Force and torque converter for use in a computer input device
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque, the apparatus comprising:
- a base;
a movable member that provides movement relative to the base in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque;
a controlling mechanism havinga plurality of resilient mechanisms, connected to the base and co-acting with the movable member, that provide at least one of a restoring force and a restoring torque to the movable member in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque, anda restraining member, disposed within the movable member, that is free of contact with the movable member when the movable member is disposed in a first position, and contacts the movable member to restrain the movement of the movable member relative to the base when the movable member is moved from the first position to a second position in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque; and
a detection circuit that detects the movement of the movable member relative to the base, and provides the electronic signal.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A force and torque converter provides an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque. The converter includes a base, a movable member that provides movement relative to the base in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque, a controlling mechanism, and a detection circuit. The controlling mechanism has a plurality of resilient mechanisms, connected to the base and co-acting with the movable member, that provide at least one of a restoring force and a restoring torque to the movable member in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque. The controlling mechanism further includes a restraining member, disposed within the movable member, that restrains the movable member when the movable member is in contact with the restraining member. The detection circuit co-acts with the controlling mechanism, to detect the movement of the movable member relative to the base, and provide the electronic signal.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque, the apparatus comprising:
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a base; a movable member that provides movement relative to the base in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque; a controlling mechanism having a plurality of resilient mechanisms, connected to the base and co-acting with the movable member, that provide at least one of a restoring force and a restoring torque to the movable member in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque, and a restraining member, disposed within the movable member, that is free of contact with the movable member when the movable member is disposed in a first position, and contacts the movable member to restrain the movement of the movable member relative to the base when the movable member is moved from the first position to a second position in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque; and a detection circuit that detects the movement of the movable member relative to the base, and provides the electronic signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for providing an electronic signal in response to at least one of an applied force and an applied torque, the apparatus comprising:
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a base; a movable member that provides movement relative to the base in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque; controlling means for controlling movement of the movable member relative to the base, the controlling means including; means for providing at least one of a restoring force and a restoring torque to the movable member in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque, and means for restraining the movable member when the movable member is moved from a first position to a second position in response to the at least one of the applied force and the applied torque, the means for restraining not restraining the movable member when the movable member is disposed in the first position; and a detection circuit that detects the movement of the movable member relative to the base, and provides the electronic signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification