Pointing device with adjustable clamp attachable to a keyboard
US5187468A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 1989 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S345/905
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pointing device which is removably attachable to a keyboard is disclosed. The pointing device is coupled to an attachment assembly, the attachment assembly being removably and selectively attachable to the keyboard. The attachment assembly includes a clamp and a tilting assembly. The clamp includes a variable width clamp to permit the pointing device to be attached to any one of a number of different keyboards or in different positions on the same keyboard. The tilting assembly permits the user to select whether the pointing device is in a horizontal, vertical or other orientation. A rotatable ball of the pointing device is retained in contact with the rotation sensing encoders regardless of the orientation of the housing. The buttons for activating switches to enter commands into the computer overlap a top portion and a side portion of the pointing device. The switches are activated by a user pressing downward on the top region or inward from the side region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.