Joystick type control device
US4758692A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1987 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20201
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A multiposition precision joystick type control device having a transducer mode in which an actuator button is movable in any lateral direction away from a neutral position to cause flexure of flexible bar mechanism along one or both of two orthogonally related axes, there being a set of transducers for sensing such flexure and providing a coordinate-related signal to apparatus to be controlled, the control device having a depress mode in which the actuator button is axially depressed for actuation of a switch and thereby providing an alternate controlling function. Overload mechanism including a spring loaded articulated connection between the actuator button and the flexible bar mechanism limits the degree of flexure which can be imparted to the flexible bar mechanism by movement of the actuator button in any lateral direction from its neutral position to prevent damage to the sets of transducers. A first lock-out mechanism prevents simultaneous operation of the control device in transducer and depress modes, and a second lock-out mechanism prevents inadvertent operation of the control device in the depress mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.