Patents by Inventor Dave M. Ma

Dave M. Ma has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Shock absorbent roller thumb wheel
    Patent number: 7304254
    Abstract: A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel is disclosed. The shock absorbing thumb wheel includes a central hub that can be secured to an electro-mechanical switch, a rim encircling the central hub, and force dispersion spokes extending from the central hub and connected to the rim. The configuration of the force dispersion spokes and the resilient material of the force dispersion spokes and the rim allow for radial and lateral deflection of the rim in response to an applied impact force. The impact force is thereby at least partially absorbed by the radial and lateral deflection of the rim and spokes, such that less impact force is transferred to connections between the electro-mechanical switch and any assembly to which the switch is attached. Hence, the probability of connection failures is reduced, and the lifetime of a device that uses the thumb wheel can be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Dave M. Ma, Herrebertus Tempelman, John A. Holmes
  • Shock absorbent roller thumb wheel
    Patent number: 7057120
    Abstract: A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel is disclosed. The shock absorbing thumb wheel includes a central hub that can be secured to an electro-mechanical switch, a rim encircling the central hub, and force dispersion spokes extending from the central hub and connected to the rim. The configuration of the force dispersion spokes and the resilient material of the force dispersion spokes and the rim allow for radial and lateral deflection of the rim in response to an applied impact force. The impact force is thereby at least partially absorbed by the radial and lateral deflection of the rim and spokes, such that less impact force is transferred to connections between the electro-mechanical switch and any assembly to which the switch is attached. Hence, the probability of connection failures is reduced, and the lifetime of a device that uses the thumb wheel can be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Dave M. Ma, Herrebertus Tempelman, John A. Holmes
  • Shock absorbent roller thumb wheel
    Patent number: 6828518
    Abstract: A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel is disclosed. The shock absorbing thumb wheel includes a central hub that can be secured to an electro-mechanical switch, a rim encircling the central hub, and force dispersion spokes extending from the central hub and connected to the rim. The configuration of the force dispersion spokes and the resilient material of the force dispersion spokes and the rim allow for radial and lateral deflection of the rim in response to an applied impact force. The impact force is thereby at least partially absorbed by the radial and lateral deflection of the rim and spokes, such that less impact force is transferred to connections between the electro-mechanical switch and any assembly to which the switch is attached. Hence, the probability of connection failures is reduced, and the lifetime of a device that uses the thumb wheel can be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Dave M. Ma, Herrebertus Tempelman, John A. Holmes
  • SHOCK ABSORBENT ROLLER THUMB WHEEL
    Publication number: 20040200700
    Abstract: A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel is disclosed. The shock absorbing thumb wheel includes a central hub that can be secured to an electro-mechanical switch, a rim encircling the central hub, and force dispersion spokes extending from the central hub and connected to the rim. The configuration of the force dispersion spokes and the resilient material of the force dispersion spokes and the rim allow for radial and lateral deflection of the rim in response to an applied impact force. The impact force is thereby at least partially absorbed by the radial and lateral deflection of the rim and spokes, such that less impact force is transferred to connections between the electro-mechanical switch and any assembly to which the switch is attached. Hence, the probability of connection failures is reduced, and the lifetime of a device that uses the thumb wheel can be extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Dave M. Ma, Herrebertus Tempelman, John A. Holmes