WO2000029933A1

WO2000029933A1 - Ergonomic computer mouse

Info

Publication number: WO2000029933A1
Application number: PCT/KR1999/000695
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeng Hun Lee
Original assignee: Wild Frog Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 1998-11-17
Filing date: 1999-11-17
Publication date: 2000-05-25
Also published as: KR20000010446U; AU1187500A

Abstract

An improved ergonomic computer mouse (21) is provided. One or more click buttons (13) are formed at the front edge of the ergonomic computer mouse so as to use primarily the first finger joint during mouse manipulation. Therefore, it is possible for the fingers to take a natural posture thereof without any physical strain. In addition, since the user presses the click buttons with the user's wrist fixed to the computer table, it is possible that the wrist takes a natural posture thereof and the user manipulates the mouse with ease and stability. One or more grooves capable of accommodating the fingers or the palm of the hand therein are formed on the mouse body, thereby providing the user's comfort even throuh the user manipulates the mouse for long time.

Description

ERGONOMIC COMPUTER MOUSE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pointing device used in conjunction with a personal computer, and more particularly to an ergonomically shaped computer mouse. 2. Description of the Related Art

As the computer has come into wide use as our daily necessities, the use of common pointing devices such as a mouse, trackball, touch pad, and digitizing tablet has increased. The mouse is the most popular pointing device. It employs mechanical, optical or other means to control the displacement of a cursor on a computer screen. When the mouse is slidably moved about on a flat, stationary surface, the cursor moves in corresponding directions. In addition, when one to three buttons on its front edge are pressed, certain actions can be performed, depending on the software application using the mouse. However, extended or repeated use of the mouse can result in severe physical strain, while providing the computer user with considerable flexibility over the motion of the cursor on the computer screen. Previously, the mouse was designed without sufficient consideration for the best postures of the fingers, wrist and forearm. That is, current mouse design provides no position for the user to rest the hand without removing the hand from the mouse.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional computer mouse and an example used with a right-handed person. Referring to FIG. 1, click buttons 13 in the computer mouse 11 are pressed using the fingertips 15. As a result, if the user presses repeatedly the click buttons 13, a constant force is continually applied the fingers used, which causes an injury to the fingers. In addition, since a mouse line (not shown) frequently hangs down under a computer table (not shown), unreasonable force should be applied to the hand to move the mouse. Therefore, there is a need that the mouse is designed according to the shape of the user's hand to provide the user's comfort and convenience, even though the user manipulates the mouse for many hours. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above problems, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an ergonomic computer mouse in which the user manipulates the computer mouse with his or her hand rotated approximately 30 degrees in the clockwise direction, thereby relaxing the tension of the hand and thus reducing the user's fatigue.

To accomplish the above objective, the present invention provides an ergonomic computer mouse comprising: a body of the mouse; one or more grooves formed at the front edge of the body of the mouse, for accommodating user's fingers used to manipulate the mouse therein; and one or more click buttons formed inside of the grooves, the click buttons being pressed using the first finger joint of a hand and having a slope of more 30 degrees relative to the top side of the mouse extended toward the horizontal line.

Therefore, it is possible for the fingers to take a natural posture thereof without any physical strain. In addition, since the user presses the click buttons with the user's wrist fixed to the computer table, it is possible that the wrist takes a natural posture thereof and the user manipulates the mouse with ease and stability. In addition, the above ergonomic computer mouse further comprises a second groove being integral with the mouse, for accommodating the user's palm of the hand used therein, thereby providing the user's comfort even though the user manipulates the mouse for long time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional computer mouse and an example of used with a right-handed person; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an ergonomic computer mouse according to the present invention and an example of used with a right- handed person;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the ergonomic computer mouse shown in FIG. 2 having a compressed and fixed member attached to a mouse line; and FIGS. 4 A through 4F are perspective views illustrating a variety of embodiments of an ergonomic computer mouse according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, that is, FIGS. 2 through 4F.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the ergonomic computer mouse 21 according to the present invention, click buttons 23 are formed at the front edge of the mouse 21 to primarily use the first finger joint 25 during mouse use. According to this, it is possible to manipulate the mouse with a natural posture of the fingers.

In addition, the user moves the mouse 21 on a flat surface such as a mouse pad (not shown) with the mouse 21 grasped tightly. According to this, it allows the user to take a natural posture of his or her wrist and to perform the manipulation of the mouse 21 with ease and stability.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the ergonomic computer mouse 31 according to the present invention having click buttons 33 formed at the front edge thereof, a compressed and fixed member 39 attached to a mouse line 37 is used so that the mouse line 37 can be fixed. By using the compressed and fixed member 39, it can be achieved to prevent the mouse line 37 from hanging down under a computer table (not shown).

FIGS. 4 A through 4F show a variety of examples according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to the ergonomic computer mouse 411 shown in FIG. 4A, the user's wrist contacts closely with the computer table (not shown) when the user manipulates the mouse 411. According to this, the force applied to the mouse 411 by the pressure of the click buttons 413 can be absorbed into the mouse 411. In addition, convex surfaces 417 are formed at the underside of the mouse 411 so as to take a natural posture of the hand. The click buttons 413 located at the convex surfaces 417 are formed so as to have concave surfaces (not shown), thereby enhancing the finger's comfort while operating the mouse 411. The fingers are located on the mouse 411 having a slope of substantially 45 degrees relative to the top side of the mouse 411 so as to press click buttons 413 using the first finger joint primarily.

