Ergonomic computer mouse

Abstract

Computer mouse for operation of functions when using a computer, comprising a housing (10), and three control means in the form of a primary mouse button (12), a secondary mouse button (14) and a scroll means (16). The primary (12) and secondary mouse button (14) and scroll means (16) is being so arranged interrelated that the primary mouse button (12) is located between the scroll means (16) and the secondary mouse button (14). The secondary mouse button is preferably substantially vertically placed and made of a material or coated with a coating that gives increased friction.

Claims

1. A computer mouse for operation of functions when using a computer, comprising a housing (10), and three control means in the form of a primary mouse button (12), a secondary mouse button (14) and a scroll means (16), characterized by an interrelated arrangement so that the primary mouse button (12) is located between the scroll means (16) and the secondary mouse button (14) while the secondary mouse button (14) has an approximately vertical contact surface adapted for being operated in a generally horizontal direction by a middle finger, and the pressure resistance in the secondary mouse button (14) is so adapted to the weight of the mouse, to the sloping of the secondary mouse button (14) and to the friction between the middle finger and the button's surface, that the mouse can be lifted while the middle finger rests against the secondary mouse button (14) without activating the secondary mouse button (14).

2. The computer mouse according to claim 1, characterized by that for a right-handed user, the primary mouse button (12) is a left mouse button and the secondary mouse button (14) is a right mouse button, while the scroll means (16) is to the left of the left mouse button.

3. The computer mouse according to claim 2, characterized by that for a left-handed user the primary mouse button (12) is a right mouse button and the secondary mouse button (14) is a left mouse button, while the scroll means (16) is to the right of the right mouse button.

4. The computer mouse according to claim 1, characterized by that the secondary mouse button (14) is adapted to be used with the middle finger.

5. The computer mouse according to claim 1, characterized by that it comprises at least one friction surface (18) in a material that exhibits higher friction than the housing (10).

6. The computer mouse according to claim 1, characterized by that it comprises two friction surfaces (18, 20) in a material that exhibits higher friction than the housing (10).

7. The computer mouse according to claim 6, characterized by that the two friction surfaces (18, 20) are arranged on a substantially opposite surfaces of the computer mouse.

8. The computer mouse according to claim 6, characterized by that the secondary mouse button (14) has a surface of a friction increasing material.

9. The computer mouse according to claim 8 characterized by that the two friction surfaces (18, 20) and the friction increasing material on the secondary mouse button (14) is made of a material with a static coefficient of friction greater than 0.3 against a surface of naturally anodized aluminum.

Description

FURTHER ON THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective sketch of a computer mouse according to the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the computer mouse of FIG. 1 seen from above.

(3) FIG. 3 shows the computer mouse of FIG. 1 seen from the front.

(4) FIG. 4 shows the computer mouse of FIG. 1 with a user's hand drawn in.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a variant of a computer mouse according to the present invention which differs slightly from the variant shown in FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 1 shows a computer mouse with a housing or cover 10, a primary mouse button 12, a secondary mouse button 14 and a scroll wheel 16. This is a computer mouse for right-handed use, in which the right index finger is supposed to be placed on the primary (left) mouse button 12 while the right hand middle finger is intended to lay against the secondary mouse button 14. It is characteristic that the primary mouse button 12 is located between the scroll wheel 16 and the secondary mouse button 14. Thereby it is achieved, among other things, that it is short lateral distance between the left and right mouse buttons, allowing the user no need for spreading the fingers, requiring muscle tension. It is also worth noting that the secondary mouse buttons 14 position is located on an approximately vertical surface of the housing 10, allowing the users middle finger not having to be lifted during use.

(7) As shown in FIG. 1 the scroll means 16 is located at the left of the primary (left) mouse button 12 for a right-handed user. For a left-handed user the primary mouse button will be the right mouse button and the secondary mouse button is the left mouse button. The scrolling means will then be located to the right of the primary (right) mouse button.

(8) FIG. 1 also shows a first friction surface 20 intended as grip surface for the user's thumb and a second friction surface 18 intended as grip surface for the user's little finger and ring finger. Without limiting the friction quantitatively the friction fields 18 and 20 has a higher friction against the user's fingers than the housing 10. The friction surfaces 18 and 20 are located at mainly the opposite sides of the computer mouse.

(9) The computer mouse may optionally contain other controls, such as a button 22 for programmable functions and possibly it may comprise a cord 24, but it may also be wireless.

(10) FIG. 2 shows the mouse of FIG. 1 seen from another angle. It also displays an optional cable weight 26 on the cord 24.

