Patent · US Expired

Hollow track ball and method for manufacturing same

US5652604A · kind A · utility

2Cited by
8References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 14, 1995
Grant dateJul 29, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 14, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/24777
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a hollow track ball which includes a first hemispherical shell having a first annular end having thereon a plurality of positioning studs, and a second hemispherical shell having a second annular end having thereon a plurality of positioning holes for respectively engaging with the plurality of positioning studs so as to result in a hollow track ball. A method for manufacturing such a track ball includes steps of a) providing a first hemispherical shell having a first annular end having thereon a plurality of positioning studs, and providing a second hemispherical shell having a second annular end having thereon a plurality of positioning holes, and b) causing the plurality of positioning studs and the plurality of positioning holes to engage with each other so as to result the respective hemispherical shells in the hollow track ball. Such a hollow track ball not only avoids the conventional slant joint seam, but also greatly reduces the reject rate of the products.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.