X-Y direction input device having changeable orientation of input axes and switch activation
First Claim
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1. An X-Y direction input device comprising:
- a rotatably mounted ball;
a first follower roller contacting and rotated by said ball on a first rotational axis;
a second follower roller contacting and rotated by said ball on a second rotational axis perpendicular to the first rotational axis of said first follower roller, wherein the rotation of said first and second follower rollers by said ball on said first and second rotational axes defines an input X-Y plane;
a first rotation detecting means detecting the rotation of said first follower roller;
a second rotation detecting means detecting the rotation of said second follower roller;
a switch board carrying a push switch assembly for processing signals from said first and second rotation detecting means;
a switch activating means for activating said push switch assembly; and
an inner shell means enveloping at least said ball, first and second follower rollers and first and second rotation detecting means, and an outer shell means enveloping at least said switch board and having an external orientation axis in said X-Y plane, said switch activating means being exposed on outer surfaces of said outer shell means, and said inner shell means being rotatably engaged with said outer shell means for rotation relative thereto about an axis perpendicular to said X-Y plane, whereby said first and second axes of said first and second follower rollers can be rotatively changed when desired relative to said external orientation axis of said outer shell means.
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Abstract
An X-Y direction input device includes a ball, a switchboard carrying push switches, first and second follower rollers rotated by the ball having axes perpendicular to each other, and rotation detecting means which all are enveloped by an outer shell. The push switches are activated by switch activating members exposed on the outer surface of the outer shell. The axes of the first and second follower rollers may be rotated by a desired angle with respect to an orientation of the outer shell.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. An X-Y direction input device comprising:
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a rotatably mounted ball; a first follower roller contacting and rotated by said ball on a first rotational axis; a second follower roller contacting and rotated by said ball on a second rotational axis perpendicular to the first rotational axis of said first follower roller, wherein the rotation of said first and second follower rollers by said ball on said first and second rotational axes defines an input X-Y plane; a first rotation detecting means detecting the rotation of said first follower roller; a second rotation detecting means detecting the rotation of said second follower roller; a switch board carrying a push switch assembly for processing signals from said first and second rotation detecting means; a switch activating means for activating said push switch assembly; and an inner shell means enveloping at least said ball, first and second follower rollers and first and second rotation detecting means, and an outer shell means enveloping at least said switch board and having an external orientation axis in said X-Y plane, said switch activating means being exposed on outer surfaces of said outer shell means, and said inner shell means being rotatably engaged with said outer shell means for rotation relative thereto about an axis perpendicular to said X-Y plane, whereby said first and second axes of said first and second follower rollers can be rotatively changed when desired relative to said external orientation axis of said outer shell means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification