Tilt Roller for Control Device

• US 20090231274A1
• Filed: 02/26/2009
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Blandin, Christian M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,383,838 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0312 for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels tracking relative movement in co-operation with a regularly or irregularly patterned surface, e.g. as in optical mice G06F3/0317; constructional details of scroll or thumb-wheels G06F3/0362; optical rotary encoders G01D5/3473
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/11 with indexing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2019/146 Roller type actuators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

A control device includes a roller configured to rotate and tilt; a roller support coupled to the roller, wherein the roller is configured to rotate relative to the roller support; the first hinge disposed adjacent to a first end of the roller support; and a second hinge disposed adjacent to a second end of the roller support, wherein the first end and the second end are substantially opposite ends of the roller support, the second hinge is above the first hinge, and the first hinge and the second hinge are configured to provide tilting support for the roller and roller support.

Claims

1. A control device comprising:

a roller configured to rotate and tilt;

a roller support coupled to the roller, wherein the roller is configured to rotate relative to the roller support;

the first hinge disposed adjacent to a first end of the roller support; and

a second hinge disposed adjacent to a second end of the roller support, wherein the first end and the second end are substantially opposite ends of the roller support, the second hinge is above the first hinge, and the first hinge and the second hinge are configured to provide tilting support for the roller and roller support.