Apparatus for removing a joystick grip
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A joystick, comprising:
- a base;
a ram guide stationarily fixed to the base;
a ram positioned within the ram guide; and
a positioning mechanism, coupled to the ram, configured to linearly move the ram along, and within, the ram guide from a first predetermined ram position to a second predetermined ram position,wherein the second predetermined ram position is located such that a spring-loaded locking pin extending from within a grip column of a grip assembly mounted on a receiving column, the receiving column supported by the base, can be depressed against a surface of the ram and decoupled from a locking pin opening of the receiving column, andwherein the first predetermined ram position is located such that the spring-loaded locking pin cannot be depressed against the surface of the ram and decoupled from the locking pin opening.
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Abstract
A joystick includes a mechanism for facilitating the changing of a grip assembly. An actuation mechanism moves a ram into a position where the operator can press down on a locking pin to release the grip assembly. The ram will be in a default position that does not interfere with the operations of the joystick during normal operation. A relatively low amount of force is used to place the ram into position as the force needed to press down on the locking pin comes from the operator. A small electromagnetic that does not interfere with the joystick operations can be used in the actuation mechanism.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A joystick, comprising:
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a base; a ram guide stationarily fixed to the base; a ram positioned within the ram guide; and a positioning mechanism, coupled to the ram, configured to linearly move the ram along, and within, the ram guide from a first predetermined ram position to a second predetermined ram position, wherein the second predetermined ram position is located such that a spring-loaded locking pin extending from within a grip column of a grip assembly mounted on a receiving column, the receiving column supported by the base, can be depressed against a surface of the ram and decoupled from a locking pin opening of the receiving column, and wherein the first predetermined ram position is located such that the spring-loaded locking pin cannot be depressed against the surface of the ram and decoupled from the locking pin opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A joystick apparatus, comprising:
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an apparatus base; a joystick base, supported by the apparatus base, comprising; a receiving column having a groove and a locking pin opening defined therein; a grip assembly, disposed in the receiving column, comprising; a grip column; a guide post disposed on, and extending from, a surface of the grip column; and a spring-loaded locking pin extending from within the grip column, wherein the spring-loaded locking pin is releasably coupled with the locking pin opening and the guide post is disposed in the groove of the receiving column; a ram guide stationarily fixed to the apparatus base; a ram positioned within the ram guide; and a positioning mechanism, coupled to the ram, configured to linearly move the ram along, and within, the ram guide from a first predetermined ram position to a second predetermined ram position, wherein the second predetermined ram position is located such that the spring-loaded locking pin can be depressed against a surface of the ram and decoupled from the locking pin opening of the receiving column, and wherein the first predetermined ram position is located such that the spring-loaded locking pin cannot be depressed against the surface of the ram and decoupled from the locking pin opening. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification