Computer mouse with lightweight housing
A computer mouse includes a lightweight shell housing for improved performance in electronic sports applications. The shell housing includes a plurality of openings that are defined by support members supporting the integrity of the shell, yet reduce the overall weight of the computer mouse. In exemplary embodiments, the support members and openings may be present on either the upper shell surface, the bottom shell surface, side surfaces and/or any combination of the above. In an exemplary embodiment, the openings may be hexagonal forming a honeycomb framework that provides a rigid housing but omits a substantial amount of material from the housing that provides a significant weight reduction.
1. A computer mouse, comprising:
a control system for tracking a position of the computer mouse relative to an underlying surface;
an output interface connected to the control system;
a shell housing the control system, the shell including a bottom surface, the bottom surface integrated with a first plurality of support members, wherein the first plurality of support members are connected to one another at angles defining perimeters of a first plurality of polygonal cells, wherein the perimeters of the first plurality of polygonal cells define empty spaces between the first plurality of support members; and
one or more button sections on a top surface of the shell, the one or more button sections comprising a second plurality of support members, wherein the second plurality of support members are connected to one another at angles defining perimeters of a second plurality of polygonal cells on the one or more button sections, wherein the perimeters of the second plurality of polygonal cells define empty spaces between the second plurality of support members.
2. The computer mouse of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of polygonal cells include inner walls of the first plurality of support members, wherein the inner walls run axially into the bottom surface of the shell.
3. The computer mouse of claim 1 , further comprising a position tracking input system coupled to the bottom surface and connected to the control system, wherein the first plurality of polygonal cells are positioned on at least two sides of the position tracking input system.
4. The computer mouse of claim 1 , further comprising a side wall of the shell, wherein the side wall includes a third plurality of the polygonal cells.
5. The computer mouse of claim 1 , wherein the top surface includes a third plurality of the polygonal cells.
6. The computer mouse of claim 5 , wherein the one or more button sections comprises a first button section, wherein the first button section includes the second plurality of the polygonal cells.
7. The computer mouse of claim 1 , wherein:
the shell comprises a side wall connected to the top surface of the shell comprising a third plurality of support members connected to one another at angles defining perimeters of a third plurality of polygonal cells,
the perimeters of the third plurality of polygonal cells define empty spaces between the third plurality of support members, and
the third plurality of polygonal cells extend along an outer perimeter of the side wall.
8. The computer mouse of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of polygonal cells extend substantially across a length of the bottom surface of the shell.
9. A computer mouse, comprising:
a control system for tracking a position of the computer mouse relative to an underlying surface;
an output interface connected to the control system;
a shell housing the control system, the shell including a first framework of support members defining first polygonal openings on at least 25% of a total surface area of the shell and up to 70% of the total surface area of the shell; and
one or more button sections on a top surface of the shell, the one or more button sections comprising a second framework of support members defining second polygonal openings on the one or more button sections.
10. The computer mouse of claim 9 , wherein the first polygonal openings are a same shape positioned on the top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface of the shell.
11. The computer mouse of claim 9 , further comprising a position tracking input system coupled to a bottom surface of the shell and connected to the control system, wherein the first polygonal openings are positioned on at least two sides of the position tracking input system.
12. The computer mouse of claim 9 , wherein the first polygonal openings are positioned on the top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface of the shell.
13. The computer mouse of claim 9 , wherein the top surface includes a palm section configured for resting a user's palm, wherein at least 60% of a surface area of the palm section includes the first polygonal openings.
14. A computer mouse, comprising:
a control system for tracking a position of the computer mouse relative to an underlying surface;
an output interface connected to the control system; and
a shell housing the control system; and
one or more button sections on the shell, wherein the shell includes a framework of hexagonal honeycomb arranged support members defining a first plurality of openings on at least a bottom surface of the shell and defining a second plurality of openings on the one or more button sections.
15. The computer mouse of claim 14 , wherein the framework of hexagonal honeycomb arranged support members is also on a top surface of the shell.
16. The computer mouse of claim 15 , wherein the framework of hexagonal honeycomb arranged support members is also on a side wall of the shell.
17. The computer mouse of claim 15 , wherein the framework of hexagonal honeycomb arranged support members is rigid.
18. The computer mouse of claim 15 , wherein the framework of hexagonal honeycomb arranged support members defines at least 10% of a total surface area of the bottom surface.
19. The computer mouse of claim 18 , wherein the framework of hexagonal honeycomb arranged support members defines at least 25% of the total surface area of the shell and up to 70% of the total surface area of the shell.