Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Stuart Ashmun

Charlie Garthwaite

Bridget Cameron

Michael Nelson

Paul S Bradley

Allan H Stephan

Elinor J Fulton

James Rolfe Yurchenco

Mike M Paull

James R Yurchenco

Computer trackball

A pointing device which is removably attachable to a keyboard is disclosed. The pointing device is coupled to an attachment assembly, the attachment assembly being removably and selectively attachable to the keyboard. The attachment assembly includes a coupling assembly and a tilting assembly. The full weight of the pointing device is supported by the computer so that a work surface is not necessary. In one embodiment, a clamping assembly is provided. The clamp assembly includes a variable width clamp to permit the pointing device to be attached to any one of a number of different keyboards or in different positions on the same keyboard. The tilting assembly permits the user to select whether the pointing device is in a horizontal, vertical or other orientation. A rotatable ball of the pointing device is retained in contact with the rotation sensing encoders regardless of the orientation of the housing. The buttons for activating switches to enter commands into the computer overlap a top portion and a side portion of the pointing device.

Pointing device with adjustable clamp attachable to a keyboard

Pointed instrument with a combined tilting and coupling assembly

A pointing device which is removably attachable to a keyboard is disclosed. The pointing device is coupled to an attachment assembly, the attachment assembly being removably and selectively attachable to the keyboard. The attachment assembly includes a clamp and a tilting assembly. The clamp includes a variable width clamp to permit the pointing device to be attached to any one of a number of different keyboards or in different positions on the same keyboard. The tilting assembly permits the user to select whether the pointing device is in a horizontal, vertical or other orientation. A rotatable ball of the pointing device is retained in contact with the rotation sensing encoders regardless of the orientation of the housing. The buttons for activating switches to enter commands into the computer overlap a top portion and a side portion of the pointing device. The switches are activated by a user pressing downward on the top region or inward from the side region.

Trackball for computer

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Stuart Ashmun