Joystick switch for timepieces

• US 4,395,134 A
• Filed: 02/17/1982
• Issued: 07/26/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nunzio A. Luce
• Original Assignee: Nunzio A. Luce
• Inventors: Luce, Nunzio A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Roskoski, Bernard
• Application Number:
  US06/349,516
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 368/3, 368/10, 273/85 G, 273/DIG. 28, 235/92 GA
• US Class Current: 368/3
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2407 Joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/00 Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/005 Time-pieces combined with games
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04722 elastic, e.g. flexible shaft
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04725 with coil spring
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04744 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04

Abstract

A multi-position joystick-type control switch for use with a combination timepiece and game is disclosed. Movement of the joystick into each of its positions causes displacement of a game element on the face of the timepiece in either the up, down, right or left direction. The joystick control switch is preferably for use with a microprocessor-controlled electronic game watch. Several embodiments of the switching socket of the joystick are disclosed. The joystick may be comprised of the switching socket and a rigid cylindrical rod threaded therein or a telescoping cylindrical rod portion. The joystick may be affixed to the watch band in a clip or compartment.

Claims

1. An electronic game timepiece having a display device for displaying game elements and electronic circuitry including a printed circuit board having a plurality of conductors thereon connecting electronic-circuit elements on said printed circuit board to drive said display device;

said electronic timepiece including a casing having said display device and said electronic circuitry mounted therein;

a joystick-type switch mounted on said timepiece casing and adapted to be moved into a plurality of contacting positions;

said joystick-type switch having contacting means normally spaced a distance away from said printed circuit board conductors; and

a plurality of conductors mounted on said printed circuit board in close proximity and corresponding to said contacting means of said joystick-type switch, said plurality of conductors being connected to said electronic-circuit elements such that movement of said joystick-type switch into each of its contacting positions causes simulated displacement of at least one of said game elements across said display device.

2. The electronic game timepiece of claim 1, wherein said joystick-type switch further comprises:

a switch socket mounted at its inner face to said printed circuit board by resilient members;

said switch socket being of generally cylindrical shape and having a threaded longitudinal bore at its outer face;

said contacting means being mounted to said inner face of said switch socket; and

a generally cylindrically shaped rod having threads at one end for engaging with said threaded bore, said rod extending axially outwardly from said bore.

3. The electronic game timepiece of claim 1, wherein said joystick-type switch further comprises:

a switch socket mounted at its inner face to said printed circuit board by resilient members;

said switch socket being of generally cylindrical shape and having a longitudinal bore at its outer face;

said contacting means being mounted to said inner face of said switch socket; and

a generally cylindrically shaped telescoping rod being fixed in said longitudinal bore, said telescoping rod extending axially outwardly from said bore.

4. The electronic game timepiece of claims 2 or 3, wherein said timepiece includes a band having means thereon for securing said generally cylindrical rod of said joystick-type switch.

5. The electronic game timepiece of claim 4, wherein said means for securing comprises an elongated compartment formed in said band.

6. The electronic game timepiece of claims 2 or 3, wherein said timepiece casing includes a front portion on which said switch socket is mounted.

7. The electronic game timepiece of claims 2 or 3, wherein said switch socket is mounted to said timepiece casing.

8. The electronic game timepiece of claim 1, said timepiece casing including a front portion on which said switch socket is mounted, wherein said joystick-type switch further comprises:

plunger means resiliently biased between upper cap and lower cup-shaped members, said lower cup-shaped member being press-fitted into said front portion and said upper cap member being press-fitted onto said lower cup-shaped member;

said plunger means having an outer face and a threaded longitudinal bore therein;

said plunger means having an inner face to which said contacting means is affixed; and

annular resilient stopping means, mounted on said plunger means in the vicinity of said contacting means for maintaining said contacting means in spaced relationship to said lower cup-shaped member when said switch socket is in a non-contacting position.

9. The electronic game timepiece of claim 8, wherein said lower cup-shaped member includes a downwardly tapering bore positioned such that when said joystick-type switch is in each of its contacting positions, said plunger means does not contact said bore of said lower cup-shaped member.

10. The electronic game timepiece of claim 8, further including:

a plurality of spring contacting means mounted to said printed circuit board and spaced between said contacting means and said plurality of conductors corresponding to said contacting means such that, when said joystick-type switch is operated to move into each of its contacting positions, one of said plurality of spring contacting means is moved by said contacting means to contact a corresponding one of said plurality of conductors.