Controller
First Claim
1. A controller for producing control signal outputs for controlling the actuation of movable elements, of the type comprising a stick-like control section which can be embraced by a hand, a gimbal joint upon which the control section is mounted to swing about a pair of mutually perpendicular stick axes that extend substantially transversely to the length of the control section and intersect at a location to be surrounded by a hand embracing the control section, a signal generator for each said axis for producing a control signal output corresponding to displacement of the control section about the signal generator'"'"'s axis from a neutral position, stick force generating means for each said axis for biasing the control section towards its neutral position, and motion transmitting means for operatively connecting the control section with the respective signal generators and stick force generating means, said controller being characterized by:
- A. means comprising a second gimbal joint having members to which said signal generators and stick force generating means are connected and which are rotatable about a pair of mutually perpendicular gimbal axes, each corresponding to one of said stick axes, that intersect at a point spaced from said location; and
B. motion transmitting means connecting the first mentioned gimbal joint with the members of said second gimbal joint to constrain said members to rotate about their respective gimbal axes in unison with swinging of the control section about the corresponding stick axes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A controller for producing electrical control signals has a relatively stationary supporting section providing an upwardly facing hand supporting surface and an upward projection, and has a stick-like control section mounted on a first gimbal joint on top of the projection, to swing about pitch and roll axes. A second gimbal joint is spaced along the roll axis from the first one and rotates about said roll axis and about a gimbal axis parallel to the pitch axis. A gimbal ring of the first joint is rigidly connected to a gimbal member of the second joint for unison rotation about the roll axis. A second gimbal member of the second joint is caused to rotate about said gimbal axis in unison with swinging of the control section about the pitch axis by a linkage connection between them. A signal generator for each of the pitch and roll axes and a stick force generating means for each of those axes are connected with respective gimbal members of the second joint.
55 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A controller for producing control signal outputs for controlling the actuation of movable elements, of the type comprising a stick-like control section which can be embraced by a hand, a gimbal joint upon which the control section is mounted to swing about a pair of mutually perpendicular stick axes that extend substantially transversely to the length of the control section and intersect at a location to be surrounded by a hand embracing the control section, a signal generator for each said axis for producing a control signal output corresponding to displacement of the control section about the signal generator'"'"'s axis from a neutral position, stick force generating means for each said axis for biasing the control section towards its neutral position, and motion transmitting means for operatively connecting the control section with the respective signal generators and stick force generating means, said controller being characterized by:
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A. means comprising a second gimbal joint having members to which said signal generators and stick force generating means are connected and which are rotatable about a pair of mutually perpendicular gimbal axes, each corresponding to one of said stick axes, that intersect at a point spaced from said location; and B. motion transmitting means connecting the first mentioned gimbal joint with the members of said second gimbal joint to constrain said members to rotate about their respective gimbal axes in unison with swinging of the control section about the corresponding stick axes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9)
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8. A controller for producing control signal outputs for controlling the actuation of movable elements, of the type comprising a stick-like control section which can be embraced by a hand and which is swingable about a pair of mutually perpendicular stick axes that intersect within the embrace of the hand and extend substantially transversely to the length of the control section, a signal generator for each said axis for producing a control signal output corresponding to displacement of the control section about the signal generator'"'"'s axis from a neutral position, and stick force generating means for biasing the control section towards its neutral position, said controller being characterized by:
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A. a first gimbal joint comprising (1) a first gimbal member mounted to rotate about one of said stick axes and (2) means mounting said control section for rotation with said first gimbal member about said one stick axis and for rotation relative to the first gimbal member about the other stick axis; B. a second gimbal joint spaced along said one stick axis from the first gimbal joint and comprising (1) a second gimbal member rotatable about said one axis and (2) a third gimbal member rotatable with the second gimbal member about said one axis and rotatable relative to the second gimbal member about a gimbal axis which is parallel to said other stick axis, there being a signal generator and stick force generating means connected with each of said second and third gimbal members; C. means providing a rigid connection between said first gimbal member and said second gimbal member whereby they are constrained to swing in unison about said one axis; and D. motion transmitting means connected between said control section and said third gimbal member for constraining the latter to swing about said gimbal axis in unison with swinging of the control section about said other stick axis.
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Specification