoles, in particular mouse

The present invention relates to an input device for computers and game consoles, in particular mouse, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such input devices are used in particular as a so-called mouse for operating a personal computer, notebook, etc. in widespread application.

Conventional computer mice are therefore found in great variety and of different manufacturers, in the recent past the ease of use and functionality has been improved for example by the known optical mouse and ergonomic design.

However, the known mice are ergonomically adapted to an operator's hand of average size, so that operators with hands deviating from the average size in the operation of conventional mice suffer disadvantages. As a result, an optimal position of the hand in holding and operating the mouse can disadvantageously no longer be ensured, so that in extreme cases physical impairments of the operator on the hand and arm, such as, for example, strains, inflammations, in particular tendosynovitis, etc., are made.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide an input device for computers and game consoles, especially a mouse, which ensures optimal attitude and operation even with different users.

This object is achieved by an input device with the features of claim 1. Due to the two-part design of the housing of the input device according to the invention, the first of the second part of the housing at different distances are preferably mounted in the plane of the grand layout of the input device. As a result, advantageously, the housing of the input device in its lateral dimensions, ie width and / or length can be changed and in this way to the specific

Requirements of an operator or his hand size and wishes to be adjusted. If the change in the distance between the first and second housing part also takes place outside a plane of the floor plan, the housing height can also be changed, whereby such a three-dimensional displacement (length, width and height) can be achieved, for example, via a correspondingly inclined displacement edge.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a fixing element serving the fixing element is simultaneously designed as insertion means, so that the first part and the second part between the two extreme positions (smallest distance and maximum distance) is preferably in permanent connection and between the extreme positions, preferably in any Positions, is displaceable.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first part is designed in the form of a conventional input device and the second part as a matching side, with possibly additional rear or rear part. In this way, it can advantageously be achieved that a gap formed between the first and second part at an enlarged position lies outside the sensitive finger area of an operator's hand, and thus advantageously is not perceived as disturbing.

In order to allow in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a guide between the two extreme positions "smallest case" and "largest case" may be provided on the first or second part of a corresponding insertion means, via which the first and the second part remain connected between the extreme positions , In this way, advantageously, the loss of security can also be increased. In a further embodiment of the invention, the insertion means, for example, as a projecting plate of the second part, which can be inserted into a complementary thereto opening in the first housing part, are located. The security against loss already given by the insertion means can be increased by a variety of means, such as detents, slots with engagement elements, etc. Here, the insertion means in cooperation with the complementary thereto opening serves as a guide, this guide can be made as desired in the vertical and / or horizontal direction. Of course, it is conceivable, the fixation, for example by means of screw, which leads through correspondingly shaped slots of the insertion means and can be securely fastened by means of an opposite nut at the housing location, also occupy different positions in the horizontal plane with respect to the length and width of the housing so that the variations of the housing advantageously further increase.

The invention therefore ensures that an operator can adapt the inventive one-handed input device to be manipulated in a simple manner to its size and ergonomic requirements preferably also variably between the extreme positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Likewise, different operators with different requirements can adapt the input device to their respective different needs.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

In the drawing show: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an inventive input device without enlarging the housing.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an input device according to the invention with enlargement of the housing; FIG.

3 shows a schematic side view of a first part of the housing of the input device according to the invention without a second part for changing the size of the housing;

4 is a schematic plan view of an inventive input device according to FIG. 3;

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic bottom view of the input device according to FIG. 3; FIG.

Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of a second part of the housing of the input device according to the invention;

Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of the second part of the housing according to Fig. 7 and

9 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line B-B in Fig. 8.

In Fig. 1, a so-called mouse 1 is shown as an example of an input device according to the invention. As can be seen from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the housing of this mouse 1 is constructed in two parts and comprises a first, larger part 3, which contains, for example, all actuators, sensors and electronics, not illustrated in greater detail, and a second, smaller part 5, which in the example is designed asymmetrically to the first part 3 as a left side and rear or rear part.

For ergonomic reasons, the first part 3, as can be seen, have an outside area 9 in order, in the case of the illustrated mouse 1, to be in a holder or

Serve with the right hand as a support and guide for the right hand edge, especially small fingers and possibly ring fingers to serve.

For ergonomic reasons, the second part 5 also has, on its outer surface in the lower region, a region 11 lying opposite the region 9, which serves to guide and receive the left hand edge of the right hand, in particular of the thumb, right up to the root of the thumb and the area of the ball.

Despite this asymmetrical design with respect to a perpendicular to the plane arranged the central longitudinal axis M enclosing plane, it is of course conceivable, the input device according to the invention symmetrically and thus equally suitable for left and right handed form. A corresponding symmetrical design of the illustrated mouse 1 is possible, for example, by omitting the ergonomically advantageous regions 9 and 11, so that the outer boundary of the mouse 1 and the housing parts 3 and 5 by the circumferential lines 7 and 7 'shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. is formed.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, instead of the second part 5, as shown in FIG. 1, being located directly on the first part 3 in a position spaced from the first part 3, as shown in FIG. 2, in which it of course, as explained below, can be fixed. As can be seen in FIG. 2, a gap 13, which runs in the form of a bent L in the lateral and rear or rear part of the mouse 1, is formed in this spaced-apart position or position. As a result, the mouse 1, as can be seen, in its lateral dimensions in size, both in its length (along its longitudinal center axis M) and in its width, with respect to that shown in Fig. 1 smallest state can be increased. Of course, this also applies, as already explained above, to a symmetrically designed input device, in particular a mouse, whereby such a mouse can also be correspondingly enlarged, as can be seen from outline 7 'in FIG. 2.

If the user only a lateral magnification in one direction, ie length or width is desired, this can also be done via a corresponding issuing or securing the second part 5 on the first part 3, for example, a wide hand with comparatively short fingers by a corresponding pure width increase perpendicular to the axis M without extension can be better met.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the first part 3 in the example on its left lower side comprises an elongated rectangular insertion opening 17 extending parallel to the base surface, which has additional upwardly and inwardly directed guide elements 19 and 21 on the left and right sides. Furthermore, the mouse 1 on its upper side in the front region of a mouse wheel 31 and a left and right mouse button, which are formed by an upper cover 35 and lying in the front left and right side area on the underside of the cover 35 actuators 39 and 41.

For realizing the left and right mouse buttons, the upper cover 35, as can be seen, is flexible in the front area through the underlying recess 37 and separated into a left area 35a and a right area 35b, so that the areas 35a and 35b and the vertically leading into the mouse interior actuators 39 and 41 by operation from above, for example by pointing and

Press the middle finger downwards in order to actuate corresponding contacts in the mouse interior, which is not shown in detail.

Above the insertion opening 17, in the region of its left edge, in an appropriate recess there is an inserted left nut 23 and in the region of the right edge. of the insertion opening 17 a right nut 25. Through the underside of running example of a sandwich floor bottom of the mouse 1 lead to the bottom vertically formed holes 27 and 29 through which screws not shown for fastening the part 5 can be inserted to the nuts 23 and 25 to be screwed. As a result, the nuts come 23 and 25 with its bottom on the surface of the inserted into the insertion area 17 projection or plate 45 (serving as connection and insertion means) of the second part 5 into contact, so that when tightening the screws, the part 5 with the part 3 is firmly connected in the corresponding desired position.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the lateral guides 19 and 21 extend obliquely inwards with respect to the longitudinal axis and the width of the mouse 1 perpendicular thereto. In order to avoid undesirable protrusion of the screw heads on the underside of the mouse 1, the screws are preferably recessed in correspondingly formed holes 27 and 29.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, the mouse 1 has on its underside an opening 43 for an optical sensor, so that the illustrated mouse is, by way of example only, an optical mouse with cable connection 15.

As can be seen from FIGS. 7 to 9, the second part 5 has on its inner side in the lower region a projection corresponding to the insertion opening 17 in the form of a plate 45, which can be inserted into the insertion opening 17 appropriately. In this plate 45 are located in the region of the left and right edge slots 47 and 49, which are parallel to the also oblique side edges of the

Plate 45 are formed. Through these slots 47 and 49 can be used in the assembled state of the parts 3 and 5 through the holes 27 and 29 screws, which - as explained above - are screwed into the nuts 23 and 25, so that the nuts 23 and 25 with their undersides in the screwed-on state, the upper side of the plate 45 in the area of the holes 47 and 49 with corresponding Apply force and the plate 45 is fixed in this way in the insertion opening 17 in cooperation with the top of the lower base plate fixed.

As shown, the flat plate 45 corresponding to the obliquely formed Füh- rangen 19 and 21 on inclined sides, so that the insertion and withdrawal of the

Part 5 in or out of the part 3 along a direction which is oblique to both Breitals and the longitudinal axis of the mouse 1. In this way it can be ensured that with good guidance at an enlargement, in accordance with the ergonomic requirements, both the width and the length of the mouse 1 are increased at the same time, preferably in a corresponding constant relationship to one another.

Of course, can be achieved by other embodiments of the insertion means in particular by eliminating the lateral guides and correspondingly larger compared to the diameter of the screw diameter holes 47 and 49 and the oblique guide independent and different positions, so that such a trained second part 5, instead of limited in the example, can be arranged by any tolerances completely free in positions between the extreme extract and the fully collapsed state.

As can be seen from Figs. 3 and 5, the flat plate 45 is as well as the insertion opening

17 parallel to the bottom surface of the mouse 1 and in profile thereto L-shaped, so that even without any further guidance already by these elements, a limitation in the vertical direction, ie height of the mouse results. Of course, it is also conceivable, for example, by appropriate oblique position of the plate 45 to the bottom surface of the mouse 1 and appropriately designed insertion opening or large tolerance in the insertion opening in the direction of mouse height and corresponding fixing elements, which also allow a fixation of the plate at a certain height that not only the size of the mouse, as shown in the embodiment, can be changed in terms of width and length, but also in terms of mouse height.

Claims

claims

1. input device for computers and game consoles, in particular mouse (1),

a) with a housing which serves the holder with one hand,

characterized in that

a) the housing is in two parts in a first part (3) and a second part (5) is formed, so that the first part (3) and the second part (5) fixed relative to each other in at least two differently spaced positions by means of a connecting element can be changed and thus the housing in its size is changeable.

2. Input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (3) and the second part (5) can be moved between two extreme positions in the plane of the floor plan relative to each other by means of a additionally serving as insertion means the connecting means and fix, so that the housing is variable in its length and / or width.

3. Input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first part (3) is designed as a main part and the second part (5) as a side and / or back part.

4. Input device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that insertion means on the second part (5) as a projection (45) is formed, which can be inserted into a complementary thereto opening (17) of the first part in different positions and fixed NEN ,

5. Input device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that insertion means simultaneously serves as a vertical and / or horizontal guide.

6. Input device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (5) is designed as a support for the thumb and ball of a hand of an operator.

7. Input device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized marked, that the second part (5) both in the direction of the width and in the direction of the length (M) of the housing relative to the housing can be changed and fixed to an adjustment both to allow for hand width as well as hand length.

8. Input device according to claim 7, characterized in that the second part (5) by means of an oblique guide (19, 21) can be changed simultaneously both in the direction of the width and in the direction of the length (M) of the housing.