Digitizer cursor/mouse with unitary switch actuators

Abstract

This is a low-cost cursor for a digitizing tablet which provides the user with the feel of a mouse. There is a case bottom piece for sliding on the surface of the digitizing tablet and a pair of microswitches. A printed circuit board fits in the case bottom piece with the pair of switches mounted behind one another thereon. A transparent front-piece is disposed over the printed circuit board with slots therethrough through which the switches are disposed. The front-piece has a front portion extending outward from a front end and parallel to the bottom surface and has an annular armature formed thereon with a concentric pair of cross-hairs and a sensing coil of wire wound around the armature. A connecting cable of wires is connected to the sensing coil of wire and the switches. There is also a case top piece attached over the case bottom piece to form a hollow case which is tapered from back to front to give the case the feel of a mouse. The case top piece has a pair of longitudinal side pieces with a torsion mounting strip extending transversely between them. The torsion mounting strip comprising a rectangular torsion bar having a vertical member extending upward therefrom with a switch actuator arm formed at the top and generally in the contour of the top surface of the top piece. The switch actuator arm has a pair of actuator fingers extending downward therefrom on opposite sides of the vertical member in alignment with and in close proximity to actuator buttons of the switches.