Patent · US Expired

Trigger operated electronic device

US6850221B1 · kind B1 · utility

828Cited by
18References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 17, 1997
Grant dateFeb 1, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 17, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2009/0257
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A device particularly for use with a computer comprises a housing for location at least partly between two fingers of a user's hand and an electronic circuit mounted on a board within the housing. The circuit includes a switch responsive to pressure selectively to open and close an electronic circuit, and conductive elements arranged on the board mounting the electronic circuit. A first control element is mounted with the housing and responsive to finger pressure such that pressure applied to the first control element causes the element to operate the switch. The first control element is movable with respect to a hinge such that finger action acts to cause the control element to swivel as a trigger about the hinge and thereby interact with the switch. The second control element includes a flexible material mounted such that pressure applied to the flexible material in different directions and positions acts to change the electrical relationship between the conductive elements on the board and thereby vary an output signal from the electronic circuit. The rear portion of the housing includes a receptacle for receiving removable battery means for powering the electronic circuit. Ther…

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