Logitech Europe S.a.

Alex Sung

Denis O'Keeffe

Marc A Bidiville

Antoine A Merminod

Fergal Corcoran

Neil O'Connell

Martin Gleeson

Anita Chiu

Jack Hung

The present invention provides an input device such as a mouse which has a unique construction with integrated key plates and integrated side grips. In one embodiment, the input device comprises a housing, which includes a bottom case and an upper member disposed above the bottom case. The upper member includes a palm rest configured to support a user's palm and at least one key plate extending continuously from the palm rest to form a hinge between the at least one key plate and the palm rest without a gap. The key plate is movable in bending relative to the palm rest at the hinge to activate a key switch. The left side grip and the right side grip are formed on a single piece top case connected between the upper member and the bottom case. The left side grip and right side grip typically have concave surfaces.

Input device with integrated key plate and integrated side grips

A roller wheel structure having a simplified design. A support guide is connected to a lower housing for constraining and allowing movement of a roller wheel and roller support. In a preferred embodiment, the support guide is integrally formed with the lower housing, reducing the part count and enabling a more compact design. On one side of the wheel, the support guides connected to the lower housing support a spring around an axle connected to a support for the roller wheel. When the roller wheel is depressed by a user, the spring allows the roller support to depress until a micro-switch is activated. On a second side of the roller wheel, the roller support consists of a mechanism which slides up and down within the support guides connected to the lower housing when the user depresses the roller wheel. This side includes a spring biased against an open inside of the roller wheel. The spring is biased against an undulating surface on the inside perimeter of the wheel, providing a ratcheting effect when a user rotates the wheel.

Wheel support guide for vertical wheel support movement

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Chu-Pei, Taiwan

Alex Sung