Forearm mounted multi-axis remote control unit

• US 5,038,144 A
• Filed: 03/21/1990
• Issued: 08/06/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger Kaye
• Original Assignee: Roger Kaye
• Inventors: Kaye, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/497,130
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 341/176, 455/100, 455/128, 340/706, 434/307, 273/1 E, 273/DIG. 28
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/0221 the switches being fixed to the operator's hand, e.g. integrated in a glove or fixed to a ring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 9/00 Remote-control of tuned circuits; Combined remote-control of tuning and other functions, e.g. brightness, amplification mechanical remote-control arrangements H03J1/00 ; using a microprocessor H03J1/0025; constructional details of remote control switching devices H01H9/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 9/02 using radio transmission; using near-field transmission

Abstract

A remote control device is designed to be worn on one arm and operated by movements of a single hand. The device includes a forearm section and a pivotally connected hand section. The device is capable of providing up to 8 channels of individual controls. Both radio transmission and wire transmission capabilities are disclosed. The device includes switches that can be actuated by hand movements in either of two axes and also by a rotary movement of the hand relative to the forearm.

Claims

1. A remote control unit comprising:

a rearward unit including means for securely and removably attaching said rearward unit to a user'"'"'s forearm;

a forward unit connected to said rearward unit, said forward unit including hand engaging means for engaging a hand connected to said forearm;

at least three movement operated switch means operatively connected to said forward unit whereby when said control unit is mounted on the arm of a user, said three switch means can be actuated independently or simultaneously by movements associated with the hand to which the forward unit is engaged relative to the rearward unit; and

a transmission means operatively connected to said switch means for transmitting signals to an object that is to be remotely controlled, said signals resulting from actuation of any of said switch means.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein when the unit is mounted on the arm of a user, a first of said switch means can be actuated by rotating the hand to which the forward unit is engaged, said rotation being about longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of said forearm.

3. The unit of claim 2 wherein when the unit is mounted on an arm of a user, a second of said switch means can be actuated by pivoting the hand to which the forward unit is engaged in a first axial direction that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said forearm.

4. The unit of claim 1 wherein said transmission means comprises a radio transmitter.

5. The unit of claim 1 wherein said transmission means comprises a plurality of wires connecting said remote control unit to the object being controlled.

6. The unit of claim 1 wherein said rearward and forward units are configured whereby said unit can be placed on either a right or left arm of a user.

7. The unit of claim 1 wherein at least one of said switch means is of the proportional type whereby different amounts of movements create proportionally different actuations of said switch means.

8. A remote control unit comprising:

a first portion including means for removably mounting said first portion on a user'"'"'s forearm;

a second portion operatively connected to said first portion and including engagement means for engaging a user'"'"'s hand which is on the same arm to which the first portion would be mounted;

controller means operatively connected to said engagement means and which is actuated by movement of a hand to which the second portion is engaged, said movement being relative to the forearm to which the first portion is engaged and wherein the controller means includes at least three switch means that can be actuated either independently or simultaneously wherein a first of said switch means can be actuated by moving said hand relative to said forearm in a first direction, a second of said switch means can be actuated by moving said hand relative to said forearm in a second direction, and a third of said switch means can be actuated by a rotary movement of said hand; and

transmitting means connected to either of said portions for transmitting signals caused by actuation of said controller means to a unit controlled by said remote control.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the transmitting means transmits radio waves.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the second portion comprises a grip means and a trigger means, said trigger means being operatively engaged to a fourth switch means which, when actuated by a finger moving said trigger means, also sends a signal to said transmitting means for initiating an action in the unit controlled by said remote control.

11. A remote control unit for controlling a remotely controlled device, said remote control unit comprising:

a forearm receiving portion having an arcuate interior shape for receiving a forearm and including securing means for removably securing said portion to a forearm of a user;

a hand engaging portion pivotally connected to said forearm receiving portion, said hand engaging portion including a gripping means which can be gripped by a user'"'"'s fingers, said fingers being on the same arm to which the forearm receiving portion would be attached;

a first switch means operatively connected to both the forearm receiving portion and the hand engaging portion, wherein said first switch means can be actuated by pivotal movement of one of said portions relative to the other of said portions;

a second switch means operatively connected to said gripping means wherein said second switch means can be actuated by movement of one of said fingers which can be gripping said gripping means;

a third switch means operatively connected to both the forearm receiving portion and the hand engaging portion, wherein said third switch means can be actuated by a pivotal movement of one of said portions relative to the other of said portions said pivotal movement being in a different direction from the pivotal movement that actuates said first switch means;

a fourth switch means operatively connected to both the forearm receiving portion and the hand engaging portion, wherein said fourth switch means is actuated by a rotary movement of said hand engaging portion relative to said forearm receiving portion; and

a transmitting means connected to said first, second, third and fourth switch means and located on one of said portions for transmitting signals caused by actuation of any of said switch means to the device being controlled by the remote control unit.