Video game controller

• US 4,414,438 A
• Filed: 06/04/1982
• Issued: 11/08/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Discwasher, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Jensen Incorporated
• Inventors: Maloney, Brian J., Maier, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, J. R.
• Application Number:
  US06/384,923
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 200/6 A, 200/17 R, 200/18, 200/5 A, 200/153 K, 200/157
• US Class Current: 200/6.00A
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04711 with substantially hemispherical bearing part forced into engagement, e.g. by a spring
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04744 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04774 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04796 for rectilinear control along the axis of the controlling member

Abstract

A video game joystick controller is disclosed which includes a lower housing which defines a lower convex bearing surface, an upper housing which defines an upper concave bearing surface concentric with the lower bearing surface, and a handle which defines inner and outer bearing surfaces. The inner bearing surface of the handle is adapted to mate with the lower bearing surface of the lower housing, and the outer bearing surface of the handle is adapted to mate with the upper bearing surface of the upper housing such that the handle is free to pivot with a smooth action. A plate is mounted to the lower end of the handle, and this plate bears four switch actuators, one of which is higher than the other three. A circuit board is mounted to the upper housing, and it serves to mount four coplanar switches, each of which is situated directly above a respective one of the four actuators. The longer one of the four actuators is associated with rearward motion of the handle such that a reduced angular movement of the handle away from a central position is required to actuate the switch associated with rearward movement of the handle that is required to actuate any of the other three switches. A thumb operated trigger switch is positioned on top of the handle.

Claims

1. A video game controller comprising:

a joystick handle defining a longitudinal axis and having a lower end portion which defines first and second concentric bearing surfaces spaced along the longitudinal axis;

a housing sized to receive and support the lower end portion of the joystick handle, said housing defining third and fourth concentric bearing surfaces positioned to mate with and support the first and second bearing surfaces, respectively, with the second bearing surface nested within the first bearing surface such that the first and second bearing surfaces are captured between the third and fourth bearing surfaces to provide a smooth pivotal motion to the handle for a range of positive and negative axial forces on the handle, yet the joystick handle is free to pivot about the center of the first and second bearing surfaces;

spring means for biasing the joystick handle to a central position; and

switch means for sensing the pivotal position of the joystick handle;

said first and fourth bearing surfaces being convex, said second and third bearing surfaces being concave, the radii of curvature of the first and third bearing surfaces being substantially equal, the radii of curvature of the second and fourth bearing surface being substantially equal, and the radius of curvature of the second bearing surface being less than that of the first.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the fourth bearing surface is defined by an upper surface of a post secured to the housing and the spring means comprises a coil spring disposed around the post and extending between the housing and the lower end portion of the joystick handle.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises:

four upwardly pointing protrusions secured to the end portion of the joystick handle within the housing; and

four digital switches, each mounted within the housing above a respective one of the four protrusions such that each of the switches is actuated by a respective one of the protrusions when the joystick handle is positioned within a respective range of positions.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the separation between a selected one of the protrusions and the respective switch is less than the separation between the other protrusions and the respective switches when the joystick handle is in the central position, such that less motion of the joystick handle is required to cause the selected protrusion to actuate the respective switch than is required to cause the other protrusions to actuate the respective switches.

5. The invention of claim 1 further comprising an additional thumb actuated switch mounted in the joystick handle near an upper end of the handle.

6. A video game controller comprising:

a joystick handle having an upper end and a lower end;

a housing;

means for pivotably mounting the lower end of the handle to the housing such that the handle is pivotably movable forwardly, rearwardly, to the right, and to the left with respect to the housing;

four switch actuators mounted to the lower end of the handle;

four switches mounted to the housing, each in alignment with a respective one of the switch actuators such that a first one of the four switches is actuated when the handle is moved rearwardly and respective other ones of the four switches are actuated when the handle is moved forwardly, to the right, and to the left; and

means for biasing the handle to a central position in which none of the switches is actuated;

the spacing between the first switch and the respective actuator when the handle is in the central position being less than the spacing between any of the other switches and the respective actuators when the handle is in the central position, such that a lower angular departure of the handle from the central position is required to actuate the first switch than any of the other switches.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the handle includes a plate secured to the lower end of the handle and the four switch actuators are mounted on the plate.

8. The invention of claim 6 wherein each of the actuator comprises a respective rounded protrusion and the height of the protrusion aligned with the first switch is greater than that of any of the other protrusions.

9. The invention of claim 6 wherein the housing comprises upper and lower housing components, wherein the upper housing component is positioned between the lower housing component and the upper end of the handle, wherein the four switches are mounted on a circuit board, wherein the circuit board is mounted to the upper housing component, and wherein the switch actuators are positioned between the lower housing component and the circuit board.

10. The invention of claim 6 wherein a thumb actuated switch is mounted in the upper end of the handle.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein the trigger switch comprises:

an electrical switch mounted in the upper end of the handle; and

an actuating member pivotably mounted in the upper end of the handle to actuate the electrical switch, said actuating member comprising an integral spring element formed in one piece therewith which contacts the handle to bias the actuating member away from the electrical switch.

12. A video game controller comprising:

a lower housing defining a central cylindrical post having a convex first spherical bearing surface at an upper end thereof;

an upper housing secured to the lower housing and defining a central opening above the first bearing surface and a concave second spherical bearing surface around the central opening;

a circuit board mounted to the upper housing;

four switches mounted to the circuit board and extending below the circuit board, between the circuit board and the lower housing, said switches symmetrically positioned around the central opening;

a joystick handle having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end defining a concave third spherical bearing surface adjacent the first bearing surface and a convex fourth bearing surface adjacent the second bearing surface, the four bearing surfaces being concentric, with the radius of curvature of the first and third bearing surfaces being less than that of the second and fourth bearing surfaces, said third bearing surface being nested within said fourth bearing surface;

a coil spring positioned around the cylindrical post and extending between the lower housing and the lower end of the joystick handle to bias the handle to a central position;

four switch actuators secured to the lower end of the joystick handle, each under a respective one of the four switches such that for each of the four switches, movement of the joystick handle into a respective range of positions causes the respective actuator to actuate the switch, one of the four switch actuators extending closer to the respective switch than the other switch actuator to their respective switches when the handle is in the central position such that a reduced angular departure of the joystick handle from the central position is required to actuate the switch associated with said one of the four switch actuators than is required to actuate the remaining switches, said one of the four switch actuators associated with rearward movement of the joystick handle.

13. The invention of claim 12 further comprising:

a thumb actuated trigger switch mounted on the upper end of the joystick handle; and

at least one wire extending from the trigger switch, down a bore formed in the joystick handle, through an opening formed between the third and fourth bearing surfaces, into the region between the circuit board and the lower housing.