Joystick with detent mechanism for tactile feedback centering
US5773773A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05G2009/04766
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An arrangement for mounting a joystick wherein a ball having a spherical portion and a frustoconical portion is mounted in a cylindrical socket within a housing. A cap having a frustoconical surface complementing the frustoconical surface of the ball is mounted on the housing. An O-ring engages the spherical surface of the ball and urges the frustoconical surfaces into engagement. When the joystick is tilted relatively far, the spherical surface of the ball engages the frustoconical surface of the cap and retains the joystick in its tilted position; however, when the joystick is in a near-center position and is released, the frustoconical surfaces on the ball and on the cap are in engagement and cause the ball to snap back to the center position. This provides tactile feedback centering for the joystick.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.