(11) FIG. 3 shows the computer mouse from FIG. 1 from the front. Here it is clearly displayed that the secondary mouse button 14 has an approximately vertical face. The secondary mouse button 14 is typically hinged at the top, so it is the lower part, which is almost vertical, that is being pressed in to activate the selection with this button. In other embodiments, the entire secondary mouse button can be vertical or nearly vertical.

(12) The secondary mouse button 14 is in addition preferably made of or coated with a friction increasing material, i.e. a material which provides good friction against the users finger, i.e. a material that is less slippery than the housing 10 of the mouse will typically be and preferably with the same surface structure as the friction surfaces 18 and 20. Alternatively to the entire mouse button 14 being made of such a material, it can be provided with a layer of a material that provides good friction against the user's finger. Good friction is however a subjective term and friction against an individual's finger varies with skin moisture and other parameters in a way it is difficult to quantify with normed numbers. Therefore, it is upon specification of friction used friction between dead materials where these sources of variation are largely avoided. The housing 10 of the computer mouse is typically made of a smooth plastic which generally will not have good friction, although under optimal conditions (good temperature/moist fingers) can be easily held in one hand without slipping.

(13) Friction Measurement

(14) As a basis for friction measurements it is used a sheet of anodized aluminum, provided by Alunor AS, Norway with the name Natural anodized Alucubond E6/EV1.

(15) The friction was measured between the described sheet of anodized aluminum and a preferred type of a friction coating (named Friction Coating A in the form of a synthetic TPE rubber (Dryflex 841051-2 provided by Elasto Sweden AB, hardness 75 on the shore A scale). In addition there was measured friction between the described sheet of anodized aluminum and a sheet of hard plastic (ABS) of the type typically used as cover/housing for a computer mouse.

(16) There were made three measurements for each sample and the average measured value is used for the calculation of the coefficient of friction.

(17) TABLE-US-00001 Friction test Coefficient Basis material Test material of friction Natural anodized Alucubond E6/EV ABS -plastic 0.27 Natural anodized Alucubond E6/EV Friction Coating A 0.47

(18) The friction material according to the particularly preferred embodiments of the invention should accordingly have a friction coefficient against anodized aluminum higher than 0.3, more preferably higher than 0.5.

(19) Referring now to FIG. 4, where a hand is shown in a normal use situation of the computer mouse. It appears that the user's index finger 30 and middle finger 32 is fairly close to each other, and especially that the middle finger can be lowered down by the vertical part of the mouse button 14 in a position which allows the muscles and tendons in relation to the user's middle finger rest during normal use of the computer mouse.

(20) It is easy for the user to lift the computer mouse off the desk top/substrate while using it, with a grip of thumb 28 against the first friction surface 20, the grip of the outer part of the little finger 36 and/or ring finger 34 against the friction surface 18 and with careful support of the middle finger 32 against the secondary mouse button 14. The pressure point of the secondary mouse button 14 is so adapted the weight of the computer mouse and the friction thereof against the user's fingers that there is no risk of accidental activation of mouse button 14 when the computer mouse is lifted from the substrate. Since at least portions of the friction surfaces 18 and 20 are vertical or substantially vertical, only a small force is required to lift the computer mouse, and in practice there is required no or very little force from the middle finger toward the secondary mouse button. This can also be expressed as follows: The pressure resistance of the secondary mouse button 14 is so adapted the weight of the computer mouse, the slope of the secondary mouse button 14 and the friction between the finger and the button's surface, that the computer mouse can be lifted while a finger is supported against the secondary mouse button 14 without activation of the mouse button 14.

(21) When operating the scroll wheel of the mouse, the index finger 30 is moved from the primary mouse button 12 to the scroll wheel 16. This is an operation that occurs far less frequently than the operation of the primary mouse button 12. It is therefore an ergonomic gain to let the primary mouse button switch places with the scroll wheel in relation to what is common practice for known types of computer mouse. There is also an ergonomic benefit associated with placing the secondary mouse button 14 so that the user's middle finger can be curved over the computer mouse and down towards the table with the fingers outer joint approximately vertical, unlike other types of computer mice where the middle finger must be fairly straight extensive, since the buttons are arranged on an sloped surface.

(22) FIG. 5 shows a computer mouse which only differs from the one shown in FIG. 1 in that the scroll means 16 has the shape of a touch-sensitive field instead of a scroll wheel.

(23) A person skilled in the art will understand that a computer mouse according to the present invention arranged for use with the left hand will be like a mirrored structure with respect to that shown in FIGS. 1-5.