Video control gloves

• US 4,613,139 A
• Filed: 12/10/1984
• Issued: 09/23/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William H. Robinson II
• Original Assignee: William H. Robinson II
• Inventors: Robinson, William H. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US06/679,989
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 273/148 B, 273/DIG. 28, 200/DIG. 2, 200/6 A
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0024 with accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/01594 with accessories, e.g. tools, receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 200/02 Body attached switches

Abstract

Apparatus for providing switch closure control inputs to a joystick control port of a video console comprising a pair of gloves having separate finger and thumb portions with electrical contacts mounted on the palm surfaces thereof adjacent to the finger and thumb tips. The electrical contacts are connected to selected terminals of a connector adapted for removable insertion into the console control port. Physical contact between the finger and thumb tips obtains electrical connection between associated contacts so as to provide switch closure control inputs to associated terminals of the control port.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing switch-closure control signal inputs to a joystick control port of a video console or the like, such control port being of predetermined configuration in which signal inputs consist of electrical closure between a common terminal at said port and one or more signal terminals, said apparatus comprising

a first glove having a thumb portion and four finger portions separate from each other and from said thumb portion,

a second glove having a thumb portion and at least one separate finger portion,

electrical contact means affixed to each of said thumb and finger portions of said first glove adjacent to the tips thereof and to said thumb portion and said one finger portion of said second glove adjacent to the tips thereof, such that physical contact between a thumb portion of one of said gloves and one or more of said finger portions of the corresponding glove obtains electrical connection between the corresponding contacts on said portions,

a connector constructed for removable mating engagement with a control port, said connector having common and signal terminals for individual mating engagement with common and signal terminals of a control port,

first connection means individually electrically connecting said contacts on said finger portions of said first gloves to signal terminals of said connector,

second connection means electrically connecting said contact on said thumb portion of said first glove to said common terminal at said connector, said second connection means including resistance means connected in series between said connector common terminal and said contact on said thumb portion,

third connection means electrically connecting said contact means on said finger portion of said second glove to a signal terminal on said connector, and

fourth connection means electrically connecting said contact on said thumb portion of said second glove to said resistance means such that said resistance means is connected in series between said connector common terminal and the contacts on the thumb portions of both said gloves.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a female type-DB9 nine pin connector,

wherein said first connection means comprises means electrically connecting said contact means on the finger portions of said first glove associated with the first, second, third and fourth fingers of a user'"'"'s hand to terminals one, two, four and three of said connector respectively,

wherein said third connection means comprises means electrically connecting said contact on said finger portion of said second glove to terminal six of said connector, and

wherein said second and fourth connection means comprises means individually connecting said contacts on said thumb portions of both said gloves through a resistor to terminal eight of said connector.