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:
Jan. 02, 2007
Filed:
Feb. 15, 2005
Shigeru Yokoji, Moriguchi, JP;
Tamotsu Yamamoto, Ashiya, JP;
Masaki Nakase, Obama, JP;
Toyoshi Fukumura, Maizuru, JP;
Shigeru Yokoji, Moriguchi, JP;
Tamotsu Yamamoto, Ashiya, JP;
Masaki Nakase, Obama, JP;
Toyoshi Fukumura, Maizuru, JP;
Abstract
Relating to a track ball device for manipulating a cursor moving on a display screen of an electronic apparatus, a track ball device being manipulated precisely while generating a click feel when a ball is rotated, having a small play angle and small size is presented. Beneath the center of the ball, the ball is rotatably supported by four rollers. The section of a contacting portion of the rollers contacting with the ball is a circular sawtooth profile, and the directions of the sawtooth serrations of opposite rollers are reverse to each other. Rollerstohave switches as rotation amount detecting units. Further, X roller and Y roller contacting with the outer circumference in the orthogonal direction as seen from above the ball, and third roller hold the ball rotatably. Plural undulations are formed on the outer circumference of large-diameter contacting portions of the X roller and Y rollerof circular shaft shape. Rotary encoders are coupled to individual rollers.