The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 05, 1991
Filed:
Oct. 09, 1990
Joseph E Jasinski, Delray Beach, FL (US);
Charles H Lingle, Nicholasville, KY (US);
Richard F Pollitt, Highland Beach, FL (US);
David W Shuman, Lexington, KY (US);
Lexmark International, Inc., Greenwich, CT (US);
Abstract
A combined mouse and trackball having its control ball (15) extend past cover 1. Cover 1 has neck hinges (5) so that it pivots in relations to opposing cover (17). A cable (33) at the front communicates with the computer receiving the control signals from the ball. A switch (43) reverses the significance of front-to-back signals from the ball depending on whether an actuator (45) integral with cover 1 engages the switch. In the closed position of cover 1 the bottom of the devise is flat and the ball is upward for use as a trackball. In the open position of cover 1 the device is formed into a mouse with front and rear surfaces (67, 69) to support the ball for frictional movement on a table (71). Latch surfaces ((25, 57 and 25, 65) hold the covers in the two positions until they are manually released.