Mouse with cantilevered roller

Abstract

A roller for an input device extends through a slot in a top housing and is supported by a cantilevered arm. The roller is attached at the end of the arm and rotates about a shaft mounted on the cantilevered arm. The cantilevered arm is attached proximate the rear of the top housing, and thus is free to flex when the roller is depressed. As a result, when pressure is applied to the roller, the roller depresses through the slot in the top housing independently from the buttons on the top housing. The cantilevered arm has a spring force to bias the roller upward, eliminating the need for a return spring (lift spring).

1 . An input device comprising: 
 a top housing with a slot;    a roller extending through said slot;    an arm supporting the roller, wherein    the arm is attached to an inside surface of the housing behind the roller.    
   
   
       2 . The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is a cantilevered arm attached to the inside of the top housing behind the roller.  
   
   
       3 . The input device of  claim 2 , wherein the cantilevered arm extends at a downward angle proximate to the roller.  
   
   
       4 . The input device of  claim 2 , further comprising an exterior housing mounted over said top housing, and functioning as at least one button.  
   
   
       5 . The input device of  claim 4 , wherein the exterior housing is metallic.  
   
   
       6 . The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is integrally formed with two other arms forming part of a button mechanism.  
   
   
       8 . The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm includes a portion positioned over a microswitch to depress the microswitch.  
   
   
       9 . The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm provides a spring force to bias the roller upward through the slot.  
   
   
       10 . The input device of  claim 1 , wherein said input device is a mouse.  
   
   
       11 . The input device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a roller shaft, attached to said arm to support said roller, said roller shaft being only partially circular in cross-section.    
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a ratcheting mechanism connected to said roller for resisting movement of said roller to provide a ratcheting feel to a user.    
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein said ratcheting mechanism comprises: 
 an undulating surface on an inside of said roller; and    a spring having a first end wound around a member extending from the arm, and a second end biased against said undulating surface.    
   
   
       14 . A mouse comprising: 
 a top housing with a slot;    a roller extending through said slot;    a cantilevered arm supporting the roller and attached to an inside surface of the top housing behind the roller, wherein the cantilevered arm provides a spring force to bias roller upward through the slot, eliminating the need for a return spring.    
   
   
       15 . The input device of  claim 14 , wherein the cantilevered arm is plastic.  
   
   
       16 . The input device of  claim 14 , wherein the cantilevered arm is attached to said input device proximate the rear of the input device opposite said roller.  
   
   
       17 . The input device of  claim 14 , further comprising an exterior housing mounted over said top housing, and functioning as at least one button.  
   
   
       18 . The input device of  claim 14 , wherein exterior housing is metallic.  
   
   
       19 . A mouse comprising: 
 a top housing with a slot;    a roller extending through said slot;    a plastic cantilevered arm supporting the roller and attached to an inside surface of the top housing behind the roller, wherein the cantilevered arm provides a spring force to bias the roller upward through the slot eliminating the need for a return spring, and wherein the said top housing supports an exterior housing mounted over said top housing, and functioning as at least one button.    
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a circuit board mounted inside said housing beneath said roller;    a light emitter mounted on said circuit board on a first side of said roller;    a light detector mounted on said circuit board on a second side of said roller; and    said roller having a plurality of slots for allowing light from said light emitter to pass through to said light detector.