Joystick input apparatus with living hinges

US10179282B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Impyrium, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Easton J. LaChappelle · Rhinebeck, US
• Tim Schneider · Dachau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 24, 2017
• Grant date: Jan 15, 2019
• Expiry date: Jul 28, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05G2009/04722
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A joystick apparatus includes a handgrip connected to a hinge mechanism by a rigid bar. The hinge mechanism includes two living hinges that surround the bar and provide a restoring spring force in six degrees of motion. A third living hinge surrounds the bar and includes a disc member positioned between the center of the third living hinge and the bar. The third living hinge provides a restoring force in five degrees of motion, while rotation of the bar along its longitudinal axis causes the disc member to rotate relative the third living hinge. The rotation of the disc member relative to the third living hinge may be tracked with a Hall effect sensor. Other sensors may be provided on the hinge mechanism to track the motion of the bar and to cause a connected device to move in a fashion corresponding to movement of the joystick.