Joystick control
First Claim
1. A joystick controller for selectively generating switch closures comprising;
- an elongate handle moveable radially with respect to its axis about an axial pivot location from a nominal rest position;
a plurality of pressure-actuated switches disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of the handle in its rest position and circumscribing the axis of the handle in its rest position; and
a deformable resilient annular member superimposed over the switches, said annular member being attached to the handle at spaced locations intermediate the respective locations of the switches so that displacement of the handle from its rest position causes an arcuate portion of the annular member to be pressed against and actuate at least one of the switches.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A joystick controller in which a conventional handle is moveable radially with respect to its axis relative to an axial pivot location from the nominal rest position of the handle is disclosed. A plurality of pressure-actuated switches are disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of the handle in its rest position. The switches circumscribe the approximate pivot location of the handle. A deformable resilient annular member is superimposed over the switches. The annular member is fixed to the handle so that displacement of the handle from its rest position causes an arcuate portion of the annular member to press against at least one of the switches. The annular member thus actuates selected switches depending on the direction in which the handle is displaced by the operator.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A joystick controller for selectively generating switch closures comprising;
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an elongate handle moveable radially with respect to its axis about an axial pivot location from a nominal rest position; a plurality of pressure-actuated switches disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of the handle in its rest position and circumscribing the axis of the handle in its rest position; and a deformable resilient annular member superimposed over the switches, said annular member being attached to the handle at spaced locations intermediate the respective locations of the switches so that displacement of the handle from its rest position causes an arcuate portion of the annular member to be pressed against and actuate at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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3. A joystick controller for selectively generating switch closures comprising:
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a support post; an elongate handle having a lower end including a cup shaped portion engaged by the support post so that the elongate handle is moveable about the post radially with respect to the axis of the handle from a nominal rest position, the lower end of said handle further including a portion having a circular outer periphery in a plane normal to the axis of the handle; a plurality of pressure-actuated switches disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of the handle in its rest position and circumscribing the axis of the handle in its rest position; and a deformable resilient annular member superimposed over the switches, said annular member being attached to the circular portion of the handle at spaced apart locations between the respective switches, so that displacement of the handle from its rest position causes an arcuate portion of the annular member to be pressed against and actuate at least one of the switches.
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6. A joystick controller for selectively generating switch closures comprising:
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an elongate handle moveable radially with respect to its axis about an axial pivot location from a nominal rest position; a plurality of pressure-actuated switches disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of the handle in its rest position and circumscribing the axis of the handle in its rest position, each said switch including a central depression; a deformable resilient annular member superimposed over the switches and including depending projections adapted to mate with the depressions in the respective switches, said annular member being attached to the handle at spaced apart locations between the respective switches; and a cover member having a plurality of studs disposed above the annular member between the respective attachment locations so that displacement of the handle from its rest position causes the projection or projections on an arcuate portion of the annular member to be pressed against and actuate at least one of the switches, while a separate distant arcuate portion is engaged by one of the studs and deformed toward its associated switch to minimize permanent deformation of the annular member. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A control unit for a game such as a video game comprising:
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a generally enclosed housing including an upper exposed surface having a central major aperture and a minor aperture offset from the central major aperture, said housing including a sleeve depending from the minor aperture; a firing button projecting above the exposed surface of the housing until actuated and having a cylindrical portion slidable in the sleeve; an elongate handle projecting upwardly through the major aperture in the housing, said handle having a cup-shaped receptacle at its lower end; a support post within the housing and engaging the receptacle of the handle so that the handle is movable about the post radially with respect to the axis of the handle; a resilient boot circumscribing and attached to the handle; means for attaching the outer periphery of the boot to the housing so that the resilient boot tends to center the handle in a nominal rest position; a substrate located within the housing and containing a plurality of pressure-actuated switches, one of said switches located beneath the firing button and adapted to be activated thereby, other of said switches being disposed circumferentially about the axis of the handle in its rest position; and a deformable resilient annular member superimposed over the switches disposed circumferentially about the axis of the handle, said annular member being attached to the handle so that displacement of the handle from its rest position causes an arcuate portion of the annular member to be pressed against and actuate at least one of the switches. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification