Ergonomic computer mouse

Abstract

This invention relates to an improved form of computer mouse. In particular, the physical form of this mouse is designed such that the hand position required to manipulate the mouse is a natural “resting” or neutral position. This position will allow the mouse to be used for long periods of time while minimizing pain and disability in the hand and wrist. The hand is inclined to the horizontal plane typically at an angle of at least 50 degrees. The fingers are flexed, the thumb and index finger are opposed and in close proximity. The wrist is not pulled backwards nor drooped, nor is it angled to one side or the other. There is no deviated wrist movement. Wrist movement is in the natural plane of the wrist.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A hand-operated device for generating a computer input, said hand-operated device comprising: 
 a housing comprising: 
 a bottom surface,  
 and a palmar-phalageal support having an anterior region, said palmar-phalageal support inclined between 35 and 55 degrees with respect to said bottom surface,  
   a communicating means for communicating information from said hand controller device to a computer,    and a signal generating means.    
     
     
         2 . The hand-operated device of  claim 1  wherein said palmar-phalageal support is inclined between 40 and 50 degrees with respect to said bottom surface.  
     
     
         3 . The hand-operated device of  claim 1  wherein said palmar-phalageal support is inclined between 35 and 45 degrees with respect to said bottom surface.  
     
     
         4 . The hand-operated device of  claim 1  wherein said signal generating means is at least one button, said at least one button located on said anterior region of said palmar-phalageal support.  
     
     
         5 . The hand-operated device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one button has a concave surface with edges which project upward approximately perpendicular to said palmar-phalageal support.  
     
     
         6 . The hand-operated device of  claim 1  wherein said communicating means is chosen from the group of communicating means consisting of a direct cable connection, a motion sensing device, infrared, and a radio remote interface.  
     
     
         7 . The hand-operated device of  claim 1  wherein said housing has a left side and a right side and the inclination between said palmar-phalageal support and said bottom surface positions one of said right side and said left side at a higher elevation with respect to said bottom surface.  
     
     
         8 . The hand-operated device of  claim 1  wherein said palmar-phalageal support is curved to conform to a hand in a relaxed position.  
     
     
         9 . A hand-operated device for generating a computer input, said hand-operated device comprising: 
 a housing comprising: 
 a bottom surface,  
 and a top surface having an anterior region,  
   a little-finger support surface adjacent said bottom surface,    an angle between said bottom surface and said little finger support, said angle being an acute angle,    a communicating means for communicating information from said hand controller device to a computer,    and at least one button, said at least one button located on said anterior region of said top surface.    
     
     
         10 . The hand-operated device of  claim 9  wherein said little-finger support is approximately parallel with said bottom surface.  
     
     
         11 . The hand-operated device of  claim 9  wherein said little-finger support slopes slightly downwards and ends at said bottom surface, whereby a little-finger may rest on top of said little-finger support, a working surface, or a combination of said little-finger support and said working surface.  
     
     
         12 . The hand-operated device of  claim 9  wherein said little-finger support is a contiguous part of said housing.  
     
     
         13 . A hand-operated device of the type used for generating a computer input, said hand-operated device being ergonomically shaped, said hand controller device comprising: 
 a housing, said housing comprising: 
 a bottom surface,  
 and a top surface having an anterior region,  
   a thenar support surface adjacent said bottom surface, said thenar support surface being configured to support at least a majority of a thumb,    a communicating means for communicating information from said hand controller device to a computer,    and at least one button, said at least one button located on said anterior region of said top surface.    
     
     
         14 . The hand-operated device of  claim 13  wherein said thenar support surface is a contiguous part of said housing.  
     
     
         15 . The hand-operated device of  claim 13  wherein said thenar has a top portion and said top portion being approximately parallel to said bottom surface.  
     
     
         16 . The hand-operated device of  claim 15  wherein said top surface has a slope, wherein said slope is oriented with one of a left side and a right side higher than the other of said left side and said right side.  
     
     
         17 . The hand-operated device of  claim 16  wherein said slope is an angle between 35 and 55 degrees.  
     
     
         18 . A hand-operated device of the type used for generating a computer input, said hand controller device being ergonomically shaped, said hand controller device comprising: 
 a housing, said housing comprising: 
 a bottom surface,  
 and a top surface having an anterior region,  
   a thumb grip adjacent said top surface, said thumb grip having a grip surface, said grip surface being approximately parallel with said top surface,    a communicating means for communicating information from said hand controller device to a computer,    and at least one button having a concave surface with edges which project outward approximately perpendicular to said top surface, said at least one button located on said anterior region of said top surface,    wherein said at least one button has a first position and a second position, and wherein said at least one button is moved from said first position to said second position by a squeezing motion created by opposing pressures created between a thumb pressing on said grip surface and a finger pressing one of said edges of said at least one button, and wherein said opposing pressures are approximately parallel.    
     
     
         19 . The hand-operated device of  claim 18  wherein said opposing pressures are approximately collinear.  
     
     
         20 . The hand-operated device of  claim 18  wherein said at least one button is opposed to a bottom surface of said thumb grip.  
     
     
         21 . The hand-operated device of  claim 18  wherein said thumb grip is a contiguous part of said housing.  
     
     
         22 . The hand-operated device of  claim 18  wherein said at least one button has a concave surface with edges which project outward from said top surface.  
     
     
         23 . A hand-operated device of the type used for generating a computer input, said hand controller device being ergonomically shaped, said hand controller device comprising: 
 a housing, said housing comprising: 
 a bottom surface,  
 a palmar-phalageal support having an anterior region,  
 a little-finger support surface adjacent said bottom surface, said little-finger support forming an acute angle with said bottom surface,  
 a thenar support surface having a top portion being approximately parallel to said bottom surface,  
 a thumb grip extending from said thenar support surface, said thumb grip having a grip surface, said grip surface being approximately parallel with said top surface,  
 said thenar support and said thumb grip being adjacent said palmar-phalageal support,  
   a communicating means for communicating information from said hand controller device to a computer,    and at least one button, said at least one button located on said anterior region of said palmar-phalageal support, said at least one button having a concave surface with edges which project outward approximately perpendicular to said palmar-phalageal support,    wherein said at least one button has a first position and a second position, and wherein said at least one button is moved from said first position to said second position by a squeezing motion created by opposing pressures created between a thumb pressing on said grip surface and a finger pressing on one of said edges, and wherein said opposing pressures are approximately parallel.    
     
     
         24 . The hand-operated device of  claim 23  wherein said palmar-phalageal support is inclined between 40 and 90 degrees with respect to said bottom surface.  
     
     
         25 . The hand-operated device of  claim 23  wherein said opposing pressures are approximately collinear.  
     
     
         26 . The hand-operated device of  claim 23  wherein said little-finger support is approximately parallel with said bottom surface.  
     
     
         27 . The hand-operated device of  claim 23  wherein said little-finger support slopes slightly downwards and ends at said bottom surface, whereby a little-finger may rest on top of said little-finger support, a working surface, or a combination of said little-finger support and said working surface.  
     
     
         28 . The hand-operated device of  claim 23  wherein said thenar support surface is configured to support at least a majority of the thumb.