Referring to the ergonomic computer mouse 421 shown in FIG. 4B, a groove 429 for supporting the end of the palm of the hand is formed at the rear side of the mouse 421 so as to accommodate the user's convenience. In addition, concave surfaces 427 are formed at the front side of the click buttons 423 so as to enhance the finger's comfort with respect to the click buttons 423. Similar to that of FIG. 4 A, the click buttons 423 are located having a slope of more 30 degrees, preferably, 45 degrees relative to the top side of the mouse 421. The top side of the mouse 421 is protruded so as to be contacted with the palm of the hand. The left or right side of the mouse 421 becomes convex for a right-handed person or a left-handed person, respectively, which allows the thumb to grip the mouse with ease.

Referring to the ergonomic computer mouse 431 as in FIG. 4C, the user's hand is turned to the right approximately 30 degrees to operate the mouse 431. Similarly, click buttons 433 are formed at the front edge of the mouse 431 to be pressed using the first finger joint primarily. In addition, grooves 437 and 439 for accommodating the click buttons 433 therein are formed at the body of the mouse 431 so that the hand can take a natural posture.

Referring to the ergonomic computer mouse 441 as in FIG. 4D, the mouse 441 is vertically shaped so that the user grasps the mouse 441 with his hand in the upright position. One or more grooves 447 are vertically formed at the side surface of the mouse for accommodation the index and the middle fingers therein for side grip. One or more click buttons 443 are vertically formed inside of the grooves 447 in the upright position. In FIG. 4D, the reference numeral 449 represents a groove for accommodation the thumb finger therein. Meanwhile, referring to the ergonomic computer mice 451 and 461 as in FIGS.

4E and 4F, grooves 457 and 467 are formed at the body of the mouse 451 and 461 for accommodating the index and the middle fingers therein, thereby enhancing the user's convenience. Similarly, click buttons 463 are formed at the front edge of the mouse 461 so as to press the click buttons 463 using the first finger joint primarily. In the FIGS. 4E and 4F, the reference numerals 459 and 469 represent a groove for accommodation the thumb finger therein.

The computer mice 411 and 421 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B can be employed for their horizontal grip and the computer mouse 441 shown in FIGS. 4D can be employed for its side grip so as to be used in joysticks. To use the ergonomically shaped computer mice 431, 451 and 461 shown in FIGS. 4C, 4E and 4F, it is required to turn the user's hand to the right approximately 30 degrees so as to rest the hand and the wrist. As described above, according to the present invention, the ergonomic computer mouse is designed so that the first finger joint can be primarily used when the user presses the click buttons, thereby taking the natural posture of the fingers. In addition, grooves for accommodating the fingers or the palm of the hand are formed at the body of the mouse, thereby providing the user's comfort even though the user manipulates the mouse for long time. In addition, by using the compressed and fixed member, it can be achieved to prevent the mouse line from hanging down under a computer table, which provides the user's convenience. Consequently, according to the present invention, the shape of the mouse can be designed to be suitable to the shape of the user's hand, which reduces an injury to the fingers, wrist and forearm during mouse use and enhances the user's comfort and convenience with a natural posture.

While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An ergonomic computer mouse comprising: a body of the mouse; one or more grooves formed at the front edge of the body of the mouse, for accommodating user's fingers used to manipulate the mouse therein; and one or more click buttons formed inside of the grooves, the click buttons being pressed using the first finger joint of a hand and having a slope of more 30 degrees relative to the top side of the mouse extended toward the horizontal line.

2. The ergonomic computer mouse according to claim 1, further comprising a compressed and fixed member attached to a mouse line, for preventing the mouse line from hanging down.

3. The ergonomic computer mouse according to claim 1 , further comprising a groove formed at the body of the mouse, for accommodating the user's palm of the hand used therein.

4. The ergonomic computer mouse according to claim 2, further comprising a groove formed at the body of the mouse, for accommodating the user's palm of the hand used therein.

5. An ergonomic computer mouse comprising: a body of the mouse; one or more grooves vertically formed at the side surface of the body of the mouse, for accommodating user's fingers used to manipulate the mouse therein; and one or more click buttons vertically formed inside of the grooves, the click buttons being pressed using the first finger joint of user's hand.

6. The ergonomic computer mouse according to claim 5, further comprising a compressed and fixed member attached to a mouse line, for preventing the mouse line from hanging down.

7. The ergonomic computer mouse according to claim 5, further comprising a groove formed at the body of the mouse, for accommodating the user's palm of the hand used therein.

8. The ergonomic computer mouse according to claim 6, further comprising a groove formed at the body of the mouse, for accommodating the user's palm of the hand used therein.

9. An ergonomic computer mouse comprising: a body of the mouse; one or more grooves formed at the front edge of the body of the mouse, for accommodating user's fingers used to manipulate the mouse with user's hand turned to the right substantially 30 degrees therein; and one or more click buttons formed inside of the grooves, the click buttons being pressed using the first finger joint of a hand and having a slope of substantially 30 degrees relative to the top side of the mouse extended toward the horizontal line.

10. The ergonomic computer mouse according to claim 9, further comprising a compressed and fixed member attached to a mouse line, for preventing the mouse line from hanging down.

11. The ergonomic computer mouse according to claim 9, further comprising a groove formed at the body of the mouse, for accommodating the user's palm of the hand used therein.

12. The ergonomic computer mouse according to claim 10, further comprising a groove formed at the body of the mouse, for accommodating the user's palm of the hand used therein.