Patent · US Expired

Force and torque converter for use in a computer input device

US5706027A · kind A · utility

35Cited by
22References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 7, 1995
Grant dateJan 6, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 7, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2239/052
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A force and torque converter provides an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque. The converter includes a base, a movable member that provides movement relative to the base in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque, a controlling mechanism, and a detection circuit. The controlling mechanism has a plurality of resilient mechanisms, connected to the base and co-acting with the movable member, that provide at least one of a restoring force and a restoring torque to the movable member in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque. The controlling mechanism further includes a restraining member, disposed within the movable member, that restrains the movable member when the movable member is in contact with the restraining member. The detection circuit co-acts with the controlling mechanism, to detect the movement of the movable member relative to the base, and provide the electronic signal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.