Thumb-controlled, hand-held joystick
First Claim
1. A hand-held device comprising:
- an elongated segment adapted for grasping by hand; and
a pivotable joystick situated toward one end of said elongated segment and protruding from said elongated segment, having a neutral position that is generally perpendicular to a center line of said elongated segment in the neighborhood of said joystick, said joystick being movable to all of its pivotable positions by the face of the thumb of a hand grasping said elongated segment.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A manipulandum contained in a portable housing unit adapted for grasping by hand and situated at one end thereof within an area reachable by the thumb without rearranging the grasp. In one preferred embodiment, the manipulandum is a joystick extending a short distance from the surface of the housing, with its center of neutral position being essentially perpendicular to the center line of the elongated segment in the neighborhood of the joystick. The joystick has a fixed number of positions, with each position being contained within a preselected solid angle. An additional control dimension is realized by moving the joystick along its axis, against a resilient spring, so as to activate or make contact with an electrical switch.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A hand-held device comprising:
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an elongated segment adapted for grasping by hand; and a pivotable joystick situated toward one end of said elongated segment and protruding from said elongated segment, having a neutral position that is generally perpendicular to a center line of said elongated segment in the neighborhood of said joystick, said joystick being movable to all of its pivotable positions by the face of the thumb of a hand grasping said elongated segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A hand-held device comprising:
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an elongated segment adapted for grasping; and a multi-position manipulandum protruding from a surface that is generally parallel to a centerline of said elongated segment and within reach of the thumb of a hand grasping said elongated segment and extended generally parallel to the center line of said elongated segment. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification