Multiple switch assembly including lockable and/or vertically movable switch actuator
First Claim
1. A manual control device for selectively actuating one or more switches in a multiswitch system, said device comprising a housing, a plurality of switches disposed in said housing and being actuatable upon engagement, a switch actuator mounted in said housing and defining a plurality of contact surfaces for respectively engaging and actuating said switches, and means for providing limited movement of said actuator in said housing upon manual actuation of said actuator in a manner to permit selective engagement and actuation of single ones of said switches by said contact surfaces to provide corresponding outputs while permitting simultaneous engagement and actuation of selective pairs of said switches to provide different outputs, said means for providing limited movement permitting initial vertical movement of said switch actuator relative to said housing and subsequent tilting movement of said actuator relative to said housing to permit said engagement, said latter tilting movement being less than would be required in the absence of said vertical movement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A manual control device for selectively actuating one or more switches in a multiswitch system. The device is utilized in cooperation with a video entertainment system, multimedia game device or other type system requiring a hand-actuated control apparatus. The device includes a housing, a plurality of switches disposed in the housing and being actuatable upon engagement, a switch actuator mounted in the housing and a plunger forming with said switch actuator a fulcrum to limit movement of the actuator in a manner to provide selective engagement and actuation of the switches, while permitting simultaneous engagement and actuation of selective pairs of the switches to provide different outputs. The device is operable to actuate switches individually or in adjacent pairs. The device is capable of both direct and tilt methods of operation such that in the tilt method the tilting movement for switch actuation is less than that required in the direct method.
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Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A manual control device for selectively actuating one or more switches in a multiswitch system, said device comprising a housing, a plurality of switches disposed in said housing and being actuatable upon engagement, a switch actuator mounted in said housing and defining a plurality of contact surfaces for respectively engaging and actuating said switches, and means for providing limited movement of said actuator in said housing upon manual actuation of said actuator in a manner to permit selective engagement and actuation of single ones of said switches by said contact surfaces to provide corresponding outputs while permitting simultaneous engagement and actuation of selective pairs of said switches to provide different outputs, said means for providing limited movement permitting initial vertical movement of said switch actuator relative to said housing and subsequent tilting movement of said actuator relative to said housing to permit said engagement, said latter tilting movement being less than would be required in the absence of said vertical movement.
- 10. A manual control device for selectively actuating one or more switches in a multi switch system, said device comprising a housing, a plurality of switches disposed in said housing and being actuatable upon engagement, a switch actuator means mounted in said housing and defining a plurality of contact surfaces for respectively engaging and actuating said switches, means for providing limited tilting movement of said actuator means in said housing in a first series of directions to permit selective engagement and actuation of said switches, and for providing limited tilting movement of said switch actuator means in said housing in a second series of directions to permit selective engagement and actuation of pairs of switches, and for permitting initial vertical movement of said switch actuator means relative to said housing and subsequent tilting movement of said switch actuator means relative to said housing to permit said engagement, said latter tilting movement being less than would be required in the absence of said vertical movement.
Specification