GB2266759A

GB2266759A - Computer mouse or trackball carrying advertising or decoration.

Info

Publication number: GB2266759A
Application number: GB9209767A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kuo-Shu Cheng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-05-06
Filing date: 1992-05-06
Publication date: 1993-11-10
Also published as: GB9209767D0

Abstract

The mouse or trackball has a body with a carrier area on which may be located printed card with a colorful advertisement or information of after-service. The card is retained by a transparent or translucent cover secured to the body above the carrier area. <IMAGE>

Description

A MOUSE DEVICE OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mouse or a track ball device for a computer.

The invention of computers caused a revolution in the way we live. In recent decades, the invention of modern technology, computer cartography is an application of computers in helping people make maps or charts efficiently accurately. In a graphical-data operation, a mouse, trackball or suitable cursor control device shall be used. A variety of cursor control devices are known and widely in use. Conventionally, mouse suppliers simply considered to achieve certain functions while designing a mouse, without trying to improve the total sense of beauty or emphasizing the matter of after-service. In recent years, the mouse suppliers have changed their thinking and tried to make their products more attractive in outer appearance.Fig. 9 illustrates a mouse according to the prior art, which provides a smoothly curved periphery making itself look better, and which is marked with a trade mark on the outer shell thereof. However, this design is still not attractive enough. Ordinarily, people may think that. the attractive outer appearance of a pointing device is of little significance. Actually, a beautiful cursor control device can attract people to use it happily. Making a pointing device in the shape of an ornament has become the way to go.

Further, it is known that good service is one of the most important factors in beating against the competitors. A computer may be orphaned if it was bought from a supplier who does not offer a good after-service. The present invention has been accomplished under the afore-said circumstances. The present invention provides a mouse with an advertisement carrier with a card for bearing the instructions for after-service. This thoughtful arrangement ensures the protection on after-service for the consumers. Reciprocally, the consumers will be glad to buy the product with confidence. Conventionally, referring to Fig. 9., a back plate of a mouse is plain or is carved and/or printed with a few words or a figure. When carved and/or printed, Thus, the back plate is not able to carry an appealing advertisement or information of after-service for a mamlfacturer thereof.Therefore, this invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: The present invention provides an advertisement carrier of a mouse or a trackball. The advertisement carrier has a connecting member shape corresponding to that of the mouse or the trackball. A card printed with a colourful figure, advertisement or information of after-service is received in the connecting member. A transparent or translucent cover is secured above the connecting member to thereby retain the card within the connecting member.

For a better understanding of the present invention and objects thereof, a study of the detailed description of the embodiments described hereinafter should be made in relation to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Fig.l is an exploded view of an advertisement carrier of a mouse in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig.2 is a perspective view of an advertisement carrier of a mouse in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig.3 is an exploded view of an advertisement carrier of a mouse in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig.4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are exploded views of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh embodiments of the advertisement carrier of the present invention; and Fig.9 is a perspective view of a mouse with a plain back plate in accordance with prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: Referring to the drawings and, more particularly, to Fig.1 and 2, an advertisement carrier of a mouse in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in an exploded view. An upper portion of a shell of the mouse is formed with a connecting member 2 of a shape corresponding to a profile of the shell of the mouse.

A card 4 is made of paper of other proper materials. A colorful advertisement is then printed on the card 4. The card 4 is made with a shape corresponding to a border of the connecting member 2, so that the card 4 can be received in the connecting member 2. A cover 6 of transparent or translucent materials, e.g. acrylic or rubber is made with a profile corresponding to the border of the connecting members 2, so that it can be received in the connecting member 2, above the card 4. An edge of the cover 6 is glued to a rim surrounding the connecting members 2 to thereby retain the card 4 within the connecting member 2. a narrow compartment may be made on the cover at the center to hold the card, as shown in Fig.1 on a-a.

Referring to Fig. 3, a trackball with an advertisement carrier in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in an exploded view. A connecting member 8 is formed on an upper surface of a shell of the trackball. Similar to the first embodiment as shown in Figs.1 and 2, a card 10 on which an advertisement is printed is received in the connecting member 8. A transparent or translucent cover 12 is than securely received in the connecting member 8, above the card 10, thereby retaining the card 10 within the connecting member 8.

Referring to Fig.4 an advertisement carrier of a mouse in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in an exploded view. A shell of a mouse has an upper portion 14 defined by an edge extending parallel to that of the shell of the mouse. A card 16 printed with advertisement is disposed on top of the upper portion 14 of the mouse. a cover 18 made of the same material as that of the cover 6 has a rim having an inner contour corresponding to the edge of the upper portion 14.

The rim of the cover 18 is glued to the edge of the upper portion 14, thereby retaining the card 16 between the upper portion 14 and the cover 18. an edge of the upper portion 14 can be made in a solid or hollow structure.

Referring to Fig.5, an advertisement carrier of a mouse in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in an exploded view. The rim of connecting member 20 comprises a plurality of retaining grooves 201 ; the cover 24 comprises plurality of retaining members 241 around the peripheral edge thereof.

By fastening the retaining members 241 into the retaining grooves 201 respectively, the card 22 is retained within the connecting member 20.

Referring to Fig.6, an advertisement carrier of a mouse in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in an exploded view. The rim of connecting member 26 comprises a plurality of spaced inner notches 261; the cover 28 comprises a plurality of connecting strips 281, at locations corresponding to the inner notches 261 on the rim of connecting member 26. By fastening the connecting strips 281 into the notches 261, the card 30 is retained within the connecting member 26.

Referring to Fig.7, an advertisement carrier of a mouse in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown in an exploded view. The plurality of retaining grooves of the rim of connecting member 243 with the same function referred in Fig.5,the plurality of retaining grooves of the rim of connecting member 241, but in different shapes.

Referring to Fig.8, an advertisement carrier of a mouse in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown in an exploded view. The plurality of retaining grooves of the rim of connecting member 243 with the same function referred in Fig.5, the plurality of retaining grooves of the rim of connecting member 241, but in different shapes.

While the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover all such variations as shall fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A mouse for use with a computer1 comprising: a body, an upper surface of the body including a carrier area for receiving a printed card containing information thereon; and a transparent cover arranged to extend over the carrier area so that the card is retained between said upper carrier surface and said cover and can be seen through the cover.

2. A mouse as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said carrier area comprises a cavity formed on an upper surface of the mouse.

3. A mouse as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein an edge of the cover comprises a plurality of retaining grooves into which a plurality of retaining members which are formed on a rim of the carrier area are respectively fastened to secure said card between the carrier area and the said cover.

4. A mouse as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said cover includes a plurality of notches into which a plurality of connecting strips which are formed on a rim of the carrier area are respectively fastened to secure said card between the rim of the carrier area and the cover.

5. A mouse as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a rim of the cover has an inwardly extending contour corresponding to an edge of the cover to firmly retain a card therebetween.

6. A mouse as claimed in Claim 1, comprising a narrow compartment formed on the cover for supporting a card therein.

7. A mouse as claimed in Claim 1, wherein an edge of the carrier area extends upwardly to define hollow structure therein in which the card is locatable.

8. A mouse as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the carrier area is a solid area raised from the body of the mouse.

9. A mouse substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figs. 1 and 2; or Fig. 3; or Fig. 4; or Fig. 5; or Fig. 6; or Fig. 7 or Fig. 8 of the accompanying drawings.